A Short Introduction To The Philately Of Palestine

The Stamps of Palestine 2011

 

Arab Postal Day 2008 (2011) / Holy Ramadan 2011

2011 Palestinian National Stamp Exhibition

Martyrs of the Freedom Flotilla 1 2011 / 63rd Anniversary of Nakba 2011 /
International Year of Youth 2011 / Prisoner Exchange 2011

The Fatah government's Palestine Post in Bireh has now issued, at the 2011 Palestinian National Stamp Exhibition in Jericho, the Arab Postal Day 2008 block originally planned for 3.08.2008.
According to official plans Palestine Post was to issue four further series of stamps during 2011 and 2012:
  •   Holy Ramadan (issued 1.08.2011, 4 stamps + 2 blocks)
  •   President Arafat (originally planned for November 2011, now due spring 2012)
  •   Determined to be Excellent (2012)
  •   Fruits in Palestine (2012)
  •   Sports in Palestine (2012)

The Hamas government in Gaza has on 1.08.2011 issued three series:
  •   First anniversary and marytrs of the Freedom Flotilla
  •   63rd Anniversary of Nakba
  •   Year of Youth
In late November news about a fourth stamp series became public; the stamps were originally due for 5 December, but eventually got released on 28 December 2011:
  •   Prisoner Exchange
Further issues originally planned for autumn 2011 and now due for 2012 are: Mohammed al-Dura, The Fight Against Smoking, The Massacre of Deir Yassin, and Old Mosques.

 

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Arab Postal Day 2008 (2011)

According to reports a commemorative block for the 2008 Arab Postal Day had been prepared as a joint issue with other Arab Postal Union states. The blocks for some participating countries (eg. Qatar) were jointly printed in Singapore and shipped to the coordinating postal authority in Qatar. A selection from other states is shown below in reduced size.

Printed in Singapore 2008: one block sized 170x60.5mm with two stamps
at 350 fils and 500 fils (70x29mm).

ZobbelValueSizePerfor.PrintedNotes
225350f70x29mmKs 13.75:13.25n/aPrinted se-tenant in one block: Zobbel Bl. 26 (170x60.5mm)
226500f

Like in the case of two blocks in 2004, the delivery did not reach Palestine (ie. the Ministry of Telecom & Information Technology in Ramallah) at the time; the consignment had been impounded (seized, confiscated) by Israel. The block remained unissued until 17.03.2011, when it was officially launched during the opening ceremony of the First Palestinian Stamp Exhibition:

Statement issued by the General Administration of Mail

10 May 2011

[...] Regarding stamps we have issued several series: "Christmas For All" 2011 [sic: 2010], "Jericho 10,000", and fought until we were able to finally issue the block "Arab Postal Day" which was held at the border by the occupation since 2008, and we have also set up an exhibition for the first postage stamps on the land of Palestine in the city of Jericho. [...]

Source: The Palestinian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
(translation using Google).

Invitation to attend the first stamp exhibition in Palestine

[Department of Public Relations and Media, 13.03.2011]

Under the patronage of HE Minister of Communications and Information Technology Dr. Mashhour Abu Daqqa, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has the honour to cordially invite you to attend First Palestinan Stamp Exhibition, on 17/03/2011 until 03/19/2011, in the city of Jericho–Nabaa Ein al-Sultan, where the exhibition will include a presentation to all issues of Palestinian stamps and presentations from a number of philatelists, as well as a repeat issuance of the series "Jericho 10000" and "Arab Post".
The events is to begin on 03/17/2011, starting at ten in the morning until four o'clock.

Source: Palestine Post and
The Palestinian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
(translation using Google).

The following four pictures are from the Ministry website:
20110317_jerexh_1 (31K) 20110317_jerexh_2 (31K)
20110317_jerexh_3 (31K) 20110317_jerexh_4 (31K)

On the same day a quantity of both the block itself and the official FDC started to appear on the philatelic market. The FDC shows a special first-day cancel dated "03.08.2008" (similar to the cancels used on the December 2010 issues Jericho 10000 and Christmas For All aside a dated cachet First Stamp Exhibition Palestine Jericho (in Arabic only) and "2011-03-17", being the actual day of issue.

