North Korea confirmed Friday that it this week tested a submarine capable of launching a nuclear attack that can "cause a large-scale radiological tsunami" through an underwater explosion, while blaming the deterioration of regional security on joint military exercises of the United States and South Korea.

And North Korea's official news agency reported Friday that the North Korean army deployed and tested, during exercises that lasted from Tuesday to Thursday off South Hamgyong Province, a new weapon system whose mission is to "cause a large-scale radioactive tsunami" through an underwater explosion to destroy enemy ships and ports.

She indicated that this submarine "can be deployed on any coast or port and towed by a surface ship."

And the agency stated that the "secret weapon" was placed on Tuesday in the waters off South Hamgyong Province, and on Thursday it detonated an experimental warhead.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un "directed" the exercise and said it should serve as a warning to the United States and South Korea to "realize the DPRK's unlimited deterrence capacity...", using North Korea's official name.

KCNA said Kim "expressed his desire to make the US imperialists and the puppet regime in South Korea sink into despair."

North Korea fired several cruise missiles on Wednesday, according to the South Korean military, which is currently conducting large-scale joint exercises with the United States.

However, analysts questioned North Korea's assertions.

Professor Lev-Eric Easley of Ewha University in Seoul said that the idea of Pyongyang possessing "a drone capable of carrying nuclear weapons should be met with skepticism."

"Pyongyang's assertions about a new weapons system are different from reliable proof of its capabilities," he added.

In a tweet, the American analyst, Ankit Panda, did not rule out that the test was "an attempted deception / psychological operation."

But despite everything, these assurances are "shocking", Xiong Seong-chang of Sejong Institute told AFP.

And if that is true, it would be difficult to know how Seoul would respond "to such a new North Korean weapon that (as it says) could completely destroy the main operating ports in the South."

The North's official KCNA news agency also said that "Pyongyang is more than ready to use its tactical nuclear weapons at any time," researcher An Chan-il told AFP.

Russia may also have developed a similar weapon -- the nuclear-capable Poseidon torpedoes -- but mastering the complex technology required for such weapons is still out of North Korea's reach, analysts say.

"For a submarine that cannot be detected, it requires advanced technology such as control sensors and radar," Sanji University military studies professor Choi Gi-il told AFP.

After a year that saw a record number of weapons tests and growing nuclear threats from Pyongyang, Seoul and Washington stepped up defense cooperation and held the largest joint military exercises in five years from March 13 to 23, 2023.

North Korea regards the maneuvers as rehearsals for an invasion of its territory and has repeatedly warned that it will take "crushing" measures in response.

And described the North Korean news agency on Friday joint exercises between the United States and South Korea, which was called "Freedom Shield" (Shield of freedom) as a maneuver aimed at "occupying" North Korea.

The agency said that the "underwater nuclear attack" exercises conducted by Pyongyang were "with the aim of warning the enemy of a real nuclear crisis."

Kim Jong Un also noted that North Korea's nuclear capabilities are "enhancing at a faster rate," according to KCNA.

In the year 2022, North Korea has said its nuclear power status is "irreversible" and has conducted a record number of ballistic tests, in violation of UN resolutions. The North Korean leader recently called for a massive increase in the country's weapons production, including tactical nuclear weapons.

For its part, Washington has repeatedly affirmed its "unwavering" commitment to the defense of South Korea, by using "the full range of its military capabilities, including nuclear," and recently sought to reassure Seoul of its expanded deterrent capabilities with its allies.

This comes as South Korea seeks to reassure a somewhat anxious public about US commitments regarding the so-called extended deterrence that can prevent attacks against allies, thanks to US military means, including nuclear weapons.

Friday's statement comes a week after Pyongyang tested its most powerful missile, the Hwasong-17, in its second intercontinental ballistic missile test this year.

Governorates - "Al-Quds" dot com - Dozens of citizens were injured today, Friday, as a result of the Israeli occupation forces' suppression of the weekly marches in the West Bank.

The occupation forces fired rubber bullets and tear gas canisters at the citizens participating in the marches, condemning the settlement and the continuous Judaization of their land.

Clashes erupted in the town of Beita, south of Nablus, Beit Dajan in the east, the Zawiya area in Hebron, and the town of Kafr Qaddum in Qalqilya.

A member of the Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Chris Van Hollen, warned US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken that President Joe Biden's administration appears weak due to its failure to hold Israel accountable for provocative steps and policies, in a public challenge to the US administration to take steps that show its willingness to hold Israel accountable.

This came during a hearing of US Secretary of State Blinken before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where Senator Van Hollen asked the minister whether he supported what Deputy Foreign Ministry Spokesman Vedant Patel said in his press conference, strongly criticizing the Israeli move to lift the ban on the return of settlers. To four settlement outposts that Israel has designated as "illegal" in the occupied West Bank despite written commitments made to the United States since 2005.

Senator Van Hollen said in response to Blinken's unspecified answer regarding the need for both sides to pursue de-escalation measures: "I am pleased to see you support, and endorse the State Department spokesperson's statement, but it seems to me that we are showing that we are very weak when we continue to make statements without any kind of consequence." So I guess my last question to you is: What are we prepared to do — what is the Biden administration willing to do — if you see continued violations by either side of this agreement?”

