NEW YORK, September 27, 2018 (WAFA) – The Group of 77 and China meeting in New York on the sideline of the United Nations General Assembly’s 73rd session unanimously named on Thursday President Mahmoud Abbas as chairman, replacing Egypt’s Abdel … Continued
Author Archives: majdy
Abbas signs 22 international treaties to boost legal status of Palestine
RAMALLAH, December 18, 2017 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas Monday signed 22 agreements and international treaties that strengthen the legal status of the State of Palestine on a global scale. These important agreements would make the State of Palestine a … Continued
Presidency condemns US veto, considers it mockery of international community
RAMALLAH, December 18, 2017 (WAFA) – The presidency Monday condemned the US veto on a draft resolution on Jerusalem, calling it a mockery of the international community and a concession to the Israeli occupation and aggression. Presidential spokesman Nabil Abu … Continued
World Council of Churches concerned over US move on Jerusalem
JERUSALEM, December 6, 2017 (WAFA) – World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit expressed grave concern on Wednesday over US President Donald Trump’s announcement that the United States will recognize Jerusalem as the capital of … Continued
General strike observed in Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza
RAMALLAH, December 7, 2017 (WAFA) – A general strike was observed in most of the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, on Thursday in protest against US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel. Shops remained closed … Continued
France does not support Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital
PARIS, December 6, 2017 (WAFA) – French President, Emmanuel Macron, said his country does not support U.S. President Donald Trump’s official recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Macron expressed dismay over Trump’s decision, describing it as a regrettable … Continued
UN Guterres: Jerusalem is a final status issue that must be resolved through direct negotiations
NEW YORK, December 6, 2017 (WAFA) – The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said following U.S. President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel that, ‘Jerusalem is a final status issue that must be resolved through direct … Continued
British prime minister says US decision on Jerusalem ‘unhelpful’ for peace
LONDON, December 7, 2017 (WAFA) – British Prime Minister Theresa May said in a statement late Wednesday that she views the decision by the United States President Donald Trump to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel as unhelpful to … Continued
EU requests clarifications over recent Israeli decisions to promote thousands of settlement units
JERUSALEM, October 18, 2017 (WAFA) – The European Union has requested clarifications from Israeli authorities over recent promotion of plans, tenders and permits for thousands of settlement units across the West Bank. This week, Israeli authorities further promoted plans, … Continued
Refugees plan to sue Britain over the infamous Balfour Declaration
GAZA, October 19, 2017 (WAFA) – The Palestine Liberation Organization’s (PLO) refugee department condemned on Thursday British government plans to celebrate the centennial of the infamous Balfour Declaration of November 2, 2017, saying it was the cause for … Continued
Palestine Welcomes Interpol’s decision to admit Palestine as a full member
Palestine welcomes Interpol’s decision to admit the State of Palestine as a full member in its organization, and extend its gratitude and appreciation to the seventy-five countries that upheld their principles and voted in favour of Palestine becoming a member … Continued
Palestine and the United Nations: 70 years on
Palestine’s story at the United Nations began on 29 November 1947, with the UN General Assembly’s (UNGA) adoption of Resolution 181. The so-called “Partition Resolution” proposed, for first time in history, to divide a homeland into two states. Seven full … Continued
Worshippers refusing to go through metal detector gates hold prayer outside Al Aqsa compound
JERUSALEM, July 17, 2017 (WAFA) – Dozens of Palestinian worshippers Monday prayed in the alleys of the Old City of Jerusalem leading to Al Aqsa Mosque after they refused to enter the Muslim holy place going through metal detector gates … Continued
UNESCO declares Hebron Old City Palestinian world heritage site
UN’s cultural arm voted 12 to three to give heritage status to the Old City of Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Abbas: Freedom of Palestinians is the key to peace and stability
BETHLEHEM, May 23, 2017 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas said on Tuesday that freedom and independence of the Palestinian people is the key to peace and stability. Speaking at a press conference with visiting US President Donald Trump, Abbas said … Continued
US President Trump arrives in Bethlehem
BETHLEHEM, May 23, 2017 (WAFA) – US President Donald Trump arrived in Bethlehem on Tuesday where he was received by President Mahmoud Abbas. The two leaders inspected the honor guards before starting their talks. wafa
CLOSER MEDICAL WATCH OF TENS OF HUNGER-STRIKING PALESTINIANS
By MOHAMMED DARAGHMEH Associated Press RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — Several dozen hunger-striking Palestinians have been transferred from their cells to special wings in Israeli prisons for additional medical supervision, a spokesman for the Israel Prison Service said Wednesday. After … Continued
