LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN

April 15/16

Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani

http://www.eliasbejjaninews.com/newsbulletin16/english.april15.16.htm

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Bible Quotations For Today

This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 06/48-59:"I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.’The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’So Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live for ever.’ He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum."

But rejoice in so far as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed.
First Letter of Peter 04/12-19:"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice in so far as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed.
If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or even as a mischief-maker. Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name. For the time has come for judgement to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And ‘If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinners?’ Therefore, let those suffering in accordance with God’s will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator, while continuing to do good."

Pope Francis's Tweet For Today
Love is the only light which can constantly illuminate a world grown dim.

Titles For Latest LCCC Bulletin analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on April 15/16

Geneva talks: Light in Syria’s dark tunnel/Maria Dubovikova/Al Arabiya/April 14/16
Why China’s latest power play may roil Russia/Peter Marino/Al Arabiya/April 14/16
Doubting that Tiran and Sanafir belong to Saudi Arabia/Turki Al-Dakhil/Al Arabiya/April 14/16
The ‘Panama Papers’ succeeded where traditional media failed/Faisal J. Abbas/Al Arabiya/April 14/16
A road trip through conflict, settlements and occupation/Chris Doyle/Al Arabiya/April 14/16

Titles For Latest Lebanese Related News published on April 15/16

Lebanon Expresses Reservations on Islamic Summit Statement over Hizbullah
Arab Gulf Ambassadors Meet al-Rahi: No Lebanese Have Been Illegally Deported
Salam from Istanbul: Failure to Tackle Refugee File Will Create Instability
Rifi Insists on Resignation: Neither Aoun nor Franjieh Will Be Elected President
STL President Denies Targeting Lebanese Media in Contempt Cases
Army Arrests Lebanese in Arsal for Taking Part in Terror Acts against Military
Military Court Approves Release of Suspect in Rabih Kahil's Murder
Moqbel Meets UK Defense Secretary, Stresses Need to Bolster Army Capabilities
U.S. Embassy Launches Symposium on Countering Violent Extremism Online
Police Free Domestic Violence Victim in Bekaa
General Security Arrests Lebanese Extremist
Kaag, Ayrault Discuss Lebanon's Challenges on Eve of Hollande Visit
U.N. Concerned over Reported Hizbullah Arms Build-up
Loyalty to Resistance: Decision to ban Manar TV political
Bonne: Hollande's visit to Lebanon aims to find international consensus
Hariri: Municipal elections will be held on time
Azzi: To stand against foreigners' invasion of institutions
Kanaan discusses WB report on Lebanon in Washington
Jreij receives letter from Nilesat CEO
Bou Saab: Money always ready for wars, delaying for Lebanon
Army arrests Hussein Hojeiry in Arsal over terrorism charges, chemicals transfer

Titles For Latest LCCC Bulletin For Miscellaneous Reports And News published on April 15/16

Belgian Court Jails Top Jihadist Recruiter Zerkani for 15 Years
Iraq MPs Vote to sack Parliament Speaker, Deepening Crisis
Erdogan Urges Muslims to Overcome Splits, Fight Terror
Jordan Shuts down more Muslim Brotherhood Offices
Syria Regime Blocking Crucial Aid Deliveries, Says U.N.
Palestinian with Axe Attacks Israeli Soldier, Shot Dead
IS Seizes Syria Villages near Turkish Border
European Envoys Visit Libya for First Time since 2014
Israeli Raid in Ramallah Sparks Fire, Clashes
18 Dead in Week of Saudi Floods, Rain
NGO: Israel Approves Plans for more than 200 New W.Bank Settler Homes

Links From Jihad Watch Site for April 15/16
“What is happening in the Middle East will happen in Europe”
Islamic State threatens attack on India, vows to wipe out Hindus
Uganda: Muslim screaming “Allahu akbar” tries to kill wife for leaving Islam
Muslims using German military as a training ground for jihad
Hugh Fitzgerald: Get Him Rewrite, Or Yves Goldstein Reconsiders
Fatwas for Christian Ministry under Islam — on The Glazov Gang
Spain: Submachine guns, knives, Islamic State flag found at holiday hotspot
Video: Ex-Muslim Hazem Farraj on why the Islamic State chose its flag
Spanish police arrest man suspected of arming Paris kosher market jihadi
Pakistan concerned about rising “Islamophobia” in the West
Sharia Indonesia: 60-year-old woman caned for selling alcohol in Aceh
Algerian PM: “Algeria, while fighting terrorism, doesn’t associate it with Islam”
Freedom House: Democracy in Europe threatened by “Islamophobia”
Iran front group: Barring Iraqis & Syrians from visa waivers is “ancestral discrimination”

Lebanon Expresses Reservations on Islamic Summit Statement over Hizbullah
Naharnet/April 14/16/Lebanon has expressed reservations to labeling Hizbullah a terrorist organization in the final statement that is expected to be issued by around 30 heads of state and government from Islamic countries gathering in Istanbul. As Safir daily said Thursday that Algeria, Iran and Indonesia backed Lebanon while Iraq's representative at the summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) said he will review his leadership to take the appropriate stance. Their stance were made during a preparatory meeting held before the summit gets underway on Thursday morning. Prime Minister Tammam Salam traveled to Istanbul on Wednesday to take part in the two-day summit. He is expected to deliver Lebanon's speech on Thursday afternoon. The summit's closing statement will also welcome “dialogue among different Lebanese politicians” and urge OIC member states to support the Lebanese army and security forces to help them confront terrorist organizations and preserve Lebanon's stability and civil peace. Last month, the Saudi-led Gulf Cooperation Council labeled Hizbullah a terrorist organization after Riyadh halted $4 billion of aid to the Lebanese army and security forces. The Arab League also blacklisted Hizbullah after coming under Saudi pressure over the party's role in Syria. Key guests at the OIC meeting will include Saudi King Salman and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, a strong backer of Hizbullah. The two countries are locked on opposing sides in the Syria and Yemen conflicts.

Arab Gulf Ambassadors Meet al-Rahi: No Lebanese Have Been Illegally Deported
Naharnet/April 14/16/The ambassadors of the Arab Gulf countries held talks on Thursday with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi, during which they acknowledged the emergence of differences with Beirut on some issues. They said from Bkirki: “The Gulf countries have not deported any Lebanese without a legal or constitutional basis.” “It is true that some differences have emerged but we believe that they are temporary,” they added.“There is no diplomatic crisis with Lebanon,” they stressed. The meeting was attended by Saudi Ambassador Ali Awadh Asiri, Kuwaiti Ambassador Abdul Aal al-Qinai, United Arab Emirates Ambassador Hamad bin Saeed al-Shamsi, and Qatari Ambassador Ali Bin Hamad al-Miri. The ambassador of Oman was unable to attend due to a sudden emergency, said the National News Agency without giving further details. Saudi Arabia earlier this year halted a grant to Lebanese army in wake of Hizbullah's virulent stances against the kingdom over its role in the region. Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil also abstained from voting in favor of Arab resolutions that condemned attacks against the Saudi embassy in Tehran earlier this year. Riyadh consequently halted the grant and issued a travel advisory for its citizens against heading to Lebanon. Gulf countries also followed suit and a number of them also deported Lebanese expatriates who are affiliated with Hizbullah, which the Gulf Cooperation Council has deemed as terrorist. “The dispute with Lebanon will remain as long as Hizbullah persists on its stances,” stressed the ambassadors from Bkirki. They also highlighted the need for Lebanon to elect a president. For his part, al-Rahi emphasized the “continuation of the friendship between Lebanon and the Gulf.”“It is unfortunate that a passing cloud has tarnished some of the ties with some of your countries,” he added.

Salam from Istanbul: Failure to Tackle Refugee File Will Create Instability
Naharnet/April 14/16/Prime Minister Tammam Salam urged on Thursday members of the Organization of Islamic Organization to help Lebanon in shouldering the burden of Syrian refugees. He said during a speech at the OIC summit in Istanbul: “We have warned that failure to provide the necessary aid to the refugees and the Lebanese community will not only weaken the already exhausted Lebanese economy, but it will create security instability.” “Poverty, deprivation, and despair are the primary fuels of extremism,” he warned. “The requirements of fraternity and solidarity that have been at the heart of the OIC since its formation demand that this burden be a moral obligation that all Islamic countries should support,” said the premier. “Lebanon rejects all forms of naturalization of the Syrian refugees and believes that their presence in Lebanon is temporary,” he stated. “Their presence in the country will end as soon as the causes for their displacement end,” he remarked. “We are following with hope the diplomatic activity aimed at ending the war in Syria and look forward to the day in which the Syrians are able to reach a political solution that would end this tragedy.”He also noted that the president of the Lebanese republic should have been present instead of him to deliver the speech at the Istanbul summit, lamenting the ongoing vacuum in the presidency. “We hope to elect a head of state as soon as possible,” added Salam. Addressing regional developments, Salam noted that the Arab world is witnessing “severe political tensions and military confrontations as a result of several factors.”The countries of “the Gulf Cooperation Council in particular are suffering from foreign meddling that are stoking these conflicts,” said the prime minister. “We reject attempts to impose political realities in the Arab countries by force, which will jeopardize stability in the region,” he warned. “We therefore announce our complete solidarity with our Arab brothers in all that affects their security, stability, sovereignty, and unity of their societies,” he stressed. “We underline our constant stand with Arab consensus and the higher interest of the Islamic ummah,” he declared. Salam had held talks on his Istanbul trip with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, and brief talks with Saudi King Salman and Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah.