Blinken responded that "at some point, if either or both sides don't do what we think is necessary to reach de-escalation, it's going to be difficult or maybe even counterproductive to do (on our end). But I also think it's important that everyone try to double down." necessary on trying to get there. Because it is not in the interests of Israel or the Palestinian Authority to see this cycle escalate.”

Senator Van Hollen was referring to what the State Department's Alternate Spokesperson, Vedant Patel, said on Tuesday: "The United States is deeply concerned that the Israeli Knesset has passed legislation reversing important parts of the 2005 Disengagement Act, including the ban on residence Settlements in the northern West Bank. At least one of these outposts in this area, Homesh, was built on private Palestinian land, which is illegal under Israeli law."

"It is even more concerning that such important legislation was passed with only 31 'yes' votes from a 120-member council. De-escalation and reduction of violence is in the interest of all parties, including Israel. The United States strongly urges Israel to refrain," the spokesperson added. about allowing the return of settlers to the area covered by the legislation, consistent with both former Prime Minister Sharon and the current Israeli government's commitment to the United States.” We have been clear that settlement expansion is an obstacle to peace and the achievement of a two-state solution. This certainly includes creating new settlements, building or legalizing outposts, or allowing construction of any kind on private Palestinian land or deep in the West Bank adjacent to Palestinian communities, all of which will be facilitated by this legal change.

"This action also represents a clear contradiction to the Israeli government's commitments to the United States nearly twenty years ago."

In a related issue, Senator Van Hollen later pushed Blinken during his questioning of the Foreign Relations Committee Wednesday to condemn Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's remarks describing the Palestinian people as illusory, highlighting his earlier statements calling for the destruction of the Palestinian village of Huwwara.

“I appreciate the statements made by Biden administration officials — I think Mr. Secretary it is also important for you personally to continue to speak out,” Van Hollen said, warning of actions by Smotrich and national security Itamar Ben Gvir, “which is directly inconsistent with” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's claim to have "his hands on the wheel".

It is noteworthy that a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, Democratic Senator Chris Murphy (from Connecticut), said in an interview with CNN last week that "the Biden administration should do more to pressure the far-right government of Benjamin Netanyahu, and it should not rule out steps such as stipulating Providing assistance to Israel and limiting visits by senior Israeli officials to the United States.

A few years ago, the Saudi Crown Prince considered the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran the "Hitler of the Middle East," but now he has given the green light to a surprising reconciliation deal with Tehran that is in keeping with a new era of regional rapprochement.

When he was only 29 years old, Prince Mohammed bin Salman , then Minister of Defense, launched a fierce attack on the Houthi rebels in Yemen, but the kingdom is now engaged in back-channel talks that may eventually lead to expelling Saudi forces from the war.

In recent years, he has also worked to mend bitter differences with his regional adversaries such as Qatar and Turkey, and even presented his country as a possible mediator for the war in Ukraine.

Analysts said that Prince Mohammed bin Salman has now shifted from an element of "instability" to an unprecedentedly pragmatic authority figure, even if it is too early to know whether his de-escalation measures will succeed.

Omar Karim, an expert on Saudi foreign policy at the University of Birmingham, said that the agreement with Iran in particular "represents a radical change in his political approach," indicating "a more realistic maturity and understanding of regional politics."

However, the transition process is not yet complete, as the agreement with Iran still needs to be implemented, as embassies are scheduled to reopen by the second week of May after seven years of diplomatic estrangement.

++ Saudi Arabia and Syria are holding talks regarding the resumption of consular services between the two countries, after a rupture that has been going on for years as a result of Riyadh closing its embassy in Damascus due to its anti-regime stance, according to a Saudi Foreign Ministry official Thursday.

++ The kingdom closed its embassy in Damascus and withdrew all diplomats and staff in March 2012, about a year after the outbreak of the conflict in Syria, where Riyadh supported groups opposing the regime and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Whatever happens next, Riyadh's agenda is clear: reduce unrest abroad to maintain a focus on economic and social reforms at home.

"Our vision is a prosperous Middle East, because without your region developing with you, there are limits to what you can achieve," a Saudi official said, days after the Iran deal was announced.

Social reforms at home helped burnish Prince Mohammed's reputation internationally.

Under him, the kingdom, which had been closed for decades, sidelined the religious police, allowed women to drive, reopened cinemas, and began issuing tourist visas.

The Public Investment Fund has made a series of costly investments in all sectors, from buying Newcastle United Football Club to investing in Nintendo, the electronic games company.

These large-scale investments have highlighted how the "Vision 2030" reform agenda can reduce the dependence of the world's largest crude exporter on fossil fuels.

There were widespread concerns about the escalation of repression against dissidents and rights activists, especially after the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in his country's consulate in Istanbul in 2018. But Saudi officials also realized how security threats, especially from Iran, threaten Prince Mohammed's grand plans.

These threats culminated in September 2019, with attacks on Saudi oil facilities in the east of the country that temporarily halved crude production, for which the Iran-backed Houthis claimed responsibility.

Riyadh and Washington accused Tehran of being behind the major attack, which the Iranians denied.

Analysts and diplomats said that this incident was a game changer, prompting Saudi Arabia to pursue a more conciliatory path.

Saudi officials were deeply disappointed by the tepid response from then-US President Donald Trump's administration, which they considered had undermined the "oil-for-security" theory that had defined the partnership between Riyadh and Washington for decades.

