RAMALLAH, January 10, 2017 (WAFA) – The Foreign Ministry condemned on Tuesday in what it described as “cold blooded execution” of Mohammad Salhi, 32, by Israeli soldiers who raided his home in Fara’a refugee camp near Tubas. The ministry said … Continued
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Newspapers Review: Abbas’ letter to Trump on relocation of US embassy focus of dailies
RAMALLAH, January 10, 2017 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas’ letter to US President-elect Donald Trump urging him to abstain from moving the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem hit the front page headlines in Palestinian local dailies … Continued
Soldiers assault 80-year-old woman in Qalqilya-area village
QALQILYA, January 10, 2017 (WAFA) – Israeli soldiers assaulted on Tuesday an 80-year-old elderly Palestinian woman during a raid of the village of Kufr Qaddoum, east of Qalqilya in the occupied West Bank, according to local sources. The woman was … Continued
Israeli soldiers shoot dead Palestinian in Fara’a refugee camp
TUBAS, January 10, 2017 (WAFA) – Israeli forces shot and killed on Tuesday a Palestinian during wide-scale raid of Fara’a refugee camp, south of Tubas, local and medical sources told WAFA. Soldiers opened fire at Mohammad Salhi, 32, after raiding … Continued
Newspapers review: Jerusalem deadly truck attack focus of dailies
RAMALLAH, January 9, 2017 (WAFA) – The deadly attack when a Palestinian-driven truck rammed into Israeli pedestrians at a bus stop in the illegal Israeli settlement of East Talpiyyot in Jerusalem hit the front page headlines in Palestinian local dailies. … Continued
Settlers seize building in Jerusalem’s Silwan neighborhood
JERUSALEM, January 8, 2017 (WAFA) – A group of Israeli settlers seized on Sunday a Palestinian-owned building in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan, south of al-Aqsa Mosque compound, according to local sources. The settlers, who belong to Elad, an extremist … Continued
US embassy move to Jerusalem would spark religious war, Fatah official says
RAMALLAH, January 8, 2017 (WAFA) – Hanna Issa, member of Fatah revolutionary council Sunday said moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem will ignite a religious war in the region. In an interview with Mawtni radio station, Issa … Continued
Ashrawi: Int. peace conference must offer clear objectives, binding timeframe
RAMALLAH, January 8, 2017 (WAFA) – PLO Executive Committee Member Hanan Ashrawi Sunday said the International Peace Conference must present “clear objectives with a concrete plan of implementation and a binding timeline.” During her meeting with the French Consul General … Continued
Israel orders halt on construction of 11 homes in Bethlehem
BETHLEHEM, January 8, 2017 (WAFA) – Israeli authorities on Sunday ordered a halt on the construction of about 11 Palestinian-owned homes in Wadi Abul-Hummus area, east of Bethlehem, according to local sources. Hassan Burajiya, of the Anti-Settlement Committee in Bethlehem, … Continued
Foreign Ministry: Trial of killer Israeli soldier a “mock”
RAMALLAH, January 4, 2017 (WAFA) – the Ministry of Foreign Affairs described on Wednesday an Israeli court’s conviction of an Israeli soldier who killed Abdul-Fattah al-Sharif on March 24 as a mock trial. In a press release, the ministry said … Continued
Tel Aviv court convicts killer soldier
TEL AVIV, January 4, 2017 (WAFA) – A military court in Tel Aviv Wednesday convicted an Israeli soldier, who shot and killed in cold blood a wounded Palestinian in Hebron, of manslaughter. The court said Elor Azaria, who shot dead … Continued
Woman and daughter among 31 Israel detains in West Bank
RAMALLAH, January 4, 2017 (WAFA) – A 39-year-old woman from Hebron identified as Bayan Aqel, and her daughter, Fatima, were among 31 Palestinians the Israeli forces detained during overnight wide-scale raids in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, the … Continued
Israeli court sentences wounded Palestinian minor to 8 years
JERUSALEM, January 4, 2017 (WAFA) – The Israeli District Court in Jerusalem Wednesday sentenced Marah Bakir, 17, to eight years in prison and a fine of $2500 for allegedly attempting to stab an Israeli. Bakir, from Beit Hanina neighborhood of … Continued
