1 dead, 5 wounded in settlers' attack under in Nablus

A group of settlers protected by the Israeli army while attacking a village in Nablus As the time for the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas’ much-anticipated speech at the UN draws near, clashes have broken out across the West Bank. Israeli soldiers today fired live rounds in Qasra, south of Nablus, killing one man and injuring five others who were transported to Nablus for treatment. Villagers reacted angrily to the incident. Citizens said that the village was also attacked from the south side by settlers who destroyed olive groves.
Ghassan Douglas, the official responsible for settlements in the northern West Bank, said that the clashes broke out after dozens of Israeli settlers from Yash Koudec broke into the town, provocatively waving Israeli flag.
Douglas said that Israeli forces stormed the town and opened fire indiscriminately at citizens and firing.
Later, 50 soldiers entered the village, firing tear gas canisters at residents.
Two of the village’s residents were arrested and taken to a military camp.
According to the Union of Agricultural Work Committees, Israeli forces also attacked Muder Joma’a Abu Ali, a 22-year old.
Ali was beaten repeatedly and had to be taken to Ramallah hospital.
The Agricultural Committee condemned the attack, and called on all of the agricultural committees to protect land and farms from settler attack.
A spokesman of the Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements in ‘Alma’asara’ village, Mohammed Berija, said that the Israeli soldiers had also used tear gas to disperse a protest in his town.
The demonstrators were protesting against the widely-condemned separation wall and expressing their support for the Palestinian UN bid.
They were unable to march to the wall after being pushed back by tear gas.
A number of demonstrators were treated in the field for respiratory problems.
Protesters also marched in Walja village, northwest of Bethlehem in support of President Abbas.
Clashes broke out between the participants and Israeli soldiers.
Two participants were arrested but were released a short time later.
Israeli police have declared a state of alert from Friday morning onwards in anticipation of demonstrations and clashes related to the Palestinian UN statehood bid.
The Israeli government strengthened the police presence around the Al-Aqsa mosque last night.
Israeli sources said that in addition to the weapons purchased to disperse demonstrations; around 22,000 police were on high alert, including 9,000 who were yet to complete their training.
The army is also preparing troops, although it expects that the Palestinian security forces will prevent Palestinians from encroaching on areas under Israeli control.
Sources added that Israel is preparing for heavy clashes between Palestinians and settlers amid fears that Settlers will attempt to punish the Palestinians for the UN bid.
Security forces said that clashes are expected to take place in Shelah, Yitzhar, Kiryat Arba, Psagot, Bethel, and cured Shomron, in addition to in smaller settlements in the northern West Bank, including Hermesh and Mevo Dotan.
Over the past few days, a number of radical settlers have held meetings to plan the clashes, which are expected to take place away from the settlements.
A human rights organisation in Judea and Samaria distributed a copy of the Dromi Law to all settlers, which allows them to use weapons to protect property and in self-defence.
Police sources said that they have no information on whether unusual events will take place today.
Large numbers of protestors will gather across cities today to watch Abbas’ speech, which will be broadcast on large screens in city centres.
Israeli sources have said that Israeli and US political leaders have been surprised by the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas’ commitment to the Palestinian bid.
The leaders reportedly expected Abbas to renege on the bid at the eleventh hour, particularly in the face of pressure from Arab countries.
The US has been anxious to avoid using its veto power, in fear of the impact that the move would have on its position in the Arab world.
The sources explain that Abbas’ commitment will lead to a change in the way he is perceived by Israeli security forces. A high level meeting has reportedly taken place in Washington between Israel and the US to discuss the relationship with Abbas in the future.
Meanwhile, Israeli authorities have put their security forces on high alert ahead of large protests expected to take place in the West Bank on Friday.

"Party People"

The Deputy Secretary-General of the Palestinian People’s Party, Bassam Salhi, told Arabstoday on Friday that Israel had refused to make compromises in the peace process because they have enjoyed unquestioned US support.
Salhi was referring to Israel’s rejection of the French suggestion to give Palestine upgraded observer status at the UN.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman, Yigal Palmor, said: “It seems like a good idea, but it isn’t really because it is impossible to overcome the current problems by skipping stages. There can be no Palestinian state without an agreement with Israel.'
“The Palestinians cannot deal with this subject as if Israel does not exist”, he said.
Ismail Haniyeh, the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority said on Friday that “the UN is undermining the dignity of Palestinian people.”
He confirmed that he wants Palestine to be a fully sovereign state, but will not “beg” for statehood.
“We support the fundamental idea of a state, but liberation must come before a state and we will not beg for that. We have our reservations about going to the UN as we believe that it is controlled by the US, so it won’t be of any benefit to us”, he said after Friday prayers at the Al Zahoor mosque in Gaza.
“We say to Abbas in the face of US arrogance, that he should return to the Palestinian people to hold a strategic and national dialogue, rather than running after nothing.”
“We are patiently waiting for Erdogan’s speech (at the UN) and his expected focus on Palestinian rights and the Gaza blockade.”
Haniyeh stated that the French initiative which calls for Palestine to be granted upgraded observer status at the UN circumvents Palestinians’ rights and is solely based on France’s interest in re-establishing negotiations.
He refused to accept a French initiative with ulterior motives, when he says that the real motive should be to regain national unity and agree on a national and strategic schedule.