PLO envoy to Tehran: Israel’s annihilation has just begun
(JNS.org) The Palestine Liberation Organization’s (PLO) ambassador to Tehran, Salah al-Zawawi, said that Israel’s annihilation has just begun.
“The US and the western countries have created a fake regime in Palestine to get rid of it and have supplied it with the most advanced weapons and are seeking to create an Israel from the Nile to the Euphrates,” Zawawi told a pro-Palestinian gathering in Tehran on Tuesday, Iran’s semi-official news agency Fars reported.
“Israel’s annihilation has begun and the new generation in Iran will certainly witness our victory over Israel,” Zawawi added.
The PLO is widely viewed by most of the international community as the official representatives of the Palestinian people. Led by Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, who also serves as Palestinian Authority president, the PLO has full diplomatic relations with 112 countries, including the United States.
On Monday, the Hamas representative to Iran, Khaled al-Qadoumi, also addressed a similar pro-Palestinian gathering, saying that the he hopes “to make our missiles more advanced with the help of the knowledgeable Iranians.”
“One of the reasons for accepting the truce by Hamas was enabling us to reopen ways for transferring the injured Palestinians and achieving our other goals,” al-Qadoumi added without elaborating on what those other goals are.
*
Possible Israeli concessions to Hamas in Cairo garner criticism
(JNS.org) As Israel and Hamas continue their Egyptian-brokered indirect negotiations in Cairo in the midst of a 72-hour ceasefire, Israel has indicated that it might be prepared to ease some of the economic blockade on the Gaza Strip, but only “If there is a complete cessation of hostilities” on the part of Hamas, an Israeli official told the Wall Street Journal.
“I can’t tell you there’s been any progress at all,” he said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has summoned a meeting with senior ministers to discuss the ongoing negotiations. Yedioth Achronoth also reported that Israel may agree to facilitate the transfer of salaries for Hamas officials via a third party. However, no option to demilitarize Gaza, as requested by Israel, appears to be on the table at this point.
Earlier Israel’s Economy Minister and member of the Security Cabinet Naftali Bennett spoke out against such a potential agreement with Hamas and other Palestinian factions in Cairo.
“The money will be transferred to the terrorists who are digging under our feet, to the rocket manufacturers, and to those who shoot at us. It’s very simple. It’s a ‘calm for money to terrorism’ formula,” he said. “You can’t fight Hamas with one hand, and fund it with the other.”
*
Vatican hints at breaking interfaith relations with Muslim leaders over Christian slaughter
(JNS.org) The Vatican has called on Muslim leaders to “unequivocally condemn” the violence being carried out by the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS) against Christians and other religious minorities in Iraq.
In a rare break from diplomatic protocol, the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue called on Muslim leaders to “exercise their influence with the authorities to end these crimes, to punish those who commit them and to reestablish the rule of law throughout the land, ensuring the return home of those who have been displaced,” Vatican Radio reported.
The council listed some of the atrocities being committed against Christians and Yazidis including, “the despicable practice of beheading, crucifying and hanging bodies in public places” as well as the forced expulsions, conversions and desecration of Christians and their holy sites.
Calling the violence against Christians and Yazidis a “shame on humanity” and a “offense to God” the Vatican hinted that it may break off interfaith relations with Muslim leaders if nothing is done.
“What credibility can the interreligious dialogue that we have patiently pursued over recent years have?” the statement said.
Last week Pope Francis issued a special statement appealing for the safety of Iraqi Christians and other religious minorities.
“The Holy Father is following with deep concern the dramatic news reports coming from northern Iraq, which involve defenseless populations. Christian communities are particularly affected: a people fleeing from their villages because of the violence that rages in these days, wreaking havoc on the entire region,” Vatican Spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said, Vatican Radio reported.
*
Jerusalem’s Old City to be made more accessible to disabled
(JNS.org) The Old City of Jerusalem will become more accessible to people with disabilities as part of a new $5.75 million project launched by the Jerusalem Development Authority.
According to the plan, new wheelchair ramps will be built throughout the Jewish Quarter, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the City of David. Additionally, other improvements such as changing signs to accommodate visitors with vision impairments and other cues for the disabled will be installed.
Commissioner of the Old City Division of the Development Authority, Aner Ozeri, praised the new project that will give disabled tourists greater access to the city’s landmarks.
“Tourists excitedly tell us that they can finally get to the Holy Sepulchre,” Ozeri said, Israel National News reported. “The disabled access project is part of a larger project we are doing to improve access to all tourist and pedestrian areas in the old city.”
Special maps are now also available to download from the website of the old city that provide information on the layout of the neighborhoods and auditory tours of Jerusalem.
Launched in 1988, the Jerusalem Development Authority is a joint venture between the city of Jerusalem and the State of Israel to develop the economy of Israel’s capital.
*
Articles from JNS.org appear on San Diego Jewish World through the generosity of Dr. Bob and Mao Shillman