The statement by the Orthodox churches in Jerusalem rejecting the Israeli restrictions on the entry of Christians to the Holy Sepulcher in occupied Jerusalem to participate in the Holy Light ceremony on Saturday was highlighted on the front page of the three Palestinian Arabic dailies published today. Al-Hayat al-Jadida daily said the Palestinian presidency has also rejected these restrictions, while the presidential churches committee called on the faithful to celebrate this important event in Jerusalem’s Old City and defy the Israeli restrictions. The three dailies also highlighted the Israeli siege imposed for five days on the Jordan Valley. Al-Ayyam daily said the tight siege on the Jordan Valley continues with restrictions on the movement of people at checkpoints. Al-Quds daily said that as the siege continues, settlers attacked Palestinian civilians in the Jordan Valley and injured two shepherds. It also said that an Israeli organization has attacked Francesca Albanese, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, and called for ending her work on allegations she is biased toward the Palestinians. Al-Ayyam quoted the Israeli daily Haaretz saying that Israel is intensifying settlements in Jerusalem and surrounding areas to separate it from the West Bank. Al-Hayat al-Jadida quoted Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi saying the occupation is the source of evil and ending it is the only way to achieve peace. It said Syria’s foreign minister and an Iranian delegation have arrived in Saudi Arabia.

Source: Palestine News & Information Agency (WAFA)