PA Security Council to Oversee Armed Forces
In a new bill to be presented to the Palestinian Legislative Council, the newly elected President Mahmoud Abbas will be ‘supreme commander’ of Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces, but unlike…
Abbas wins about 62 percent in the PA Chairmanship elections
The Central Election Committee declared on Monday in a press conference held in Ramallah the partial results of the Palestinian presidential elections. Dr. Hanna Nasser, the head of the committee…
International community welcomes Abbas victory
The partial results of the Palestinian presidential election declared on Monday declaring the victory of Mahmoud Abbas, the chairman of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) were met with a wide…
Results to be published soon amidst accusations of fraud
While Abbas declared his victory, final results will be published Monday around noon time. Exit polls released shortly after voting centers closed Sunday evening gave Mahmoud Abbas, the PLO leader…
Two hours after closing the voting centers, Abbas declares victory
Two hours after closing the voting centers on Sunday night, Palestinian Liberation Organization leader and fatah candidate for the PA chairmanship election delivered his voctory speech without waiting for primary…
Army Dismisses 6 of the Officers who Signed Refusal Letter
Israeli Central Command Officer Moshe Kaplinski dismissed Sunday six of 34 Israel reserve army officers who signed a letter stating they would refuse orders to evacuate settlements. Army source said…
At least 71% of the Palestinian voted on Sunday
Sunday at 21:00 the election centers of the Palestinian presidential election closed it doors after extending the voting period for two additional hours; at least 71% of the eligible voters…
Sharon : Monday Knesset Poll is a No-Confidance Vote
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon reacted to the Likud rebels decision to vote against the new cabionet buy calling for considering the Knesset vote on the new cabinet a no-confidence…
Population Increase in Settlements, especially Gaza Strip Ones
The number of settlers living in the West Bank and Gaza Strip settlements increased by 6 percent last year. According to statistics published Sunday by the Israeli Interior Ministry’s Population…
Votes, jokes and dreams
Translated by Saed Bannoura, IMEMC In spite of the fatigue which wore out the supervisors of the voting process and the vote counting, some of the ballots found in the…
Sharon Presented Coalition Deal to Knesset
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon submitted Sunday the coalition agreement joining the Likud, Labor and United Torah Judaism parties to the Knesset, Israel Radio reported. However, Likud rebels said that…
Soldier Killed in an Explosion in Shaba’ Farm
Israeli soldier killed in the explosion at Shaba’ farm; French officer in the UNIFIl killed in the Israeli shelling of areas inside Lebanon. Israeli sources said that the soldier killed…
Abbas: Hamas Asked its Supporters to Vote
PLO head and the leading Presidential Candidate Mahmoud Abbas said Sunday as he left the PA headquarters in Ramallah that all Palestinian factions, including Hamas, asked their supporters to vote,…
Serious Problems Facing Jerusalem Voters
Only a small fraction of the estimated 160,000 eligible Palestinian voters in East Jerusalem were permitted to cast their ballots in the city. The vast majority of Jerusalem Arabs were…
Election Latest Updates
Source close to former US President Jimmy Carter said that finally Israel agreed that the 160,000 allegeable voters in East Jerusalem will be allowed to vote in any of the…
PA Interim Chairman: Legislative Elections on July 17
While the polling stations to elect the Palestinian Authority Chairman will open doors Sunday 7:00 a.m., Palestinian Interim Chairman Rohi Fatouh announced Saturday, his last day as chairperson, that legislative…
Palestinians Steadily Moving Toward Democracy
Reports arriving to IMEMC election center indicate that elections are running smoothly, with insignificant disruptions only. Based on a sample from selected centers across the Palestinian territories, a high turnout…
Ballot Boxes Laid on their Side in Jerusalem?
