News

Monday, 12th May 2014

York New The 6 Times
Justice Prevails
IN conjunction with the United Na-
tions, Palestine's West Bank Prime Minister,
Rami Hamdallah, has announced a legislative
bill that will recognise womens rights.
In a press release to the media, the UNs Sec-
retary-General, Ban Ki-moon, expressed his
gratifcation in relation to this new legislation
concerning the rights of women in the Middle
East. He told the media that,
Te time has more than truly come for the
equal recognition of women.
Unfortunately, for far too long, womens rights
have gone unrecognised in the broader Mid-
dle Eastern region, Mr Ki-moon said.
Te outcome follows reports that Mr
Hamdallah and a representative from the Pal-
estinian Feminist League (PFL) held a meet-
ing to discuss the ongoing issues surrounding
womens rights in the Middle East.
Te representative, who cannot be identifed,
told the PM that,
"I fnd it interesting that the worlds con-
cerns are that to protect women they need to
educate them, the absurdity of this claim is an
insult, it is the men that require education.
It is not because a women is poor she is
beaten, it is not because she does not have
computer skills she is beaten, she is beaten
because she has no worth, she is made to feel
that way, she is nothing but property for the
men to treat as they will. Hamas leadership
has done nothing to punish this, because they
truly dont care."
Mr Hamdallah further commented on the
bravery and eforts of the PFL by introducing
the development of the Yashere Foundation,
which will be under the responsibility of the
PFL.
Te foundation was set up on behalf of the
young Palestinian woman, Miss Yashere, who
set herself on fre protesting against the unfair
treatment of women in the East.
Additionally the PM announced his personal
contribution of $50,000 dollars to the organi-
sation, stating,
I hope, in my fnancial investigations of the
West Bank's aid, that I will be able to assign
further support to this valuable organisation.
Pierre Krahenbuhl, Director of Operations
at the International Committee of the Red
Cross, believes establishing a social services
initiative along with the creation of more
womens program centres will help to relieve
the issues of discrimination.
Relief programs seek to alleviate the most
dangerous consequences of poverty by
prioritising the needs of the abject poor and
providing them with food, cash subsidies,
or grants for family emergencies, said Mr
Krahenbuhl.
Mr Ki-moon stated in a fnal comment that,
Tis noble cause for the progression of
womens rights in the Middle East is of vital
importance for the international community
and as such of vital importance for the United
Nations.
It is not because a women is poor she
is beaten, she is beaten because she has
no worth, she is made to feel that way.
She is nothing but property for the men
to treat as they will. Hamas leader-
ship.
- Palenstinian Feminist League
PALESTINE has thrown down the gaunt-
let for football teams in the Middle East, with
theannouncement of an Arab League Football
competition.
Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority
Rami Hamdallah said the competition has
been organised to provide a positive source of
unity within the Arab community.
Palestinian children, adults, women and
men alike have been too preoccupied with the
myriad of troubles we all face, Dr Hamdallah
said.
In this struggle for day-to-day survival, we
can ofen miss out on the simple enjoyment of
coming together; sports are a huge source of
entertainment and a welcomed distraction
amongst the continuous political turmoil and
confict.
Te details of the championship are still
being organised, but the Prime Minister has
backed the Palestinian team, the Lions of
Canaan, to win.
As part of the competition Dr Hamdallah has
also revealed scholarships will be awarded to
10 Palestinian youths under 25 who share a
passion and skill for football.

Palestine invites competition for unity
By Landy Ruming
By Katherine Cannon
Fighting for a cause: Women of the Middle East.