RAMALLAH, October 5, 2016 (WAFA) – The three Palestinian Arabic dailies focused in their Wednesday front page stories on the cabinet decision to postpone local elections by four months after a Supreme Court ruling that elections could be held only in the West Bank but not Gaza.
Explaining the reason for the cabinet’s decision, al-Ayyam said the decision was intended to ensure that elections are held in all governorates on the same day.
The dailies said the cabinet asked the minister of local government to appoint new councils in areas where council members have resigned in order to run for the elections that were scheduled for October 8 until the new elections are held.
Highlighting reaction to the cabinet’s decision, al-Quds said Fatah and Hamas traded accusations over the postponement of elections. It added the United Nations welcomed the cabinet’s decision.
Al-Quds noted the cabinet held its weekly session in the southern West Bank city of Hebron.
In contrast, al-Hayat al-Jadida opted to give prominence to a demonstration by Fatah activists in support of President Mahmoud Abbas, who was criticized after attending the funeral of former Israeli President Shimon Peres in Ramallah.
It reported Fatah supporters as pledging their support to Abbas.
Al-Quds and al-Ayyam highlighted Foreign Minister Riyad Malki remarks regarding the Arab Ministerial Quartet meeting in Cairo which decided to start consultations to push for a UN Security Council resolution on Israeli settlements.
Al-Ayyam quoted Malki stating action will be taken on four levels regarding the Palestinian cause at the UN.
The dailies said scores of Israeli extremists escorted by police carried out provocative tours of Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
Al-Quds said the United States denounced Israel’s decision to build 98 new settlement units in the northern West Bank.
It said private sector stakeholders demonstrated in front of the UN headquarters in Gaza city, demanding the Gaza reconstruction mechanism that outlines provision for entry of building material, mainly cement, into Gaza be abolished.
Al-Quds and al-Ayyam said a solidarity boat called Zaytouna is approaching the besieged Gaza Strip and Israeli naval boats have been placed on alert in Ashdod seaport in order to intercept the boat heading to break the 10-year-old siege on the Gaza Strip.
Al-Quds and al-Hayat al-Jadida said the Palestinian education ministry warned hundreds of public school teachers that they could be fired if they proceed with plans to strike over salary issues.
K.F./M.A.
