On Judicial Reform The government is certain that internal organization cannot be achieved without a collective commitment to the principle of the rule of law. The rule of law will be meaningless without an independent, effective and impartial judiciary, and efficient legal institutions with a Ministry of Justice that supports the independence of the judiciary and an enforcement mechanism capable of implementing such provisions. The government promises to work side by side with the President and the Legislative Council to restructure the Higher Judiciary Council in accordance with the provisions of the Independent Judiciary Law. The government also commits itself to work on the preparation of draft laws and regulations to complete the National Authority’s body of laws. The judicial system is the real face of any society and the most accurate indicator of its civilization, progress and development. On Security The government will concentrate on the question of security. The government endeavors to develop the security services according to law. It will allocate special attention to the professional qualifications of the leaders and members of such security services. It will tolerate no breach of discipline or violations of the law. The government will not allow – and indeed will strictly prevent – illegal interference by the security services in the lives, affairs and businesses of citizens. [Security] arrangements give the Minister of the Interior wide jurisdiction and provide him with the ability to control the internal security situation and improve security performance. The unauthorized possession of weapons, with its direct threat to the security of the population, is a major concern that will be relentlessly addressed. There will be no other decision-making authority except for the Palestinian Authority. On this land and for this people, there is only one authority, one law, and one democratic and national decision that applies to us all. On Free Speech The rights of citizens to freely express themselves will not be jeopardized by any person or under any pretense or justification. Palestinians may hold any political views, and exercise such rights and freedoms in accordance with the law. On the Economy The government will prepare a comprehensive national development plan (that includes Jerusalem) in which we will devote sufficient attention to the service and economic sectors and we will provide necessary health, education, culture, media and agriculture services to citizens. The plan will be carried out in a professional and transparent manner. In this context, the government will continue working with the private sector in order to enact and enforce legislation and regulations that will strengthen the market economy and develop the national economy and provide protection to investments and investors. On Public Finance The government will continue to implement the fiscal policies and measures proposed by the Minister of Finance. [PA] investments will be fully placed under the government’s supervision and control so that all resources of the Palestinian Authority will be unified in the Ministry of Finance in accordance with international best practices in the administration of public funds. The government will not allow – and will devise strict regulations to combat – abuse of personal positions in the exercise of trade and investment. Public funds belong to the citizens and to the nation. Preserving public funds is a national and moral duty that will be exercised through institutions, laws, transparency and continuous supervision. In this context, the government will prosecute persons accused of corruption and embezzlement based on concrete evidence and respecting due process. On Continuing Reform The government will continue to implement and develop its reform plan – mainly the reform plan adopted by the Legislative Council through a joint committee between the Council, the government and in cooperation with all relevant parties including civil society. The government will build the Ministerial Cabinet with professionalism and with work ethics that will improve the work of all Executive Authority institutions in order serve the public interest. One of the most important steps in this regard is the implementation of the financial and administrative components of the Civil Service Law. On the Israeli Occupation The internal situation cannot be separated from the painful political reality in which we live: the deplorable occupation and its accompanying colonization and oppressive policies that have caused us tremendous pain and suffering. Once again, I reiterate that the military and colonizing occupation with its practices of assassinations, detentions, checkpoints, sieges, demolition of homes and properties is the root of our suffering and is the main source of our problems. The occupation impedes our growth and therefore ending the occupation in all of its forms and from all of the territories occupied since 1967, including our eternal capital Jerusalem, is our national priority. On the Roadmap The government is committed to the PLO’s official approval of [the Roadmap] . . . However, I would like to mention a few points in this regard: Israel is attempting to alter the Roadmap as we know it by entering into complicated negotiations and by imposing its own interpretation of the [Roadmap] and its implementation. We will not negotiate the Roadmap. The Roadmap must be implemented, not negotiated. Therefore, the government supports the Palestinian leadership in asserting its refusal of the so-called Israeli amendments and calls upon the Quartet – author of this plan – to announce the Roadmap as we know it as soon as possible and to guarantee and verify the implementation of each phase with effective and guaranteed enforcement and monitoring mechanisms. On Settlements and the So-Called “Separation” Wall Settlements, which violate international law, were and continue to be the major threat to the creation of a Palestinian state with genuine sovereignty. Thus, settlements are the primary obstacle to any peace process. Settlement expansion in and around Jerusalem, with its accompanying house demolitions, confiscation of land and property (in addition to the economic, social, administrative and cultural strangulation in the lives of Palestinians and Israel’s attempt to impose a permanent solution for this Holy City by means other than negotiations) will only inflame the conflict and destroying any chance for peace. The construction of the so-called “separation” wall is a dangerous continuation of the colonization project. In addition to the confiscation of Palestinian citizens’ lands and the cutting off of their sources of livelihood, the wall is an Israeli measure that is designed to annex large areas of land, to confiscate underground water resources, isolate our cities and villages and to encircle the city of Jerusalem. This is another attempt to destroy any chance for peace and destroy any possibility to reach a permanent and accepted solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The removal of the wall will be among the first issues that our government will address because, without its removal, Israel will effectively destroy the Roadmap and any other peace initiatives. To the Israeli People and Government We want a lasting peace with you achieved through negotiations. We denounce terrorism by any party and in all its forms both because of our religious and moral traditions and because we are convinced that such methods do not lend support to a just cause like ours, but rather destroy it. We do not ignore the sufferings