In 2009 I wrote on the page for 2009: "In my opinion it is almost certain that, like in 2005, the stock will eventually reach MTIT and be officially issued. Collectors should be warned not to pay excessive prices for such pieces. A reputable Lebanese dealer, 4W Stamps, has been offering these commemorative sheets in January 2009, asking for bids starting at US$ 99 on ebay. In recent auctions (April 2009) prices of around US$ 25–50 have been realized." By March 2011 the asking price for the block and FDC had dropped to about 14 Dollars, and has decreased further since then.

Thanks to Paul Phillips and Thomas Schubert for the initial information in 2009.

226__block (41K)
(reduced)
226__block_FDC (41K)
apd2008_marocco (19K) apd2008_lebanon (16K)
apd2008_syria (19K) apd2008_oman (16K)
apd2008_tunisia (18K) apd2008_qatar (17K)
apd2008_saudi (16K) apd2008_uae (17K)
apd2008_egypt (9K) apd2008_sudan0 (4K) apd2008_sudan1 (4K) apd2008_sudan2 (4K)
apd2008_egypt_FDC (38K) apd2008_uae_FDC (25K)

Gaza: Three Stamps Series August 2011

On 1 June 2011, the newly appointed Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Dr. Osama al-Issawi, has announced plans to issue a series of stamps commemorating the first anniversary of the Freedom Flotilla 1.

As of 20 June 2011, I had received confirmation about these three series, each consisting of four stamps and a block (3000 Fils). On 5 July the titles of three series were announced by the ministry: Freedom Flotilla 1, 63rd Anniversary of Nakba, and Year of Youth.

As of 4 July, information received indicates a ceremony, attended by the Prime Minister, to be staged at a hotel in Gaza on 8 July, and the stamps to go on sale on Sunday 10 July. As of 12 July, the stamps are reported to be ready for sale, but their release has been postponed awaiting a new date to be set for the Prime Minister's ceremony. As of 29 July, it is reported that an official ceremony took place in Gaza on Thursday 28 July 2011. Pictures from the ceremony below (courtesy of Gordon Bonnett). One notes the postmark dates on the FDCs are 17.03.2011, 15.05.2011, and 31.05.2011, respectively: apparently the originally planned dates of issue. On 31 July the official announcement about the release and the ceremony appeared on the MTIT website. The stamps went on sale in Gaza post offices on 1 August 2011.

Minister of Communications and directs the issue of postage stamps commemorating the victims of the Freedom Flotilla 1

Gaza / Public Relations and Media

2011/06/01

The Minister of Communications and Information Technology Dr. Osama al-Issawi has issued guidance for professionals in the ministry to issue stamps to commemorate the massacre of the Freedom Flotilla 1 perpetrated by the Israeli government [...] which killed nine Turks in solidarity.

The minister said al-Issawi that this painful anniversary require us to meet all of the sacrifices of the martyrs who have made valuable and precious to stand in the face of Israeli arrogance [...] this crime will remain fresh in the memory and conscience of the Palestinian people and will not be erased no matter how long it takes.

To renew the loyalty to the Tuurkish victims and their families and friendly Turkey, the Ministry decided with the blessing of Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh to issue postage stamps to reflect the greatness of the sacrifice of international solidarity [...] to express their rejection of the injustice suffered by the Palestinian people at the hands of the worst occupation in history.

For his part, Assistant Undersecretary M. Suhail announced that he instructed the formation of a committee of specialists in the ministry to work on this stamp issue, [...] the launch to take place during the coming days and the stamps to be circulated in the offices of Palestine.

Source: Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
(translation using Google).