Newspapers Review: Prisoners’ condition on 32nd day of hunger strike focus of dailies
RAMALLAH, May 18, 2017 (WAFA) – The condition of Palestinian prisoners who have entered their second month of hunger strike demanding their basic rights hit the front page headlines in the local Palestinian dailies on Thursday. The three dailies reported … Continued
Barghouthi to stop drinking water as Israel fails to respond to hunger strike’s demands
May 16, 2017 2:22 P.M. (Updated: May 17, 2017 12:02 P.M.) Some of Palestine’s most high-profile prisoners. From left to right: Fouad Shubaki, Nael Barghouthi, Karim Yunis, Ahmad Saadat, Marwan Barghouthi RAMALLAH (Ma’an) — As the mass “Freedom and Dignity” … Continued
Abbas: Ending Israeli occupation would help combat terrorism, extremism
HYDARABAD, May 16, 2017 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas Tuesday said that ending the Israeli occupation of Palestine would assist efforts to combat terrorism and extremism. He said that if Israel ends its occupation started in June 1967, it would … Continued
Palestinian Nakba 69
Newspapers Review: Abbas-Trump summit focus of dailies
RAMALLAH, May 4, 2017 (WAFA) – The summit talks between President Mahmoud Abbas and his US counterpart Donald Trump in Washington was the highlight of the Thursday issue of the three Palestinian Arabic dailies. The three dailies highlighted statements by … Continued
President Abbas: Trump enthusiastic for peace and has a political vision
WASHINGTON, May 4, 2017 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas said on Thursday that US President Donald Trump is enthusiastic about peace and that he has a vision for a political solution for the Middle East conflict. Speaking in an … Continued
Groups petition Israel’s Supreme Court to allow lawyers’ visits to striking prisoners
HAIFA, April 29, 2017 (WAFA) – Adalah – The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel and the Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs filed on Thursday a petition to the Israeli Supreme Court against the Israel Prisons Service … Continued
Awards presented to Palestinians at the Arab Radio and TV Festival held in Tunis. (WAFA photo) TUNIS, April 29, 2017 (WAFA) – Palestine radio and TV won seven awards at the Arab State Broadcasting Union’s 18th Arab Radio and … Continued
Newspapers Review: Protests on ‘day of rage’ in support of prisoners highlight of dailies
RAMALLAH, April 29, 2017 (WAFA) – The protests that raged on Friday throughout the occupied Palestinian territories in support of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike in Israeli jails for the thirteenth day in a row were the highlight … Continued
Clashes erupt as Israeli forces attack large-scale solidarity demonstrations
NABLUS, April 28, 2017 (WAFA) – Clashes Friday erupted between Israeli forces and Palestinian protesters across the West Bank as protesters marched in solidarity with hunger-striking detainees, who entered their 12th day without food. Palestinians gathered for weekly Friday prayer … Continued
Newspapers review: General strike in solidarity with hunger strikers focus of dailies
RAMALLAH, April 28, 2017 (WAFA) – The general strike held across the occupied Palestinian territories in solidarity with some 1,800 hungers-striking Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails hit the front page headlines in local Palestinian dailies. The dailies reported Palestinians across … Continued
Fængslet palæstinensisk politiker: Derfor sultestrejker vi i Israels fængsler
Plakater af afdøde Yassir Arafat og Marwan Barghouti (tv) i Gaza. Fængslet palæstinensisk politiker: Derfor sultestrejker vi i Israels fængsler Den fængslede politiker Marwan Barghouti har fået smuglet et brev ud af sin isolationscelle i Hadarim-fængslet i Israel og … Continued
Palestinian prisoners in Israel go on hunger strike
Palestinian prisoners in Israel go on hunger strike Thousands of prisoners expected to join rights protest led by Marwan Barghouti that has significant political backing. Peter Beaumont in Jerusalem Monday 17 April 2017 06.39 BST Last modified on Monday … Continued
Human Rights Watch Says Israel Blocking Access to Gaza
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (FARES AKRAM) April 3, 2017 5:10 AM April 3, 2017 8:59 AM Gaza City, Gaza Strip (AP) — An international human rights group on Monday accused Israel of barring foreign researchers from entering the Gaza Strip to … Continued
State of Palestine Ministry of Foreign Affairs 17 March 2017 Press statement
State of Palestine Ministry of Foreign Affairs 17 March 2017 Press statement Minister Riad Malki expresses deep regret that the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), Dr. Rima Khalaf, was compelled to … Continued
Another Raid and Closure of a Palestinian Institution in Occupied East Jerusalem
Statements March 14, 2017 Dr. Saeb Erekat strongly condemns the illegitimate closure of the Mapping and Geographic Information Systems Department of the Arab Studies Society and the illegal detention of Mr. Khalil Tufakji this morning in Occupied East Jerusalem. Mr. Tufakji … Continued
Dutch official says recognition of Palestine on government agenda
RAMALLAH, March 7, 2017 (WAFA) – Recognition of Palestine is on the agenda of the Dutch government, Andre Haspels, director general of political affairs at the Dutch foreign ministry, said on Tuesday. Haspels, who held talks with Palestinian officials … Continued
Israel’s travel ban law on boycott activists violates basic tenets of democracy, says groups
