RAMALLAH, November 21, 2017 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas’ meeting with Spanish King Felipe VI in Madrid hit the front page headlines in Palestinian Arabic dailies on Tuesday.

Abbas was reported in al-Quds and al-Hayat al-Jadida reiterating his commitment to just peace and urging Spain to recognize the State of Palestine.

He was also reported in al-Ayyam reiterating support to a peace agreement based on international resolutions and pledging to continue his efforts to unite the Palestinian people and land.

On his turn, Felipe VI was reported in al-Hayat al-Jadida emphasizing that there is no alternative to the solution of two democratic states as a basis to achieve a sustainable and lasting peace in the Middle East that would serve the legitimate aspirations of both sides.

On the other hand, al-Quds opted to spotlight in its main news item the imminent demolition of a number of Palestinian residential buildings constructed in the vicinity of the former Jerusalem airport to the north of the city.

It reported Israeli crews came to the East Jerusalem neighborhood and took measurements of a number of Palestinian buildings in preparation for demolition.

Al-Ayyam and al-Hayat al-Jadida explained Israeli occupation authorities inspected and took measurements for six buildings in preparation to detonate them.

Al-Ayyam added Israeli police conducted raids into East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan and Shufat as Palestinians held a sit-in at the entrance of al-Issawiya protesting the Israeli policy of home demolitions.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida also reported Israeli forces detained 25 Palestinians and stole gold merchandise from a jewelry store in multiple overnight raids across the West Bank.

The meeting of Palestinian factions in Cairo to push forward the national reconciliation also featured as a main front page news item.

Al-Quds and al-Ayyam reported Palestinian factions were set to launch a new round of Egyptian-sponsored national dialogue in Cairo on Tuesday.

Al-Ayyam added it is anticipated the Palestinian factions would engage in “difficult debates” on the different issues under consideration.

Member of Fatah Central Committee Azzam al-Ahmad was reported explaining that the factions were expected to evaluate achievements during today’s sessions, expressing his confidence that they would be able to overcome all obstacles.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida reported United Nations Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov stating the Egyptian-sponsored Palestinians talks “must not be allowed to fail.”

He was also reported in al-Ayyam warning if the reconciliations talks fail, conflict is likely to once again engulf the besieged Gaza Strip.

He also reportedly expressed concern over the implications of the US Administration’s decision to shut down the Palestine Liberation Organization’s (PLO) office in Washington, DC.

Al-Quds also reported Hamas movements stating the US is completely biased toward Israel for its decision to shut down the PLO office.

It also reported the Palestinian American community has decided to hold different events in protest of the US Administration’s decision to close the PLO office. It added the future of the PLO office remains uncertain.

Al-Quds reported Israeli occupation authorities have fast-tracked the implementation of a plan to install a cable car over Jerusalem’s Old City.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida said Palestinian Finance and Planning Minister Shukri Bishara signed an €8 million agreement with the French Consul-General in Jerusalem Pierre Cochard.

K.F./M.K.