Ministry of Communications to proceed with issue of new stamps next week

Gaza / Public Relations and Media

07/05/2011

The Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology is close to the completion of the publication of three new sets of stamps under the guidance of the Minister, Dr. M. Osama al-Issawi, pointing out that these stamps will be available for trading during the next week after an official ceremony attended by the Prime Minister and representatives of stakeholders.

The Postmaster General Munther Karaz said taht the three series reflect national issues: the sognifiicance of the Year Of The Youth 2011, the sixty-third anniversary of the Nakba of Palestine, and the Commemoration of Martyrs of the massacre of the Freedom Flotilla 1, which occurred a year ago.

Each series includes 4 stamps and a commemorative sheet [block] and a birth certificate [FDC]. He indicating that the postage stamps are being printed and ae expected to be officially released next week after the completion of printing.

Karaz said that the new editions come within the Ministry's strategy to strengthen its national and official role and to refelect the concerns and suffering of our people and the expression of the most prominent national issues that reflect the struggle of the Palestinian people and its fight for freedom, independence and dignity of life on the soil of its homeland.

Karaz describes also the aim to send a message of gratitude for the solidarity with our people who have scarifice their lives and their blood for the freedom of our people.

Source: Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. See also www.alquds.com, www.ajelnews.com/.
(translation using Google).

During a ceremony attended by the Minister Issawi and a number of State ministers, His Excellency the Prime Minister presents three stamp issues

Gaza / Public Relations and Media

28/07/2011 [note: article was actually published 31.07.2011]

On Thursday evening, the Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh and the Minister of Communications and Information Technology Dr. M. Osama al-Issawi solemnly presented three series of new postage stamps, symbolizing and documenting three important moments in the history of the Palestinian people.

The ceremony took place at the seat of the Prime Minister in the presence of a number of ministers and officials and a number of officials of the Ministry of Communications and media representatives. Haniyeh praised the efforts of all who ensured that these stamps could come into the world. He called it a patriotic duty to invigorate the values and ideas for which the government stands and which the government will continue to implement. His Excellency said, "It belongs to the rules of the government to bolster the Palestinian human rights, heritage and historicity. Therefore, these stamps were printed. The stamp of Nakba and the Key of Return reflects the commitment of the government not to give up any inch of Palestine. And the day will come when the people will return to their land."

He pointed out that the stamp is linking the present to the past. He added, "Attaching great importance to the Arab, Islamic and also to the international humanitarian dimension of the Palestinian cause, the government proves its respect and appreciation for the solidarity movement with the Palestinian people by eternalizing the Freedom Fleet on a postage stamp." The prime minister continued: "The fact that the government issued a stamp devoted to young people and which bears the symbol of the 'Year of the (Palestinian) Youth' approved by the government, reflects the care of the government for this important social class. Our Youth is the subject of pride for its steadfastness and ability to change and it is an inspiration for the youth all over the world."

On the occasion of the issuance of the three sets of stamps, His Excellency said, "that the commemorative issue of 63 years of Nakba is a symbolic gift for the Palestinian refugees, particularly in the camps. And it is also a confirmation of the pledge given by the Palestinian government that it will continue to stick to the right of return." He proposed to hand over the stamp for the martyrs of the Freedom Flotilla as a gift to each family of martyrs of the Freedom Flotilla and to the Turkish government to make them feel that the blood of the solidarity activists was not shed in vain.

He proposed to hand over the stamp devoted to the Year of the youth 2011 as a gift to the Ministry of Youth and Sports and to Youth officials in general in order to prove the commitments of the government to the Palestinian youth. He suggested that the Minister of Communications and Information Technology should meet the request for a reward of everybody who worked for this patriotic duty.

