RAMALLAH, March 25, 2017 (WAFA) – The three Palestinian Arabic dailies highlighted in their Saturday issue the visit of President Mahmoud Abbas to Germany and his meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel, the passage in the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) of four resolutions supporting Palestinian human rights in the Israeli-occupied territories and the weekly anti-settlements protests Palestinians wage against the Israeli occupation authorities in the West Bank.
The papers highlighted statements Abbas and Merkel made in their joint press conference in Berlin, focusing on the dangerous impact of Israeli settlements on the two-state solution and peace in the region.
The dailies also said UNHRC passed four resolutions confirming Palestinian rights, most prominently one condemning Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine.
They also said dozens were hurt when Israeli occupation forces attacked peaceful protests in several West Bank villages and towns demanding an end to Israeli settlements and the construction of the separation wall on Palestinian land that are gradually eating up what is left of land deeming it impossible to have a viable Palestinian state in any future peace agreement with Israel.
The papers also said large crowds participated in the funeral of 17-year-old Mohammad Hattab, from Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah, who was shot dead by Israeli soldiers.
Al-Ayyam said Mazen Fuqaha, 39, from the West Bank city of Tubas who was exiled to Gaza after his release from Israeli jail in a prisoners exchange deal, was assassinated outside his Gaza home in yet unclear circumstances.
Hamas officials accused Israel of assassinating him, according to a report in al-Quds daily and al-Ayyam.
The papers said Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails led by incarcerated Fatah strongman Marwan Barghouti plan to launch an open hunger strike starting April 17, Palestinian Prisoner Day, to force the Israel Prisons Service to implement a number of their demands.
The three dailies said Palestinians, particularly the Ministry of Education, have protested attempts by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) to change the Palestinian school curriculum in a way that would affect the Palestinian national identity.
Just a reminder, summer time started in Palestine Saturday morning by moving the clock up by 60 minutes. It had started in Israel the day before.
M.K.