of the Jews throughout history. And in exchange, we hope that the Israelis will not turn their backs on the sufferings of the Palestinians. Those who need to learn lessons from war and its calamities are those who still believe that military might is capable of imposing political solutions and that implicit and explicit threats are capable of dissuading people from demanding their rights. I repeat, there is no military solution to our conflict. Our people do not accept threats and will not succumb to them. On the contrary, there is no alternative to a just and comprehensive political solution. Our people welcome peace, security and prosperity to all. We welcome a peace that guarantees Israel’s withdrawal from all occupied Palestinian and Arab territories in accordance with international law. On Final Status To be clear, the Palestinian people will not accept anything less than the exercise of our right to self-determination and the establishment of our independent state with Jerusalem as its capital; a genuine, contiguous state without any settlements, on all of the territories occupied in 1967 in conformity with international law. A just, agreed upon, fair and acceptable solution to the refugee problem consistent with international law (particularly UN Resolution 194) will constitute one of the bases of coexistence. On Political Prisoners The government, under the leadership [of President Arafat], will not spare any effort to work to release all of our detainees, honorable heroes detained by the occupation – whose number has exceeded 10,000 –including members of the Executive Committee of the PLO, Tayseer Khaled and Abdul Rahim Malowah, as well as a member of the Central Council Rakad Salem and members of the Legislative Council Marwan Barghouti and Hussam Khader and the longest-detained Palestinian, Ahmad Jubarah (Abu Sukar). For a full translation of the speech, please visit http://www.nad-plo.org Related Articles
By: PLO Negotiations Affairs Department
Date: 30/04/2003
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Meet the New Palestinian Authority Cabinet (Updated)
The Palestinian Authority (“PA”) Prime Minister designate, Mahmoud Abbas, will submit the following Cabinet to the Palestinian Legislative Council (“PLC”) for a vote of confidence today (Tuesday, April 29, 2003) at noon. 1. Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) (Fatah) – Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior 2. Yasser Abed Rabbo (Independent) – Minister of Cabinet Affairs 3. Nabeel Shaath (Fatah) – Minister of External Affairs 4. Salam Fayyad (Independent) – Minister of Finance 5. Nabeel Kassis (Independent) – Minister of Planning 6. Rafiq Al-Natsheh (Fatah) – Minister of Agriculture 7. Hamdan Ashour (Fatah) – Minister of Housing and Public Works 8. Abdul Karim Abu Salah (Independent) – Minister of Justice 9. Ghassan Khatib (Palestinian People’s Party) - Minister of Labor 10. Naim Abu Hommos (Fatah) – Minister of Education and Higher Education 11. Jamal Shobaki (Fatah) – Minister of Local Government 12. Mohammed Dahlan (Fatah) – Minister of State for Security Affairs 13. Ziad Abu Amr (Independent) – Minister of Culture 14. Nabil Amr (Fatah) – Minister of Information 15. Azzam Shawwa (Fatah) – Minister of Energy 16. Kamal Al-Shirafi (Independent) – Minister of Health 17. Saeb Erekat (Fatah) – Minister of Negotiation Affairs 18. Mitri Abu Aita (Fatah) – Minister of Tourism 19. Maher Masri (Fatah) – Minister of Economy and Trade 20. Hisham Abdalraziq (Fatah) – Minister of Prisoner Affairs 21. Intisar Al-Wazir (Um Jihad) (Fatah) – Minister of Social Affairs 22. Sa’edi Al-Krounz (Fatah) – Minister of Transportation 23. Abdul Fattah Hamayel (Fatah) – Minister of State (Without Portfolio) 24. Azzam Ahmed (Fatah) – Minister of Telecommunications and Information Technology 25. To Be Appointed – Minister of Religious Affairs Cabinet Secretary: Hakam Balawi (Fatah) 1. MAHMOUD ABBAS (ABU MAZEN) (FATAH) – PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR Born in Safad, Palestine in 1935, Mahmoud Abbas, and his family fled Palestine in 1948, becoming refugees in Syria. He lived in exile until 1994, when he came to the Occupied Palestinian Territories as part of the Palestinian negotiation team. He has three children and seven grandchildren with an eighth on the way. Mahmoud Abbas is also known as Abu Mazen (Father of Mazen), in accordance with Arab tradition in which parents are referred to as Abu (“Father of”) or Um (“Mother of”) the first-born son. Political Career Mahmoud Abbas is a founding member of Fatah,[1] the largest political party in the Palestine Liberation Organization (“PLO”) and in the PLC. Mr. Abbas has been a member of the Fatah Central Committee since 1964 and a member of the Palestinian National Council (“PNC” – the Palestinian government in exile) since 1968. Since 1980, Mr. Abbas has been a member of the PLO Executive Committee. He has held the post of PLO Secretary-General since 1996. Mr. Abbas is the head of the PLO Negotiations Affairs Department, a post that he has held since 1994. Previously, he served as the head of the Palestinian Election Committee (1996 to 2002) and the PLO National and International Relations Department (1984 to 2000). In 1974, he was responsible for opening channels of communications with Israeli peace groups and was the primary force behind the PNC’s decision to work with these groups. Mr. Abbas is the signatory of the 1993 Declaration of Principles that launched the Oslo Peace Process. In 1995, he signed the Oslo Agreements, also known as the Interim Agreements. Education Mr. Abbas holds a Ph.D. in History (Oriental College, Moscow) and a B.A. in Law (Damascus University). He is the author of several books in Arabic including, The Other Side, The Fall of the Netanyahu Government and The Road to Oslo. He enjoys Arabic poetry, classical Arabic music and the study of history. 2. YASSER ABED RABBO (INDEPENDENT) – MINISTER OF CABINET AFFAIRS Born in Jaffa, Palestine in 1945, Yasser Abed Rabbo is a refugee. He is married with two children. Political Career Mr. Abed Rabbo previously served as the Minister of Culture and Information, a post he held since 1994. Since 1998, he has headed the PA Committee for Education, Culture and Science. Mr. Abed Rabbo has served on the PLO Executive Committee since 1971 and has served as the head of the PLO Department of Information and Culture since 1974. In 1968, Mr. Abed Rabbo was a founding member of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), a leftist group within the PLO. After 23 years in the DFLP, Mr. Abed Rabbo broke away from the group in 1991 to head the Palestinian Democratic Union, FIDA, a group that came to closer agreement with the peace policies of PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat. Mr. Abed Rabbo is a senior member of the Palestinian negotiation team, attending all major negotiations, including those conducted at Camp David (2000) and Taba (2001). In 1988, he led the first Palestinian delegation in negotiations with the US administration. Education Mr. Abed Rabbo holds a B.A. in Economics and Political Science (American University in Cairo). He enjoys reading literature. 