Israeli security insisted that East Jerusalem ballots boxes should be laid on their side and that boxes should be transported to the central election committee centers in Abu Dis and…
Joint Arab-Israeli Protest against House Demolitions in Arab Israeli Village
Several hundreds of Taayush activists, both Jewish and Arab, and residents of the Wadi Ara region protested Saturday near the village of Arara on Saturday against the planned demolition of…
Media Report: Sharon Might Visit Jordan Soon
The Qatar based Al-Watan newspaper said Saturday that a recent warm up in Israeli-Jordanian relations might lead to a soon Israeli Prime minister Ariel Sharon visit to Jordan soon. According…
Senior Rabbis Leading the War against Disengagement
Senior rabbinical figures are expected Sunday to come out in support of the refusal to obey orders to evacuate West Bank and Gaza Strip settlements. Key Rabbis, including former Sephardi…
Voting Started, Yet Beta Village Still Under Curfew
Israeli army continued Saturday with imposing a curfew on the residents of Beta village south of the West Bank city of Nablus for the second day. Local sources reported on…
Halting Qassam’s in Exchange to Releasing More Prisoners
Israeli sources reported on Saturday that Israel is already preparing for the renewal of negotiations with the new Palestinian leadership and a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and…
Barghouthi Files an Official Complain over Usage of ‘Easley Removable’ Ink
Presidential candidate Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi filed Sunday an official complain at the headquarters of the Palestinian Election Committee in Ramallah, saying that the ink used to prevent fraud in today’s…
Army kills a Palestinian north of Khan Younis
Saturday morning, Israeli soldiers killed a 61-year-old residents east of Al-Matahin checkpoint, north of Kahn Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. Dr. Moawiya Hassanen, head of the…
Israel Reverses Decision to Halt Operations during Palestinian Elections
Israel is considering renewing military operations inside Palestinian populated areas after an Israeli soldier was killed in a military attack in the West Bank. The Palestinian Authority was made aware…
International Observers Touring Roadblocks
Some international observers were touring army roadblocks in the West Bank and Gaza Strip on Saturday to check whether Israel kept a promise to ease travel for Palestinians during elections.…
If Elected, Abbas Will Ask Qurei to Form New Cabinet
PLO leader Mahmoud Abbas said Friday that if he wins Sunday’s election, he will ask Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei to form a new cabinet. Abbas comments followed recent reports about…
Latest Election Poll: Abbas 51.8%; Barghouthi 25.3%
The latest public opinion poll carried out by PCPO between January 5-7 indicated that PLO head Mahmoud Abbas is still leading the presidential race with 51.8% followed by Dr. Mustafa…
Preparations for Voting Completed
The Palestinian central election committee said Thursday that preparations for voting have been completed. According to the committee, 1,757,756 eligible voters will be able to vote in 1,072 centers, where…
Israeli Police Detain Candidate Dr. Mustafa Barghouti
Palestinian Presidential candidate Mustafa Barghouti was detained by police Friday as he tried to enter the Old City of Jerusalem to pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque; second time during the…
Israeli is considering renewing its invasions in the West Bank
Israeli is considering renewing it military operations in the Palestinian territories, in spite of its statements to halt operations ahead of the Palestinian presidential elections on Sunday. The Israeli government…
Israeli Officers Back Away From Refusal to Evacuate Settlements
The 34 reserve officers who signed a letter stating they would refuse orders to evacuate settlements expressed reservations regarding their declared refusal, according to Israeli army sources. The officers’ letter,…
Two Gaza Strip residents killed in separate incidents
Friday Evening, Israeli soldiers killed one resident in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip. In a separate incident, a resident of Al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City was also killed…
Two settlers killed, three wounded near Nablus
Friday afternoon, Palestinian resistance fighters fired at settlers’ cars driving on the Tafoah Junction near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, killing two settlers and seriously wounding three others.…
Settler Rabbis Urge Soldiers to Oppose Disengagement
Any officer who fails to retract his signature from the refusal petition within 24 hours will be stripped of his rank and ousted from the army, Israeli Chief of Staff…
Shalom: Israel Began Pullout; PA: No Evidence on Ground
Israel has begun to pull troops out of West Bank cities to avoid interfering with a January 9 chairman election, Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said Thursday. Shalom spoke at…
Coalition Agreement Signed
A coalition agreement between Likud, Labor and United Torah Judaism (UTJ) parties was signed Thursday evening. The new government is expected to be presented to the Knesset on Sunday. Members…