Rifi Insists on Resignation: Neither Aoun nor Franjieh Will Be Elected President
Naharnet/April 14/16/Resigned Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi stressed Wednesday that he will not reverse his decision on resigning from Prime Minister Tammam Salam's government. “I insist on my resignation and I will not reverse my decision because I no longer belong to the current government,” said Rifi in an interview with MTV. The minister had submitted his resignation in protest at the government's procrastination in referring the case of ex-minister Michel Samaha to the Judicial Council and at Hizbullah's verbal attacks against Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. Rifi accused Hizbullah of blocking his efforts to transfer the case against Samaha to the Judicial Council – Lebanon's highest court – after the Military Court issued a controversial ruling to release him on bail during a retrial. The ex-minister was later sentenced to 13 years in prison with hard labor. Samaha was arrested in August 2012 and charged with attempting to carry out terrorist acts over accusations that he and Syrian security services chief Ali Mamluk transported explosives and planned attacks and assassinations of political and religious figures in Lebanon. Rifi resumed his duties as justice minister in mid-March by signing the ministry's mail and following up on its files, although without being present at the ministry building and despite the fact that Minister of the Displaced Alice Shabtini had assumed duties as acting justice minister. According to legal experts, the acceptance of Rifi's resignation requires a decree signed by the president of the republic in addition to the PM's approval, the thing that is not possible amid the current presidential vacuum. Separately, Rifi declared Wednesday that neither Free Patriotic Movement founder MP Michel Aoun nor Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh will become president, citing “information” he has obtained. The minister also floated the idea that the U.N.-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon could summon Franjieh, “at least as a witness.” “Franjieh bears at least moral responsibility seeing as ex-PM Rafik Hariri was assassinated during his tenure as interior minister” in 2005, Rifi told MTV. Lebanon has been without a president since the term of Michel Suleiman ended in May 2014 and the FPM, Hizbullah and some of their allies have been boycotting the electoral sessions. Ex-PM Saad Hariri, the leader of the al-Mustaqbal movement that nominated Rifi for the justice ministry, launched late in 2015 a proposal to nominate Franjieh for the presidency but his suggestion was rejected by the country's main Christian parties as well as Hizbullah. Hizbullah and the FPM, as well as March 14's Lebanese Forces, have argued that Aoun is more eligible than Franjieh to become president given the size of his parliamentary bloc and his bigger influence in the Christian community.

STL President Denies Targeting Lebanese Media in Contempt Cases
Naharnet/April 14/16
Special Tribunal for Lebanon President Judge Ivana Hrdličková told Naharnet in an interview carried out in Beirut that the contempt cases against Al Jadeed TV and Al Akhbar newspaper do not aim to target the media or journalists in Lebanon, saying anyone involved in contempt should be held responsible. She also stressed the impartiality and independence of the Court’s work, saying the STL is not influenced by political interference.
Here is the full text of the interview:
1-How do you assess the impact of the trial of Al Jadeed TV and Karma Al Khayat on the credibility of the STL and its image in public opinion? Don’t you think that you appeared confused in dealing with this matter through the conflicting verdicts?
Thank you very much for your questions. First of all I believe that crimes of obstruction of administration of justice are known in almost all domestic legislations and of course all international criminal tribunals. It is an important inherent power of the Court to protect the main proceedings, the trial, victims, witnesses, judges and other actors of the Court.So it’s fundamental for the Court to have such a right.
Concerning your question about the different judgments. I know that Lebanon is the same as other jurisdictions. You have the first level of court, then appeals and court of cassation. Judges are working impartially and independently. So it happens in all jurisdictions that the decisions can be completely or partially reversed.
I believe that the different decisions of the panel should not confuse the public but to bring more understanding of the cases and also show the independence of the court.
2-So you don’t think you have a problem of credibility with the public opinion?
Public trust with the courts is essential. I would like for the Lebanese society to understand the work of the Tribunal. The media has an extremely important role in this process and can make the process more understandable.
3-The press in Lebanon is facing financial crises that are threatening its existence. Don’t you think that the STL’s prosecution of some media outlets would portray you as contributors to harming the press in Lebanon?
I am aware of the crisis of written media in all the world. I think it’s the price of our digital world which has a lot of advantages and obviously disadvantages as well. The contempt cases before the Tribunal are not cases against journalists at all. The purpose is to protect the proceedings, witnesses and victims in the main trial. All who commit crimes of contempt should be held responsible.
There are several forms of how contempt can be committed: To publish confidential information or in the court if someone undermines public figures, or it happened in the international criminal tribunal when witnesses were bribed and gave false testimony.
If the Court does not have the power to affect the trial, then that would affect the fairness of the trial which is essential for the judicial work.
4-Hizbullah is being targeted by a political and media campaign in Lebanon and has come under financial, Arab and international sanctions as a result of its military role in Syria and several Arab states. Would such a situation push the Court to speed up or slow down its functions so it won’t be seen as a complicit in the measures taken against Hizbullah, in particular that the suspects on trial are Hizbullah members.
The Tribunal is working impartially and independently as a judicial institution. Four of the eleven judges are according to the statute of the Tribunal Lebanese judges and seven are international. The work of the Tribunal is not influenced by any political interference. That’s one of the benefits of the Tribunal. I wish that the people would understand the basis of its independent judicial work.
5-So, you don’t take into consideration the parallelism of the judiciary and the political process in Lebanon?
I believe that one of the fundamental roles of the judiciary is to be separated from politics. That’s how we work.
6-Do you have the intention or the jurisdiction to ask the international community - which is tightening the noose on Hizbullah over its military role outside Lebanon- to put more pressure on Hizbullah so that the five suspects are handed over to the Court?
The STL as the other international criminal courts does not have any judicial police. We rely on Lebanese authorities to bringing the accused to the court. They update us on a regular basis on the efforts they are making. International arrest warrants are issued on the five accused and Interpol is informed about this. One of the novelty in international criminal law is the contribution of the Lebanese judiciary allowing the trials in absentia. It is the first time after the Nuremberg for an international criminal court to be enabled to trial in absentia. The best way is to have the accused in the courtroom but if it is not possible, then at least when all the criteria are met and the judges are satisfied, then the trial could start.
7-Several weeks ago, Saudi Arabia halted $4 billion of aid to the Lebanese army and security forces. Do you think the measures taken by the Gulf states against Lebanon would include a halt to the funding of the STL? Would such a measure put an end to the Court’s functioning or obstruct its work?
Since 2009, 28 countries and the EU have contributed to the Tribunal’s budget. We are deeply grateful to the international community to support us. So, the funding is coming from different donors. That’s how it is balanced. If one or other donors don’t support us at the moment, then we rely on the international community.
8-Did you receive any sign from Saudi Arabia or other Gulf countries that they will stop funding the STL?
I don’t know. Maybe you have more information than me in that regard.
9-Have you noticed that the solidarity expressed by some political and public circles in Lebanon with Al Jadeed TV and Al Akhbar newspaper was wider than the solidarity with the STL? What were your conclusions on that? Does the final verdict that contradicted the first one reflect a decision by the Court to rectify its relations with the Lebanese media?
I would like to stress that the judicial work of the Tribunal is independent. We are not influenced by any social or political interference at all. The only what matters is independent judicial work. I hope what would be understood is that the contempt cases are not after the media. It was the media this time but it can be anybody else. The media has important skills on how to transfer the judicial work to society.
10- Haven’t you noticed from the reaction of the media and some politicians in Lebanon that the Court needs a team of “friends” who would defend its image and its role at the media and popular level similar to the mandate of the “friend of the court” who plays the role of the prosecutor in contempt cases?
The only friends of the Court we have are all people who follow our proceedings objectively. I am deeply attached to the fairness of the proceedings.
11- It is not new for some public opinion in Lebanon to accuse the STL of having a slow pace. Is there anything new to expect from the Court in the investigations into the attacks carried out after former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri’s killing which the STL has established jurisdiction over?
The Tribunal has jurisdiction over the attack from Feb. 14. 2005 and cases that may be connected. The criteria for the connection are said in Article 1 of the Statute of the Tribunal. The main case of the Hariri assassination is at the moment before the Trial Chamber and the Prosecutor is presenting his part of the evidence and is expected to finish his case at the end of this year. Afterwards, the victims have time to present their views. So it is difficult now to say when the trial can be finished but we are working hard to complete the trial stage around Feb. 2018.
12-Aren’t you disturbed by the image, which shows the parties opposing the STL in solidarity among each other, at a time when the political camp that had called for the STL’s establishment is standing idle and at times is seeking to reach a political settlement with its rivals, mainly Hizbullah? Doesn’t that frustrate you and psychologically affect your work one way or another?
I wish that the Lebanese society understands the work of the Tribunal which is independent, judicial work not influenced by any political ideas.
13-There has been a report that the Court will add Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and top Syrian officials to the list of the accused. What is your comment on that?
We hear a lot of speculations since the Tribunal was established. We don’t comment on speculations. I would suggest to follow the activities and decisions of Tribunal that are being posted on its website and get in touch with the STL spokesperson.
Thank you very much for your interest.
Lebanon
Special Tribunal for Lebanon