"The Saudis were shocked that the Americans did nothing to protect them," an Arab diplomat based in Riyadh told AFP.
A similar paradoxical scene unfolded last year in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia's second-largest city on the Red Sea coast, when the Houthis bombed an oil facility near a Formula 1 racetrack while drivers were on the track.

“Saudi officials told us ‘we need to focus on megaprojects’,” the diplomat recalls, referring to the futuristic mega-city of NEOM and an emerging arts hub in the country’s northernmost city, Al-Ula.

"If one missile falls on Neom or Al-Ula, there will be no investment or tourism. The vision will collapse," he added.

In restoring his relationship with Iran, Prince Mohammed did not go it alone. Kuwait and the UAE restored full diplomatic relations with the Islamic Republic last year.

But analysts said the Saudi-Iranian deal is more important because the two countries have found themselves on opposite sides of conflicts across the region, not only in Yemen but also in Lebanon and Iraq.

"Reducing tensions with Iran is a smart way to lower tensions across the region and de-escalate some of the proxy battles surrounding Saudi Arabia," said Anna Jacobs of the International Crisis Group.

The next step to implement the agreement will be a meeting between the foreign ministers of the two countries, the date of which has not been set yet.

Earlier this week, an Iranian official said that President Ebrahim Raisi had received an invitation to visit Saudi Arabia from King Salman, the father of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, but Riyadh has yet to confirm this.

These meetings will be closely watched amid concerns that the rapprochement remains fragile and could easily derail.
Jacobs noted "a deep mistrust between Saudi Arabia and Iran," adding, "Both sides will need to see positive signs from each other very soon to move forward with the agreement."

Factions loyal to Tehran of multiple nationalities on the one hand, and the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, on the other hand, share control of the Deir ez-Zor governorate in eastern Syria , where Washington launched strikes Thursday night.

The region witnesses from time to time tensions and bombing, the latest of which was the strikes carried out by the Americans in response to the bombing of one of their bases in Al-Hasakah Governorate, which claimed the life of an American contractor. The strikes targeted groups that Washington said were affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, killing 11 of its members, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights on Friday.
What are the forces deployed in the province of Deir Ezzor, through which the Euphrates River passes?

The Syrian regime forces control the western bank of the Euphrates River, which is the most important area of influence for Iran and its loyal groups in Syria.

The Observatory estimates that there are about 15,000 fighters from Iraqi, Afghan and Pakistani groups loyal to Iran in Deir ez-Zor, specifically the area extending between the border cities of Al-Bukamal with Iraq and Deir ez-Zor, passing through Al-Mayadeen.

The pro-regime groups are:
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard: Thousands of fighters and military advisors from the Revolutionary Guard are deployed in Syria, but Tehran only talks about advisers who assist the government forces.

In August, Iranian official media announced the killing of a high-ranking officer in the Iranian Revolutionary Guards during a "mission as a military advisor" he was performing in Syria, without giving details.

Iraqi factions: Iraqi groups are fighting alongside the Syrian government forces at Iranian request. Today, they are mainly deployed on the border strip between Iraq and Syria, since the end of operations against the Islamic State in Iraq and then Syria. They are based in the city of Al-Bukamal.

Among the most prominent of these groups: "Hezbollah Brigades", whose spokesman says that its fighters are deployed in Syria as "advisers" to protect the Iraqi borders.

These battalions are the most prominent factions of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces. Analysts consider it the third force in the axis led by Tehran in the region, after the Revolutionary Guards and the Lebanese Hezbollah.

Also among the Iraqi factions are the “Ka’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada,” the “Imam Ali Brigades,” and the “Hezbollah al-Nujaba Movement.”

- Lebanese Hezbollah: The party that has been fighting on the side of the Syrian regime openly since 2013, especially leaders in the Deir ez-Zor region. The number of its forces in Syria has decreased over the past two years with the decline in the intensity of the battles and the restoration of control over about two-thirds of the country by the regime forces.

- The Afghan "Fatemiyoun" Brigade and the Pakistani "Zainabiyoun" Brigade: The Iranian Revolutionary Guard established the two brigades from Afghan and Pakistani Shiite fighters. They participated in several battles in Syria, and today they maintain important sites in Deir ez-Zor, as well as other Syrian regions.

The Fatemiyoun Brigade, according to the Syrian Observatory, is one of the largest pro-Iranian factions in Syria.

Since 2019, Washington has imposed sanctions on the two factions.

In addition to foreign groups, the Iranians have established local groups in Deir ez-Zor, to which thousands of Syrian fighters now belong, who receive an attractive financial allowance.

The Syrian Democratic Forces, led by the US-backed Kurdish People's Protection Units, are stationed on the eastern bank of the Euphrates.

The Syrian Democratic Forces were able to control the entire area with the support of the international coalition to combat the jihadists led by Washington, following fierce battles with the Islamic State, the last of which took place in 2019 in the last stronghold of the organization in Syria in the border village of Al-Baghouz.

The Kurdish self-administration administers the region through local councils.

The international coalition forces, most notably the US forces, are deployed in the region, and are located at a base in the Al-Omar oil field, or what has become known as the "Green Zone", in addition to the Koniko gas field.

American forces are deployed in other bases in Syria in the province of Hasakah (northeast) and Raqqa (north), in addition to the al-Tanf base in the south, which was established in 2016, and is located near the Jordanian and Iraqi borders, and enjoys strategic importance as it is located on the Baghdad-Damascus road.

