2014
Try Israeli soldiers for war crimes: Palestinian FM
The Palestinian government has called on the United Nations and foreign states with citizens serving in the Israeli army to investigate and try them for war crimes committed during Israel’s latest onslaught on the besieged Gaza Strip.
Abbas announces Israel-Gaza ceasefire
BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday announced a long-term ceasefire agreement between Israel and Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip.
In a short televised address, Abbas said the agreement would go into effect at 7 p.m.
"We confirm complete appreciation to the Egyptian efforts which started long ago seeking to satisfy all sides. Qatar also played a role in that. We also would like to mention that (US Secretary of State John) Kerry was also in touch with us for the same purpose and so we thank all those who played roles," Abbas said.
Football under fire - A journey through Palestine: Part 1, By Scott McIntyre
The challenge facing Palestine's footballers is not just confined to the pitch. Over the next few days I will share some of the stories, both heartbreaking and uplifting, of a footballing nation largely unknown outside its own region, but one that, through all the adversity it has faced, will take its place in Australia for the 2015 Asian Cup.
Statement Delivered by H.E President Mahmoud Abbas to the PLO Central Council on Gaza ceasefire
Today marks 51 days of the barbaric aggression that Israel carried out and continues to carry out against our people in Gaza Strip. During this period, the number of martyrs rose up to more than 2000, and the number of injured to more than 10,000 injured with tens of thousands of houses destroyed. Unfortunately, until this moment, the attack and the aggression continues indiscriminately and in most cases against innocents and civilians who are the primary victims of this aggression. As everyone knows, scores of families, probably more than sixty, were completely eliminated.
Israel's Criminal Assault on the Occupied State of Palestine, special report
Within the last 24-hours, Israeli occupation forces killed at least 13 Palestinians and injured more than 38. Israeli warplanes relentlessly bombed on Saturday the Zafer Tower, a 14-story building which consists of 45 apartments. As a result at least 17 people were injured, including women and children and 45 families have been displaced.
As Israel continues its deliberate attacks on the defenseless Palestinian civilians in Gaza, the death toll has risen to 2105 and more than 10,640 wounded. Among those killed are at least 567 children, 259 women and 100 elderly.
SMART Multilingual Guide in Bethlehem, By Sina Institute
Sina Institute at Birzeit University, with the Centre for Cultural Heritage Preservation (CCHP) and University of Trento from Italy through its spin-off company OKKAM s.r.l, have deployed an innovative and pioneering electronic tourist guide for heritage sites in Bethlehem, using QR technologies. The initiative is part of the EU FP7 funded SIERA project.
The goal of the initiative is to enhance the experience of Palestine’s visitors and valorize the cultural heritage of Bethlehem City, through an innovative use of smartphones and tablets.
Beloved Palestinian Poet Samih al-Qasim Dies at 75
"I don’t like you, death
But I’m not afraid of you
And I know that my body is your bed
And my spirit is your bed cover
I know that your banks are narrow for me
I don’t love you, death
But I’m not afraid of you".
-One of Samih al-Qasim’s final poems
Beloved Palestinian poet Samih al-Qasim died Tuesday after a long battle with cancer, following a worsening of his health this past week. He was 75.
Al-Qasim — whose stature in Palestine ranked alongside Mahmoud Darwish’s — will be widely mourned.
The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities conducts a Preliminary Assessment of The Intentional Destruction of Palestinian Cultural Heritage in Gaza
Her Excellency, Rula Ma’ayah, Palestinian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, calls on the international community, especially the UNESCO, World Heritage Committee, ICOMOS, ICCROM, IUCN, ICOM, WAC, IAU and other international organizations to condemn the Israeli indiscriminate attacks against civilians and continuous violations of the international humanitarian law and the military targeting of cultural and natural heritage sites as war crimes and as intentional acts of destruction of cultural and natural heritage in violation of human rights.
UN Human Rights Council appoints panel for Palestine inquiry Read more at: http://news.oneindia.in/international/un-human-rights-council-appoints-panel-for-palestine-inquiry-1500878.html
Geneva, Aug 12: The UN Human Rights Council President Baudelaire Ndong Ella Monday announced a three-member panel to investigate the human rights violations in the occupied Palestinian territory, particularly in the conflict-torn Gaza Strip. Ella appointed Canadian William Schabas to serve as chair of the independent international commission of inquiry, Xinhua reported. The commission also comprises British lawyer Amal Alamuddin and Doudou Diene from Senegal.
Read more at: http://news.oneindia.in/international/un-human-rights-council-appoints-panel-for-palestine-inquiry-1500878.html
Israel's Criminal Assault on the Occupied State of Palestine, Special Report
According to Negotiation Affairs Department, Israeli Forces since July 8 have killed over 1916 people (including at least 449 children, 243 women and 87 elderly) and injured over 9870 people (including at least 3004 children, 1907 women and 359 elderly). Israel deliberately continue to target civilians. At least 16,735 buildings are not inhabitable and another 41,420 buildings have been damaged. At least 277 schools have been damaged by Israeli attacks; including: 141 government schools and 136 UNRWA schools.