RAMALLAH, West Bank: Palestinians are on a general strike across the West Bank in solidarity with Arab citizens of Israel over a contentious law that defines Israel as a Jewish state.
The streets of Ramallah and other West Bank cities were largely empty on Monday as schools, universities, government offices and private business were closed. Public transportation also wasn't available.
For the Palestinians, the strike is a rare foray into domestic Israeli politics.
Critics of Israel's Jewish nation state law, passed last month, say it sidelines Israel's non-Jewish citizens.
Israel's 1948 declaration of independence defined the country as a Jewish and democratic state. The government says the new law merely enshrines Israel's existing character, but critics say it undercuts Israel's democratic values and marginalizes the Arab minority, about 20 percent of the population.
Palestinians in West Bank strike over Israel’s nation law
Palestinians in West Bank strike over Israel’s nation law
- The law undercuts Israel’s democratic values and marginalizes the Arab minority, about 20 percent of the population
- Critics of Israel’s Jewish nation state law, passed last month, say it sidelines Israel’s non-Jewish citizens
Safety of Jordanians a priority during regional conflict, says country’s crown prince
- He visits Civil Defense Department and is briefed on the work it is doing to manage emergencies and protect lives and property amid attacks by Iran
LONDON: The safety of citizens is a priority for authorities in Jordan amid regional tensions, the country’s Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah Al-Hashimi said on Wednesday as he visited the Civil Defense Department for a briefing and iftar event.
He stressed the importance of keeping pace with the latest developments in civil protection systems and taking every opportunity to enhance the skills of Civil Defense personnel, the royal court said.
The department, which operates under the Ministry of Interior, has been working to manage emergencies and protect lives and property amid a barrage of missiles and drones launched by Tehran in recent days in response to attacks on Iran by the US and Israel. The strikes have targeted civilian and military areas in Jordan and other countries in the region.
During his visit the crown prince was greeted by Maj. Gen. Obeidallah Maaytah, director of the Public Security Directorate, and Brig. Gen. Nasser Sweilmeen, the Civil Defense director, and briefed on the work of the Civil Defense Department, the systems it uses, and the ways in which it is responding to the regional conflict.
In addition to firing missiles into Israel, Iran has targeted US forces at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan and other American military sites in Gulf countries. Military personnel and civilians in several countries have been killed or injured by missiles or falling debris.