Abu Rudeineh: Netanyahu’s statements unhelpful for peace
RAMALLAH, January 4, 2016 (WAFA) –Statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu describing the upcoming Paris international peace conference as “futile” are unhelpful for peace, presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh said late Tuesday. “Such remarks do not contribute to promoting … Continued
Newspapers Review: Demolitions in Jordan Valley focus of dailies
RAMALLAH, January 4, 2017 (WAFA) – The demolition of Palestinian structures in Khirbet Tana in the northeastern Jordan Valley hit the front page headlines in Palestinian local dailies on Wednesday. Al-Quds said Israeli forces demolished 17 structures in Khirbet Tana, … Continued
Israeli municipality demolishes Palestinian house in East Jerusalem
JERUSALEM, January 4, 2017 (WAFA) – Staff from the West Jerusalem Israeli municipality Wednesday demolished a Palestinian-owned house in al-Ashraqiya area of Beit Hanina, a neighborhood in occupied East Jerusalem, under the pretext it was built without a permit. Israeli … Continued
Foreign Ministry: Israel’s violation of law puts UN credibility on the line
RAMALLAH, January 3, 2017 (WAFA) – The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday that the continuous Israeli violation of international law puts United Nations credibility on the line. It said in a statement that “the UN and its departments … Continued
Israeli Navy opens fire at fishing boats in Gaza
GAZA, January 3, 2017 (WAFA) – Israeli navy opened fire on Tuesday at Palestinian fishing boats sailing in the northern shores of the Gaza Strip, according to fishermen. They said the navy opened fire at their boats, which caused them … Continued
Newspapers review: Dailies highlight Israeli demolitions near Jerusalem
RAMALLAH, January 3, 2017 (WAFA) – The Israeli demolition of 11 residential structures in the Bedouin community of Khan al-Ahmar east of Jerusalem hit the front page headlines in Palestinian dailies on Tuesday. The dailies said the demolitions in the … Continued
Newspapers Review: Dailies focus on Capucci’s death, Israeli decisions and Istanbul massacre
RAMALLAH, January 2, 2017 (WAFA) – Each of the three Palestinian Arabic dailies focused on a different subject on their Monday front page. The highlight in al-Hayat al-Jadida was the death of Greek Catholic Archbishop Hilarion Capucci in Rome at … Continued
Palestinians to mark 52 years since launch of revolution against Israeli occupation
RAMALLAH, December 31, 2016 (WAFA) – The Palestinians mark on Sunday 52 years since the launch of the revolution against the Israeli occupation and the first military operation. Fatah, which has launched the first military operation on January 1, 1965, … Continued
Coordination office succeeds in reopening Bethlehem area road
RAMALLAH, January 2, 2017 (WAFA) – The Palestinian Military Coordination Office succeeded Monday in reopening the road between Marah Rabah and Beit Fajjar to the south of Bethlehem, which was blocked by the Israeli authorities two weeks ago. Israel claimed … Continued
Neturei Karta hails Security Council resolution against settlements
NEW YORK, January 1, 2017 (WAFA) – Anti-Israel US-based Jewish organization Neturei Karta hailed, in a statement Sunday, the United Nations Security Council resolution 2334 which condemned Israeli settlements and called for an end to settlement activity. It said, “For … Continued
Foreign ministry calls for international protection of Palestinian academic institutions
RAMALLAH, November 22, 2016 (WAFA) – Israeli soldiers on Tuesday opened fire at a Palestinian man at Qalqndiya checkpoint, at Ramallah-Jerusalem road, killing him on the spot, according to the Ministry of Health. Israeli army claimed that the man, who … Continued
Israeli soldiers fatally shoot Palestinian at Qalandiya checkpoint
RAMALLAH, November 22, 2016 (WAFA) – Israeli soldiers on Tuesday opened fire at a Palestinian man at Qalqndiya checkpoint, at Ramallah-Jerusalem road, killing him on the spot, according to the Ministry of Health. Israeli army claimed that the man, who … Continued
Newspapers review: Israel’s sentence of Palestinians to imprisonment focus of dailies
