RAMALLAH, Tuesday, July 23, 2019 (WAFA) – The Israeli demolition yesterday of 10 Palestinian buildings in Wadi al-Hummus area of Sur Baher neighborhood of occupied East Jerusalem that displaced over two dozen individuals, mainly children, was highlighted on the front page of al-Ayyam and al-Hayat al-Jadida Arabic dailies issued today. Al-Quds daily did not publish today for the first time in decades as a result of a general strike by the employees over financial issues.
The headline in al-Hayat al-Jadida on the demolitions said: “An ethnic cleansing crime: Occupation demolishes 10 buildings in Wadi al-Hummus.”
Al-Ayyam headlined: “House carnage in Wadi al-Hummus and the leadership puts in place mechanisms to cancel all agreements with Israel.”
The two papers included pictures from the demolitions as well as local and international reactions that almost filled their entire front page with some calling it “war crime”, others as “illegal” and “violation of international law.”
Al-Hayat al-Jadida said the government has vowed to support the homeowners affected by the demolitions in Wadi al-Hummus.
It also said in another news item that Jordan foiled an Israeli attempt to deport a Palestinian resident of East Jerusalem, photojournalist Mustafa Kharouf, to its territory after Israel alleged he does not have residency papers even though he is from Jerusalem and has been living in the city for the last 20 years.
In other front page news, al-Hayat al-Jadida said President Mahmoud Abbas eulogized Bassam Shakaa, former mayor of Nablus and one of the leaders of the national forces in the late 1970’s early 1980s.
The paper quoted the Iraqi journalists saying it will take action against any member who visits Israel.
Al-Ayyam said that an Israeli court sentenced Islam Abu Hmeid, 33, from Amari refugee camp in Ramallah to life in prison and ordered him to pay over 250,000 Israeli shekels (over $70,000) to the family of an Israeli soldier he reportedly killed during an army raid of the camp over a year ago.
It quoted a Palestinian official saying Israel is about to take a decision allowing the Palestinian government to collect taxes on fuel destined to the Palestinian areas.
M.K.