Army Arrests Lebanese in Arsal for Taking Part in Terror Acts against Military
Naharnet/April 14/16/The army announced on Friday the arrest of Hussein Mohammed al-Hujairi for his links to terrorist acts, said the military in a communique. It said that he is suspected of taking part in terrorist attacks against the army and Internal Security Forces in the northeastern border town of Arsal. He was detained in the Wadi Hmeid-Arsal region as he was attempting to smuggle around 75 kilograms of a chemical substance and around 100 liters of diesel fuel. He was trying to smuggle the material from Arsal to its outskirts. The army frequently shells the positions of extremists linked to the conflict in Syria that are holed up along the porous Lebanese-Syrian border, most notably the outskirts of Arsal and Ras Baalbek. In August 2014, extremists from the Islamic State and al-Qaida-affiliated al-Nusra Front overran Arsal and engaged in battles with the army and security forces.

Military Court Approves Release of Suspect in Rabih Kahil's Murder
Naharnet/April 14/16/The Military Tribunal approved on Thursday a request to release one of the suspects linked to the murder of Major Rabih Kahil. The permanent military court, headed by Khalil Ibrahim, approved the release of Elie Daou, who is being tried for the murder of Kahil in 2015, said the National News Agency. The fate of Hisham Daou, the other suspect in the crime, was not disclosed. The pair was charged in August 2015 with Kahil's murder. Hisham Daou was charged with opening fire at officer, hitting him in the leg four times. Elie Daou is charged with interfering in the accident. Kahil was killed in a dispute that developed into a shooting in July 2015 in the Bdadoun area. The dispute erupted after Hisham and Eli Daou arrived in a car and asked Kahil to leave the area, although he identified himself as an army officer. A fistfight ensued before one of the men, Hisham Daou, opened fire at Kahil from a weapon equipped with a silencer.

Moqbel Meets UK Defense Secretary, Stresses Need to Bolster Army Capabilities
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/April 14/16/UK Defense Secretary Michael Fallon reaffirmed the his country's commitment to help Lebanon protect itself against terrorism, including the threat from the Islamic State group, announced the British embassy in a statement. Minister of Defense Samir Moqbel ended a one-day visit to the United Kingdom on Thursday, accompanied by British Ambassador to Lebanon Hugo Shorter. Moqbel met with his British counterpart Secretary of State for Defense Michael Fallon and held meetings with Foreign Office Minister Tobias Ellwood, Defense Minister Julian Brazier, Chief of the Defense Staff General Sir Nicholas Houghton, and Lieutenant General Thomas Beckett -Defense Senior Advisor for the Middle East. The visit was an opportunity to discuss bilateral military and security ties and cooperation between Lebanon and the UK. It also focused on how the UK is supporting the Lebanese army through the recent announcement by the Foreign Secretary Phillip Hammond of the UK’s intention to invest a further £19.8million in mentoring and training of the military, which will bring the UK’s total commitment to the army to over £60 million. In their discussion, Fallon and Moqbel focused on international terrorism and the security situation in the region including the challenges posed by the IS. They shared thoughts on how the two countries can work together to further stability, security and peace in Lebanon. “It was a fruitful visit to the UK where we discussed practical support for the army and developing the military cooperation to enhance the capabilities for fighting terrorism,” said Moqbel. “I welcomed the UK government’s position on what it has provided so far and what it has promised to deliver for the training of the army and support in protecting the borders.”For his part, Fallon stated: “The spread of terrorism from IS represents a threat to us all, and Lebanon is on the front line.”“Lebanon is an important Defense ally and we have increased our support to help develop the Lebanese Armed Forces so they are able to strengthen their borders and protect their people.”In the meeting with Ellwood, reiterated the strong bilateral ties between the two countries, stressing that the UK is keen to see the election of a president as soon as possible and ready to work with any candidate agreed upon by the Lebanese. The minister also discussed the UK’s continued support as one of the largest bilateral donors to the Syrian refugee crisis following on from the London conference, highlighting the importance of following up on the joint commitments made.

U.S. Embassy Launches Symposium on Countering Violent Extremism Online
Naharnet/April 14/16/U.S. Charge d’Affaires ad interim Ambassador Richard Jones launched on Thursday a three-day symposium on countering violent extremism online, the first of its kind in Lebanon, the U.S. Embassy announced. The Embassy said in a statement that #HackingExtremism “brings together leaders from the Lebanese government, civil society, the private sector, and academia to assess the threats posed by violent extremism online in Lebanon and develop coordinated, community-driven approaches to promoting an alternate and inclusive vision of hope for a better future.”The symposium, which is in collaboration with the Social Media Exchange (SMEX), “includes sessions on social media, messaging, Daesh’s (Islamic State group's) propaganda tactics, and the importance of protecting human rights and civil liberties online when developing countermeasures,” said the statement. “The urgent challenge of violent extremism demands that we all embrace a proactive, positive approach that involves contributions from a wide range of stakeholders in order to undermine the attraction of extremist movements and ideologies that seek to radicalize, recruit, and incite to violence,” Jones stated. He said this endeavor is important to the U.S. Embassy and to Lebanon because extremist groups such as the IS and al-Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front pose a threat to Lebanon at the tactical and ideological level. He said the Lebanese army and security forces regularly confront the terrorists along the border with Syria. “They have done a truly admirable job of preserving Lebanon’s security in the face of these real and direct threats from violent extremists,” the diplomat added. He described violent extremism as “cancer,” saying “some young people fall victim to the depraved disinformation of the hate mongers.”“At every level of society – grassroots, local government, and national government – we all have a role, in social media and elsewhere, in defeating Daesh’s malicious propaganda and revealing violent extremist messaging and narratives for what they really are. The howls of monsters,” he said. The U.S. Embassy is sponsoring “Lifting Up Youth Voices: A Chat about Technology, Countering Violent Extremism, and Free Speech” forum in collaboration with the Lebanese American University (LAU) and SMEX. The forum will provide an opportunity for young people to join the discussion about countering violent extremism online and in their communities and to suggest potential responses.

Police Free Domestic Violence Victim in Bekaa
Naharnet/April 14/16/Police said on Thursday that they have freed a Syrian woman who was abused by her father and brother and chained in their house in the eastern Bekaa Valley. A communique issued by the Internal Security Forces said the 20-year-old woman was freed on Wednesday from her parents' house in Tamnin al-Tahta. She told investigators that on Tuesday her father and brother dragged her out of her husband's house in Ghazir, beat her and chained her foot to the stove. The two men also destroyed her identification documents after threatening to kill her, she claimed. Police arrested her father and found the key to the chain lock, said the communique. According to the ISF, the man said he held his daughter captive for returning to her husband's house without his consent. The ISF said it is pursuing the woman's brother.

General Security Arrests Lebanese Extremist
Naharnet/April 14/16/The General Security agency said on Thursday that it has arrested a Lebanese man who has fought alongside a terrorist organization in Syria. A communique issued by General Security said Aa.H. admitted to investigators that he traveled to Turkey in 2013 and then entered Syria where he joined the ranks of the terrorist group. The General Security did not name which organization he joined. The suspect also admitted to receiving training in making explosives and said he was severely injured when a bomb he was preparing exploded. The man was referred to the judiciary. The General Security has been active in arresting suspects with ties to terrorist groups, mainly the Islamic State and al-Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front, which have fought bloody gunbattles with the Lebanese army.

Kaag, Ayrault Discuss Lebanon's Challenges on Eve of Hollande Visit
Naharnet/April 14/16/U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Sigrid Kaag and French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault have discussed the challenges that Lebanon is facing on the eve of a visit by French President Francois Hollande to Beirut, An Nahar daily reported on Thursday. Kaag and Ayrault called on Lebanese officials following their meeting in Paris on Wednesday to overcome their differences and elect a new president. The French Foreign Minister said in a statement that “France, together with the International Support Group for Lebanon and the international community, calls on the main Lebanese political actors to overcome their differences.”He also called for the swift “election of a president and the normal functioning of the institutions.”Lebanon has been without a head of state for almost two years when the term of President Michel Suleiman ended in May 2014. Hollande is scheduled to make a one-day official visit to Beirut on Saturday. According to An Nahar, he is first expected to meet with Speaker Nabih Berri at the Parliament in Beirut's Nejmeh Square and then head to the Grand Serail for talks with Prime Minister Tammam Salam. Hollande will later visit “la Résidence des Pins” to meet with members of the French community in Beirut. A dinner banquet will be thrown in the French president's honor on Saturday night.

