The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights asserts that 68 children have been killed in the Gaza strip in the past year as a result of actions by the Israeli military (1). Egypt invites Hamas and Fatah to meet in Cairo on Nov. 9 for reconciliation talks (2), and Hamas lends tentative support to the plan (3). Swedish lockmaker Assa Abloy, in response to criticism from human rights groups, announces that it will move its production plant out of an Israeli settlement in the West Bank (5). Israel clears three recently erected wildcat settlements from the West Bank (6).

NYU poll: Two-thirds of US Jews back Obama over McCain
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
October 20, 2008 - 8:00pm

A new poll commissioned by researchers at New York University reveals that American Jews favor Democratic presidential frontrunner Barack Obama over his Republic rival, John McCain, by a 67 - 33 percent margin. The survey, which sampled the opinions of over 3,000 respondents - half of them being Jewish - also found that Jews as an ethnic group will support Obama by almost 30 percent more than other white, non-Hispanic voters.

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Tension in Ramallah as Abbas dismisses Tirawi
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Ali Waked - October 19, 2008 - 8:00pm

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued an decree on Monday evening ordering the dismissal of Col. Tawfik Tirawi, head of the PA General Intelligence Service in the West Bank, and Diab al-Ali, the top commander of the Palestinian security forces in the West Bank. Al-Ali is also known as Abu al-Fatah. The unforeseen move has stirred considerable tensions amongst the ranks of Ramallah's security forces.

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Protestors for Shalit cage themselves outside Barak’s home
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Anat Shalev - October 19, 2008 - 8:00pm

Dozens assembled outside the home of Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Monday afternoon to stage a unique demonstration for kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. The protestors placed a large cage at the forefront of the rally and packed themselves inside in an effort to illustrate the conditions of Shalit's captivity. The event marked 848 says since he was kidnapped into the Gaza Strip.

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Underground cattle trade thrives in Gaza tunnels
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
by Nidal Al-Mughrabi - October 20, 2008 - 8:00pm

When the calves were hauled out of the tunnel from Egypt on Tuesday, they could hardly stand up. After a terrifying, 1000 meter (yard) underground trip into the Israeli-blockaded Gaza Strip, what the young cattle wanted most was a long drink of cool water. Underground livestock smuggling has increased dramatically ahead of Eid Al-Adha, the day of sacrifice due December 10, when Muslims the world over slaughter animals and feed the poor to seek God's forgiveness.

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Israel removes wildcat settlements in West Bank
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP)
October 19, 2008 - 8:00pm

Israeli troops have cleared three Jewish wildcat settlements in the occupied West Bank, the army said on Monday. The three outposts, one of which was built six months ago and the other two set up on Sunday by right-wing activists, were removed during the night by border police and army troops, it said in a statement.

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Lock maker Assa Abloy to move West Bank plant
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
October 20, 2008 - 8:00pm

Sweden's Assa Abloy AB, the world's largest lock maker, said Tuesday it would move a production plant from an Israeli settlement in the West Bank after being criticized by human rights groups. The announcement followed a critical report by the Church of Sweden, aid group Diakonia and SwedWatch, a nonprofit group that monitors the conduct of Swedish businesses. The report said Assa Abloy disrespects international humanitarian law by conducting business in occupied territory.

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Israel Targets Palestinian Students
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Inter Press Service (IPS)
by Mohammed Omer - October 20, 2008 - 8:00pm

The letter of acceptance that 28-year-old Hazem Hussain got for a business graduate programme in a Californian university once brought joy. Now he does not know what to do with it. He has admission, and a visa to the U.S., but the Israelis will not let him leave. "I have tried to get out through every means possible for a year now," he says. "But I am not able to go." The semester started some weeks ago.

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Hamas Welcomes Egypt Plan for Palestinian Unity
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP)
October 20, 2008 - 8:00pm

Hamas on Tuesday gave its tentative support to an Egyptian plan to reconcile the Islamist movement and the rival Fatah faction of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas. "We will agree to the draft of the agreement and will not reject it," Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhum told AFP, but he added that the plan would require some "modification" before it could be implemented. "The draft contains positive elements, but also has some points that need modification and some points that need clarification from the Egyptian leadership."

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Egypt to host intra-Palestinian talks next month
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP)
October 20, 2008 - 8:00pm

Egypt has invited Hamas and Fatah to meet in Cairo on November 9 for talks aimed at restoring Palestinian unity, Hamas said Monday. "We received yesterday a draft of the Egyptian vision for Palestinian reconciliation which includes a call for a full Palestinian dialogue," Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhum told AFP. "Hamas has no problem in attending and we were the first to call for Palestinian-Palestinian talks to end the internal conflict," he added.

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