Issawi said, "The first stamp bears as motif the Monument of Return, which was inaugurated by the Prime Minister on the 63rd anniversary of the Nakba, in order to affirm the right of return. The motif of the second stamp shows the ships of the Freedom Flotilla to record its anniversary as a very significant example in breaking the siege of the Gaza Strip. The third issue of stamps bears the motif of the Year of the Youth, which was proclaimed by the Palestinian government." Issawi praised the efforts of those who worked to accomplish this project in record time, both the design and follow-up, review and implementation, output and printing; he especially mentioned: Salim Hirz Allah, Mansour Karaz, Hani Massoud and Mohammed al-Inuzli.

For his part, the Director General of Post Administration Mansour Karaz explained the three series. He indicated that the first issue is devoted to martyrs of the Freedom Fleet. The drawing shows a monument that consists of nine sails each of it carries a name of a martyr of the Freedom Fleet. The sails bear a globe as a call to the international community to break the siege of the Gaza Strip. He added that the stamps also carry a picture of the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara that was subject of an Israeli massacre, remaining a witness to the crimes of the occupiers. He explained that the second series is on the 63d anniversary of the Nakba of Palestine and expresses the inevitability of a return to Palestine occupied in 1948 by the coming generations. The artist Jihad Asqul made the design. With regard to the third series, he explained that it embodies the Year of the Youth 2011, which was proclaimed by the government and which reflects that the Palestinian youth will defy the blockade for a future which shall be better than (current) the situation in the Year of Youth. This logo shall be used on all correspondences of the government.

Karaz said that each series consists of four stamps and a card [block], in addition first day envelopes are issued as birth certificates for the series. They will be sold at all post offices in the Gaza Strip and the Philatelic Bureau of the Ministry, which could be contacted via E-mail the following address: philatelic.office@gov.ps At the conclusion of the meeting, the Prime Minister received the first packages of examples of the stamps and the FDC and stamped it. The postage stamps will be ready for circulation at the coming weekend.

Source: Ministry of Communications and Information Technology,
see also Ma'a News, and Qudsnet.
(translated by Th. Schubert).

Stamps Palestine 2011 Gaza Fleet Martyrs Stamps Palestine 2011 Nakba
Stamps Palestine 2011 Youth Stamps Palestine 2011 Ceremony Pic 10
Stamps Palestine 2011 Ceremony Pic 03 Stamps Palestine 2011 Ceremony Pic 07

Martyrs of Freedom Flotilla 1 2011

According to reports, the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Telecom & Information Technology in Gaza has issued on 1.08.2011 a series of stamps under the slogan "Freedom Fleet's Martyrs" containing 4 stamps (150, 250, 350, 1000 Fils) sized 30.1x42.5mm (print-run: 10,000), and a block (3,000 Fils) sized 119.2x80.5mm (print-run: 5,000), all printed locally by Dar al-Arqam Library Printing Shop, Remal. Sizes can vary slightly due to the nature of line perforation and cropping (an example of a misperforated stamp is shown below).
Sheets consist of 10 stamps each (5x2). The 350f value exists in 10 different versions (Zobbel g028 to g037) as the arabesque "underprint" covers all of the sheet, rather than just the sheet borders. The 1000f value exists in two different versions (as shown below): Zobbel g038 and g039.
Official FDCs (one for the stamps, one for the block) were also issued. Designer: "Ministry Of Public Works & Housing". The Gaza Philatelic Office provided a presentation folder sized 73.3x50.4mm detailing the issue. Officially stated date of issue and postmark date on FDCs is 31.05.2011.

ZobbelValueSizePerfor.PrintedNotes
g026150f30.1x42.5mm L 10.510,000 
g027250f
g028350f1,000field pos. 1
g029350ffield pos. 2
g030350ffield pos. 3
g031350ffield pos. 4
g032350ffield pos. 5
g033350ffield pos. 6
g034350ffield pos. 7
g035350ffield pos. 8
g036350ffield pos. 9
g037350ffield pos. 10
g0381,000f9,000field pos. 1–4, 6–10
g0391,000f1,000field pos. 5
g0403,000f119.2x80.5mm5,000Block: Zobbel Bl. g07

g026 (49K) g027 (49K)
g028 (49K) g038 (49K)
g039__pair
g038a (49K)
Stamps g038 and g039 (field positions 4 and 5). Misperforation example of 1000f value:
stamp g038a.
g026 g027
g028-037 g038-039
g040_block (69K)
(reduced)
g026__FDC (327K)
g040_FDC (327K)
g026__folder (16K)
g026__folderB (16K) g026__folderC (16K)