3. NABEEL SHAATH (FATAH) – MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS Born in Safad, Palestine in 1938, Dr. Shaath lived in exile and returned to the Gaza Strip in June 1994. He is married with four children. Political Career Dr. Shaath previously served as the Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, a position he held since 1994. He was elected to the PLC in 1996 representing Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip. A long-time figure in Palestinian politics, Dr. Shaath served as the Director of the PLO Planning Center in Beirut. In 1974, he headed the PLO’s first delegation to the United Nations. Since 1989, has been a member of the Fatah Central Committee. Dr. Shaath was a member of the Madrid Peace Delegation and later was involved in negotiations with Israel that led to the signing of the Oslo Agreements. From 1993 to 1995, he served as the head of the Palestinian negotiation team, and participated in later negotiations with Israel, including those conducted at Camp David (2000) and Taba (2001). He has also represented Occupied Palestine at the World Economic Forum. Career As a public planning and administration consultant, Dr. Shaath worked extensively throughout the Arab world, establishing both the Engineering and Management Institute and the Center for Administrative Development, which offers management training in 14 offices throughout the Arab world. Dr. Shaath taught economics and business at the American University of Cairo and the American University of Beirut. From 1970 to 1975, he was the Dean of the School of Business Administration at the American University in Beirut. His interest in education prompted him to found the Dar al-Fata al-Arabi, the only institution in the Arab world dedicated to publishing books for children and young readers. Education Shaath holds a Ph.D. in Law (University of Pennsylvania), a Ph.D. in Economics and Finance (Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania), an MBA in Finance and Banking (University of Pennsylvania) and a B.A. in Business Administration (University of Alexandria, Egypt). Dr. Shaath is an avid piano player and enjoys reading poetry. 4. SALAM FAYYAD (INDEPENDENT) – MINISTER OF FINANCE Born in Nablus, Palestine in 1952, Dr. Fayyad is married with three children. Political Career Since June 2002, Dr. Fayyad has served as the Minister of Finance. His commitment to transparency and proper accounting practices led to extensive audits of PA accounts. In 2003, he submitted the first publicly disclosed PA budget that was approved by the PLC (http://www.mof.gov.ps). In his position as Minister of Finance, Dr. Fayyad serves as the Chairman of the Palestine Investment Fund and the Insurance and Pension General Corporation. Career In 1987, Dr. Fayyad began his career with the IMF as the assistant to the Executive Director in Washington, D.C. He later served as an advisor to the Executive Director from 1992 to 1995. In 1996, Dr. Fayyad was the IMF representative to Occupied Palestine, a post he held until 2001. Dr. Fayyad served as the Regional Manager of the Arab Bank in Occupied Palestine from 2001 to 2002. Prompted by a sense of civic responsibility to reform the PA financial system, in 2002 Dr. Fayyad resigned from his post at the Arab Bank in order to serve as the Minister of Finance. Dr. Fayyad has taught at the University of Texas at Austin and at Yarmuk University and was a Visiting Scholar at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Education Dr. Fayyad holds a Ph.D. in Economics (University of Texas at Austin), an MBA (St. Edward’s University) and a B.Sc. (American University of Beirut). Dr. Fayyad has authored a number of research papers on the Palestinian economy. He is known for his no-nonsense attitude regarding transparency and fiscal responsibility. 5. NABEEL KASSIS (INDEPENDENT) – MINISTER OF PLANNING Born in 1945, a native of Ramallah, Dr. Kassis is married with two children. Political Career Dr. Kassis previously served as the Minister of Tourism in 2002. In 1998 he was appointed a Minister of State (without portfolio) in charge of the Bethlehem 2000 Project. As a proponent of transparency and reform Dr. Kassis was, in 1997, appointed member of the Special Committee for the Investigation of the Auditor’s Report. Currently, he is the coordinator of the Ministerial Committee for Reform, a committee charged with overseeing reforms of the Palestinian Authority. Dr. Kassis was a member of the Madrid Peace Delegation in 1991 and a deputy head of the negotiation delegation at the Washington talks in 1992 to 1993. He later became the Director-General of the Technical and Advisory Committee to the Palestinian negotiation team, established to do preparatory work for the transition to Palestinian self-government. He was a member of the Palestinian delegation on final status negotiations in 1999. He is a member of the Steering and Monitoring Committee of the Negotiations Affairs Department. Career A trained theoretical nuclear physicist, Dr. Kassis taught physics in Germany, Italy, France, England, Lebanon and Jordan before joining Birzeit University in 1980. As lecturer, Chairman of the Physics Department and Vice-President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Kassis was heavily involved in keeping the university running at a time when the Israeli occupation made a practice of closing down Palestinian universities for prolonged periods. He is the founder of the Palestine Institute for Economic Policy Research, a Palestinian think-tank focusing on the Palestinian economy. Education Dr. Kassis holds a Ph.D. in Nuclear Physics (American University in Beirut) and an M.Sc. in Nuclear Physics (University of Mainz, Germany). He is fluent in English and German. He enjoys architecture, skiing and gardening. 6. RAFIQ AL-NATSHEH (FATAH) – MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE Born in Hebron, Palestine in 1934, Dr. al-Natsheh is married with four children. Political Career A member of the Fatah Central Committee since 1980, Dr. al-Natsheh served as the first PLO representative to Saudi Arabia. In 1996, he was elected to the PLC representing the Hebron district. In 1998, he was appointed the Minster of Labor and in 2002 was appointed as the Minister of Agriculture. Career From 1956 to 1970, Dr. al-Natsheh worked in Qatar as the Director of the office of the Qatari Minister of Education. Education Dr. al-Natsheh holds a Ph.D. in Political Science (Moscow University) and an M.A. in Political Science (Cairo University). Dr. al-Natsheh has authored several books on Palestinian history including Israel: A Settlement Project, Islamic Jerusalem, Sultan Abdel-Hamid the Second and Palestine, and Islam and Palestine. 7. HAMDAN ASHOUR (FATAH) – MINISTER OF HOUSING AND PUBLIC WORKS Born in Gaza City, Palestine in 1940, Mr. Ashour is married with two children. Political Career A long-time Fatah activist, Mr. Ashour has been a member of the Fatah party since its creation in 1959. In exile, Mr. Ashour was responsible for organizing Palestinian members of Fatah in Europe from 1960 to 1967. After the start of Israel’s occupation of the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) and the Gaza Strip in 1967, he was responsible for organizing the Fatah members in Lebanon. Since 1968, he has been a member of the Fatah Revolutionary Council where he currently serves as the Secretary-General. 8. ABDUL KARIM ABU SALAH (INDEPENDENT) – MINISTER OF JUSTICE Born in Khan Yunis, Palestine in 1955, Mr. Abu Salah is married with four children. Political Career Mr. Abu Salah takes up the post as Minister of Justice following his work as the Chairman of the Legal Committee and a member of the PLC Budget and Financial Affairs Committees. He is committed to improving the social conditions of Palestinians through the enactment of laws that aim to protect the weakest elements of Palestinian society. Career A lawyer by trade, Mr. Abu Salah has been active in the Palestinian Bar Association and the Palestinian Teachers’ Association. Education Mr. Abu Salah holds a B.A. in Law (Cairo University) and higher degree in International Relations (Cairo University). 