RAMALLAH, December 18, 2017 (WAFA) – The three Palestinian Arabic dailies highlighted on the front page of their Monday issue the continuing protests at home and around the world of the US decision recognizing Jerusalem as capital of Israel.
The papers said protests were held in many countries in support of Jerusalem and printed pictures from Washington and Jakarta, as appeared in al-Ayyam, as well as New Delhi and Diyar Bakr, as came in al-Hayat al-Jadida, which had the headline: “Streets of the world are Jerusalemite.”
The top front page story in al-Hayat al-Jadida however reported on the expected UN Security Council vote later on Monday regarding the Jerusalem decision.
It also included stories showing President Mahmoud Abbas in a meeting with Emir of Qatar in Doha on Sunday and another story quoting King Abdullah II of Jordan saying Muslim and Christian rights in Jerusalem are eternal. King Abdullah’s statement came during a meeting with Christian and Muslim clergy at the baptismal site on the Jordan River.
The paper also quoted Turkish President Erdogan saying that his country will soon open an embassy in East Jerusalem, the recognized capital of the future Palestinian state.
It also said the Arab countries had formed a ministerial committee to follow up on the US decision on Jerusalem in order to annul it.
Al-Quds and al-Ayyam reported more or less on the same stories with al-Quds quoting President Mahmoud Abbas’ diplomatic advisor Majdi Khalidi saying that no Palestinian official is going to meet with anyone from the US administration.
It also said that the Palestinian leadership is going to hold an extraordinary meeting on Monday night to discuss steps to confront the US decision. This was reported also in al-Ayyam, which said as well that Abbas is going to visit Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
Al-Ayyam said Israel detained 430 Palestinians and wounded 3431 people since the outbreak of protests against the US decision on Jerusalem.
It said quoting Fatah Central Committee member Azzam al-Ahmad, that the Palestinian Central Council is going to meet before the middle of next month and that Hamas is considering taking part in the meetings after getting an invitation to attend it.
The paper also said that Hamas employees kicked out from their offices the former employees of the Ministry of Culture in Gaza.
It also said Israeli settlers razed 500 dunums of Urif land south of Nablus in the West Bank.
The Palestinian-Russian political committee is going to meet in Moscow on Monday, said al-Ayyam quoting Nabil Shaath, advisor to Abbas on international affairs.
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