63rd Anniversary of Nakba 2011

According to reports, the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Telecom & Information Technology in Gaza has issued on 1.08.2011 a series of stamps under the slogan "63rd Nakba Anniversary" containing 4 stamps (50, 200, 400, 800 Fils) sized 30.3x41.6mm (print-run: 10,000), and a block (3,000 Fils) sized 120x79.6mm (print-run: 5,000), all printed locally by Dar al-Arqam Library Printing Shop, Remal. Sizes can vary slightly due to the nature of line perforation and cropping.
Sheets consist of 10 stamps each (5x2). The 200f value exists in 10 different versions (Zobbel g042 to g050) as the arabesque "underprint" covers all of the sheet, rather than just the sheet borders.
Official FDCs (one for the stamps, one for the block) were also issued. Designer: Jehad M. Asqoal [Jihad Asqul]. The Gaza Philatelic Office provided a presentation folder sized 73.3x50.4mm detailing the issue. Officially stated date of issue and postmark date on FDCs is 15.05.2011.

ZobbelValueSizePerfor.PrintedNotes
g04150f30.3x41.6mmL 10.510,000 
g042200f1,000field pos. 1
g043200ffield pos. 2
g044200ffield pos. 3
g045200ffield pos. 4
g046200ffield pos. 5
g047200ffield pos. 6
g048200ffield pos. 7
g049200ffield pos. 8
g050200ffield pos. 9
g051200ffield pos. 10
g052400f10,000 
g053800f
g0543,000f120x79.6mm5,000Block: Zobbel Bl. g08

g041 (49K) g047 (49K)
g052 (49K) g053 (49K)
g041 g042-g051
g052 g053
g054_block (69K)
(reduced)
g041__FDC (327K)
g054_FDC (327K)
g041__folder (16K)
g041__folderB (16K) g041__folderC (16K)

Year of Youth 2011

According to reports, the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Telecom & Information Technology in Gaza has issued on 1.08.2011 a series of stamps under the slogan "Year of Youth 2011" containing 4 stamps (100, 300, 500, 600 Fils) sized 29.8x41.4mm (print-run: 10,000), and a block (3,000 Fils) sized 119.1x80.5mm (print-run: 5,000), all printed locally by Dar al-Arqam Library Printing Shop, Remal. sizes can vary slightly due to the nature of line perforation and cropping.
Sheets consist of 10 stamps each (5x2). The 300f value exists in two different versions (width of top borderline, as shown below): Zobbel g056 and g057.
Official FDCs (one for the stamps, one for the block) were also issued. Designer: "Ministy of Youth, Sport & Culture". The Gaza Philatelic Office provided a presentation folder sized 73.3x50.4mm detailing the issue. Officially stated date of issue and postmark date on FDCs is 17.03.2011.

ZobbelValueSizePerfor.PrintedNotes
g055100f29.8x41.4mmL 10.510,000 
g056300f8,000field pos. 1, 3–9
g057300f2,000field pos. 2, 10
g058500f10,000 
g059600f
g0603,000f 119.1x80.5mm5,000Block: Zobbel Bl. g09

g055 (49K) g056 (49K)
g058 (49K) g059 (49K)
g056-057 (49K)
 
g056-057 (49K)

Stamps g056 and g057 (field positions 1 and 2) and detail of difference in the border-line.
g055 g056-057
g058 g059
g060_block (69K)
(reduced)
g055__FDC (327K)
g060_FDC (327K)
g055__folder (16K)
g055__folderB (16K) g055__folderC (16K)

