Tag: west bank

White House accuses Israel of betraying trust

by Andrew BEATTY Dave Clark WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The White House accused Israel of a betrayal of trust Wednesday, in an unusually sharp rebuke over its plans to build hundreds of new settlement homes deep in the West Bank. Days after Obama approved a $38 billion Israeli military aid package and attended former president Shimon Peres’s funeral in Jerusalem, the White House railed at the construction of 300 housing units on land “far […]

Palestinian local polls delayed for up to four months

HEBRON, Palestinian Territories (AFP) – by Samih Shahin The Palestinian government delayed municipal elections for up to four months Tuesday with Fatah and Hamas so far unable to overcome divisions to organise their first competitive polls in a decade. The postponement came a day after the Palestinian high court ruled that the elections, initially scheduled for October 8, should be held only in the West Bank and not in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. A new […]

Palestinian designer for rich and famous pops up in W.Bank

by Shatha Yaish RAMALLAH, Palestinian Territories(AFP) — Rami Kashou’s designs are worn by Hollywood stars and royalty but for the past few days he has been back home in the occupied West Bank rather than London, Paris or New York. As on most days, Yasser Arafat Square in central Ramallah was crowded with pedestrians, taxis with screaming horns and fruit sellers lugging their goods on carts. But tucked behind a nondescript door another world beckoned: […]

Israel okays millions to West Bank settlements after attacks

  JERUSALEM, Undefined (AFP) – Israel’s government on Sunday approved nearly $13 million in financing for the West Bank settlements of Kiryat Arba and within Hebron, officials said, following a wave of Palestinian attacks in the area. The decision by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing cabinet will see some 50 million shekels ($12.8 million, 11.6 million euros) allocated to “strengthen” the communities. “Government offices, I must note, have all been recruited to assist the residents who […]

Five Palestinian attackers killed in fresh attacks on Israelis

by Joe Dyke ISRAEL (AFP) — Five Palestinians were killed attempting to attack Israelis Sunday in a string of attacks across the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem. They were the latest in a wave of Palestinian knife, gun and car-ramming assaults that erupted in October and came as US Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power visited Israel and the Palestinian territories for talks with leaders from both sides. In the first incident, two 15-year-olds […]