The anger of Palestinian residents of Jerusalem has increased in the last three years after the Israeli authorities allowed increasing numbers of Jewish settlers to storm the Al-Aqsa mosque.
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“We support the State Department’s statement”, Dajani said.
But the deal stalled, partly because Abbas refused to add the 40,000 employees hired by Hamas since 2007 to the payroll of his Palestinian Authority.
Local sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Israeli forces stormed the town of Dura, located 11 kilometers southwest of al-Khali (Hebron), early on Monday and detained almost 20 people, Safa news agency reported. Peace Now, which opposes settlements, said the tenders were for homes that were offered in the past and never taken up.
The Ma’an TV channel was banned from playing inside Israeli prisons on Friday, as the Israel Prison Services (IPS) claimed the channel was inciting Palestinian prisoners against Israel.
The Russian side considers the construction of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, to be illegitimate under global law.
Also Sunday, the Israeli police announced the arrest and indictment of two Palestinians who allegedly attacked police and the Jerusalem light rail while protesting the murder of their relative, 16-year-old Mohammed Abu Khdeir.
Israel says Jews have a right to live anywhere in Jerusalem, a city it considers its “eternal and indivisible capital”.
Israel has been faced with a boycott movement over its almost 50-year occupation of the West Bank. Most were identified by Israel as attackers while the rest were killed in clashes with Israeli forces.
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“We remain troubled that Israel continues this pattern of provocative and counterproductive action, which raises serious questions about Israel’s ultimate commitment to a peaceful, negotiated settlement with the Palestinians”.
