Hamas says no more hostages released “until further notice” –Trump, Israeli leaders are beside themselves; Educational Bookshop update; the guy with the Palestine flag at the Superbowl speaks
Former president Donald Trump speaks frankly about former Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump said that at an early stage of his presidency, he realized that Netanyahu would be a bigger obstacle to peace than Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. “I thought he was terrific,” Trump said of Abbas, reflecting on their “great” first meeting. “He was almost like a father. Couldn’t have been nicer. I thought he wanted to make a deal more than Netanyahu…”
At the UN today, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says: Give peace, not apartheid, a chance, and offers a serious proposal to achieve a just and lasting peace in the Mideast – a peace plan that works for Palestinians.
The escalation comes days after US President Donald Trump released his controversial Middle East plan.
New bills in Congress would put the Palestinian Authority in a no-win position: go bankrupt, or withdraw from int’l bodies that keep alive a hope of justice.
Palestinians will be pushing the envelope in January as they apply for full membership in the United Nations. The body has shown sympathy and support for the Palestinian plight, but the US has, through its Security Council veto, thwarted every effort to do anything constructive for the people.
Ramallah, the Palestinian Authority’s capital, has been subject to raids allegedly in search of the perpetrator of a drive-by shooting of Israeli settlers yesterday. Now some settlers are calling for the PA president’s assassination – and Israeli soldiers are staying silent.
Thanks to pro-Israel talking points, Australia has decided to end its direct aid program to the Palestinian Authority. Australian funds should not go toward “state-promoted terrorism.”