Westbank: Five Stamp Series for 2011

On June 7th, 2011, the Council of Ministers issued resolution 03/92/13/CM/PNA (2011), setting out the year's agenda on fiscal and postage stamps:

Council of Ministers resolution No. 03/92/13/CM/PNA 2011: confirmation of the recommendations of the 5th meeting of the special control commission for postage stamps

Pursuant to the powers vested in it by law with respect to the Special Commission for postage stamps, according to the general administrative provisions, with respect to the 2003 revised statutes (PNA) and the Council of Ministers resultion 02/84/12/CM/PNA 2008 and the recommendations of the 5th Special Session of the Commission for postage stamps of 24.04.2011, the Council of Ministers decided at its meeting on 07.06.2011 in Ramallah the following:

Article 1
The following recommendations of the 5th Meeting of the Special Commission for postage stamps, which was held on 24.04.2011 are confirmed:

  1. Unification of stamps to just two types:
    a) local revenue stamps, regardless of which ministry or agency they use
    b) trade marks of the Foreign Ministry
  2. confirmed the printing of stamps for the requirements of the ministries in accordance with the following schedule:
    NumberValueMinistry
    100,000 5 Dollar Ministry of Foreign Affairs
    800,000 1 Dinar Ministry of Health
    800,000 2 Dinar
    800,000 3 Dinar
    800,000 5 Dinars
    800,000 10 Dinars
    800,000 15 Dinars
    800,000 20 Dinars
    500,000 1 Shekel Ministry of Health
    500,000 2 Shekel
    500,000 3 Shekel
    500,000 9 Shekel
  3. The Treasury Department is instructed to furnish the Ministry with 2.4 million stamps, of which 800,000 units for use with a nominal value of 250,000 and 1,600,000 Fils piece for use with a nominal value of 500,000 Fils. Here the existing stocks of Finance for revenue stamps in denominations of 250 fils to use them.
  4. The Treasury Department is instructed to make avilable to the Ministry of Health the resources available in 6-shekel fee stamps to make up 500,000 units,
  5. The Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology is mandated to prepare the designs and the fee to print stamps.
  6. [...]

  7. By request from the Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology / The Palestine Post the following commemorative stamps are to be issued accordingly:
    - In Memory of President Arafat on 11.11.2011
    - The Holy Ramadan
    - Fruits of Palestine
    - a special stamp in cooperation with the Palestinian Olympic Committee "the determination to excel".

  8. [...]
    Issued in Ramallah, on 7 June 2011, 5 Rajab 1432
    Signed Salam Fayyad
    Prime Minister

    Source: Ministry of Telecom & Information Technology.
    (4475. Translation aided by Thomas Schubert).

On October 20th, Palestine Post launched a design competition for three further stamp issues. One notes that the Arafat series is not mentioned.

Palestine Post announces a stamp design competition

20/10/2011

Palestine Post announces a stamp design competition for the following topics:

  1. Postage stamp under the slogan "Determined to be excellent", according to the following conditions:
    • stamps should reflect the specific features of the ministries which take part in the "Project for Excellence" (Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Communications, Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Finance).
    • All explanations on the design should be given in Arabic and English.
    • The design should be composed of five different nominal values each value for one of the of the five ministries.
    • Write a explanation of the design which should be short (not more than five lines) in Arabic and in English and attach it to the design.
    • put all explanations on a disk (CD) so that the design is subject to zoom out and zoom without affecting its elements.
    • Design should be submitted either as a hand drawing or made by on a computer-aided design program on paper A4.
  2. Postage stamp entitled "Fruits in Palestine", according to the following conditions:
    • stamps should reflect the fruits cultivated in Palestine.
    • All explanations on the design should be given in Arabic and English.
    • The design should be composed of four different nominal values, each value reflects a different type of fruit, to be submitted on paper A4.
    • Write a explanation of the design which should be short (not more than five lines) in Arabic and in English and attach it to the design.
    • put all explanations on a disk (CD) so that the design is subject to zoom out and zoom without affecting its elements.
  3. Postage stamp titled "Sports in Palestine", according to the following conditions:
    • stamps should reflect the participation of Palestine in local and international sport events.
    • The design should be composed of four different values, to be submitted on paper A4.
    • Write a explanation of the design which should be short (not more than five lines) in Arabic and in English and attach it to the design.
    • put all explanations on a disk (CD) so that the design is subject to zoom out and zoom without affecting its elements.
    • collect this data on a disk (CD) so that the design is subject to zoom out and zoom without affecting its elements.

