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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 13-Feb-2011
13-Feb-11 News -- Lead Palestinian negotiator Saed Erekat resigns over the 'Palestine Papers'

Web Log - February, 2011

13-Feb-11 News -- Lead Palestinian negotiator Saed Erekat resigns over the 'Palestine Papers'

'Contagion' riots spread to Algeria and Yemen

Lead Palestinian negotiator Saed Erekat resigns over the 'Palestine Papers'

Al-Jazeera scored a big victory on Saturday in its bitter conflict with the Palestinian Authority, when the chief Palestinian negotiator Saed Erekat was forced to resign because of the "Palestine Papers."

Ten years' worth of previously secret documents, 1600 in all, on the Mideast peace process from the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Fatah were leaked to Al-Jazeera, who released them to the public during the week of January 23. (See "27-Jan-11 News -- 'Palestine Papers' reveal major splits between Arab and Palestinian factions.")

I watched quite a bit of al-Jazeera's news coverage of the release. As I wrote at the time, I wasn't surprised by al-Jazeera'a open hostility to Israel and America, nor was I surprised by their release of papers themselves, which any news organization would have done if given the opportunity.

What DID surprise me was the unwavering hostility by all commentators to the Palestinian Authority (PA), and to its president Mahmoud Abbas, as well as to Erekat, with not a single negative word about Hamas. It was perfectly clear that al-Jazeera was acting as the public relations arm of Hamas.

Erekat resigned on Saturday, after an investigation showed that the leaked documents had come from someone in Erekat's own office, according to al-Jazeera. A senior Hamas official welcomed the resignation, saying that Erekat's negotiations were not "in the national interest." He added that, "There is clearly a feeling here on the ground that the peace process has broken down, that there is no more point in negotiating unless the Israelis are willing to bring more to the table."

Palestinian election announced for September

The Palestinian leadership in the West Bank announced plans to hold elections by September, according to AFP.

The elections would replace Mahmoud Abbas as president, and would also elect a new parliament.

Hamas has rejected the announcement, and said that they will not participate in the election.

'Contagion' riots spread to Algeria and Yemen

Thousands of demonstraters filled the streets of Algiers, the capital city of Algeria, on Saturday, inspired by the events in Egypt. But the protests were blocked by riot police, and ended after about three hours, according to the Gulf Times.

Algeria's last crisis war was the extremely bloody civil war for Algeria's independence, that climaxed in 1962, and so Algeria is in a generational Unraveling era. It's therefore not possible for a new civil war to break out at this time.

In Sanaa, the capital city of Yemen, clashes erupted between hundreds of pro-government and anti-government demonstrators, who staged rival rallies. Thousands of anti-government demonstrators marched in other parts of the city.

Here's a brief action-packed Euronews video of the clashes in Sanaa:

(Comments: For reader comments, questions and discussion, see the 13-Feb-11 News -- Lead Palestinian negotiator Saed Erekat resigns over the 'Palestine Papers' thread of the Generational Dynamics forum. Comments may be posted anonymously.) (13-Feb-2011) Permanent Link
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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 13-Feb-2011 13-Feb-11 News -- Lead Palestinian negotiator Saed Erekat resigns over the 'Palestine Papers'

Lead Palestinian negotiator Saed Erekat resigns over the 'Palestine Papers'

Palestinian election announced for September

'Contagion' riots spread to Algeria and Yemen

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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 13-Feb-2011
13-Feb-11 News -- Lead Palestinian negotiator Saed Erekat resigns over the 'Palestine Papers'