RAMALLAH, November 22, 2016 (WAFA) – The sentencing of two Palestinians by an Israeli court to imprisonment for carrying out stabbing attacks hit the front page headlines in Palestinian dailies. The three dailies said an Israeli court sentenced Subhi Abu … Continued
UN Third Committee overwhelmingly votes in favor of Palestine’s right for self-determination
NEW YORK, November 22, 2016 (WAFA) – The Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee (Third Committee) of the United Nations overwhelmingly voted on Monday in favor of the right of the Palestinian people for self-determination. The vote saw 170 countries voting … Continued
Fatah ready to convene its seventh congress, says spokesman
RAMALLAH, November 21, 2016 (WAFA) – Fatah is ready to convene its seventh congress scheduled for November 29, Mahmoud Abu al-Haija, designated spokesman for the conference, said on Monday. Speaking to Voice of Palestine, Abu al-Haija said all administrative and … Continued
Army drill to force 16 families out of their Jordan Valley homes
TUBAS, November 16, 2016 (WAFA) – Israeli forces ordered 16 families in Hamsa al-Fawqa area in the occupied West Bank district of Tubas, in the Jordan Valley, to evacuate their homes on Thursday to make way for Israeli military … Continued
Newspaper Review: Knesset’s preliminary approval of settlement-legalization bill focus of dailies
RAMALLAH, November 17, 2016 (WAFA) – Palestinian Arabic dailies focused in their Thursday issue on the preliminary approval by the Israeli parliament, Knesset, of a bill to retroactively legalize illegal settlements in the West Bank. Al-Quds and al-Ayyam said a … Continued
Newspapers Review: Israeli demolitions focus of dailies
RAMALLAH, November 16, 2016 (WAFA) – The spate of demolitions of Palestinian structures by Israeli bulldozers in Jerusalem and the West Bank hit the front page headlines in Palestinian dailies on Wednesday. Al-Quds said Israeli forces demolished a mosque under … Continued
Israeli forces demolish residential structures south of Hebron
HEBRON, November 15, 2016 (WAFA) – Israeli forces on Wednesday demolished a residential structure and a community center in the village of Um al-Kheir, south of Hebron in the West Bank, according to local sources. WAFA correspondent said an Israeli … Continued
Israeli demolishes agricultural structures, store in Jerusalem
JERUSALEM, November 15, 2016 (WAFA) – Israeli municipality of West Jerusalem demolished on Tuesday a commercial store in Jabal al-Mukabir neighborhood in Jerusalem, in addition to an animal barn and agricultural room in Silwan neighborhood, according to local sources. Israeli … Continued
Erekat on Independence Day: international community failed to correct injustice
RAMALLAH, November 15, 2016 (WAFA) – Secretary General of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Saed Erekat, said on Tuesday the international community has failed in its responsibility for correcting the historical and continuing injustice of the Israeli occupation of Palestine. … Continued
PLO: Israel is legalizing discrimination, sectarianism and theft of Palestinian land
RAMALLAH, November 14, 2016 (WAFA) – Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Executive Committee member Hanan Ashrawi strongly denounced on Monday the Israeli Ministerial Committee for Legislation’s approval of two bills; one retroactively legalizes outposts in the occupied West Bank and the … Continued
Abbas reiterates support for French, Russian peace efforts during visit to Turkmenistan
President Abbas with his host, president of Turkmenistan in Ashgabat. WAFA photo by Thayer Ghanaym. ASHGABAT, November 14, 2016 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas Monday reiterated his support for France’s peace initiative and welcomed Russia’s proposal for a trilateral meeting … Continued
Egypt opens Rafah border crossing for five days
RAFAH, November 14, 2016 (WAFA) – Egypt opened Rafah border crossing with Gaza for five days on Monday to allow passage for humanitarian cases and others stuck on either side of the border, officials said. Egyptian President Abd al-Fattah al-Sisi … Continued
Newspapers Review: Israeli bills on settlements, call to prayer focus of dailies