U.N. Concerned over Reported Hizbullah Arms Build-up
Naharnet/April 14/16/U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Sigrid Kaag has expressed concern over reports that Hizbullah is receiving more weapons. “What is said about increased build-up of weapons by Hizbullah is a source of concern,” Kaag told pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat newspaper in an interview published on Thursday. “There is no need for me to repeat what was mentioned in the (U.N.) Secretary-General's report on Resolution 1701,” she said. U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon said in his report on the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701 in February that “the maintenance of arms by Hizbullah and other groups outside the control of the Lebanese state … continues to restrict the state’s ability to exercise full sovereignty and authority over its territory.”Israeli officials have consistently reported to the U.N. that “there are significant ongoing arms transfers to Hizbullah across the Lebanese-Syrian border” and that the party “has now amassed an arsenal of over 100,000 missiles and rockets, much of which Israel claims is located in civilian residential areas,” Ban added. In the interview, which Asharq al-Awsat said was carried out in Beirut two days ago, Kaag reiterated that the international community does not have the intention to naturalize Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Last month, Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil snubbed Ban during his two-day visit to Lebanon under the excuse that the international community is pressuring Lebanese authorities into giving the nationality to the displaced Syrians. Lebanon is home to more than 1 million registered Syrian refugees, or nearly a quarter of the country's 4.5 million people. Another half a million Syrians live in the country as well.

Loyalty to Resistance: Decision to ban Manar TV political
Thu 14 Apr 2016/NNA - The Loyalty to the Resistance bloc on Thursday deprecated a fresh decision by Egyptian-owned Nilesat to ban al-Manar TV from broadcasting as "unfair" and "political," explaining that this only proves the grudges Saudi regime holds against the Resistance. "This decision will not affect our crystal clear position from Saudi Arabia's erroneous policies, and it will not prevent al-Manar from expressing its convictions and free opinion," the lawmakers said n a statement issued followed their weekly meeting, held under the chairmanship of MP Mohammad Raad. "The Lebanese government must assume its duty in order to give al-Manar back its right to broadcasting and to guarantee the freedom of media," they added. "The pressures exerted by the Saudi regime during the meetings at the Islamic Summit with a view of harming Hezbollah and the reputation of the Resistance entailed that the Lebanese government sternly stands in their face, since Hezbollah is a key component of the government and in Lebanon," they concluded.

Bonne: Hollande's visit to Lebanon aims to find international consensus
Thu 14 Apr 2016/NNA - French Ambassador to Lebanon, Emmanuel Bonne, said on Thursday that Hollande's visit to Lebanon comes amid critical interior and regional situations and aims to find international consensus that helps Lebanese parties solve their own crises. His stance came during the Francophone Forum in Le Maillon restaurant in Ashrafieh, in the presence of a number of diplomats and political, social, and media figures. Bonne added that President Hollande was not carrying a magical wand to resolve issues that Lebanese people had to solve, but his visit would come with a determination to be useful and to form a kind of international consensus. "Lebanon is important for France and compromise is possible today, we can help Lebanese parties reach a settlement that would enable them to restore institutions' work, we thereby give a decisive message to the region to ease tensions, and this message comes from Lebanon, not Syria or Iraq or Yemen, because Lebanon is a model of peace, coexistence, tolerance and openness," he underscored.

Hariri: Municipal elections will be held on time
Thu 14 Apr 2016/NNA - Former Prime Minister, Saad Hariri, reiterated that the municipal elections will be held on time and called on everyone to get ready to participate in them. He said: "We support these elections and all elections, particularly the presidential elections. Sooner or later and regardless of how much they are blocked, we will elect a president."Premier Hariri received this evening at the "Center House" members of the municipal councils, mayors and figures from the city of Minieh, in the presence of MP Kazem al-Kheir. He told the delegation: "I will visit you in Minieh, this city that is loyal to Martyr Premier Rafic Hariri, the city of heroes and brave men. Everyone sees that the "Future Movement" and "March 14" are being targeted but we will continue the long path together."He added: "The ongoing events in the region require more wisdom to be able to overcome this difficult period. The surrounding storms burned several countries, but we have to preserve Lebanon, which Rafic Hariri loved and fought for, and we are struggling to keep the country safe until the storm passes."He continued: "We believe that the challenges facing the region are an attempt to weaken the moderation which we believe in and call for, because it is the only way to save the country."Hariri then discussed with the delegation the development, health and social needs of the city, especially building new schools, hospitals and roads, and easing the security measures and checkpoints on the roads leading to and from Minieh. Hariri also contacted Mufti of Tripoli Sheikh Malek Chaar and discussed with him issues related to Tripoli and the North.

Azzi: To stand against foreigners' invasion of institutions
Thu 14 Apr 2016/NNA - Labor Minister, Sajaan Azzi, said on Thursday that "it is our duty to stand against foreigners' invasion at the Lebanese people account, like European countries that followed this policy which led to less migration and more job opportunities."Azzi's stance came during an exhibition organized at AUL University in Dikwaneh, under his auspices, where he spoke of "the available job opportunities for the Lebanese people and their wish to stay in Lebanon."He added that migration became a search for a better salary not a better work. He called on all Lebanese to boycott institutions, industries, gas stations, hospitals, and even universities as well as the ones that hire foreigners more than Lebanese, underscoring that "this is the real resistance."

Kanaan discusses WB report on Lebanon in Washington
Thu 14 Apr 2016/NNA - MP Ibrahim Kanaan shone light on the current situation in Lebanon amid the presence of more than one million refugees on its soil, during a meeting with the World Bank in Washington. The WB has discussed with Kanaan a fresh report on Lebanon, where the crisis was linked to the sectarian system prevailing in the country, in addition to corruption and instability of the state institutions. "The crisis in Lebanon is the result of the situation brought forth in the country by the Syrian custody and what has happened since the conclusion of Taef Accord, not to mention July War and the so-called Arab Spring and its reverberations, especially that Lebanon has lost USD 7.5 billion due to the Syrian crisis and refugees," Kanaan told his hosts in remarks on their report. "The international financial contributions should be free and not in form of loans. They should also be conditioned with rendering the supposedly provisional presence of refugees permanent," he underlined. In Washington, Kanaan held a series of meetings with WB officials.

Jreij receives letter from Nilesat CEO
Thu 14 Apr 2016/NNA - Information Minister, Ramzi Jreij, received on Thursday a letter from CEO of Nilesat, Ahmed Anis, expressing readiness to treat the issue of broadcast from Jouret Al-Ballout in Lebanon, NNA correspondent reported. It is noteworthy that Lebanese-Egyptian calls were intense on Thursday as part of the efforts to address the Lebanese cable TV issue. Anis expressed his keenness on cooperating with the brother Arab state, Lebanon. According to NNA correspondent, Minister Jreij and Telecom Minister, Boutros Harb, are currently looking into assigning an administrative technical delegation to discuss in Cairo agreements and mechanisms of broadcasting through Nilesat.

Bou Saab: Money always ready for wars, delaying for Lebanon
Thu 14 Apr 2016/NNA - Education and Higher Learning Minister Elias Bou Saab said that the sole solution to the displaced Syrians crisis in Lebanon "is finding a political solution in Syria," regretting the sum that is allocated for wars instead of being given to Lebanon that is facing the heavy burden of displaced Syrians issue. Bou Saab's stance came Thursday in the context of Spring Meetings in Washington.

Army arrests Hussein Hojeiry in Arsal over terrorism charges, chemicals transfer
Thu 14 Apr 2016/NNA - A Lebanese army unit arrested today Hussein Mohammad Hojeiry in Wadi Hmayed region in Arsal, for conducting terrorist acts against military and security forces, National News Agency correspondent reported on Thursday. The arrest came while Hojeiry was attempting to smuggle 75 kg of chemicals and 100 liters of diesel from Arsal into its vicinity.

Belgian Court Jails Top Jihadist Recruiter Zerkani for 15 Years
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/April 14/16/A Belgium appeals court on Thursday sentenced top jihadist recruiter Khalid Zerkani to 15 years in prison after convicting him of enlisting dozens of people, including key suspects in the Brussels and Paris attacks. Zerkani is "the biggest recruiter of jihadists Belgium has ever known," Federal Prosecutor Bernard Michel said during a court hearing in February. Zerkani was originally jailed in July 2015 to 12 years behind bars, even before the Islamic State attacks in Paris and Brussels that killed 162 people. Zerkani, 42, was arrested by police in 2014 after he defied authorities for years with his off-the-radar recruitment of jihadists for Syria in the gritty Molenbeek district in Brussels. His recruits included suicide bomber Najim Laachraoui and Paris attacks ringleader Abdelhamid Abbaoud, court documents showed. "He's the emir, the leader...", a suspect identified as Yacine E. told investigators in a deposition leaked to Belgian daily La Derniere Heure.