9. GHASSAN KHATIB (PALESTINIAN PEOPLE’S PARTY) - MINISTER OF LABOR Born in Nablus, Palestine in 1954, Mr. Khatib is married with three children. Political Career He was a member of the Madrid Peace Delegation in 1991 and was involved in the Washington negotiations from 1991 to 1993. He was appointed Minister of Labor in 2002. He is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Palestinian People’s Party. Career Mr. Khatib served as a lecturer at Birzeit University’s Cultural Studies Program from 1982 to 2002. Mr. Khatib founded the Jerusalem Media and Communications Center, a non-governmental organization that conducts public opinion polls and provides media support to journalists in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. He served as its director from 1988 to 2002. A long-time advocate of Palestinian-Israeli dialogue, Mr. Khatib is the Co-founder and Co-editor of BitterLemons.org, a Palestinian-Israeli internet-based political magazine. He is also a member of the Editorial Board of the Israel-Palestine Journal, a political journal offering Palestinian and Israeli perspectives. Mr. Khatib is currently a member of the Board of Trustees of the Friends Schools in Palestine. He formerly served as President of the Board of Directors of the Arab Development Center, an agricultural development organization, and as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Democracy and Worker’s Rights Center. Mr. Khatib was a political prisoner in Israel from 1974 to1978 and has been detained several times thereafter. Education Mr. Khatib holds an M.A. in Development Studies (Manchester University) and a B.A. in Economics and Business Administration (Birzeit University). He is pursuing a doctorate in Middle East Politics (University of Durham). 10. NAIM ABU HOMMOS (FATAH) – MINISTER OF EDUCATION AND HIGHER EDUCATION Born in Birzeit, Palestine in 1955, Dr. Abu Hommos is a refugee from Lydda, Palestine (now Lod, Israel). Dr. Abu Hommos is married with five children. Political Career A long-time Palestinian activist, Dr. Abu Hommos joined the Fatah party at the age of 14, and later became a member of the Palestinian National Council. He has served as the Minister of Education since 2002. In 1994, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Education. Since 1989, Dr. Abu Hommos has served as the Secretary-General of the Palestinian Council for Higher Education. Career From 1982 to 1989, Dr. Abu Hommos served as the head of the Education and Psychology Departments at An-Najah University in Nablus. He later headed the General Exam Committee and the Textbook Development Committee. Dr. Abu Hommos is the author of eight books in the fields of education and politics. Education Dr. Abu Hommos holds a Ph.D. in Education (San Francisco State University), an M.A. in Special Education (San Francisco State University) and a B.A. in Education (University of Jordan). He enjoys reading, archaeology and hiking. 11. JAMAL SHOBAKI (FATAH) – MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT Mr. Shobaki was born in 1952 in Ithna, Palestine. He is a refugee from Bayt Jibrin, Palestine (now Beit Guvrin, Israel). He is married with three children. Political Career Mr. Shobaki’s political career began as an activist. A member of Fatah, he was imprisoned by Israel for ten years for his activism during the first Palestinian uprising against occupation. He is a member of the PLO Central Council, and a member of the Fatah Revolutionary Council. In 1996, he was elected to the PLC representing the Hebron District. He is head of the PLC Economic Committee, a member of the PLC Political Committee and a member of the PLC Political Prisoners Committee. Education Mr. Shobaki holds a B.A. in Geography (Beirut Arab University). 12. MOHAMMED DAHLAN (FATAH) – MINISTER OF STATE FOR SECURITY AFFAIRS Born in 1961 in Khan Yunis Refugee Camp in the Gaza Strip, Mr. Dahlan is a refugee from Hammama, Palestine (now Nitzanim, Israel). He is married with three children. Political Career Mr. Dahlan is a long-time member of the Fatah party, founding the Fatah Youth Association in 1981. He was imprisoned by Israel for five years for political activism. In 1988, he was expelled to Jordan by Israel. From exile, Mr. Dahlan helped organize the first Intifada (the non-violent Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation) that lasted from 1987 to 1994. In 1994, Mr. Dahlan returned to the Occupied Palestinian Territories where he headed the Preventive Security Forces in the Gaza Strip, a post from which he resigned in 2002. A senior Palestinian negotiator, Mr. Dahlan participated in the Wye River negotiations (1999) and was a member of the Palestinian negotiation team at Camp David (2000) and Taba (2001). Education Mr. Dahlan studied business at the Islamic University of Gaza, but did not complete his studies as he was deported by Israel from Occupied Palestine. He is fluent in Hebrew. 13. ZIAD ABU AMR (INDEPENDENT) – MINISTER OF CULTURE Born in 1950 in Gaza City, Palestine, Dr. Abu Amr is married with four children. Political Career In 1996, Dr. Abu Amr was elected to the PLC as an independent representative of Gaza City. An advocate of reform and democratization in the PA, he currently is the Chairman of the PLC Political Committee. Career Dr. Abu Amr is a professor at Birzeit University, where he has been teaching political science since 1985. He is the author of several research papers including Islamic Fundamentalism in the West Bank and Gaza, Civil Society and Democratization in Palestine, The Significance of Jerusalem: A Muslim’s Perspective and Emerging Trends in Palestinian Strategic Thinking and Practice. He is the President of the Palestinian Council of Foreign Relations; a member of the Higher Education Council; Deputy Secretary-General of MIFTAH, a Palestinian civil rights organization, and was a member of the Executive Committee of the Arab Political Science Organization. Education Dr. Abu Amr holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Politics (Georgetown University). 14. NABIL AMR (FATAH) – MINISTER OF INFORMATION Born in Doura, Palestine in 1947, Mr. Amr is married with five children and four grandchildren. Political Career For almost four decades, Mr. Amr has been involved in Palestinian politics, serving as a media advisor to PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat. From 1988 to 1993, he served as the PLO’s Ambassador to the USSR and Russia. The former Minister for Parliamentary Affairs resigned from his post in 2002. He was elected to the PLC in 1996, representing the district of Hebron. He was a member of the Palestinian negotiation team and was a member of the Steering and Monitoring Committee of the Negotiations Affairs Department. Career Mr. Amr is the founder and General Manager of al-Hayat al-Jadida, a leading Palestinian newspaper. He is the Director of the PA’s Radio and Television Authority and is a member of the Palestinian Writer’s Union. For ten years, he served as the Director of Voice of Palestine a Palestinian radio station. Mr. Amr has authored three books: Testimonies from the Battlefield, chronicling the war in Beirut, 1000 Days in Moscow, chronicling the fall of the former Soviet Union and The Days of Siege and Love. Education Mr. Amr holds a degree in Law (Damascus University) and a diploma in Media and Radio Broadcasting (Cairo University). His interests include reading, power walking and swimming. 