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For the 34th consecutive Friday, thousands of Palestinian demonstrators converged on the Gaza-Israel buffer zone to take part in ongoing rallies against Israel’s decades-long occupation.
In a statement, Gaza’s National Authority for Breaking the Siege renewed its call to the people of Gaza to take part in the ongoing demonstrations.
In a separate statement, Hazem Qasim, a spokesman for resistance faction Hamas (which has governed the strip since 2007), said the Palestinian people "will continue their struggle -- with the utmost will and determination -- until the Israeli blockade on Gaza is lifted”.
Failure by Israel's coalition leaders to reach agreement on cabinet positions has increased the likelihood of early elections, Israeli media reported on Friday.The reports came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with coalition partner Naftali Bennett, who is seeking to fill the soon-to-be vacant defense ministry post. But he is thought to be facing opposition from other partners in the right-wing government, the reports said.
Israeli media reports early elections likely in Israel
Protesters demand the right to return to their homes and villages in historical Palestine, from which they were driven in 1948 to make way for the new state of Israel.
They also demand an end to Israel’s 12-year blockade of the Gaza Strip, which has gutted the coastal enclave’s economy and deprived its two million inhabitants of many basic commodities.
Since the rallies began on March 30, more than 210 Palestinians have been martyred -- and thousands more injured -- by Israeli troops deployed along the other side of the buffer zone.
The Kuwaiti authorities have deported an Israeli blogger less than 24 hours after his arrival in the country, according to local media reports.The deportation of Ben Tzion followed widespread criticism of the controversial Israeli blogger by Kuwaiti activists and members of parliament.Kuwaitis decried the arrival of Ben Tzion, who reportedly claimed to be visiting the country to take part in an international book fair.Local media outlets, including the Al-Qabas and Al-Rai newspapers, quoted one official source as saying that Ben Tzion -- who had reportedly entered the country on a U.S. passport -- “had not come to take part in the book fair”.Kuwait’s International Book Fair kicked off Thursday under the theme, “Jerusalem: Palestine’s eternal capital”. It is set to conclude on Nov. 24.Ben Tzion sparked controversy late last year after posting photos on Instagram showing himself inside the Prophet’s Mosque (Al-Masjid al-Nabawi) in the Saudi city of Medina, along with other “selfies” taken in Iran, Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt.
Kuwait expels Israeli known for controversial ‘selfies’
Hundreds of Israelis demonstrated in Tel Aviv on Thursday to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a cease-fire deal with Gaza-based Palestinian factions.Around 400 protesters from Jewish settlements around Gaza set off a demonstration against Netanyahu by blocking traffic on one of the main roads in Tel Aviv’s city center.Protestors denounced Netanyahu’s decision to approve the cease-fire deal and accused him of falling in leading the country."The south will not be silent anymore," said banners carried by demonstrators.Protesters said the Netanyahu government was insufficient in providing security in the Jewish settlements in the south of Israel; with slogans that included, "Bibi we don't need you, go back home."Video: Israelis call on Netanyahu to step down over Gaza truce"We're paying the government to solve the problems. We want these people to do their job," said protester Adele Raemer.On Wednesday, scores of Israelis demonstrated outside the Knesset in Jerusalem to call for the Netanyahu’s resignation.Since Sunday, at least 14 Palestinians have been martyred by Israeli airstrikes and artillery across the blockaded territory.On Sunday night, an Israeli officer was killed -- and another injured -- in a botched ground operation in Gaza.Tensions appeared to ease slightly Tuesday after Israel and Gaza-based resistance factions agreed to an Egypt-brokered cease-fire.Since 2006, Israel has been keeping the Gaza Strip a land, sea and air blockade.
Israelis demand Netanyahu resign for Gaza truce