Iraq MPs Vote to sack Parliament Speaker, Deepening Crisis
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/April 14/16/Iraqi lawmakers voted Thursday to remove the parliament speaker and his deputies from office, increasing political turmoil as the country battles jihadists and struggles with a financial crisis. The chaos at parliament is a significant setback for Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, overshadowing his efforts to replace the current cabinet and preventing nominees from being brought to a vote. The turmoil has escalated over three successive sessions this week: the first ended in a sit-in, the second with a fistfight among lawmakers, and the third with the vote to remove parliament speaker Salim al-Juburi. Juburi, one of the country's leading Sunni Arab politicians, issued a statement saying that the session, which he did not attend, was unconstitutional and that the required quorum was not reached. The session held "in the absence of the presidency of parliament is unconstitutional and lacked the necessary quorum," the statement said. But Niyazi Oghlu, the official responsible for taking roll at parliament, put the number of lawmakers present at 173, while two lawmakers also said more than 170 attended. The main Sunni bloc condemned the effort to remove Juburi. "These calls will lead to the end of the concept of political partnership and the principle of consensus on which the political process was based," it said in a statement read out by MP Ahmed al-Misari. Abadi has called for the party-affiliated cabinet to be replaced by a government of technocrats, but has faced significant resistance from the powerful parties that rely on control of ministries for patronage and funds. An "emergency" session on Wednesday ended with lawmakers shouting, shoving and throwing punches in the parliament hall, leading Juburi to call a recess. The speaker's office said earlier in the day that Abadi was to give a revised list of nominees to parliament on Thursday, but the move to sack Juburi stole the spotlight instead. Abadi presented a first list of cabinet nominees at the end of March, but the political blocs put forward their own candidates, and most of the premier's original list was replaced on a second presented to MPs on Tuesday.
Some MPs demanded the opportunity to vote on Abadi's original list -- from which at least two candidates had already withdrawn -- but the session was adjourned Tuesday without a vote. Dozens of lawmakers then began a sit-in and spent the night at parliament. Iraqi ministries have for years been shared out between powerful political parties that run them as their personal fiefdoms, relying on them for patronage and funds. But even if the current cabinet line-up is replaced with independent, technocratic ministers -- a change that faces major obstacles -- that would only be the beginning of the process. Ministries are packed with lower-level employees appointed on the basis of party and sectarian affiliation, and replacing them would face serious resistance. Technocratic ministers would also lack the political cover afforded by party affiliation, and could face threats by armed groups opposed to changes they proposed. Abadi called in February for "fundamental" change to the cabinet so that it includes "professional and technocratic figures and academics". That kicked off the latest chapter in a months-long saga of Abadi proposing various reforms that parties and politicians with interests in the existing system have sought to delay or undermine. Sadr later took up the demand for a technocratic government, organizing a two-week sit-in that put Abadi under pressure to act, but also supported the course of action he wanted to take. Sadr relented after Abadi presented his first list of nominees at the end of March, but has yet to react to the most recent developments in efforts to replace the cabinet. The political crisis surrounding efforts to change the cabinet comes as Iraqi forces battle to regain more ground from the Islamic State group, which seized swathes of the country in 2014. Iraq has also been hit hard by the plummeting price of oil, revenues from account for the vast majority of government funds.

Erdogan Urges Muslims to Overcome Splits, Fight Terror
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/April 14/16/Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday urged dozens of Muslim leaders gathered for a summit in Istanbul to end sectarian divisions in the Islamic world and join forces to fight terror. Turkey is seeking to showcase its influence among the world's estimated 1.7 billion Muslims, particularly in lands once controlled by the Ottoman Empire, at the two-day summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) which it will chair for the next two years. But the meeting bringing together over 30 heads of state and government has been shadowed by sectarian-tinged conflicts in Syria and Yemen that have pitted Shia Muslims -- led by regional power Iran -- against Sunni Muslim powers like Saudi Arabia. Key guests at the summit included Saudi King Salman and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, in a rare public encounter although there were reports the two men had exchanged words. "I believe the greatest challenge we need to surmount is sectarianism. My religion is not that of Sunnis, of Shiites. My religion is Islam," Erdogan said in his opening speech. "We should be uniting. Out of the conflicts, the tyranny, only the Muslims suffer," he said, adding the summit meeting could be a "turning point" for the whole Islamic world. Erdogan lashed out at Islamic State (IS) jihadists who seized swathes of Syria and Boko Haram Islamist extremists in Nigeria as two "terrorist organizations that are serving the same evil purpose."He said that the OIC had accepted a Turkish proposal to set up a multinational police coordination centre for Islamic states to fight militants, to be based in Istanbul. "We need to establish an organization to further strengthen cooperation in the fight against terror," he said. A security lockdown has been thrown around the summit venue in Istanbul, the former capital of the Ottoman Empire from where the Sultans for centuries ruled Muslims from the Balkans to Arabia. Some 5,000 extra police have been deployed in Istanbul to ensure the event passes smoothly after two deadly suicide attacks blamed on jihadists in Istanbul this year alone.But Turkey's own policies in the Middle East have been controversial, with several Muslim states objecting to the Islamic-rooted government's backing of rebels in Syria. While the summit marks one of the most significant gatherings of heads of state for years in Istanbul, some high profile leaders like Jordan's King Abdullah and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi are notable by their absence. Turkey's relations with Cairo have still not recovered from the 2013 ousting of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, a close ally of Ankara, while ties with Amman are being tested by differences over Syria. Turkey took over the chairmanship of the OIC from Egypt, whose Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry read a brief message from Sisi emphasizing Cairo's commitment to the group. Shoukry conspicuously made no reference to the Turkish president in his speech but Erdogan also pointedly thanked Cairo for its efforts. The run-up to the summit saw a landmark visit by King Salman to the Turkish capital Ankara which highlighted the dramatic improvement in ties between Turkey and Saudi since he came to the throne in 2015. Overseen by Erdogan and Salman, the two countries' foreign ministers on Thursday signed a memorandum on creating a Saudi-Turkish Coordination Council to further deepen bilateral relations. Addressing the summit, Salman said "we are obliged today, more than ever, to fight terrorism" and appeared to lash out at Tehran, without naming the Islamic Republic. He denounced "flagrant interference in the affairs of several Islamic countries... instigating sedition and divisions, inciting sectarianism and using armed militia to undermine our security," according to the official SPA agency. Saudi Arabia and Turkey both believe the ousting of President Bashar Assad is the key to solving the Syrian conflict and back rebel groups fighting his regime. Analysts have warned however that Turkey needs to tread carefully in its alliance with Saudi Arabia, which is also overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim, so it is not seen as a sectarian union aimed at Shiite Iran. In a sign of Ankara's desire to maintain a delicate balance, Rouhani is due to begin a bilateral visit to Turkey after the summit.

Jordan Shuts down more Muslim Brotherhood Offices
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/April 14/16/Jordanian security services on Thursday pressed ahead with closures of offices of the Muslim Brotherhood, the kingdom's main opposition force, which vowed to fight the measure in the courts. Brotherhood spokesman Badi al-Rafaia said its offices were sealed off with red wax in the towns of Mafraq, 70 kilometers (45 miles) northeast of Amman, and Madaba, 30 kilometers (30 miles) to the south of the capital. The moves came one day after the movement's Amman headquarters were closed along with an office in Jerash to the north. Previously tolerated for decades in Jordan, the Brotherhood has had tense relations with the authorities since the Arab Spring uprisings that shook the region in 2011. The movement, in a statement published Thursday, said the closures "take us back to the days of martial law when order and justice are not respected", and pledged "to take judicial and political measures against these illegal pressures". Jordanian authorities view the Brotherhood as an illegal organization because its license was not renewed in accordance with a political parties law adopted in 2014. The Jordanian branch of the movement, which was formed in Egypt in 1928 and has affiliates across the region, has wide grassroots support in the kingdom. Other governments in the region, particularly the Gulf monarchies, are also deeply suspicious of the Brotherhood, fearing that its brand of grass-roots activism and political Islam could undermine their authority. The Brotherhood's second-in-command in Jordan, Zaki Bani Rsheid, was sentenced to 18 months in prison in February 2015 for criticizing a decision by the United Arab Emirates to blacklist the organization. In Egypt, it has been blacklisted as a "terrorist group" and the authorities have cracked down hard on its members, including ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi who has been sentenced to death. The Jordanian branch of the Brotherhood accuses the authorities of trying to exploit divisions within the organization. Last year, the government in Amman authorized the formation of a breakaway group known as the Muslim Brotherhood Association.