15. AZZAM SHAWWA (FATAH) – MINISTER OF ENERGY Born in Kuwait in 1963, Mr. Shawwa is married with three children. Career Mr. Shawwa is the Gaza Branch Coordinator of the Arab Bank. Previously, he worked at the Bank of Palestine in the Gaza Strip, where he was the youngest person to ever serve as the Head of the Bank. He is the Treasurer of the Palestine Investment Fund; the Secretary-General of the Palestine Banking Association; a member of the Palestine Food Industries Company and a member of the Palestine National House of Books. He is extensively involved in community work, serving as the President of the Gaza Sporting Club; President of Atfaluna – Society for Deaf Children in Gaza and a member of the Board of Directors of the Spanish-Palestinian Training Institute. Education Mr. Shawwa holds a B.Sc. in Mathematics (University of Memphis). Mr. Shawwa enjoys swimming and horseback riding and is an avid reader. 16. KAMAL AL-SHIRAFI (INDEPENDENT) – MINISTER OF HEALTH Born in 1955 in the Jabalya Refugee Camp, Gaza Strip, Dr. al-Shirafi is a refugee from Hiribya, Palestine (now Ziqim and Karmiyya, Israel). He is married with four children. Political Career A former physician, Dr. al-Shirafi was elected to the PLC in 1996, representing North Gaza. He is a member of the Political Committee and the Monitoring Human Rights and Public Freedoms Committee of the PLC. Dr. al-Shirafi has been imprisoned by Israel on numerous occasions for political activism. Career Dr. al-Shirafi worked as a surgeon for ten years. He is a member of numerous charitable organizations, including the Al-Mizan Center, and is the Vice-President of the Board of Trustees of Al-Aqsa University. He was the Vice-President of the Palestinian Physicians’ Association for Human Rights. Education Dr. al-Shirafi holds a diploma in Teaching (Ramallah Teachers’ College). Dr. al-Shirafi holds a medical degree and is a certified surgeon (University of Bulgaria). 17. SAEB EREKAT (FATAH) – MINISTER OF NEGOTIATION AFFAIRS Born in 1955 in East Jerusalem, Palestine, Dr. Erekat is married with four children. Political Career Previously Dr. Erekat served as the Minister of Local Government, a position he held since 1994. In 1993, he was appointed the Head of the Central Elections Commission that prepared for presidential and legislative elections. He resigned from this post in December 1995 to run for elections for Jericho. He was elected to the PLC in 1996. In 1991, Dr. Erekat was the Vice-Chair of the Madrid Peace Delegation and was later the Vice-Chair at the Washington negotiations of 1992. In 1994, Dr. Erekat was appointed the Chairman of the Palestinian delegation for negotiations on elections and has since been a senior member of the Palestinian negotiation team. He has been extensively involved in all negotiations with Israel, including those conducted at Camp David (2000) and in Taba (2001). He is the Head of the Steering and Monitoring Committee of the Negotiations Affairs Department. Career Dr. Erekat is a professor of political science at An-Najah University in Nablus. Dr. Erekat served on the editorial board of Al-Quds newspaper, the Palestinian daily with the highest circulation. He also served as the Secretary-General of the Arab Studies Society. Education Dr. Erekat holds a Ph.D. in Peace Studies (Bradford University), and a B.A. and M.A. in International Relations (University of San Francisco). Dr. Erekat is the author of eight books and numerous research papers on Middle East politics and conflict resolution. He enjoys swimming and running. 18. MITRI ABU AITA (FATAH) - MINISTER OF TOURISM Born in 1941 in Bethlehem, Mr. Abu Aita is married. Political Career Elected in 1996 to the PLC, Mr. Abu Aita served as the Deputy Speaker of the PLC from 1996 to 1998. In 1998, he served as the Minister of Tourism and was later appointed as the Minister of Transportation in June 2002. Career An active lawyer, Mr. Abu Aita served as the Chairman of the Jordan Bar Association from 1994 to 1998 and was involved in the hotel and tourist industry for more than 20 years. Education Mr. Abu Aita holds a B.A. in Law (Damascus University). 19. MAHER MASRI (FATAH) – MINISTER OF ECONOMY AND TRADE Born in 1946 in Nablus, Palestine, Mr. Masri is married with two children. Political Career Mr. Masri was elected to the PLC in 1996 representing the city of Nablus. Since 1996, he has served as the Minister of Economy and Trade. A proponent of a free Palestinian market, Mr. Masri was responsible for negotiating the 1994 Paris Economic Protocol with Israel, an agreement designed to build the Palestinian economy on free market principles. He was a member of the Palestinian delegation at the Camp David negotiations (2000). In his position as Minister of Economy and Trade, Mr. Masri serves as the Chairman of the Board of the Palestinian Investment Promotion Agency; the Palestinian Industrial Estates and Free Zones Area and the Palestinian Banking Corporation. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Palestinian Investment Fund. Career From 1987 until 1996, Mr. Masri was the General Manager of the Vegetable Oil Company in Nablus. He served on the Board of Directors of several private sector enterprises and was the Chairman of the Board of the Palestinian Development Fund, a non-governmental organization that provides loans for industrial and agricultural projects in Palestine. He was an economist in Beirut and later worked in the private sector in Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Education Mr. Masri holds an M.A. and a B.A. in Economics (American University of Beirut). 20. HISHAM ABDALRAZIQ (FATAH) – MINISTER OF PRISONER AFFAIRS Born in 1953 in Rafah in the Gaza Strip, Mr. Abdalraziq is a refugee from Zarnuqa, Palestine (now Zarnoqa and Rechovot, Israel). He is married with five children. Political Career A member of the Fatah party, Mr. Abdalraziq was elected to the PLC in 1996 representing the Jabalya District. He was imprisoned by Israel for 21 years for political activism and was released in 1994. Upon his release, he became a member of the Higher Committee of Fatah in Gaza and was later appointed Minister of Prisoner Affairs in 1998. Education Mr. Abdalraziq holds a B.A. in the Israeli Political System (Al-Quds University). While in prison, Mr. Abdalraziq wrote two poetry collections and a novel. 21. INTISAR AL-WAZIR (UM JIHAD) (FATAH) – MINISTER OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS Born in 1941 in Gaza City, Ms al-Wazir is a widow with five children. Political Career A long-time figure in Palestinian politics, Um Jihad joined the Fatah party in 1959, becoming the party’s first female member. She participated in the first conference for Palestinian women in 1965 and was instrumental in founding the General Union for Palestinian Women, an organization that focuses on the social, economic and legal status of Palestinian women. Her interest in social affairs prompted her to found numerous centers for women, literacy training and rehabilitation including the Social Affairs Committee and the Martyrs’ Families Organization and the Committee for Prisoners and the Injured. Currently, Um Jihad is the director of a number of committees focusing on women, the elderly and care for the disabled. Um Jihad has been a member of the PNC since 1974 and a member of the Fatah Central Committee since 1987. From 1980 to 1985, Um Jihad was the Secretary-General of the General Union of Palestinian Women. In 1983, she served as the Deputy Secretary-General of the Fatah Revolutionary Council. Um Jihad lived in exile for thirty years with her husband, Khalil al-Wazir (Abu Jihad), the co-founder of the Fatah party, and leader of the first Palestinian uprising. In 1988, he was assassinated by Israel in his home in Tunisia. Um Jihad returned to the Gaza Strip in 1995 and was elected to the PLC in 1996. Since 1995, she has served as the Minister of Social Affairs. Education Um Jihad holds a B.A. in History (Damascus University). 