Note: You must attach the following information on the back of each design: (full name, age, full address, phone number, e-mail). Designs have to be sent to the Directorate General of Palestine Post at the following address: Directorate General of Palestine Post - Bireh - Bireh next to the municipality of Bireh

Contest winner will be honored as follows:

  1. The winner will be named in a special brochure with the design of the winner.
  2. A certificate of appreciation will be presented by the Minister of communications in a special ceremony honoring the winner.
  3. The winner will get a collection of Palestinian stamps for free
  4. The winner will receive a private mail box free of charge for three years and if he has a mailbox the winner will be exempted from payment of fees for the same duration.

Deadline for submitting the designs 30/11/2011.

For all inquiries, please contact the General Administration
E-mail:philatelic@palpost.ps

Source: Palestine Post.
(Translation by Thomas Schubert).

Holy Ramadan 2011

According to reports, a series on Holy Ramadan entitled "Ramadan Kareem" consisting of four stamps and a block, together with FDCs, was due for issue in 1 August 2011. As of 15 August, it is reported that upon arrival in Tel Aviv from the printers in Bahrain, the stamps were confiscated by Israel. As of 17 August, the first offers on ebay appeared for a series of four stamps (50, 100, 250, 500 F, with FDC) printed in sheets of 20 (5x4), and two blocks (1000F each). As of 19 August it is reported that the stamps went on sale in Ramallah/al-Bireh. The special first-day cancellation on the FDC state a dated of "01-08-2011".

ZobbelValueSizePerfor.PrintedNotes
24050f40.05x30.1K 13:13.2550,000 
241100f
242250f
243500f
2441,000f 150.4x101.4mmKs (mixed)
14.25:14:13.25:14
5,000Block: Zobbel Bl. 28 (motif: calligraphy)
2451,000fBlock: Zobbel Bl. 29 (motif: dome/lamp)

Palestine Post to issue new stamps on the occasion of Ramadan

According to Cabinet decision no. 03/92/13/CM/PNA 2011, Palestine Post in cooperation with the Palestinian Ministry of Finance issued a special stamp series on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan 1432 H (2011), this series consists of four stamps and [2] blocks:
Denominations of the stamps= 50 fils, 100 fils, 250 fils, 500 fils.
Denomination of the blocks= 1000 fils.

Philatelist can get this series at the three mail centres: the General Administration of Post Philatelic Bureau, Bethlehem Post Office, Hebron Old Town Post Office, and Nablus Post office. To inquire and get this commemorative stamp contact the head of Philately Mr. Kifah Maraqa: Tel: +97022409441, E-mail: Philatelic@palpost.ps.

Source: Palestine Post.

240 241
242 243
244 Block 27
245 Block 28
(reduced)
241 Sheet 242 Sheet 243 Sheet
240-243 FDC
244 FDC
245 FDC
240-245 set FDC

Prisoner Exchange

According to reports, a series commemorating the recent prisoner exchange has been prepared by MTIT in Gaza and was originally due for release on 5 December 2011. Eventually the series got released as "Freemen's Fulfillment" on 28 December 2011. The series consists of four stamps (150, 350, 500, and 1,000 Fils) and a block (3,000 Fils). All printed locally by Dar al-Arqam Library Printing Shop, Remal, in shhetrs of 10 (5x2). Postmark date on FDCs is 18.10.2011, the date of the exchange deal.
Official Powerpoint presentation (PDF): Arabic, English (unofficial translation).