Syria Regime Blocking Crucial Aid Deliveries, Says U.N.
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/April 14/16/Restrictions on humanitarian convoys imposed by Syria's government have frustrated efforts to deliver life-saving aid to besieged people in the war-ravaged country, U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura said Thursday. A 17-country United Nations panel, co-chaired by the United States and Russia, has been working since February to boost aid deliveries to an estimated 450,000 Syrians stranded in besieged areas, as well as 4 million others in places the U.N. describes as hard-to-reach. After reporting significant progress through the first two weeks of March, U.N. officials have in recent weeks voiced mounting concern over the obstacles imposed by Damascus. "Everyone in the meeting was disappointed," de Mistura told reporters after a weekly meeting of the so-called humanitarian taskforce. "Many of (the countries) are actually frustrated by the lack of new convoys," he added. He listed Duma, Daraya and East Harasta, all besieged by the regime, as being among the areas in urgent need of supplies. De Mistura said he raised the issue of flagging humanitarian cooperation with President Bashar al-Assad's government while in Damascus earlier this week during a preparatory meeting for peace talks, which resumed in Geneva on Wednesday. Asked why the regime was continuing to block aid convoys, de Mistura said that question should be put to Assad's government. Since the start of the year, U.N., International Red Cross (ICRC) and Syrian Red Crescent convoys have delivered aid to 154,000 people in besieged areas and roughly 246,000 others in hard-to-reach areas. The head of the humanitarian taskforce, Jan Egeland, has said the goal of reaching more than 1 million people before the end of April would not be achieved unless the government became more cooperative. De Mistura said he made some progress in Damascus by securing tentative permission for the distribution of medical supplies, but the government had specifically excluded surgical equipment, anti-anxiety pills and atropine, which can be used to guard against poison, including sarin gas. Humanitarian air drops over Islamic State group-besieged Deir Ezzor continued on Thursday, de Mistura said, marking the third one since the World Food Program carried out a first successful drop over the weekend. The U.N. is trying to get supplies to 200,000 people in Deir Ezzor living under the control of the Islamic State group.

Palestinian with Axe Attacks Israeli Soldier, Shot Dead
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/April 14/16/A Palestinian armed with an axe attacked an Israeli soldier in the occupied West Bank and was shot dead on Thursday, the Israeli army said, ending a three-week lull in deadly incidents. The soldier was lightly wounded in the attack, which occurred near the Al-Arroub refugee camp between Hebron and Bethlehem. The Palestinian health ministry identified the man killed as Ibrahim al-Gharooz Baradeah, 45.A wave of violence that erupted in October has killed 201 Palestinians and 28 Israelis. Two Americans, an Eritrean and a Sudanese have also been killed. Most of the Palestinians killed were carrying out knife, gun or car-ramming attacks, according to Israeli authorities. Others were shot dead by Israeli forces during protests and clashes, while some were killed in Israeli air raids in the Gaza Strip. Israel has faced accusations of using excessive force in response to some of the attacks, charges which it has firmly denied. The last deadly attack on March 24 saw an Israeli soldier caught on video shooting a Palestinian assailant in the head as he lay on the ground wounded after stabbing another soldier minutes earlier. The soldier who fatally shot him has been arrested, with the Palestinian posing no apparent threat at the time. The attacks have steadily declined in recent weeks, though there are concerns that the Jewish Passover holiday beginning April 22 will lead to a new upsurge. Many analysts say Palestinian frustration with Israeli occupation and settlement building in the West Bank, the complete lack of progress in peace efforts and their own fractured leadership have fed the unrest. Israel blames incitement by Palestinian leaders and media as a main cause of the violence.

IS Seizes Syria Villages near Turkish Border
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/April 14/16/Islamic State group jihadists have seized a string of opposition-held villages in Syria's Aleppo province near the Turkish border, a monitoring group said Thursday. Areas around Aleppo have seen a spike in violence on several fronts in recent days, sparking concern over a fragile six-week truce as a new round of peace talks gets under way in Geneva. "Fierce clashes are raging between rebels and IS after the jihadists secured an advance and seized control of six villages near the Turkish border," the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The most important village to come under IS control was Hiwar Kallis, about one kilometer (less than one mile) south of the Turkish border, Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman said. Warplanes meanwhile raided IS positions in the area, he said, adding that they were likely from the US-led coalition. In recent weeks, battles have been intensifying between IS and rebels over the border strip, which both sides use to transport fighters and weapons. Rebels had secured significant gains against IS before the jihadists pushed them back, like in the strategic town of Al-Rai, which is on an IS supply route to Turkey. Meanwhile, rebels and their allies from the Al-Qaida-affiliated Al-Nusra Front fought fresh clashes against regime troops and militia in southern Aleppo, the Observatory said. Over 100 fighters from both sides have been killed in fighting there since Sunday, the Britain-based monitor said.
Neither Al-Nusra nor IS are included in the truce that began on February 27, but the fact that rebels are fighting alongside Al-Nusra while regime forces push back has sparked concerns over its durability. Washington voiced concern Monday that a regime assault on Al-Nusra in Aleppo could spread to areas controlled by moderate rebel factions, and cause the truce to collapse and derail peace efforts. Syria's conflict began in 2011 as a peaceful revolt seeking democratic change, but has since escalated into a multi-front civil war that has left over 270,000 people dead and forced millions to flee their homes.

European Envoys Visit Libya for First Time since 2014
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/April 14/16/A group of European ambassadors flew into Libya's capital Thursday for the first time since 2014 to support the unity government's struggle to end years of chaos exploited by jihadists. French ambassador Antoine Sivan, Peter Millett of Britain and Spain's Jose Antonio Bordallo held talks with the Government of National Accord (GNA) at the Tripoli naval base where it has set up operations. The French government said the visits were a show of solidarity with GNA chief Fayez al-Sarraj and that Paris "stands alongside the national unity government in Tripoli". "The unity government must exercise its authority over all (Libya's) administrations and financial institutions," said foreign ministry spokesman Romain Nadal, adding it could count of French support "in the struggle against the terrorist threat". It is the first such mission since European Union member states closed their embassies in 2014 because of unrest. France and Italy have said they are studying plans to reopen their embassies in Tripoli. "Meeting GNA members to reaffirm strong UK commitment to support their efforts to restore peace," Britain's Millett said on Twitter. World powers see the unity government as vital to tackling a raging jihadist insurgency and rampant people smuggling in the North African state.Unity government head Sarraj arrived in Tripoli by sea with a naval escort two weeks ago and has since won the support of key institutions that control Libya's wealth. Italy's Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni also visited Libya on Tuesday and said that embassies would be reopened in the capital in "the near future". Libya has been plagued by instability since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that ousted longtime ruler Moammar Gadhafi, with the Islamic State jihadist group taking advantage of the chaos to seize territory. European nations in particular have been alarmed by the expansion of IS in Libya, just 300 kilometres (185 miles) away from Italy across the Mediterranean. The oil-rich country has had two rival administrations since mid-2014 when a militia alliance overran Tripoli, setting up its own authority and forcing the recognized parliament to flee to the remote east. Sarraj has not yet received the endorsement of the country's internationally recognized parliament, and the head of a rival Tripoli-based administration, Khalifa Ghweil, has refused to recognize his authority. But the new administration has won the backing of the Libyan Investment Authority, the National Oil Corporation and the Central Bank. However, Ghweil, in an interview with an Italian newspaper published on Thursday condemned Gentiloni's visit."It’s unacceptable. It’s the people of Libya who rule through the Tripoli parliament which gave us the mandate to govern," he told La Stampa daily. Ghweil said such visits were a violation of Libyan sovereignty."We will make a complaint to the U.N. because it would be a violation of Libya’s sovereignty and we are ready to oppose it with all our means," he said. The recognized legislature, for its part, is expected to meet on Monday for a vote of confidence in the unity government.

Israeli Raid in Ramallah Sparks Fire, Clashes
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/April 14/16/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 raid was to "confiscate terror funds" held in the shop in the occupied West Bank. She said the money changer "failed to comply with the army instructions to open the safe," and so "the soldiers proceeded to a controlled detonation of the safe." The resulting fire spread to the nearby vegetable market before being extinguished, witnesses said. Following the explosion, there were minor clashes between Israeli soldiers and Palestinians near al-Manara Square in central Ramallah. There were no reports of injuries. One witness said the forces arrived with the owner of the store, whom he identified as Ghazi al-Ajouli. "They went in and took the money. After taking the money they went out and detonated the store and then a fire started," the man who gave his name as Mohammed told AFP. "Thank God people are safe," he added. Ramallah, home to the Palestinian Authority, is under complete Palestinian control as stipulated by the Oslo peace agreements of the early 1990s. A spokesman for Palestinian prime minister Rami Hamdallah's office condemned what he said was Israel's violation of agreements. "(Israel) continues its incursions into Palestinian areas, affecting the population, including putting them in danger," Jamal Dajani told AFP. Israeli forces last month raided the Ramallah offices of a Palestinian television station, accusing it of incitement.

18 Dead in Week of Saudi Floods, Rain
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/April 14/16/Eighteen people have been killed during heavy rains and floods over the past week in Saudi Arabia, the civil defense agency said on Thursday. In a statement, it said the toll covered much of the country, from Riyadh to Hail, Mecca, Medina, Al-Baha, Asir, Najran and Jazan. The agency said it rescued 915 people. Among the dead were two people reported by state television earlier Thursday as killed in the southwestern Jazan region, which borders Yemen. The pair died when three areas in the mountainous district were inundated by flood waters, Al-Ekhbaria news channel reported on its Twitter feed. The Saudi Red Crescent separately reported one death in Al-Baha, more than 300 kilometers (180 miles) north of Jazan city. Another 27 people in Al-Baha were injured over three days because of accidents during heavy rains. Severe downpours have struck Saudi Arabia this week, including in the desert capital Riyadh where schools closed on Wednesday after floods caused traffic chaos during a storm.