The most important Syrian oil fields are located in Deir Ezzor Governorate, and are controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces, the most important of which is the Al-Omar oil field, which is the largest in the country, in addition to the Al-Tanak and Jafra fields. It also controls the Coneco gas field.

On the western side, there are oil fields controlled by the regime forces, including the fields of Al-Ward, Al-Taym, Al-Shoula and Al-Nishan.
This border area is an important route for the Iraqi Brigades and the Lebanese Hezbollah, as well as other pro-Iranian groups, for the transfer of weapons and fighters. It is also used to transport goods of all kinds between Iraq and Syria.

Over the years, trucks carrying weapons, ammunition, warehouses, and military sites belonging to these groups have been subjected to air strikes, especially in the area between Al-Mayadeen and Al-Bukamal. Some of them were adopted by the American forces, and others were attributed to Israel, which always affirms its determination to prevent "Iranian entrenchment" in Syria.

About 100,000 performed the first Friday prayers of the holy month of Ramadan at Al-Aqsa Mosque , according to the Islamic Endowments Department in Jerusalem.

Local sources said that thousands of our people from Jerusalem, the 48 territories, and various governorates of the West Bank, flocked since the early morning hours to perform the first Friday prayers of Ramadan in the Al-Aqsa Mosque, despite the restrictions imposed by the Israeli occupation forces.

This morning, the occupation forces prevented dozens of our people from entering Jerusalem through the Qalandiya military checkpoint, to perform the first Friday prayers of Ramadan at Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The occupation police also closed the intersections of streets and main roads with iron barriers, and deployed about 200 additional personnel in the streets and alleys of the Old City, and impeded the arrival of worshipers to Al-Aqsa Mosque, and launched a drone in its airspace, while its members climbed the roofs of buildings adjacent to the mosque.

Also, the occupation forces assaulted the family of Al-Maqdisi, Mohammed Al-Mazrawi, from Al-Issawiya town, while they were on their way to Al-Aqsa Mosque to perform Friday prayers.

Last night, the Israeli occupation authorities notified the demolition of seven graves under construction in the village of Al-Burj, southwest of Hebron .

Local sources stated that the Israeli occupation forces raided the village cemetery and ordered the demolition of seven under-construction graves belonging to the Al-Talhameh and Al-Faqih families, under the pretext of building in Area C.

The sources added that the cemetery is built on lands belonging to the Palestinian Ministry of Religious Endowments, and citizens have been using it for several years to bury their dead, which raised a state of fear among the people that the occupation forces would demolish and desecrate the cemetery.

The Israeli occupation authorities hand over the bodies of three martyrs from Ramallah, Nablus and Hebron who are being held by them.

According to the Public Authority for Civil Affairs, the bodies of the two martyrs , Tariq Youssef Maali (43 years old), from the village of Kafr Nima in the Ramallah district, and the martyr Karam Ali Salman (18 years old) from the town of Qusin in Nablus, will be handed over.

She pointed out that on Sunday, the body of the captive martyr Ahmed Abu Ali (48 years) from Yatta in Hebron will be handed over.

On Friday, thousands of Palestinians performed the first dawn prayer of the first Friday in the holy month of Ramadan , despite the obstacles imposed by the Israeli occupation forces.

Citizens flocked from different regions of Jerusalem and the occupied interior, and a few from the West Bank.

It is expected that tens of thousands will perform Friday prayers at the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque , and that the people of the West Bank will flock to the mosque in large numbers.

The Israeli occupation forces will tighten their measures in Jerusalem, the Old City, and the vicinity of Al-Aqsa Mosque, in particular, hours before Friday prayers.

And those forces will deploy hundreds of its members in various regions, allegedly trying to prevent any unusual events.

On Thursday, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate strongly condemned the arrest and assault of colleague Hani Abu Rizk, correspondent of Al-Hayat Al-Jadeeda newspaper, by the Gaza police during his filming of the atmosphere of the first days of the blessed month of Ramadan in Al-Saraya Square in the center of Gaza City.

The Syndicate said in a statement that it looks with great concern at the arrest and assault on him by the police in Gaza despite him introducing them to the nature of his journalistic work, holding the Gaza police fully responsible for this arrest and assault that contradicts the freedom of journalistic work and the prohibition of assaulting journalists or obstructing their work. according to the text of its statement.

The Journalists Syndicate demanded an apology to the press body for this brutal attack, which is considered an attack on the entire press body.

She confirmed that she would not accept such an attack and would take all trade union measures to ensure that this attack against colleague Abu Rizk would not be repeated, calling on all human rights organizations to denounce this attack and put pressure on Hamas to ensure that such attacks will not be repeated.

Subsequently, the media office of the Ministry of Interior in Gaza condemned what it described as "lies" published by the Journalists Syndicate, about the arrest of what it described as a "citizen" after he assaulted a traffic police officer while the latter was performing his work at the Saraya intersection in the center of Gaza City, prior to the sunset prayer today. Thursday.

The office said: The union's behavior constitutes a cover for practices and behavior that violate the law, and calls for disruption of order and the promotion of chaos.

He added: The competent authorities continue to take legal measures against anyone who violates the law or hinders the police and security agencies from carrying out their duties.

Today, Thursday, government spokesman Ibrahim Melhem said, "The government decided to return the discounts to all teachers, and instructed the Ministry of Finance to make the necessary arrangements, starting next Sunday."

