Ramallah - Page 5

Palestinians Take Tentative Step Toward Local Elections

Palestinian political parties began registering candidates for municipal elections on Wednesday, the first step in years toward a democratic vote but one that threatens to re-inflame tensions between the rival Fatah and Hamas movements.

Palestinian poll officials tally the votes at a polling station in the West Bank city of R

For Bethlehem Tattoo Artist, Religion is More Than Skin Deep

Pilgrims to Bethlehem often return home with candles or rosaries, but for those who see religion as more than skin-deep, tattoo artist Walid Ayash is there to help. The 39-year-old Palestinian specialises in Christian themes. His repertoire includes around 100

Bethlehem tattoo artist

French PM Visits Israel to Push for Peace Plan

TEL AVIV (AFP) – French Prime Minister Manuel Valls was Sunday in Israel to advance his country’s plan to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts in the face of opposition from his counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu.

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls speaks during a press conference at the Auckland museum

French PM To Visit Israel In Bid To Relaunch Peace Process

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls will visit Israel and the Palestinian territories this month in a bid to relaunch the peace process following the worst flare-up of violence in the Gaza Strip for two years, his office said Tuesday.

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls speaks during a press conference at the Auckland museum

Singapore PM Due Monday On Historic Visit To Israel

The Times of Israel reports: Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (pictured) will arrive in Israel Monday for the first-ever official visit by a Singaporean head of state. Lee will be accompanied by a 60-member delegation, including his foreign minister

SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 11: Singapore Prime Minister and People's Action Party (PAP) Se

Israeli Raid In Ramallah Sparks Fire, Clashes

Israeli forces raided a money changer in the Palestinian political capital Ramallah early on Thursday, blowing up a safe and sparking a fire, which led to minor clashes, the army and witnesses said. An Israeli army spokeswoman said the pre-dawn

The Associated Press

Gaza’s Sole Power Plant Shuts Down Over Fuel Shortage

The only power plant in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip was at a standstill on Tuesday due to an ongoing shortage of fuel caused largely by a dispute over taxes, officials said. The plant has been closed since Saturday night when

The Gazy City power plant after it shut down due to a lack of fuel from Israel, which clos

Israel Clears Colonel Over Palestinian Shooting Death

JERUSALEM (AFP) –  An Israeli colonel has been cleared of any criminal charges after shooting dead a Palestinian teen who stoned his jeep in the West Bank last year, the military said Monday. A rights group that distributed a video showing

Palestinian youths throw stones at Israeli border police during clashes after Friday praye

PA Charges Israel With Barring Indonesian Foreign Minister

TEL AVIV – The Palestinian Foreign Ministry has accused Israel of denying entry to the Indonesian foreign minister because she refused to meet with senior Israeli officials in Jerusalem. Foreign Minister of the Republic of Indonesia Retno Lestari Priansari Marsudi

Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi delivers her statement at a press briefing

Israel Raids Palestinian TV Station

Israeli forces raided the West Bank offices of Palestine Today television overnight and arrested its manager over allegations of inciting violence, Israel’s Shin Bet internal security agency said on Friday. The operation targeting the station’s Ramallah offices was the latest

A Palestinian man watches the live televised inauguration ceremony for US President Barack

Palestinians Not Expecting New U.S. Peace Push

The Jerusalem Post reports:  The Palestinian Authority said on Tuesday that it was unaware of any new US effort to resume the stalled peace process with Israel.  Ahmed Majdalani, member of the PLO Executive Committee, said that the PA leadership

PLO leadership abbas

WATCH: Sweden Refuses To Link Palestinian Aid To Incitement

The Times of Israel reports: Financial aid to the Palestinian Authority should be granted irrespective of its educational policies, anti-Israel or anti-Semitic incitement, a Swedish minister said. Speaking in parliament at a debate Friday about Stockholm’s assistance to Ramallah, Minister

Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation Isabella Lövin speaking in par

PA Rules Out Turkish Proposal For Gaza ‘Safe Passage’

JAFFA, Israel – The Palestinian Authority will oppose an EU-brokered proposal to create a maritime route between Gaza and Cyprus, a PA official has said. Azzam Elahmad, head of the Fatah negotiating team with Hamas, said that the PA ruled out a proposal

The Associated Press

Israel Restricts Access to Ramallah After Attack

Israel restricted access Monday into and out of the Palestinian political capital of Ramallah on the occupied West Bank after a checkpoint shooting that wounded soldiers, stepping up its response to attacks. It was the first time such a step

An Israeli soldier stands guard at the Israeli D.C.O checkpoint for people with VIP status