RAMALLAH, September 28, 2017 (WAFA) – Palestine’s membership in the International Police Organization, Interpol, was highlighted on the front page of the three Palestinian Arabic dailies on Thursday.
“Palestine member in the Interpol,” was the four-word headline in Arabic in al-Hayat al-Jadida that went across the front page.
The headlines in al-Ayyam and al-Quds said Palestine became a member in the Interpol in spite of strong American and Israeli objections.
Al-Ayyam published the full text of the resolution and reported on reactions, mainly those of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who threatened reprisal against the Palestinian Authority for its action.
It quoted Foreign Minister Riyad Malki saying that Palestine will not be deterred by Netanyahu’s threats and that it will continue seeking membership in international organizations.
Al-Quds said Netanyahu met US peace envoy Jason Greenblatt along with US ambassador to Israel David Freidman as part of US efforts to revive the deadlocked Palestinian-Israeli peace process.
It said the Israeli premier celebrated with settlers 50 years for the occupation of the West Bank and the start of the internationally-condemned illegal settlement movement in the occupied territories.
In other reports, al-Quds said a businessman skipped the country after swindling 28 million Israeli shekels (app. $8 million) from a local bank. The businessman, who was identified only by his initials, M.P.N., took the money as a loan from the Ramallah-branch of the Jordan National Bank and then left the country.
It said the office of President Mahmoud Abbas has formed a committee to follow up on this matter. After joining Interpol, Palestine should now be able to extradite criminals who are hiding in other countries.
The three papers said Israeli police has intensified its forces’ presence in Jerusalem and is going to impose a closure on the West Bank and Gaza during the upcoming Jewish holiday, particularly Yom Kippur, which coincides on Friday evening and Saturday.
Reporting on the developments in several Palestinian villages northwest of Jerusalem, which have come under the wrath of the Israeli military following the killing of three security men outside an illegal West Bank settlement, the papers said Israel is in the process of demolishing homes and water wells under the pretext of being built without permit in clear reprisal action and collective punishment for the attack by a local resident.
Al-Quds said Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah and his Jordanian counterpart Hani Mulqi have signed five memorandums of understanding on cooperation between their two neighboring countries.
Al-Hayat al-Jadida said Palestine loses $1.6 billion every year because it does not have a national currency.
Al-Ayyam quoted Hamas leader in Gaza Yehya Sinwar saying that his organization will not allow anyone to disrupt reconciliation plans.
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