RAMALLAH, November 14, 2016 (WAFA) – An Israeli committee’s approval of bills that would retroactively legalize settlement outposts across the West Bank and the volume of Muslim call to prayer from loudspeakers in mosques hit the front page headlines … Continued
Presidential spokesman: We are going to the Security Council to stop Israel
ASHGABAT, TURKMENISTAN, November 14, 2016 (WAFA) – Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for President Mahmoud Abbas, said Sunday night that the Palestinian leadership is going to the United Nations Security Council to stop Israel from implementing its recent legislations. He described … Continued
Newspapers Review: Trump’s victory focus of dailies
RAMALLAH, November 10, 2016 (WAFA) – Donald Trump’s unexpected victory in the US presidential elections and the official Palestinian and Israeli reactions to this hit the front page headlines in Palestinian dailies on Thursday. Al-Quds said Trump has become the … Continued
Abbas at Arafat rally: 2017 year to end the occupation
President Mahmoud Abbas addressing the crowds who gathered at the Muqata to commemorate Yasser Arafat death anniversary. WAFA photo by Huthayfa Srour. RAMALLAH, November 10, 2016 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas said Thursday that the year 2017 is … Continued
TULKARM, November 9, 2016 (WAFA) – Israeli forces on Wednesday tore down dozens of vender stalls outside Taybeh checkpoint that leads from the West Bank city of Tulkarm into Israel, according to witnesses. Stall owners told WAFA that the … Continued
Israel issues 50 administrative detention orders against Palestinians
RAMALLAH, November 9, 2016 (WAFA) – Israeli authorities issued 50 administrative detention orders against Palestinian detainees in the first nine days of this month, the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society (PPS) said on Wednesday. PPS lawyer, Mahmoud Halabi, noted that the detention … Continued
Newspapers Review: US presidential elections main focus of dailies
RAMALLAH, November 9, 2016 (WAFA) – The race for the White House between Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton attracted lots of attention in Palestinian dailies on Wednesday. Al-Quds and al-Ayyam highlighted ‘fierce competition’ between Trump … Continued
Presidential spokesman: Palestine will deal with any elected US president
RAMALLAH, November 9, 2016 (WAFA) – Presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh said Wednesday following the election of Donald Trump as the next US president that “we will deal with any president elected by the American people on the principle of … Continued
Newspapers review: Palestinian support to French bid focus of dailies
RAMALLAH, November 8, 2016 (WAFA) – Palestinian leadership’s support to the French bid t convene an international peace conference before the end of 2016 hit the front page headlines in Palestinian dailies. The three dailies highlighted President Mahmoud Abbas’ meeting … Continued
Israeli forces knock down tents in northern Jordan Valley
TUBAS, November 7, 2016 (WAFA) – Israeli forces Monday knocked down Palestinian tents in al-Humma area, in the northern Jordan Valley, according to a local official. Aref Daraghmeh, who monitors settlement activities in the Jordan Valley, told WAFA Israeli forces … Continued
Shashat to launch its 10th women film festival
RAMALLAH, November 7, 2016 (WAFA) – The Women Film Festival, Shashat, launches November 12 its 10th edition within the cinematic initiative under the theme “What’s Tomorrow,” a press release said Monday. The festival is scheduled to take place from November … Continued
UN: Israeli destruction of humanitarian assistance items up by 150 percent
JERUSALEM, November 5, 2016 (WAFA) – Israel’s destruction and confiscation of items provided by international donors as humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people were up by 150 percent since the beginning of this year, a United Nations agency said on … Continued
Fatah congress to be held on time, says official
RAMALLAH, November 7, 2016 (WAFA) – The seventh Fatah congress will be hold on time on November 29 and there is no pressure on the movement to cancel that, a senior Fatah leader said on Monday. Amin Maqbol, secretary general … Continued