Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia on Tuesday explicitly conveyed to the United States its stance on diplomatic relations with Israel, making it clear that such ties will not be established without significant progress on the Palestinian issue. The Kingdom insists on the recognition of an independent Palestinian state within...
Denial of Palestinian statehood ‘unacceptable’, says UN chief
In its final summit communique, the Non-Aligned Movement on Saturday "strongly condemned the illegal Israeli military aggression against the Gaza Strip", and called for "a lasting humanitarian ceasefire". The assembled leaders in Kampala also called for "the independence and sovereignty of the State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its...Thousands throng Jerusalem for Orthodox Easter ‘Holy Fire’ rite
In the past about 10,000 worshippers would fill the church, with many more crowding outside, before the flame was flown to Orthodox communities internationally. This year's ceremony also comes after deadly attacks and clashes in Israel, east Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank, and cross-border fire several days ago between...
UAE contributes $25 million toward Al Makassed Hospital in East Jerusalem
Abu Dhabi, UAE---The United Arab Emirates will contribute $25 million toward Al Makassed Hospital in East Jerusalem in collaboration with the World Health Organization and in coordination with the Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO). Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister of...
Second Israeli soldier shot dead within days as violence surges
Violence has surged in recent months in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, amid near daily West Bank raids and an uptick in attacks on Israeli troops. The Israeli army said the soldier, identified as 21-year-old Ido Baroukh, was killed when "two assailants arrived in a vehicle adjacent to the community of Shavei...Israel launches manhunt for east Jerusalem checkpoint attacker
Hours after two Palestinian teenagers were shot dead in an Israeli raid in the occupied West Bank, Israeli troops were looking for an assailant who killed a soldier at an east Jerusalem checkpoint. The soldier had been "killed as a result of being critically injured by a shooting attack" in...Biden vows to advance Israel’s integration into Middle East
Air Force One will make a first direct flight from Israel to Saudi Arabia amid efforts to build ties between the Jewish state and the Gulf kingdom, which does not recognize Israel's existence. The trip is seen as part of efforts to stabilise oil markets by re-engaging with major energy...
Jordan king to Abbas: Nothing more important than Palestinian cause
King Abdullah said the only way to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is through the two-state solution, which guarantees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
Tensions threaten to boil over in Jerusalem’s Muslim quarter
The Old City of Jerusalem, with its Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Armenian quarters, swarms with tourists and pilgrims, security forces, merchants and its residents who live in a constant state of tension.
Independents candidates dominate in Palestinian local elections
Independent candidates dominated the Palestinian local elections, winning 64 percent of seats, up from just 37 percent five years ago, according to official results released on Sunday. But with established parties infiltrating independent lists, analysts were not immediately able to say how far the results from Saturday's vote truly amounted...
Israel police demolish Palestinian home in east Jerusalem eviction
Israeli police demolished the home of a Palestinian family and arrested at least 18 people as they carried out a controversial eviction order in the sensitive east Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah early Wednesday. The looming eviction of other families from Sheikh Jarrah in May last year fueled an 11-day...
Finland provides $2.27m to fund Palestinians’ hospital referrals
Finland will give €2 million ($2.27 million) to the Palestinian Authority to support the payment of medical referrals to East Jerusalem hospitals.
UNRWA calls for long-term funds to help refugees in Palestine
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini has acknowledged that stagnating donor funding for close to a decade remained below the amount needed to provide quality services. At the same time, as the refugee population continued to grow, poverty and vulnerabilities skyrocketed.
Germany gives €21 million to support Palestinian refugees
Germany will provide €15 million to ensure that 50,000 Palestinian refugee children in Gaza and 46,000 in the West Bank have continued access to learning in UNRWA schools.
4,000 West Bank Palestinians to get residency rights
Israel has occupied the West Bank since the Six-Day War of 1967 and exercises full administrative control across much of the territory.
Reschedule Palestinian polls soon, include East Jerusalem, say UN experts
Polls to be held in May and July were postponed by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on April 29 amid concerns about the ability to vote in East Jerusalem.
