RAMALLAH, January 24, 2017 (WAFA) – Talk about relocating the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and the convoy of vehicles protesting home demolitions in Arab towns in Israel hit the front page headlines in the Palestinian dailies on Tuesday.

Al-Quds reported sources close to US President Donald Trump as announcing that the US has retracted on its decision to relocate the embassy. It added this move has caused Israeli disappointment.

Al-Ayyam reported the White House as stating that it was too early to take a decision on the relocation of the US embassy.

It reported secretary-general of the PLO Executive Committee, Saeb Erekat, as stating that the relocation of the US embassy means US recognition of Israel’s annexation of East Jerusalem.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida highlighted President Mahmoud Abbas’ meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah as its main front page news item.

It reported Presidential advisor for diplomatic affairs, Majdi Khalidi, as describing the meeting as “strategic” and “important” and noting the Jordanian leadership has affirmed its commitment not to change the legal status of Jerusalem.

The convoy of vehicles that protested the recent spate of home demolitions of Palestinian homes in Arab towns in Israel also hit the front page headlines in the dailies.

Al-Quds and al-Ayyam reported the convoy of vehicles set out from Qalansowa in central Israel to Jerusalem.

They explained that the protesters rallied in front of the Israeli parliament, the Knesset to protest the Israeli policy of home demolitions in Arab towns, namely Umm al-Hiran and Qalansowa, and police killing of Yacoub Abu al-Qeean in Umm al-Hiran.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida said demonstrators called for Israeli Minister of Public Security Gilad Ardan to resign.

Al-Ayyam and al-Hayat al-Jadida added Israeli High Court has ordered police to release the body of al-Qeean to his family for burial.

Furthermore, the dailies highlighted the latest spate of Palestinian home demolitions by Israeli forces in the West Bank.

The dailies said Israeli forces demolished two Palestinian homes and eight structures near the village of Jiftlik in the Jordan Valley.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida said Israeli troops detained a total of 24 Palestinians during overnight raids across the West Bank.

Al-Ayyam and al-Hayat al-Jadida added Israeli troops seized the contents of two stores during a raid into the Bethlehem district village of Husan.

Al-Quds added Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen off the coast of Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip, injuring a fisherman.

It spotlighted ongoing Israeli reprisals against the East Jerusalem Palestinian neighborhood of Jabal al-Mukabber following the deadly truck attack that killed four Israeli soldiers earlier this month.

It said Israel was compelled to open an investigation into the killing of 17-year-old Qusai al-Umour, shown in a video being dragged by Israeli soldiers after he was shot and fatally injured.

Al-Ayyam said France and Turkey condemned Israel’s approval of new settlement units in East Jerusalem.

K.F. /M.K.