RAMALLAH, May 14, 2012 (WAFA) – The focus points of Monday’s issue of the three Palestinian Arabic dailies were the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s response to President Mahmoud Abbas’ letter, and expected discussion among hunger-striking Palestinian prisoners on an Israeli deal.

The main headline in al-Quds newspaper featured PLO Executive Committee stressing that Netanyahu’s letter to Abbas, which was delivered by the Israeli envoy Yitzhak Molcho late Satruday, did not include clear answers on central issues obstructing the peace process.

Reporting on the same item, al-Hayat al-Jadida highlighted in red Abbas’ warnings of a “national catastrophe” if any prisoner dies, adding that the PLO Executive Committee called on Palestinians to fast, that is refrain from food and water, on Monday in solidarity with the striking prisoners.

Al-Ayyam said the hunger strike leadership in Israeli jails will discuss on Monday the Israeli response to the strikers’ demands, especially to not renew administrative detention for administrative detainees, end isolation policy and allow visitation rights to families of Gaza prisoners.

Al-Quds reported on its front page that Fatah Central Committee decided to form a committee under Abbas’ supervision to prepare for local elections and celled on for a wider popular participation in the various activities supporting the striking prisoners.

Al-Ayyam and al-Hayat al-Jadida printed photos of Palestinian and international activists participating blocking the entrance of the third-largest Israeli settlement in the West Bank, Ma’ale Adumim during a protest held on Sunday in solidarity with striking Palestinian prisoners.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida featured a proposal by the Israeli Minister of Environment Protection to cut the power in Gaza if Israel faces lack of electricity during the summer under the pretext that it is “illogical” for Israelis to suffer power shortages while Israel continues to “supply electricity to Gaza free of charge.”

Al-Quds editorial tackled Netanyahu’s response to Abbas and described it as an Israeli attempt to stall and buy time as to not answer to obstacles hindering peace while continuing with settlement activities.

The daily said the ball is in the Palestinians’ court, and slammed the international community’s silence toward the Israeli “toying” with the security and stability of the region.

R.Q.