Weekend Wrap

JPost.com's Shabbat news round-up: Gaza violence, PA primaries and domestic politics.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
palestinian votes 298.88 (photo credit: AP)
palestinian votes 298.88
(photo credit: AP)
Abbas vows security for elections December 2, 2005 7:09 p.m. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas vowed Friday to end the violence that marred this week's primary elections across the Palestinian territories and promised "security and transparency" in upcoming parliamentary polls. On a three-day visit to Italy, Abbas stressed "the issue of security, of public order and of the end of violence represents a vital interest for our people." Peres hopes Labor will join coalition December 2, 2005 6:53 p.m. "The Labor party no longer fits into the new political reality, which demands that we give the peace process top priority," Shimon Peres said Friday in an interview with the BBC. "I hope that Labor will join the coalition under Prime Minister Ariel Sharon," Peres continued, emphasizing that he had not abandoned Labor's values, but rather changed the arena of his activity. Terrorists return to Gaza through Rafah December 3, 2005 1:33 a.m. Up to 15 wanted Palestinian terrorists have returned to the Gaza Strip, security officials said Friday, complaining that the Palestinians have not fulfilled their obligations since taking control of their border with Egypt last week. Palestinian security officials acknowledged that at least 10 wanted men have entered the coastal area, but said anyone with a Palestinian identity card can enter. Israel's demand that such fugitives be kept out are not part of the accord, the officials said. Kidnappers threaten to kill hostages December 3, 2005 2:51 a.m. The kidnappers of four Christian peace activists threatened to kill the hostages unless all prisoners in US and Iraqi detention centers are released, according to a videotape broadcast Friday by Al-Jazeera television. Navy sinks Palestinian boat December 3, 2005 7:14 a.m. An Israel Navy ship sank a Palestinian ship off the coast of the Gaza Strip early Saturday morning. Under the cover of early morning darkness at around 4:30 a.m., the small craft was apparently attempting to illegally re-enter Palestinian waters after entering Egyptian territory. Despite repeated calls from the navy to stop, the Palestinian ship, continued on its course. The navy's Shaldag-class gunboat fired warning shots in the air, to which the suspicious ship responded by firing directly at the gunboat. Shots were also fired at the navy ship from the Gaza shore. The IDF is currently investigating whether the Palestinian ship was attempting to carry out a terror attack against the navy ship, or if it was engaged in arms smuggling from Egypt to Gaza. Rajoub unofficial winner in Hebron vote December 3, 2005 10:45 a.m. Jibril Rajoub, national security adviser to PA President Mahmoud Abbas, has been reported to be the unofficial victor in Hebron's Fatah primaries. The voting in Hebron on Friday capped a week of primaries in the West Bank and Gaza, which were repeatedly disrupted by gunmen firing in the air and burning ballot boxes. In some areas, the results will be honored, while in others, such as Gaza, the voting was called off because of the disruptions.