While Israel closed the PA (Palestinian Authority) government structure in Jerusalem known as Orient House some time ago, PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) appears to be back in business, conducting an official meeting in Jerusalem.

A meeting was held with visiting Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. The meeting was held in a Mt. of Olives Hospital in the presence of senior PA officials, residents of the eastern capital, who view the area as the future capital of Palestine.

PA officials, headed by Idnan Husseini, Abu Mazen’s bureau chief, explained to the foreign minister regarding Israeli policy in the eastern capital, speaking of land expropriations and demolition orders against Arab properties. He added “there is no significance to a Palestinian state without eastern Jerusalem serving as its capital”.

Husseini presented maps to back his claims, maps that show Israeli plans to Judaize the area, which he claims belongs to the PA. Husseini spoke of the adamant PA opposition to “settlements in the capital, as well as the policy of razing structures”, calling Israel’s presence an “occupational force”.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)