22. SA’EDI AL-KROUNZ (FATAH) – MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION Born in Al-Bureij Refugee Camp (Gaza Strip) in 1958, Dr. al-Krounz is a refugee from al-Faluja, Palestine (now Kiryat Gat, Israel). He currently resides in Nusayrat Refugee Camp in the Gaza Strip. He is married with three children. Political Career Dr. al-Krounz served as the first Minister of Industry in 1994. Career Until 1996, Dr. al-Krounz was the Head of the Math and Statistics Department at the Islamic University in Gaza. He previously served as the Dean of the School of Social Science, the Dean of Student Affairs and the Head of the Math and Statistics Department at Al-Azhar University in Gaza. Dr. al-Krounz has written extensively on the subject of statistics. Education Dr. al-Krounz holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics and Statistics (Purdue University), an M.Sc. in Mathematics (University of Saskatchewan, Canada) and a B.Sc. in Mathematics (Mansura University, Egypt). Dr. al-Krounz is supporter of economic, health and educational development. He supports open immigration policies for Palestinians in the Diaspora, advocating that Palestinians in the Diaspora be entitled to obtain Palestinian passports. 23. ABDUL FATTAH HAMAYEL (FATAH) – MINISTER OF STATE (WITHOUT PORTFOLIO) Born in Kufr Malik, Palestine in 1950, Mr. Hamayel is married with five children. Political Career For 17 years, Mr. Hamayel was imprisoned by Israel for being a member of the Fatah party. (The Fatah party, like all Palestinian political parties, was considered “illegal” by Israel. Political activists were frequently imprisoned.) He was given seven life sentences for attempting to organize Palestinians and was released in 1985 as a part of a prisoner exchange. He was re-imprisoned by Israel in 1990 and was exiled to Jordan in 1992. Mr. Hamayel returned to Palestine in 1994 where he served as the Secretary-General of the Fatah party in the Ramallah district. In 1996, he was elected to the PLC and served as a member of the Interior Committee and the Budget and Financial Affairs Committee. Education Mr. Hamayel attended Military College in Baghdad. Mr. Hamayel has published Lullabies Behind Bars, a collection of Arabic poetry written while in prison. He is an avid gardener and enjoys farming. 24. AZZAM AHMED (FATAH) – MINISTER OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Born in Jenin, Palestine in 1947, Mr. Ahmed is married with three children. Political Career Elected in 1996 to the PLC representing Jenin, Mr. Ahmed has served as the Minister of Public Works and Housing since 1996. Previously, he served as the PLO representative to Iraq from 1979 until 1994. Mr. Ahmed was head of the General Union of Palestinian Students in Iraq from 1971 and 1974. He became the Deputy Head of the Executive Committee of the General Union of Palestinian Students from 1974 to 1980. In 1989, he was elected to the Fatah Revolutionary Council. He is a member of the PNC. Education Mr. Ahmed holds a B.A. in Economics (Baghdad University). 25. TO BE APPOINTED - MINISTER OF RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS CABINET SECRETARY– HAKAM BALAWI (FATAH) Born in Al-Bala, Palestine in 1939, Mr. Balawi is married with four children and seven grandchildren. Political Career Elected in 1996 to the PLC representing Tulkarem, Mr. Balawi was Palestine’s Ambassador to Libya from 1973 to 1975 and the Ambassador to Tunisia from 1975 to 1994. He was also a representative to the Arab League for 12 years. A Fatah activist, Mr. Balawi is a member of the Fatah Central Committee, the Fatah Central Council and the Fatah Revolutionary Council. He was the Deputy Head of the Central Information Committee of Fatah from 1968 to 1978. From 1994 to 1996, Mr. Balawi served as the Commissioner-General of the National Security Agencies and Secretary of National Security Council. He is the Minister of the Interior representing Occupied Palestine in Council of Arab Interior Ministers. He is a member of the PNC. The Secretary of the Union of Palestinian Journalists and Writers, Mr. Balawi is the author of several plays and novels. Education He holds Diplomas in Administration, Journalism and Education. [1] Fatah is the largest political party in the PLO. It also has the largest support of the Palestinian population in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The party seeks: (1) the end of Israel’s military occupation of all territory occupied by Israel since 1967 in accordance with international law; (2) the establishment of a secular, democratic, independent Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital and (3) a just resolution to the 55-year refugee crisis in accordance with international law. Read More...
By: Holy Land Peace
Date: 30/08/2012
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Treatise on Holy Land Justice
Foreword This document is authored by the producers of Holy Land Peace*. It is an instrument inspired by the BDS Declaration of 2005** and is issued in the same spirit and for the same ultimate goal – justice, liberation from oppression, and dignity of the people of Palestine – those fortunate enough to have escaped the ethnic cleansing of 1947-1949 and later years; those internally displaced in Israel; those fortunate enough to have retained their historical/ancestral homes and lands in the illegally Occupied Palestinian Territories; those internally displaced in the illegally Occupied Palestinian Territories; and those in the near and far diaspora. The authors realize it is insufficient to merely publish and distribute this instrument. It is imperative that justice-seeking organizations worldwide adopt and support it, as well as persuade pertinent international authorities to implement it. The authors acknowledge that they are not a recognized Palestinian authority, and that such an authority must ultimately take ownership of this document. Until then, for the sake of order, please forward constructive suggestions to the authors. Since World War I, grave injustices have befallen the Holy Land – Palestine and its people – Christians, Muslims, and Jews. This is not to say that injustice had not previously befallen the Holy Land. Injustice has been a byproduct of human nature since Cain killed Abel. Hordes of conquerors and occupiers have taken their turn in Palestine over the centuries. Since the turn of the 20th Century, humanity perceived and aggrandized itself as a species capable of wielding justice internationally, so this document addresses injustices incurred since that time. What humans label “justice” is true justice only if applied equally and impartially. That is the purpose of the lady holding the scales of justice in wearing her blindfold. What purpose does it serve to have a “justice” system, when laws are not enforced equally? Sadly, when it comes to the Zionist state of Israel, Lady Justice has long traded her blindfold in for blinders. Our outreach is to all peace-seekers, in the hope that they embrace the above underlined postulate, giving credence and validity to this document. The overview of injustices is outlined in two sections:
* Truth and Justice-based television program on ‘Olelo Community Media, Honolulu holylandpeace.net ** BDS was initiated by Omar Barghouti and launched on 7/9/2005 by 171 Palestinian civil organizations.