Resistance fighter killed in the Gaza Strip
Thursday morning, Israeli soldiers killed a resistance fighter after he infiltrated into the Gani Tal settlement, near Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. Mohannad Mahmoud Al-Lahham, 19, members of…
Abbas: Sharon is a Partner, Will Soon Test How Serious He Is
PLO head Mahmoud Abbas said Thursday that he considers Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon a partner for peace talks, calling immediate resumption of negotiations after the Palestinian election. ‘After the…
Kaplinsky Meets Officers Who Signed Refusal Petition
Israel army central command Moshe Kaplinsky met Thursday with 34 Israel reserve officers who signed a letter in which they informed their brigade commander that they would refuse to carry…
Sharon to Meet Legal Experts on Soldiers’ Refusal
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will meet with legal experts to discuss incitement and the refusal of Israel soldiers to carry out orders, Israel Radio reported Thursday. Israeli Attorney General…
Qalqilia; 67 days closure, 3 days curfew and 83 residents killed
Qalqilia carries a story of siege, continues military invasions, strict siege and the annexation wall encircling it and its surrounding villages, in addition to continuous closure which lasted for 67…
At least 65 residents arrested in Hebron since the beginning of January
The Israeli army conducted continuous invasions against the city of Hebron and the surrounding villages, arrested at least 65 residents and broke into dozens of charitable organizations and institutions. Among…
Sharon to Present a New Cabinet on Monday
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon plans to present his new government on Monday, with a coalition that could command 66 seats in the 120-seat Knesset. This was possible after a…
Palestine will be the only democratic country in the region after elections
Members of the French Senate considered that Palestinian will be the only Arab democratic country in the region after the presidential elections adding that the French government I willing to…
Mofaz: Ready to Handover WB Towns to PA
Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said in an interview to the New York Times on Thursday that Israel was ready to hand over to a new Palestinian leadership responsibilities in…
Barghouti removed from solitary imprisonment
The jailed Palestinian legislator Marwan Barghouthi was removed from his solitary confinement, for the first time since he was arrested at least two-and-a-half years ago. The Israeli Public Security Minister…
Fatah calls on Hamas to end the Qassam attacks
Wednesday, the Fatah Central Committee called on Hamas movement to halt the firing of Qassam shells at Israeli settlement, and seize incitement against Abbas, the Fatah candidate in the upcoming…
UTJ Split over Joining Coalition
The two factions within the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party could split over joining the newly proposed governmental coalition. Israel Radio reported Wednesday. UTJ spiritual mentor rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv…
Israel to Submit Opinion on Hague Ruling in Few Days
The Israeli Justice Ministry is finalizing revisions on Israel’s state’s legal position regarding the International Court of Justice’s opinion on the separation wall and is expected to submit the document…
Palestinian Refugees
Introduction: On 29 November 1947, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly passed Resolution 181, endorsing a partition plan to divide the land of historic Palestine between the Jews and Arabs.…
Palestinian Prisoners
Introduction Since 1967, when Israel occupied the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, over 650,000 Palestinians have been detained by Israel for various security-political reasons and periods.…
Israel to Submit Opinion on Hague Ruling in Few Days
The Israeli Justice Ministry is finalizing revisions on Israel’s state’s legal position regarding the International Court of Justice’s opinion on the separation wall and is expected to submit the document…
At least two resistance fighters killed in the Gaza Strip
Wednesday morning, the Al-Quds brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad, and the Al-Aqsa brigades, the military wing of Fatah claimed responsibility of attacking a military checkpoint at the…
Settler Leaders Accuse Sharon of Demonizing Settlers
Leaders of the Yesha Council of Settlements on Wednesday accused Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of demonizing and de-legitimizing the settlers. Senior Yesha officials accused that the confrontation between soldiers…
UN: 320 Observers from 51 countries to monitor the PA elections
UN said 51 countries had sent observer delegations with 320 delegates so far for the elections on Sunday and more than 700 international observers would be deployed on the election…
Sharon : Jump on Me, Leave the Army Alone
The government will use all its power to act against anyone who harms security forces or urges soldiers to refuse orders, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Wednesday. ‘Whoever raises…
12 Israeli soldiers wounded, two seriously in the south of the country