NGO: Israel Approves Plans for more than 200 New W.Bank Settler Homes
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/April 14/16/Israel has approved plans for more than 200 new settler homes in the occupied West Bank, adding to a sharp increase in settlement projects so far this year, an Israeli NGO said Thursday. Israel's government has given the green light for the plans for at least 229 homes to move forward and they are now at various stages in the technical process, said Hagit Ofran, a spokeswoman for settlement watchdog Peace Now. Settlement building projects must pass through five administrative stages before winning final approval from Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon. There was no immediate response from Israel's defense ministry. Peace Now said this week that the number of West Bank settlements Israel plans to build more than tripled in the first quarter of 2016 compared to the same period last year. Between January and March, projects for 674 housing units passed at least one of the steps in the planning approval process, up from 194 in the first quarter of 2015, it said. The new plans bring the total to at least 903. The settlements are considered illegal under international law and are seen as major stumbling blocks to peace efforts since they are built on land the Palestinians see as part of their future state. "This policy is killing the two-state solution," Ofran told AFP. The United States and the European Union, among others, have strongly criticized Israeli settlement construction.

Geneva talks: Light in Syria’s dark tunnel?
Maria Dubovikova/Al Arabiya/April 14/16
A new round of Geneva talks started on Wednesday, with the general environment more or less positive. Increased ceasefire violations have not disrupted the peace process until now - hopefully, neither will the provocative offensives of Jabhat al-Nusra and rebel groups linked to it. However there are deep concerns over the rumors that Damascus is preparing for the offensive on the rebel stronghold of Aleppo. Ahead of the talks, UN special envoy Staffan de Mistura met with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem and his Iranian counterpart to ensure the successful continuation of the peace process. The envoy has described the talks starting today as “crucially important,” focusing on a political transition. The Syrian government has said it is ready to negotiate without preconditions. This is a significant breakthrough although if parliamentary elections doesn’t go alongside negotiations, it will arouse bewilderment. These elections are not recognized by the international community, and will obviously be meaningless if a deal is indeed reached in Geneva.
The opposition and government in Syria should decide who will work on a post-war constitution, and how a system of checks and balances will function to avoid a repetition of mistakes. Much hopes and expectations are pinned on the new round of negotiations which hopefully will focus on political transition and a stable political process in Syria. Wednesday evening Steffan de Mistura announced that Amman, Damascus, Moscow, Tehran have indicated support for talks aimed at political transition in Syria. However, it should be admitted that even managing to get the opposing sides to talk directly would already be a great achievement. To expect negotiators to lead to a breakthrough is to ignore the extreme complexity of the issues they are obliged to tackle. Devil is in the detail and the process of political transition is all about details.
Obstacles
The biggest problem, and a matter of extreme sensitivity, is the fate of President Bashar al-Assad. The overwhelming majority of opposition activists and supporters will not accept him staying in power. However, stepping down without a popular vote is unacceptable to Damascus, though it has started to show some flexibility. Another problem that will have to be tackled is the legal basis of the transition, which concerns the constitution. The opposition and government in Syria should decide who will work on a post-war constitution, and how a system of checks and balances will function to avoid a repetition of mistakes.
They should decide what kind of document will regulate the transition process. Which bodies will have executive and legislative powers, and how will they be formed? Even at a glance, the possibilities and variants are enormous, and choosing which ones will be difficult given the extent of distrust between the opposing sides.
Transitional justice is another issue of vital importance, especially for the opposition, which would apparently not accept a new Syria without punishment for those guilty of war crimes. This is dramatically complicated by the issue of Syrians who support Islamist groups.
How will they be dealt with, and how can their presence be squared with the desire to build a democratic, non-sectarian country? Islamists’ exclusion from the political process will lead to their marginalization, thus jeopardizing the foundations of the new Syria from the start. The issues of Kurds and Kurdish militias, and inclusive citizenship for all minorities, are also tough. How will their rights be guaranteed and protected, and through what mechanisms? Overcoming mutual distrust is crucial to solving these matters, but common rejection of Syria’s federalization provides hope that the opposing sides will find a way to work together to preserve the future of a united country.

Why China’s latest power play may roil Russia
Peter Marino/Al Arabiya/April 14/16
Western media and political institutions tend to describe China and Russia as something of an anti-Western bloc. More autocratic than Western governments – and more skeptical of open institutions and a free press – China and Russia often side with each other in international disputes against European and American interests. While this characterization isn’t entirely wrong, it overlooks the competition and suspicion between Moscow and Beijing. Today the Sino-Russian rivalry is back in the spotlight, thanks to a recent Chinese proposal for an anti-terror alliance in Central Asia, which does not include Russia – and raises the possibility that tension between the two countries will grow in the coming decades. For centuries, the region had been a source of strategic insecurity for both China and Russia, but more so for China, which was regularly on the receiving end of raids from Central Asian tribes. By the mid-18th century, both empires’ efforts to establish more control over the region – and also security for themselves – had borne fruit, as Russia brought Siberia under its control, and Qing-dynasty China established settlements in Xinjiang, which literally means “New Border Region.”
While this permanent presence managed to mitigate the threat they faced from local tribes, it also put the two Eurasian empires on a course of competition and rivalry with each other in Central Asia that has endured to the present day.
For most of the period since, Russia has been more powerful than China, sometimes significantly so, and it grew accustomed to its “top-dog” role in the region, eventually extending its influence into control of the Central Asian Republics, and even Mongolia, during the Soviet period. Now the shoe is on the other foot, as re-emergent China continues to assert itself in a big way, worrying Moscow.
What makes these Chinese efforts at diplomacy and alliance-building in Central Asia especially notable is that they come at a time when Beijing is starting to throw its weight around with global diplomacy
China’s proposed anti-terrorism alliance is the latest iteration of this kind of “Great Power Foreign Policy.” If formalized and constituted, the alliance would focus on sharing intelligence and coordinating monitoring and military efforts among China and Central Asian governments.
Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan have expressed interest, and early talks have been proposed with other republics as well. The relative absence of details so far suggests that many sticking points could arise and torpedo the whole proposed enterprise, particularly since Chinese diplomacy has sometimes been ham-handed and overreaching when dealing with countries China regards as junior partners in a project.
‘One Belt, One Road’
That said, the proposal follows China’s recent $70 million grant to Afghanistan to help with anti-terror efforts, as well as broader Chinese commercial diplomacy in the region, notably involving Xi Jinping’s “One Belt, One Road” infrastructure initiative, designed to link up Europe and China overland through Central Asia. None of these efforts explicitly involve Russia at the top tables, so to speak. This omission of Russia from the proposed alliance is especially notable given that both countries have been involved in a major treaty group in Central Asia, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, for the last 15 years.
Possible terrorist activity from local Islamist groups is a real problem in the region; indeed, Daesh (the self-proclaimed IS) has recently made more efforts at expanding to the region and has put Beijing more firmly in its crosshairs. This complicates any Russian efforts to claim that the alliance is merely a ploy for China to expand its influence. Central Asian peoples, mostly Turkic, are not part of the ethnic or cultural majority in either country.
Nearly 25 million of them live in Russia and China, and are not especially well-integrated into local society, producing no small amount of resentment and tension. Ethnic Uighurs in Xinjiang have tried to mobilize and agitate against Chinese rule before, and it’s possible that they will again, given Beijing’s harsh treatment of them. The Chinese security presence in Xinjiang has increased substantially, leading to what amounts to martial law in certain parts of the province. A permanent Chinese security presence in Central Asia would be merely an extension of this.
What makes these Chinese efforts at diplomacy and alliance-building in Central Asia especially notable is that they come at a time when Beijing is starting to throw its weight around with global diplomacy. Earlier this year, China finalized arrangements to establish its first overseas military base, a naval station in Djibouti – where the United States and Japan, among others, are already present.
These developments come on the heels of a massive shakeup in the People’s Liberation Army, which involves trimming land forces and giving the armed forces a more explicit role to protect Chinese national interests around the world, rather than purely on national defense.
A major “X factor” in any possible Sino-Russian showdown in Central Asia is the United States. After nearly 15 years of military involvement in Afghanistan, the United States has a great deal of direct interest and experience in the region’s security, and may yet decide to weigh in or engage with the new Chinese efforts, should they come to fruition. The alliance could also provide a unique diplomatic venue for the United States to cooperate with Russia, if it considers Chinese efforts more suspect than Russian ones in the region, or indeed possibly the converse, with China and the United States jointly resisting Russian pressure. It could also set the stage for a “Mexican standoff,” if Washington decides it isn’t comfortable with either country’s presence there. Ultimately, though, the Chinese alliance remains at this point a proposal. Russia, China and the United States often need each other as much as they distrust each other in foreign policy. For that reason, they may choose not to square off in Central Asia – at least for now.