ZobbelValueSizePerfor.PrintedNotes
g061150f30.8x42.3mmL 10.5n/a 
g062350f
g063500f
g0641,000f
g0653,000fmmn/aBlock: Zobbel Bl. g10

Latest news about Palestinian Authority new stamp issues scheduled for release during December 2011.

28th November 2011

[...]

Information just received from Gaza gives some details of a new set of stamps plus a miniature sheet commemorating the exchange of prisoners between Hamas and Israel.
The stamps, said to be "the most beautiful yet," are printed in sheetlets of ten stamps and the release is planned for next week [commencing Monday 5th December].
Values of the stamps will be 150 Fils, 350 Fils, 500 Fils, and 1000 Fils and the miniature sheet has a value of 3000 Fils. The stamps and MS have been designed, printed, and perforated in Gaza.

[...]

Source: Gordon Bonnett (Magan Stamps).

Ministry of Communications and Information Technology launches postage stamps marking the deal "Freemen’s fulfillment"

28/12/2011

Gaza / Public Relations and Media

In Gaza, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology presented a postagae stamp serieas perpetuating the deal "Freemen’s fulfillment" [prisoner exchange; the obligation towards the freedom-loving men was fulfilled). In the framework of this deal between Hamas and the Israeli entity, 1050 Palestinian prisoners were recently released from Israeli jails in exchange for the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, 5 years after his capture in Gaza.

The ceremony was held at the headquarters of the Ministry of the Detainees in Gaza and was attended by the Minister of Communications and Information Technology Dr. Osama al-Issawi and the Minister of Detainees' Affairs Dr. Ata Allah Abu Sabah, representatives of the released prisoners and members of the staff of the two ministries.

Al-Issawi said during the ceremony that "this issue of stamps proves the fulfillment of its obligation by the Government to liberate the heroic prisoners until the last detainee will be free. This stamp issue should perpetuate the greatest event of this year, the deal of exchange." Al-Issawi said: "This issue is an appeal to the Palestinian resistance to work hard and persistently for the liberation of all our detainees remaining in detention camps of the Israeli army of occupation, in order to bring again happiness to our people and our nation."

The Minister of Detainees’ Affairs Dr. Ata Allah Abu Sabah appreciated in his speech the "wonderful gesture" of the Ministry of Communications, noting that "any happiness will be incomplete as long as there is one prisoner in Israeli jails."

Tawfiq Abu Naim, one of the released detainees, expressed—on their behalf—happiness and pride about this action, which increases the confidence of those who are still in detention camps that their cause is still alive after having been forgotten by the international community. Abu Naim added, "that the material and symbolic value of this stamp is outranked by its historic value because the stamp immortalize a great event in the history of the Palestinian cause. This event humbled the jailers, strengthened the resistance and the liberated and boosted the moral power of the detainees."

The Postmaster General in charge at the Ministry of communications Munzer Karaz presented the stamps and explained their content. He noted that the Ministry issued a series with for stamps. The stamps show the symbol of the exchange deal, a Saker [falcon], one of his wings symbolizes the freed prisoners the other wing symbolizes those who remain in jail. Munzer Karaz said that although the stamps were issued for use within the Palestinian territories, they are distributed by activists, good people and collectors of postal stamps in a number of states. The picture of the stamps is already printed in various print and electronic media.

At the conclusion of the ceremony the two ministers Al-Issawi and Dr. Ata Allah Abu Sabah signed together with the released detainee Tawfiq Abu Naim the birth certificate of the stamp [FDC], marking by this the start of validity of the stamps in the Palestinian territories.

Source: Ministry of Communications and Information Technology
(translation by Th. Schubert).

g041 (49K) g062 (49K)
g063 (49K) g064 (49K)
g061 g062
g063 g064
h045_block (69K)
(reduced)
g061__FDC (327K)
g065_FDC (327K)

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