The Israeli army reported that twelve soldiers were wounded, two seriously, in a military camp, in the south of the country. The source stated that the two soldiers, who sustained…
Proposal to stop Regarding Arabic Language as Official
National Union leading member Arieh Eldad proposed dropping the Arabic Language as one of two official languages besides Hebrew. Eldada submitted his proposal for to the Knesset on the occasion…
Israel to Submit Opinion on Hague Ruling in Few Days
The Israeli Justice Ministry is finalizing revisions on Israel’s state’s legal position regarding the International Court of Justice’s opinion on the separation wall and is expected to submit the document…
UTJ spiritual leader says party can join PM’s coalition
United Torah Judaism spiritual leader Rabbi Shalom Elyashiv decided Wednesday that the ultra-Orthodox party would join Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s new coalition. According to the rabbi decision, UTJ will…
Army conducts military searches in Hebron, arrests 12
Wednesday at dawn, Israeli soldiers invaded the city of Hebron and the neighboring village of Doura , conducted military searches of homes and arrested twelve residents, raising the total number…
High Court to hear request that jailed Palestinians vote
The Israeli High Court of Justice on Wednesday will discuss a petition requesting that the 8,000 Palestinians incarcerated in Israeli jails be allowed to vote in next Sunday’s Palestinian Authority…
U.S. Consider Boosting Aid to PA
The US Administration is considering a proposal to boost U.S. aid to the Palestinian Authority this year by up to $200 million, an official US source said. The source also…
Israeli Far-Right to Use Fake Blood to Encourage Settlers to Fire at Soldiers
Far-right activists are planning to create a pretext to open fire on soldiers during the planned evacuation of settlements, Israeli Shin Bet chief Avi Dichter said on Tuesday. Dichter was…
Anonymous Source: `“Israeli Officer, one soldier abducted near Ma`aleh Adumim settlement `“
Tuesday at night, Palestinian and Israeli sources reported that according to initial information provided by an anonymous phone call , one Israeli officer and one soldier were abducted near Ma`aleh…
Before the Next Catastrophe
Let’s imagine for a moment that the huge tidal waves had hit the western shores of Europe, that more than a hundred thousand English, Irish, Dutch, Belgian, French, Spanish and…
Officer Censured after a Plank Point Killing of Unarmed Palestinian
The Israel Army chief of staff decided on Tuesday to censure a commanding officer following the killing of a wounded, unarmed Palestinian. Soldiers under the censured officer shot dead a…
U.S. Consider Boosting Aid to PA
The US Administration is considering a proposal to boost U.S. aid to the Palestinian Authority this year by up to $200 million, an official US source said.  The source also…
The Zionist Enemy, not a Big Deal
Committed and proud Zionists are angered by being called Zionists? Or were there surprised that he called the occupation soldiers “enemiesâ€Â? New PLO leader Mahmoud Abbas, a moderate Palestinian leader…
Seven killed in Beit Lahia, all under the age of 17
Tuesday morning, a Palestinian medical source in the Gaza Strip reported that Israeli soldiers killed seven children in Beit Lahia, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip after firing…
Resident killed in Gaza , at least twelve injured
Dr. Moawiya Hassanen, head of the emergency unit at the ministry of health reported that Israeli soldiers fired a tank shell at a group of residents in Al-Zaytoun neighborhood in…
The Zionist Enemy, not a Big Deal
{mosimage}New PLO leader Mahmoud Abbas, a moderate Palestinian leader who holds the best chances to become the second Palestinian Authority chairman, triggered uproar in Israel when he called Israeli occupation…
Anti Fraud Moves by the Palestinian Election Committee
To prevent fraud in or claims of frauds in the upcoming Palestinian Presidential elections, the Central Elections Committee (CEC) has taken a number of steps including importing partially transparent ballot…
Dichter: Resistance Groups in Gaza Strip own Anti-aircraft missiles
Chief of the Israeli Public Security (Shin Bet) Avi Dichter claimed on Tuesday that the Palestinian resistance groups posses five shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles. Dichter also told the Knesset Foreign Affairs…
Palestinian factions criticize Abbas’ call to stop shelling settlements
A Hamas spokesperson criticized a recent statement by interim Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas that resistance groups cease firing homemade Qassam shells at Israeli settlements. Mosheer al-Masri, the Hamas…
19 arrested in Hebron
Tuesday morning, Israeli soldiers arrested at least 19 residents from several villages around Hebron, in the south of the West Bank, after invading them and breaking into dozens of homes.…
The Jenin Leader of Al-Quds Brigades arrested
Tuesday morning, undercover military units from the Israeli army arrested the Jenin head of Al-Quds brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad. A local source in Jenin reported that…
Knesset panel Calls AG to Indict Those Calling for Refusal of Military Orders