Melhem added, during a press conference, held at the Prime Minister’s Office in Ramallah, “The item related to the teachers’ allowance agreed upon will be implemented at a rate of 15%, provided that 5% is spent on the current month’s salary and the rest is paid in installments on the salary slip, provided that it is disbursed when capabilities become available and improvement.” Financial indicators as of 1-1-2023, according to the same mechanism that was agreed upon with all unions.

And he continued: "The value of the 5% bonus will be scheduled for the past January and February, starting from the next May and June."

Melhem confirmed that the government has responded to everything necessary to return school hours to normal, starting next Sunday morning, and the Ministry of Education has developed a program to compensate students for what they missed.

He said, "The government appreciates the announcement of the start of practical procedures for the elections of the Teachers' Union, after the proposed amendments to the internal system of the union were made last Tuesday, and that the Ministry of Education will provide everything necessary to hold the elections and complete the democratic process according to the schedule announced by the union."

He said, "We are very hopeful that teachers will respond to this initiative, so that we can contribute together to bridge the gaps in front of our enemy, who is lurking in our present and the future of our children on our land."

Melhem stressed that trade unions are a support for all the national struggle that we have been practicing for seventy years.

In turn, the teachers' movement announced its rejection of the government's announcement, and any initiative that does not include the full implementation of the demands, stressing that the abolition of previous penalties is not part of the movement's demands, and the continuation of the strike.

On Thursday evening, settlers destroyed agricultural crops for citizens under the protection of the Israeli occupation forces, east of Yatta, south of Hebron .

According to local sources, the settlers destroyed agricultural crops and released their herds of livestock into the fields of citizens in the Al-Zuwaidin community in Masafer Yatta.

The occupation forces detained three of the owners of these fields: Fayez al-Ka'abneh, Ziyad al-Basita, and Hasan al-Basita, before they were later released.

On Thursday, an Israeli military court sentenced a soldier to 27 months in prison for leaking information that harms "state security."

According to an Israeli military spokesman, the soldier was serving in Israeli intelligence and leaked security information.

He indicated that it was forbidden to publish more details.

Tens of thousands of Israelis demonstrated Thursday against the judicial reform that the government is discussing, and clashed with the police, who said they had arrested dozens of them.

The police explained that the arrests were made on charges of disturbing public order in Tel Aviv.

During the clashes, police used water cannons to disperse the crowds blocking Tel Aviv's Ring Road, an AFP journalist reported.

In Jerusalem, thousands gathered in front of the home of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to Israeli media sources.

Other demonstrations were held in Haifa (north) and Beersheba (south).

However, the Israeli police did not provide an estimate of the number of demonstrators.

The organizers of the demonstrations on Thursdays have been carrying out what they call a "day of resistance" for more than two and a half months, after Justice Minister Yariv Levin presented the reform project, which is causing widespread controversy and internal divisions.

Opponents of the project consider that it aims to undermine the judicial authority in favor of the political authority, warning that it constitutes a threat to the democratic system.

As for Netanyahu and his allies, the amendment constitutes an essential step for them to restore balance to the branches of power, especially since they see that the Supreme Court judges are politicized and enjoy higher power than that of elected representatives.

The Israeli government rejected a settlement proposal presented by President Isaac Herzog.

Herzog's project maintained the government's argument to limit the Supreme Court's ability to strike down basic laws, but proposed amendments to controversial points in the reform.

Today, Thursday, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine affirmed that the occupation’s decision to build 1,200 new settlement units in occupied Jerusalem, and the calls of the so-called “Temple groups” for extremists to storm Al-Aqsa Mosque and its courtyards, are a dangerous Israeli escalation, and open the door wide to a new confrontation that the occupation will not be able to control or control. stop its flames.

In a statement, the Front considered that these decisions are a practical and continuous implementation of the program of the successive occupation governments, which are based on killing, aggression, house demolitions, land confiscation, expulsion of the Palestinian population, and acceleration of settlement activity.

The front said: "The policy of confiscating Palestinian lands and building settlement units has not stopped. Although the step of announcing the construction of new settlements is an escalatory step in light of the aggressive occupation approach, in its general context it is expected and part of the comprehensive war waged by the occupation against the Palestinian presence."

She added, "However, it is surprising that some continue to bet on the American solution to the settlement, and on the possibility of the occupation agreeing to a solution that gives us our national rights."

The American news site "Axios" revealed, on Thursday, that a group of Jewish congressmen from the Democratic Party held a difficult meeting with the Israeli ambassador to Washington, Mike Herzog, two weeks ago and expressed their deep concern about the Netanyahu government's plan to weaken the Supreme Court, according to the site.

The report indicates that this high-level private meeting reflected the concern felt by the members (who met with Herzog) who are staunch supporters of Israel and represent a large American Jewish fan base about the judicial reform plan and how it might affect the relationship between the United States and Israel.

The group also echoed similar concerns expressed by the Biden administration about what the plan could mean for Israel's democracy.

US President Joe Biden reportedly expressed similar concerns to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call earlier this week.

The site says, "The judicial reform plan, presented by the most right-wing government in Israel's history, has deepened political divisions in Israel and sparked protests, including within the ranks of the Israeli army, against the Netanyahu government."

According to the report, “The meeting, which included more than 20 Democrats, included harsh criticism of the plan, according to Israeli officials with direct knowledge of the meeting.” One congressman who attended the meeting told Axios, “The discussion was “frank and transparent,” as all attendees expressed their concerns. It reflected what many hear from their Jewish constituents: "It was not polemical," the representative said.

Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Illinois), who helped organize the meeting, called the meeting "emotional, and we've been raised with fear that some of the changes being discussed, if taken to extremes, could have a negative impact on Israeli democracy." , stressing that those who attended the meeting have a very close connection to Israel and a strong commitment to the relationship between the United States and Israel "because there is a special aspect to Israel as a Jewish, democratic state. And that has always had a special place in the relationship between the United States and Israel," the representative told Axios. .

Schneider is quoted as saying that members of Congress did not give the Israeli ambassador a "if, then" threat, but stressed that if the judicial reform plan is implemented without changes, it will be difficult to "talk about Israel in the same way."

Rep. Jake Auchinkloss (D-Massachusetts) confirmed during the meeting that he heard concerns from every corner of the Jewish community in his district and added that his constituents are worried about these reforms and their potential harm to Israeli democracy, a congressional aide with sociology said, who added that other lawmakers They expressed concerns that moving forward with these judicial reforms could have negative consequences for the relationship between the United States and Israel.

The site attributes to a member of Congress who attended the meeting saying, "The attendees expressed their fears that the judicial plan would impede the independence of the Israeli Supreme Court and, as a result, there would be less protection for the rights of minorities."

"The ambassador listened very carefully and committed that he would bring all of our concerns directly to the prime minister," the congressman told the site, and that "there were members in the room who represented ... a large number of the Jewish population within their districts and wanted to make sure that the prime minister understood that these were not just votes." are few and that many members of the Jewish community across the country are very concerned," the lawmaker said.

It is reported that the Netanyahu government announced on Monday that it will move forward with one of the main elements of the judicial plan, which includes changing the process for appointing judges and giving the government full control over appointments to the Supreme Court.

It is noteworthy that the US State Department summoned the Israeli ambassador, Herzog, on Tuesday, and reprimanded him for the judicial crisis and the statements of Finance Minister Israel Smotrich.

The ministry statement, a copy of which was received by Jerusalem, said that the Deputy Secretary of State, Wendy Sherman, met with the Israeli Ambassador to the United States, Michael Herzog, on Tuesday in Washington, DC, where "the Deputy Secretary of State conveyed the concern of the United States regarding the legislation passed by the Israeli Knesset to cancel important aspects of the disengagement law." of 2005, including a ban on settlement construction in the northern West Bank. They also discussed the importance of all parties refraining from actions or rhetoric that could further inflame tensions leading up to Ramadan and the Jewish holiday of Passover.

Jordan warned of the danger of "extremist racist" ideology, which was manifested in a "disgusting, reckless" manner in the statements of Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry on Thursday.

According to the statement, Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi warned, during a phone call on Wednesday evening with European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, of "the danger of extremist racist ideology, which was manifested in a reckless and disgusting manner in Smotrich's statements and actions."

During an evening organized Sunday by an extremist Zionist group in Paris, Smotrich denied, from a rostrum hung a map of Israel that includes the Kingdom and the Palestinian territories, the existence of the Palestinians as a people and as individuals.

Al-Safadi called on the international community to take "a clear and direct stance against hate speech and incitement that fuel violence and conflict in occupied Palestine and violate common human norms and values."

He stressed that "the Israeli government bears responsibility for hate speech, racist incitement, and the disgusting behavior of the Israeli Minister of Finance and its consequences, and it must declare its rejection openly and clearly."

For his part, Borrell described Smotrich's statements as "dangerous and unacceptable," according to the same source.

He stressed "the need for the Israeli government to take a clear position confirming that these statements do not represent it."

He recalled the position of the European Union rejecting "all unilateral Israeli measures, and adhering to the two-state solution as a way to achieve peace."

On Wednesday, the Jordanian parliament voted by majority on a proposal to expel the Israeli ambassador from Amman in response to Smotrich's use of a map of Israel that includes the kingdom and the Palestinian territories, and his denial of the existence of the Palestinian people.

The vote came two days after Israel's ambassador to Amman, Eitan Surkis, was summoned to the Foreign Ministry to protest Smotrich's behavior.

The statements of the Israeli Minister of Finance faced sharp international criticism, even by Washington, which considered it "insulting" and "dangerous."
Video clips and pictures of Smotrich making those statements spread from a podium on which was hung a map of "Greater Israel" that includes Jordan and the Palestinian territories.

Jordan and Israel signed a peace treaty in 1994 that ended decades of war between them.

Large Palestinian crowds mourned today, Thursday, the body of the martyr Amir Imad Abu Khadija (25 years old), who was assassinated by an Israeli special unit in Izbat Shufa, southeast of Tulkarm .

The citizens left the hospital for the funeral of Abu Khadija's body, and the young men carried him on their shoulders, wrapping his body in the Palestinian flag.

The mourners took the martyr's body to the streets of the city, chanting, "With our soul and blood, we will sacrifice you, O martyr."

The general strike took place in the city of Tulkarem, mourning the death of the martyr Abu Khadija.

After the funeral of the body, the occupation forces closed all entrances to the village of Shufa, isolating it from its surroundings.

A citizen and his wife died, on Thursday, as a result of suffocation due to a gas leak in their residential apartment from a water heater in Al-Naser neighborhood in Gaza City.