Injustices – Part I
The international community regrettably acquiesced to the injustices bulleted in Part I. The result is that the official state of Israel consists of 78% of Historic Palestine. Although this fact is almost impossible for all Palestinians to digest, that is the way things are. It is crucial to emphasize that unequivocally, Palestine should have been a united independent state to begin with. Christian, Muslim, Jewish, and other Palestinians had lived in harmony for centuries despite the many empires, conquerors, and exploitive occupiers. Palestine had frequently been a haven for Jews who were persecuted in other lands. A program could have easily been devised for controlled immigration of Jews and others seeking religious and/or social sanctuary. Such a solution would have been better accepted by native Holy Land inhabitants. However, short of an attack of conscience on the part of the Israeli government and people, there is no present remedy for the blunders documented in Part I. Therefore at this time, only the injustices in Part II can be reasonably addressed – but addressed they must be! Israel must be stopped from operating outside of international and moral law with impunity. The international community must enforce justice universally. Justice Essentials
By: United Nations
Date: 06/05/2009
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Vienna Convention on the Representation of States in their Relations with International Organizations of a Universal Character 1975
Part I. Introduction The States Parties to the present Convention, Recognizing the increasingly important role of multilateral diplomacy in relations between States and the responsibilities of the United Nations, its specialized agencies and other international organizations of a universal character within the international community, Having in mind the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations concerning the sovereign equality of States, the maintenance of international peace and security and the promotion of friendly relations and cooperation among States, Recalling the work of codification and progressive development of international law applicable to bilateral relations between States which was achieved by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961, the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963, and the Convention on Special Missions of 1969, Believing that an international convention on the representation of States in their relations with international organizations of a universal character would contribute to the promotion of friendly relations and cooperation among States, irrespective of their political, economic and social systems, Recalling the provisions of Article 105 of the Charter of the United Nations, Recognizing that the purpose of privileges and immunities contained in the present Convention is not to benefit individuals but to ensure the efficient performance of their functions in connection with organizations and conferences, Taking account of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations of 1946, the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the Specialized Agencies of 1947 and other agreements in force between States and between States and international organizations, Affirming that the rules of customary international law continue to govern questions not expressly regulated by the provisions of the present Convention, To View the Full Document as PDF (534 KB)
By: Council of the European Union
Date: 29/11/2005
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Euro-Mediterranean Code of Conduct on Countering Terrorism
The countries of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership, guided by the principles and objectives of the Barcelona Declaration, are united in the struggle against terrorism. The threat that terrorism poses to the lives of our citizens remains serious and terrorist attacks seriously impair the enjoyment of human rights. We remain determined to strengthen cooperation and co-ordination to respond to this global challenge. Today, we reiterate our total condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and our determination to eradicate it and to combat its sponsors. We have exerted considerable effort and had significant success in combating terrorism. We must continue to prevent terrorists accessing money and weapons, to disrupt their plans and disrupt their networks and to bring them to justice, by strengthening international cooperation. Our response must remain proportionate and solidly anchored within international and domestic legal frameworks that ensure respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. We must not imperil the democratic values to which we are committed. We confirm that we will:
Terrorism can never be justified. If we are to succeed in the long term in enabling international institutions, governments to stop terrorism we need to address all its causes. We recognise the links between peace, security, social and economic development and human rights. We will continue to do all we can to resolve conflict, end occupation, confront oppression, reduce poverty, promote good governance and human right, improve intercultural understanding and ensure respect for all religions. Such actions serve directly the interests of the people of the Euromed region and work against the interests of the terrorists and their networks. To View the Full Document as PDF (128 KB)
By the Same Author
Date: 18/12/2010
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A New Christmas Story: Bethlehem Under Occupation
“Separating Bethlehem from Jerusalem and the rest of the world, will not bring peace." (Roman Catholic Patriarch Fouad Twal). In many ways Bethlehem has become the quintessential Palestinian city under occupation: its population confronted with daily abuse, its historic geography and landscape ruined by the expansion of illegal settlements, the serpentine Israeli Separation Wall cutting deep into its heart and severing it from its ancient political, social, economic and religious links to Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank, and its economic prospects are further challenged with every passing year. For the Palestinians living in Bethlehem and its environs each Christmas has become less of a reason to celebrate than a cause to reflect on the immense tragedy that has befallen this holy city, which is home to one of the oldest Christian communities on Earth. FACT: The Israeli Occupation has dramatically restricted the Palestinians’ freedom of worship and access to churches in the Holy Land. Following the completion of Israel’s Wall in the northern part of Bethlehem City, Bethlehem and Jerusalem have now been completely separated from one another. The Governorate and City under Occupation Neither the Bethlehem Governorate nor the City has been spared from the devastating impact of Israel’s occupation and relentless colonization of Palestinian land. Creating ‘facts on the ground’ that render a two-state solution impossible, Israel continues to implement a series of policies that combine elements of occupation, colonization and apartheid to deliberately suffocate and fragment Bethlehem and its environs. These include the ongoing confiscation of Palestinian land for the construction of Israeli settlements and Wall in violation of international law, as well as the imposition of physical and administrative restrictions on freedom of movement for Palestinians, ranging from an ever expanding network of checkpoints and roadblocks to a punitive permit regime that limits where Palestinians can live, move and work.
Land annexed by Israel in the Bethlehem Governorate In 1967, Israel annexed approximately 10 km2 of the Northern Bethlehem Governorate in violation of international law. Much of this land was illegally incorporated into the expanded municipal boundaries of East Jerusalem. Israel’s unilateral expansion of East Jerusalem’s municipal boundaries is not recognized by the international community. Many Palestinian towns and villages heavily reliant on agriculture for their economic survival have seen their agricultural lands illegally confiscated by Israel for the construction of settlements, settlement related infrastructure, and the Wall. The Palestinian towns of Beit Sahhur, Bethlehem, Beit Jala,Walaja, Husan, Battir, Wadi Fukin, Jaba, Nahhalin, Artas and al-Khadr have lost 65 percent of their total land area west of the Israeli Wall. For example:
The Loss of Bethlehem’s Vital Tourism Over the preceding two decades Bethlehem has become a shadow of its former self. Once a vibrant and open city, Bethlehem has been reduced to a ghetto beset by poverty, immobility and isolation. A walk through the Old Town of Bethlehem exposes one to a myriad of closed storefronts where shopkeepers once sold their wares to residents and tourists alike. The tourists that still enter Bethlehem are literally bused in and out within 2 hours for a specially coordinated visit, spending little to no time in Palestinian shops, restaurants and hotels before returning to Israeli hotels and restaurants to spend much of their time and money. In summary, the benefits of Bethlehem’s potential as a major tourist destination are exploited to serve a thriving Israeli tourism sector. This dire situation is most apparent during the holiday season falling between Christmas and Easter, when Bethlehem should be receiving most of its tourists.
Christian festivals affected by Israel’s closure of Bethlehem
We Palestinians make a special appeal at Christmas time for people around the world to do their part in helping us resist the ongoing closure of Palestine in general and Bethlehem in particular. We ask the world to redouble their efforts this Christmas to make Bethlehem and the rest of the occupied Palestinian territory open to visitors, to reconnect the ancient links between Bethlehem and Jerusalem, to bring peace and justice to Palestine so that we may all share once again in the celebration of the holidays. ------------------------------------------------------ [1]UN OCHA, Shrinking Space: Urban Contraction and Rural Fragmentation in the Bethlehem Governorate, May 2009, available at: http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_bethlehem_shrinking _space_may_2009_english.pdf [2]“Closed zones” are tracts of Palestinian land that Israel declares to be closed military areas, and are thus inaccessible to their Palestinian owners and farmers. Since 1967, Israel has declared more than 20% of West Bank land located east of the Wall closed military areas. For more information, refer to Barrier to Peace: The Impact of Israel’s Wall Five Years after the ICJ Ruling, July 2009, available at: http://www.nad-plo.org/news-updates/FINAL%20Anniversary%20of%20ICJ%20ruling%20on%20the%20Wall%20FINAL%209June09.pdf [3] Statistics sourced from the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities [4]In 2004, the International Court of Justice ruled that all Israeli settlements are illegal under international law. For further information, please refer to Barrier to Peace: The Impact of Israel’s Wall Five Years after the ICJ Ruling, July 2009, available at: http://www.nad-plo.org/news-updates/FINAL%20Anniversary%20of%20ICJ%20ruling%20on%20the%20Wall%20FINAL%209June09.pdf
Date: 16/01/2008
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Dr. Erekat Calls on the International Community to Stop Israel’s 'Blazing Destruction' in Gaza and East Jerusalem
Just one day after the official commencement of permanent status negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis and the reaffirmation of their respective commitments under the Road Map, Israel has intensified its aggression against the Palestinian people, killing at least 17 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and starting construction on 60 new housing units in Maaleh HaZeitim settlement in Ras El Amoud neighbourhood in Palestinian East Jerusalem. Chief Palestinian Negotiator Dr. Saeb Erekat referred to today’s events as ‘‘the blazing destruction of Palestinian lives and property and a continuation of the Israeli policy of undermining the peace process and the efforts being exerted to revive hope in the minds of people that peace is possible.’’ Dr. Erekat reiterated calls for ‘‘concerted international efforts to stop the Israeli aggression against our people in Gaza and to pressure Israel to comply with its Road Map obligations, namely freezing all settlement activity, including in East Jerusalem.’’ Dr. Erekat also stressed that the current Israeli policies ‘‘undermine President Bush’s peace efforts.’’ ‘‘Israel’s continuous attacks in Gaza and ongoing settlement construction in East Jerusalem highlight the enormous gap between official Israeli declarations and the deteriorating reality on the ground,’’ concluded Dr. Erekat. Contact for more information:
Muzna Shihabi (English, French, and Arabic)
Communications Advisor, Negotiations Support Unit
Wassim Khazmo (English and Arabic)
Communications Advisor, Negotiations Support Unit
Date: 09/09/2003
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Bad Fences Make Bad Neighbors – Part III: Focus on Jayyus
“There is only one thing I can do. I will buy a tent and move with my wife to live on the other side of the fence among my trees. I don’t know if the Israelis will let me do it. They certainly won’t let me build a house. But perhaps I can live in a tent.”