HAIFA, March 7, 2017 (WAFA) – The Israeli parliament’s new law that bans entry of foreign nationals and of Palestinians from the West Bank if they or the organizations they belong to publicly expressed support for boycott against the … Continued
PLO Executive Committee Member Dr. Hanan Ashrawi marked International Women’s Day (March 8) and issued the following statement:
“On the occasion of International Women’s Day, we honor all women, in particular, Palestinian women for their steadfastness and significant role in the national struggle for self-determination, freedom and dignity in spite of the challenges and difficulties they … Continued
Ministry Of Foreign Affairs: The Absence of Deterrent International Sanctions Encourages Israel to Unilaterally Resolve the Final Status Issues
The Ministry Of Foreign Affairs condemns, in the strongest terms, the Israeli government’s decision to annex 250 donums of land belonging to the Sur Baher in Jerusalem, for the Israeli municipality to build over 2,000 new housing units. The ministry … Continued
Newspapers Review: Israeli killer soldier’s light sentence focus of dailies
RAMALLAH, February 22, 2017 (WAFA) – The 18-month sentence a Tel Aviv military court issued against the Israeli soldier who shot and killed an incapacitated Palestinian in Hebron in April of last year was the focus of the front page … Continued
Families removed from their homes to make room for Israeli military drill
NABLUS, February 22, 2017 (WAFA) – Israeli forces Wednesday ordered all Palestinian residents of Khirbit Tana, east of Nablus in the occupied West Bank, to leave their homes to allow for military drill in that area, a local official said. … Continued
Israeli soldiers detain four Palestinians near Hebron and seize vehicles
HEBRON, February 22, 2017 (WAFA) – Israeli soldiers detained overnight four Palestinians, including two former prisoners, seized vehicles and raided several homes in the Hebron district, Palestinian security sources said on Wednesday. Israeli forces raided the town of Dura and … Continued
Israeli bulldozers demolish Palestinian building in East Jerusalem
West Jerusalem municipality bulldozer demolishing a Palestinian home in Beit Hanina. JERUSALEM, February 22, 2017 (WAFA) – Bulldozers of the Israeli municipality of West Jerusalem Wednesday demolished a Palestinian-owned building in Beit Hanina, an Arab neighborhood in occupied East … Continued
Sick Palestinian prisoner sees family one time in 15 years
RAMALLAH, February 20, 2017 (WAFA) – A sick Palestinian detainee sentenced for over nine lifetimes in Israeli jail was only allowed one family visit since his arrest in 2002, Monday said the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society (PPS). PPS said that the … Continued
Israel to demolish several homes in Arab city in Israel
RAMALLAH, February 20, 2017 (WAFA) – Israeli police Tuesday handed a number of demolition orders for their homes and other structures in the Arab city of Qalansuwa, inside Israel, citing unpermitted construction as a permit. The popular committee in Qalansuwa … Continued
Israeli navy detains five Palestinian fishermen offshore Gaza
GAZA, February 21, 2017 (WAFA) – Israeli navy Tuesday detained five Palestinian fishermen after opening fire at their fishing boats offshore the Gaza Strip, local sources said. The fishermen, who were sailing within the authorized nautical zone, belong to the … Continued
Newspapers review: Secret Aqaba summit, funding of settlement outposts focus of dailies
RAMALLAH, February 21, 2017 (WAFA) – The regional peace plan rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the February 2016 secret summit in Aqaba and the Israeli government’s funding of settlement outposts hit the front page headlines in the … Continued
A Parliamentary delegation from Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliament of the Faroe Islands visited Palestine
A Parliamentary delegation from Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliament of the Faroe Islands visited Palestine A Parliamentary delegation from Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliament of the Faroe Islands visited Palestine, in coordination with the Representative Office of the … Continued
Foreign ministry condemns Israeli bill to muffle call to prayer
Foreign ministry condemns Israeli bill to muffle call to prayer RAMALLAH, February 13, 2017 (WAFA) – The Foreign Ministry condemned the Muezzin bill approved by the Israeli Knesset’s Ministerial Committee for Legislation on Sunday, and accused the Israeli government of … Continued
EU foreign policy chief: Israeli settlements law crosses dangerous threshold
BRUSSELS, February 7, 2017 (WAFA) – European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini Tuesday condemned the so-called “Regularization Law” adopted by the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, on Monday. “The European Union condemns the recent adoption of the “Regularization Law” … Continued
German Foreign Office: “Legalization” of settlement outposts a disappointment
BERLIN, February 7, 2017 (WAFA) – The German government Tuesday denounced Israel’s settlement “legalization” law saying it was a disappointment. A spokesman for the German Foreign Office said in Berlin that the Israeli parliament adoption of the law has “disappointed … Continued
Jerusalem’s Israeli municipality demolishes Arab-owned building
JERUSALEM, February 8, 2017 (WAFA) –Bulldozers for the Israeli municipality of West Jerusalem Wednesday demolished an uncompleted Palestinian-owned building in the northern neighborhood of Beit Hanina in occupied Jerusalem under the pretext it was built without a permit, according to … Continued