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del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 06:09 10/11/2007 PA news agency strikes to protest arrest of executive for airing Hamas By The Associated Press tags: Mahmoud Abbas, Hamas  Maan, a major independent Palestinian news agency, declared an open-ended strike on Friday to protest the Palestinian government's arrest of an executive who allowed Hamas officials and activities to appear in agency reports. The agency shut down all 20 of its offices in the West Bank following the detention Thursday of Muataz al-Kurdi, a Maan executive and head of the privately owned Al Amal TV station in the West Bank town of Hebron. Maan also shut down its Web site. A message posted on the said the agency expressed its deep disappointment and indignation at the arrest of journalists. Advertisement The West Bank Palestinian government is locked in a bitter feud with the Islamic Hamas group, which violently seized power in the Gaza Strip in June. Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas dismissed the Hamas government immediately after the Gaza takeover and set up a new government in the West Bank. The new government has banned the only Hamas newspaper, Felasteen, from publishing in the West Bank and has barred all mention of Hamas on West Bank TV. Ibrahim Ibrach, Abbas' culture minister, said al-Kurdi was arrested on security grounds. He said Abbas' government was wary of any individuals who provide a platform for Hamas, for fear the Islamic group might seek to overrun the West Bank as it did Gaza. "The coup made the authority in the West Bank cautious," Ibrach said. Friday is the Muslim holy day, and attempts to reach security officials to press for Al-Kurdi's release were unsuccessful, said Raed Othman, a Maan executive. Othman criticized the Palestinian Authority for trying to muzzle journalists. "This would be a farce if it passes," Othman said. Related articles: Hamas bans Gaza TV program, angering journalists' union Hamas forces attempt to arrest prominent Gaza journalist Bookmark to del.icio.us Freedom of speech A Spanish court rules that the crime of Holocaust denial does not warrant a jail sentence. Road map to peace Israel and PA agree a future deal between them will hinge on implementing the road map.   1.   maan is ignorant of the glorious American democracy 18:47  |  KMS 09/11/07

Today Online Jessica Balaban: Why should world Jewry aid Israeli Arabs? Responses: 126 Jacob Victor: Mukasey is the latest victim of the malaise of U.S. Jewish leadership Responses: 103 Israel, PA agree future deals conditional on carrying out road map Responses: 116 Top Hamas official: We'll conquer W. Bank if Israel withdraws Responses: 87 Israel seeks fresh Holocaust reparations deal with Germany Responses: 201 M. Firillas: Pakistan turmoil raises specter of an Islamic bomb Responses: 42 Rosner's Domain 18%, 28%, 46%, 52%: how many really support military action in Iran? (WTR) Annapolis dictionary: P is for photo-op Rosner's Guest: Why not a women's Talmud? Poll: Should American Jews have a voice in shaping Israel's policies? More Headlines 05:43 IDF kills two Palestinians trying to plant bomb on Gaza border 05:16 Top Hamas official: We'll seize West Bank if Israel withdraws 06:08 Spanish court rules out jail sentences for Holocaust denial 15:44 East J'lem man charged with bid to sell Hezbollah info on MIA 05:17 Dutch Jews: Germany unjustly not paying Dutch Holocaust survivors 05:44 Accountant General Zelekha announces plan to step down 15:33 U.S. to give Nablus $1M in aid in pre-summit boost for Abbas 06:09 PA news agency strikes to protest arrest of executive for airing Hamas 05:16 Peretz: Defense Min. Barak's policy of silence is hurting Labor 23:05 UN: 2,000 Palestinians fleeing Iraq stranded on border with Syria Previous Editions Select Day 09 nov 08 nov 07 nov 06 nov 05 nov 04 nov 02 nov 01 nov 31 oct 30 oct 29 oct 28 oct

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