FACT SHEET: Israel’s goal in building the “security” wall is twofold: (1) to confiscate Palestinian land in order to facilitate further colony expansion and unilaterally redraw geopolitical borders and (2) to encourage an exodus of Palestinians by denying them the ability to earn a living from their land, by denying them adequate water resources, and by restricting freedom of movement to such extent as to make remaining in the town or village an unviable option. The first phase of the wall’s construction is complete. If the wall were truly about security, the wall would have been built on Israel’s 1967 pre-occupation border (the “Green Line”). However, the wall is not being built on the Green Line, but rather well within Occupied Palestinian Territory. THE CASE OF JAYYUS – FORCED IMPOVERISHMENT THROUGH LAND CONFISCATION For an accompanying map, see www.nad-plo.org/maps/focusqal.pdf • Jayyus is located in the governorate of Qalqilya and has a population of approximately 3,100 Palestinians. • The town is located six kilometers east of the Green Line. • Jayyus is a farming town that provides produce to 60,000 Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. • In 1986, Israel confiscated 1,362 dunums of Jayyus land. The illegal Israeli colony of Zufin was built on the town’s confiscated lands. • In 1990, Israel confiscated 30 dunums of Jayyus land. It is now being used as a dump site for the nearby Israeli colonies. EFFECTS OF THE WALL ON JAYYUS • The Israeli Army has built a militarily-fortified barrier 6 kilometers east of the Green Line, currently the furthest point into Occupied Palestinian Territory of the first phase of the wall. • The wall has been built between Jayyus homes and Jayyus farmland, thereby separating Jayyus farmers from their fields. Approximately 9,000 dunums of agricultural land are separated from their owners, of which 2,500 dunums are irrigated crop lands on the other side of the wall. These irrigated crops provide 90% of the town’s total economic revenue. The wall separate Jayyus farmers from 120 greenhouses, 15,000 olive trees and 50,000 citrus trees. This area annually produces 17 million kilograms of vegetables and fruits. • All seven of the town’s water wells are behind the wall. As a result, the town receives running water only two hours every three days, with an average per capita water consumption of 20 liters per day, five times below the World Health Organization’s daily per capita minimum health standard of 100 liters per day. • Due to the wall and the accompanying travel restrictions, Jayyus residents are denied basic services, such as access to medical care located outside Jayyus. • 480 of 550 families (87%) have lost their sole means of livelihood. • 180 families are receiving humanitarian aid. • In order to farm their lands, 32 farmers are living in tents on their land, separated from their homes and families. 1 Chris McGreal, The £1m-a-Mile Wall that Divides a Town from its own Date: 12/09/2003
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Bad Fences Make Bad Neighbors – Part VI: Focus on Azzun Atma
“You don’t simply bundle people onto trucks and drive them away…I prefer to advocate a positive policy, to create, in effect, a condition that in a positive way will induce people to leave.” [1]
Fact Sheet: Israel’s goal in building the “security” wall is twofold: (1) to confiscate Palestinian land in order to facilitate further colony expansion and unilaterally redraw geopolitical borders and (2) to encourage an exodus of Palestinians by denying them the ability to earn a living from their land, by denying them adequate water resources, and by restricting freedom of movement to such extent as to make remaining in the town or village an unviable option. The first phase of the wall’s construction is complete. If the wall were truly about security, the wall would have been built on Israel’s 1967 pre-occupation border (the “Green Line”). However, the wall is not being built on the Green Line, but rather well within Occupied Palestinian Territory. The Case of Azzun Atma – Encircling the Village From All Sides For an accompanying map, see http://www.nad-plo.org/maps/qalazzunatma903.pdf * Situated within three kilometers of the Green Line, the village of Azzun Atma has a population of 1,500 Palestinians with half of the population under the age of 18. The village, and its neighboring village, Beit Amin, share two schools and a mosque. * In 1982, Israel constructed the illegal colony of Sha’are Tiqwa between the two villages. The effect was to isolate the two villages from one another and disrupt territorial contiguity between the villages. The colony is located within meters of the village. * The village yields the highest produce per dunum of land in the Occupied West Bank, and, as a result, the village is largely dependent upon its agricultural industry. Prior to September 2000, ten trucks of produce left the village daily: nine went to cities within the Occupied Palestinian Territories and one truck exported produce to Israel. Today, the main roads to the village have been completely blocked off, thereby preventing the shipment of produce. * On March 13, 2003 Israel issued military orders for the construction of the wall. Effects of the Wall on Azzun Atma * Settlers living in the neighboring illegal Israeli colony of Sha’are Tiqva will have complete freedom of movement to and from Israel, while the Palestinians will be militarily caged into their village, unable to travel throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territories or even visit neighboring villages. * 25 homeowners have been forced to stop building their homes in order to create the wall. * Part of the village’s high school (constructed in 1964) will be destroyed. * 33 of the 36 schoolteachers will be denied the ability to enter the village, thereby impacting the education of the village’s schoolchildren. * Nine homes, housing 49 Palestinians, will be outside of the wall and will be completely isolated from the remainder of the village, thereby separating families and denying the children the ability to attend school. 1 David Bernstein, Forcible Removal of Arabs Gaining Support in Israel, THE TIMES (LONDON), August 24, 1988, at 7. Contact us
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