According to the police spokesman in Gaza, Ayman al-Batniji, the police opened an investigation into the incident.

On Thursday morning, the Israeli occupation forces arrested two young men from the town of Al-Ram, north of occupied Jerusalem .

According to local sources, these forces surrounded a house in the town of al-Ram, arrested the two brothers Ahmed and Fadi Abu Gharbia, and took them to an unknown destination.

A 35-year-old man was killed, Thursday morning, as a result of a self-driving accident on Jaryut Road in Ramallah Governorate.

Colonel Louay Irzeigat, the media spokesman for the police , explained that the young man had been involved in a car accident with his vehicle, which he was driving on Jaryot Road, west of Ramallah, which resulted in his serious injuries, after which he was transferred to the hospital for treatment, where the doctors announced his death.

Colonel Arziqat confirmed that the Public Prosecution Office was informed and the traffic police investigated the accident to find out its causes.

The Higher Emergency Committee for the Prisoner Movement in the Occupation's Prisons confirmed, on Thursday morning, that it had forced the occupation to stop its measures against the prisoners, which it sought to impose on them.

The committee said in a statement that this came thanks to the unity of the prisoners and the support of their people for them, which enabled it to record a new victory in the pages of pride and steadfastness. according to the text of the statement.

The captive movement thanked the resistance, the Palestinian people as a whole, and everyone who supported them in the world, sending a message to the occupation, in which it said: "You must realize and understand well that the prisoners are not alone, and they are not an easy prey for every passer-by on our land."

On Thursday morning, a special Israeli force assassinated Amir Abu Khadija (25 years old), after besieging him inside a building in Izbat Shufa in Tulkarm .

According to the Ministry of Health, Abu Khadija arrived at the Martyr Thabet Thabet Hospital with a bullet wound to the head, which led to a complete laceration of the skull, an exit to the brain, and bullets to the lower extremities.

Abu Khadija is the founder and commander of the Tulkarem "Quick Response" battalion, which was established a few months ago.

According to local sources, Abu Khadija was martyred after he engaged in a clash with the Israeli force that surrounded him.

Eyewitnesses indicated that the occupation forces arrested a young man from the same place, whose identity was not known.

Today, Thursday, the Knesset Plenum approved, in the second and third readings, the “Basic Law: The Government” bill, which prevents the dismissal of a prime minister from office, and the announcement of his inability to carry out his duties, and it is the law that immunizes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , who is being tried on charges of corruption and breach of trust. .

The law was approved by a majority of 61 Knesset members who supported it, while 47 members opposed it. Two Knesset members from the Likud Party, David Bitan, and David Amsalem, were absent from the ratification session, and Moshe Abutbul, a member of the Knesset from Shas, was absent from the session. About the session, it was not for reasons related to disagreements within the government coalition, according to what was reported by the official Israeli radio, "Kan".

And the bill submitted by the head of the coalition, Ofir Katz, from the Likud party, and headed by him, was approved, and it stipulates that the judicial advisor to the government should be prevented from announcing that the prime minister is unable to carry out his duties, and that he be removed from office.

This amendment stipulates that the declaration of incapacity is only in the event of a physical or psychological inability of the prime minister to carry out his duties. In this case, the prime minister himself must announce his impossibility, or through a vote in the government and the support of 75% of the ministers for his impossibility.

And in the event that the prime minister opposes a vote on this in the government, the decision is transferred to the plenary assembly in the Knesset, where the impossibility must be supported by 90 Knesset members.

The amendment also stipulates that the Supreme Court cannot consider a petition demanding the declaration of inability or its approval, despite the fact that the Israeli government's legal advisor, Gali Baharav-Miara, has expressed her opposition to preventing the court from ordering judicial control, and expressing her legal position In this regard.

Source: Arab 48

At dawn on Thursday, the Israeli occupation forces launched a campaign of arrests among citizens in separate areas of the West Bank.

These forces carried out a large campaign of raids on a number of homes in the village of Madama, south of Nablus , especially the homes of the relatives of the recently arrested young man, Laith Nassar, who carried out the shooting in Huwwara, and destroyed their contents, without any arrests being recorded.

The occupation forces arrested the two young men, Nader Hamayel and Musa Maali, from the town of Beita, and the editor, Hamdi Khatatbeh, from the town of Beit Furik, in Nablus.

In Hebron , the young man, Muhammad Dandis, was arrested after storming his house in the Eisi area, west of the city, while the citizen Nasri al-Ju’beh and his son Malik were arrested after breaking into their house and destroying its contents.

The spiritual atmosphere infiltrated the ancient town of Hebron , whose alleys, streets and alleys were decorated with ropes of light, lanterns and crescent moons, from the entrance to the Kasbah Market to the Ibrahimi Mosque , to show its door in the month of Ramadan , which restores spirit and life to it.

Ghassan Al-Rajabi, Director of the Ibrahimi Mosque, said that preparations for the end of the month of Ramadan in the sanctuary are in full swing, pointing out that the Ministry of Awqaf will organize many activities, including presenting gifts to those present at the mosque, especially children, and distributing sweets, coffee, Suhoor and Iftar meals, as well as preaching programs distributed to the mosque. prayer time.