Doubting that Tiran and Sanafir belong to Saudi Arabia
Turki Al-Dakhil/Al Arabiya/April 14/16
The border-demarcation agreements reached during Saudi King Salman’s recent visit to Egypt included returning the islands of Tiran and Sanafir to Saudi sovereignty, after they had been placed under Egyptian control for some time. Some seized the chance to criticize Riyadh, but there are historical documents showing that the islands are Saudi. If some people do not believe these documents, we should remind them that the late Egyptian journalist Mohammad Hassanein Heikal, who opposed Saudi Arabia, wrote on page 91 of his 1988 book The Thirty-Year War that Tiran and Sanafir belong to Saudi Arabia.
Those people cannot bear what they saw during the king’s visit. They cannot tolerate that Egypt has overcome threats and has now entered a phase of economic vitality, including sustainable development, thanks to the Gulf.
Alliance
Saudi Arabia and Egypt have once again taken up their joint pivotal role. The axis of moderation in the past decade contributed to curbing tensions and militancy. Gulf states and Egypt are now in one axis and orbit. Some seized the chance to criticize Riyadh, but there are historical documents showing that the islands are Saudi. That Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed, national security adviser of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Marzouq al-Ghanim, speaker of the Kuwaiti National Assembly, accompanied the king during his visit to Egypt only confirms this.
Egypt is tired of ideologies, and is now being revived through an effective economy. Societies cannot be built on statements, but by providing opportunities.

The ‘Panama Papers’ succeeded where traditional media failed
Faisal J. Abbas/Al Arabiya/April 14/16
I read with much interest Diana Moukallad’s opinion piece, published on this site yesterday. The article argued that the “Panama Papers” project has exposed Arab journalism for no longer producing relevant, investigative content. I agree with Ms. Moukallad on this count. However, I don’t think the problem with Arab journalism is the journalists, but those who manage them. The Middle East region has so many talented and able journalists who regularly produce quality content. And yes, having so many so-called “red-lines”, which is a reality in this part of the world (and elsewhere too), does limit what we can or can’t do. However, there are many stories that remain un-tackled, even though they don’t have anything to do with governments or censorship. I believe the larger and more relevant issue is the wrong decisions often made by owners of media outlets or managing executives. Their errors of judgment – sometimes inefficiency, even corruption – often result in cost cutting and knee-jerk response to crisis situations. This obviously goes beyond media industry, which is only focused on producing quality content. In other words, it should be seen as “mismanagement”. Unfortunately, it is usually the journalists who bear the brunt of such mismanagement. They have to accept cuts and sometimes are even expected to write for free, or accept severe delays in their payment. The Internet has brought together a large number of top-of-the-line investigative journalists from around the world and enabled them to work closely
Many blame this situation on the impact the Internet has had on traditional media businesses, namely newspapers and magazines. However, if anything, the “Panama Papers” have shown that - on the contrary - the Internet is not killing quality journalism. Actually, this particular project has brought together a large number of top-of-the-line investigative journalists from around the world and enabled them to work closely together. These individuals transcended geographical and time zone barriers and produced some of what could certainly be described as the most interesting pieces of journalism in recent years. Sadly, none of the traditional “newspapers” have been able to match this feat.
Content is king
The reality of the matter is that “online journalism” isn’t just about listicles, or “top-tips-to get-multiple-orgasms” kind of articles. The advancement in digital publishing, connectivity, ability to instantly share documents and work together in virtual newsroom is a larger and more encompassing phenomenon. The 'Panama Papers' have only proved that you don’t need massive offices, helicopters, vans and international bureaus to produce award-winning journalism. Indeed, the success of this project has been a lesson and a reminder that media organizations don’t fail because of their journalists, but because of the lousy management of their top executives. For instance, it would be almost impossible to argue that the NYT Pulitzer prize winning journalists were not producing quality content when the company had financial issues back in 2008. The reality however is that The New York Times slipped into debt because of the loans and financial mismanagement. For instance, they invested in a new tower in New York when the managers should have been adapting to the new online realities and spending money on content. Moreover, the newspaper wouldn’t have survived but for a $250-million cash infusion from Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim Helu. A similar argument could be made, hypothetically, about paying hundreds of millions for merely having a US presence of a foreign news channel, when they could have easily reached that audience online. The way forward is investing in good quality journalism and its best practitioners. Only this can produce the best possible content available out there and maintain platforms for professional investigative journalists, such as the extraordinary Diana Moukalled.
 

A road trip through conflict, settlements and occupation
Chris Doyle/Al Arabiya/April 14/16
Last week together with four British politicians, we visited some of the most vulnerable Palestinian communities in the West Bank. The sheer scale and depth of the Israeli occupation never ceases to amaze. And yet one still has to remind people – it is occupied, super occupied, more intensely in terms of daily life than even in 1967. We entered the West Bank across the Green Line through the barrier on a major highway Route 445 through the Maccabim checkpoint (One of 60). Close by is the largest illegal settlement in the West Bank (one of 250), the ultra-orthodox settlement of Modiin Ilit with 60,000 settlers. These settlers can access this highway but most Palestinians cannot enter since 2002. The access from the villages has been blocked since six Israelis were killed there in 2002. Palestinian villages dot the side of the road. These are just a few of the 227 separate Palestinian islands in the West Bank Swiss cheese. These are in Area B under Palestinian municipal control, and Israeli security control. Area B is non-contiguous and makes up 22 percent of the West Bank. Palestinian cities under Palestinian Authority control form Area A. The remaining 60 percent is Area C under full Israeli control, dominated by Israeli settlements, military zones and nature zones but with 300,000 Palestinians too although only 1 percent of Area C has been allocated for Palestinian construction.This occupation has lasted 49 years. Israel has inserted 573,000 civilians into the West Bank, plundered its resources and denied freedom to Palestinians. Yet, it is remarkably quiet
Near the next checkpoint is the enclave of Bir Nabala, 15,000 Palestinians completely surrounded by the wall. Fear not, they have tunnels allowing the Palestinians access in and out. We pass Ofer military court. Over 750,000 Palestinians have passed through Ofer since 1967, many of them children. It claims an “impressive” 99.74 percent conviction rate. It is as vital to maintaining the occupation as the wall, military bases and checkpoints. Most Palestinians in the West Bank cannot access East Jerusalem. It has a differing regime of occupation with 12 settlements and loads of mini-settlements dotted across Palestinian neighbourhoods. The British Consulate has one as a neighbor. The occupation here is based on IDs and permits. Palestinians fear losing residency rights (140,000 so far), and crave building permits which are almost impossible to get, hence the large numbers of demolitions.
Tool of occupation. This tool of occupation is all the rage in 2016. The UN informs us that by the end of April 2016, Israel will have demolished more than in all of 2015. There are 11,000 outstanding demolition orders to complete. The extremist NGO, Regavim is pressing for these to happen. It uses drones to monitor this.
Heading out through another checkpoint towards Jericho we visit one of the Bedouin communities in Area C, where every structure is under threat by the monster E1 settlement plan. Swings were confiscated from a children’s playground. The Israeli agriculture minister lives in the neighboring settlement of Kfar Adumim. The day after, a home is demolished there. To the north-west of Jericho are sites for townships where 7,000 Bedouin in central West Bank may be forcibly transferred, a war crime. To the south is the site of one of Israel’s latest land thefts. One can see the Dead Sea, but this is out of bounds to Palestinians. A necklace of settlements cuts off Jerusalem and with the wall, squeezes Bethlehem of all its agricultural land. The settlement of Givat Hamatos will complete this process. New caravans herald the expansion of nearly all these settlements. We pass Efrat where the Israeli military prosecutor resides, highlighting how the settlers are in power in Israel not opposition.
Hebron is a microcosm of the occupation, divided into H1 and H2. The centre is a ghost town, totally controlled by the Israeli army. Shuhada Street has been closed for Palestinians since 2000, the official term is sterilized. It was admitted in 2006 that it was a “mistake”, one yet to be corrected ten years later. All the old markets are closed, many shops and homes sealed. 850 settlers hold the city to ransom. On the outskirts at the settlement of Kiryat Arba, the monument to mass murdering Baruch Goldstein is well tended. Back up Road 60, Palestinian roads are blocked off, with yet another planned settlement next to Arroub refugee camp (one of 19). We finish our trip at a small hamlet stuck between two huge settlements in the north, their lands stolen, even their sheep pen demolished. Settler violence is common here, as we saw at nearby Duma with the burnt embers of the Dawabsheh house, where 18-month old Ali and his parents were killed by settler firebombs last July.
This occupation has lasted 49 years. Israel has inserted 573,000 civilians into the West Bank, plundered its resources and denied freedom to Palestinians. Yet, it is remarkably quiet. Palestinians killed 29 Israelis since October but thankfully attacks have declined. The occupation has not.
Palestinians face a daily battle to build, to get jobs, water, electricity and to be able to travel anywhere including schools and hospitals. Increasingly they despair of the international community, Israel and the Palestinian Authority. “Nobody else but us will end this occupation,” a Bedouin tells me confidently. “Giving up is not an option.”