Knesset Committee called Tuesday on Israeli Attorney General Menachem Mazuz to indict right-wing leaders urging refusal of military orders. The Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee called Mazuz to indict…
Dahlan: `“The Israeli accusation against Abbas could turn into ‘character assassination’`
Mohamed Dahlan, former head of Palestinian Security, warned Israel that if they continue to throw accusations at Mahmoud Abbas, it could turn into a kind of ‘character assassination’, like what…
Turkey : Syria is Serious, Expects Positive Israeli Response
Turkey believes that Syria is serious about making peace with Israel , Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul told Israeli newspaper Haaretz in an interview on Monday. Gul is currently on…
Army Urges Crackdown on Settler Violence
Israeli army officers urged the political establishment to take a stronger stand against settlers’ violence and against calls for soldiers to refuse orders. Army officers became particularly concerned after Monday…
The Election Campaign of Mahmoud Abbas
According to the latest poll, run by Al-Najah University, Abbas is still leading with around 60%, yet the distance between him and Barghouthi is shrinking with the latter leaping from…
Israeli troops wound a Palestinian cameraman in northern Gaza Strip
Israeli media sources reported that a Palestinian cameraman who works with the Israeli TV channel 10 was wounded by Israeli fire in northern Gaza Strip on Sunday afternoon. Majdi Al-Arbeed…
Soldier Arrested During Evacuation of Illegal Outpost
An Israel soldier, resident of a settlement, was arrested Monday when he joined settlers’ violent efforts to prevent the removal of two caravans from an unauthorized outpost. The soldier was…
Abbas pledges refugees will return to their homes in Israel
Mahmoud Abbas, the leading candidate in next week’s presidential election, on Monday promised Palestinian refugees they’ll be able to return home one day. Abbas was campaigning for a third straight…
Resistance fighter killed in the northern Gaza Strip
A Palestinian medical source reported that Israeli soldiers operating near the outskirts of Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip, killed a member of the resistance. The source stated that…
Sharon: Likud Rebels Leader Endangers Democracy
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon slammed MK Uzi Landau, the leader of Likud rebels against the disengagement plan, saying that he is harming democratic rule in Israel. Sharon comments were…
Israel to Allow Abbas to Campaign in E. Jerusalem
Israel will allow PLO chairman Mahmoud Abbas to visit East Jerusalem as part of his campaign for next Sunday’s elections for Palestinian Authority chairman, an Israeli source said Sunday. Abbas…
Abbas leads in polls, with 65% support
So far, Palestinian presidential candidate Mahmoud Abbas is leading in the polls, with about 65% of voters supporting him, while Barghouti, the closest runner-up to Abbas, is polling at 22%.…
Israeli Deputy DM: Mass refusal by soldiers could foil disengagement
Israeli Deputy Defense Minister Ze’ev Boim said Monday that massive refusal of soldiers to obey orders to evacuate settlers could foil the disengagement plan. Boim spoke after settler leaders warned…
Tulkarem refugee camp: Stories of endless suffering
Translated and edited by Saed Bannoura, IMEMC Residents of Tulkarem refugee camp live a life filled with daily fears, while the non-stop military invasions by the Israeli soldiers and their…
Election Elation
After years of gloom, Palestine woke up this week to a celebration never before witnessed. Huge signs of leading candidates to presidency have replaced posters of martyrs and Intifada graffiti.…
Outpost Settlers Throw Stones at Soldiers
Settlers threw stones at police officers trying to evacuate two caravans from an unauthorized outpost near the West Bank settlement of Yitzhar on Monday, lightly wounding an officer. Hundreds of…
Sharon : Likud rebels, ‘Radical Rabbis’ May Foil Unity Cabinet
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told the New York Times on Monday that his own Likud party rebels together with ‘radical rabbis’ have applied pressure on an ultra-Orthodox party that…
PA to Petition Israeli High Court to allow Palestinian Prisoners to vote
Palestinian Minister for Prisoner Affairs, Hisham Abdul Razek, will petition Israel’s High Court on Monday against Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s decision not to allow 8,000 residents of the territories jailed…
Egypt calls Israel for pullback to pre-September 2000 liens
Egypt called on Monday for a full Israeli withdrawal from occupied Palestinian areas to the positions they held before the outbreak of the Palestinian Intifada in 2000, in order to…
Hamas Confirms Election Boycott, Won’t Back a Candidate
Hamas Gaza Leader Said Siam confirmed Saturday that his group does not intend to take part in the January 9 presidential elections, calling Hamas members and supporters to not arrive…
Egypt Calls on Israel to Fulfill Commitments, Halt Military Offensives
In a statement on Saturday, the Egyptian foreign ministry called on Israel to fulfill its commitment to help Palestinians run smooth and democratic elections, saying that Israeli escalations, especially in…