He added that the occupation hates the month of Ramadan and is trying in various ways to kill its joy, due to its full awareness of the importance of the religious sanctuary for Muslims, pointing to the occupation’s prevention of raising the call to prayer on a daily basis during the month of Ramadan, calling on the pioneers and visitors of the sanctuary to double their presence despite all the obstacles of the occupation and the electronic gates, an emphasis on His Arab Islamic identity.

return life

The owners of the shops in the ancient town of Hebron are optimistic about the holy month of Ramadan, to breathe life into it and revive its economy.

Subhi Al-Shawamreh, the owner of a Qatayef shop in the Old City, said that the movement is increasing with the advent of the blessed month of Ramadan, due to the return of merchants to opening the doors of their shops and selling at cost, with low prices and marginal profits, and this is what makes people return to it, explaining that visitors and pioneers accept Buying from his shop because it has a reputation and fame, because buying qatayef represents for them an essential item added to the iftar table, stressing that the month of Ramadan restores and renews life in the old town.

He explained that he sells a kilo of Qatayef for seven shekels, bearing in mind that the price of a kilo outside the old town of Hebron is no less than ten shekels, which represents a competitive option.

The magic of Ramadan

Bader Al-Daour, head of the Heritage Crafts Association, described that the month of Ramadan has magic, as it brings people back to the old town, and its streets are crowded and its alleys are filled with visitors and worshipers in the Ibrahimi Mosque and its mosques, after it was empty and empty for the rest of the year, stressing that it is a month of blessing, which reflects positively on its merchants. and its inhabitants.

He added, thousands of Hebron residents go to the Old City to shop from its shops during the holy month, and buy qatayef, pickles and Ramadan goods, where merchants work to reduce prices in order to attract visitors, stressing that the battle with the occupation and its settlers, who is trying to Judaize it and impose control over it, is a battle. Existence, and the Palestinian presence during the holy month is a strong message to the occupation proving the identity of the town that it is Arab and Islamic, and that its barriers and attempts to tighten will not deter them from intensifying their presence in the old town.

On Thursday, Palestinian factions blessed the victory of the prisoners inside the occupation prisons, after they decided to suspend the hunger strike that was to begin today in all prisons, after an agreement with the Israeli Prisons Service regarding the fulfillment of their demands.

Ismail Haniyeh , head of the political bureau of the " Hamas " movement, said in a press statement, "With the whiffs of the blessed month of Ramadan, the vessel of victories and conquests, our prisoners record a glorious page in the march of steadfastness and breaking the will of the occupier. And it has no other that bears indications of the future in resolving the battles of our people that it is waging on all fronts with this enemy. according to his expression.

For its part, the Islamic Jihad Movement said that it supports every step taken by the prisoners in their confrontation with the Prison Service, its procedures and policies.

And she added in a statement: "We will continue to stand by the prisoners and support them, and we warn the occupation against manipulating the prisoners' issue, their demands and their rights."

For his part, the official of the office of martyrs, prisoners and wounded in the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Awad Al-Sultan, congratulated the captive movement and the Palestinian people for this victory, which was achieved after more than 38 days of disobedience inside the occupation prisons.

Al-Sultan said: "The captive movement defeated the so-called Prison Service and Ben Gfir and his government, and was able to restore its achievements that it achieved over many years with blood and sacrifices."

The Supreme Emergency Committee for the Prisoners' Movement decided, on Wednesday evening, to suspend the hunger strike, which began today and was to be completed on Thursday morning, with the addition of 2,000 prisoners.

This came after reaching an agreement with the Israeli Prisons Authority to stop the punitive and arbitrary measures against the prisoners, which were recently taken by the Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir.

The Prisoners' Authority and the Prisoners' Club indicated that a detailed statement will be issued by the Emergency Committee in the coming hours on what has been agreed upon.

On Wednesday, the Israeli occupation forces arrested Rasmi Jaber Sobeih, while he was passing through the Beit Janun " Erez " checkpoint, in the northern Gaza Strip .

Yesterday, the occupation forces arrested Ahmed Abu Awwad at the same checkpoint, after returning from a treatment trip.

Nine member states of the Security Council affirmed in a joint statement that settlements are illegal under international humanitarian law, and are ready to support any initiative aimed at restoring a just and lasting peace that allows Israelis and Palestinians to live side by side in dignity and security.

This came in a statement issued by the countries of Brazil, Ecuador, Gabon, Ghana, Japan, Malta, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates and France, following a Security Council session on Israel's implementation of Resolution No. 2334 of 2016, which calls for an immediate and complete cessation of all settlement activities in the land. Occupied Palestinian Territories, including East Jerusalem” and “fully respect all their legal obligations in this regard.”

"We are now entering a period of religious holidays, and we appeal to all parties to refrain from further escalating tensions and to show maximum restraint," the statement said.

The nine countries deplore the high level of violence against civilians on both sides, including settler violence, urge the parties to prevent incitement to violence, and call on the parties to comply with international law, including international humanitarian law and human rights law, and to protect the civilian population.

And the statement continued: "We reiterate the Council's demand, Israel, to immediately and completely stop all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem," calling on Israel to stop the ongoing demolitions and seizures of Palestinian buildings, as well as the displacement of Palestinian families.

The countries welcomed last Sunday's meeting in Sharm El-Sheikh, which emphasized the importance of direct participation between the two sides, calling on all parties to respect the commitments they signed.

The countries stressed the urgent need to return the political horizon towards a two-state solution, and their full support for the efforts of Special Coordinator Winnisland, and those of others in the region to help resume talks on the basis of international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions and agreed parameters.