November 12th

Officials deny Bethlehem sweep will target Hamas
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP)
November 11, 2008 - 8:00pm

The Palestinian leadership mounted a security operation in Bethlehem on Tuesday similar to those launched in other West Bank towns that have drawn charges of partisanship."The security plan is aimed against those who do not respect the law and is not intended as a basis for carrying out political arrests," Bethlehem security chief Colonel Suleiman Abu Hadid told a news conference. He added that the plan would not involve the deployment of any police reinforcements, unlike in the flashpoint city of Hebron where an additional 600 officers were deployed last month.

»

Israel allows fuel into Gaza as UN warns food aid in peril
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP)
November 11, 2008 - 8:00pm

Israel Tuesday reopened the terminal that handles all fuel supplies to Gaza to allow delivery of diesel to the Palestinian territory's sole power plant one day after it shuddered to a halt. A UN agency, meanwhile, warned it would have to suspend food distribution on which a majority of Gaza's 1.5 million population depends unless Israel also allows in vital foodstuffs. The Nahal Oz terminal used for oil deliveries "opened at 8:30 a.m. for the transfer of diesel for the power station," said Israeli Army spokesman Peter Lerner.

»

Abbas accuses Hamas leaders of 'not wanting' reconciliation
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP)
November 11, 2008 - 8:00pm

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas launched a bitter attack Tuesday on the Hamas movement, which controls Gaza, as a divided nation marked the fourth anniversary of historic leader Yasser Arafat's death. Abbas accused Hamas of sabotaging efforts to mend the rift in Palestinian ranks created by its seizure of Gaza last year and of using force to prevent any commemorations for Arafat in the coastal territory.

»

Abbas urges vote to heal rift with Hamas
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
by Wafa Amr - November 11, 2008 - 1:00am

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called on Tuesday for a referendum to resolve a power struggle with Hamas, highlighting bitter divisions on a day of mourning for Yasser Arafat. Tens of thousands gathered at Arafat's gravesite in the West Bank city of Ramallah for the fourth anniversary of the former Palestinian leader's death. Hamas, which seized Gaza last year after routing Abbas's forces, barred Arafat memorials there.

»

Peres attends rare dinner with Arab leaders
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
November 11, 2008 - 8:00pm

Arab leaders, including the Saudi king and President Shimon Peres attended the same dinner, a rare encounter that the head of the United Nations hopes will promote understanding and talks. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hosted the dinner Tuesday night for leaders attending a two-day UN conference to promote a global dialogue about religions, cultures and common values that starts Wednesday. "It's quite unique when you expect President Peres of Israel ... and many kings and leaders from the Arab world ... (sitting) down together and having dinner," Ban told reporters.

»

Police order diplomats to cancel Hebron walking tour
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
November 11, 2008 - 8:00pm

Israeli police on Wednesday forced about 20 foreign diplomats to cut short a walking tour of the Israeli-controlled sector of the tense West Bank city of Hebron, the visitors said. The diplomats were from Europe, Latin America and the Far East, said Jose de la Cruz, a representative of Chile. The group was escorted by Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki. Hebron, the West Bank's largest city, is divided under an Israeli-Palestinian interim deal. Israeli forces control the center where several hundred militant Jewish settlers live.

»

Secular, but not so liberal
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian
by Daphna Baram - November 11, 2008 - 1:00am

After five years under an ultra-orthodox mayor, secular Jerusalemites finally got their act together, turned out in number at the polling stations, and elected the secular candidate, young businessmen Nir Barkat.

»

Deadly fighting on Gazan border
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC World News
November 11, 2008 - 8:00pm

Israeli troops have killed four Palestinian militants in a gunbattle on the Gaza border, Palestinians say. Witnesses in Hamas-controlled Gaza said the fighting broke out after Israeli armoured vehicles crossed into the territory near Khan Younis. The Israeli army said its soldiers were trying to stop militants attempting to plant a bomb near the security fence. Israel and the Islamist movement Hamas agreed a truce in Gaza five months ago but fierce fighting resumed last week.

»

PA Prime Minister Fayyad Interviewed on Economy, Debt Payments, Future Projects
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-Ayyam
by Ja'far Sadaqah - November 11, 2008 - 8:00pm

[Sadaqah] In a few hours, the Palestinian Authority [PA] will have finished paying all its debts to the employees and others. What does it mean to get rid of a legacy that has been bothering it for 16 months, and what does this mean to you?

»

November 11th

Outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert reiterates that Israel must be willing to cede parts of Jerusalem if a peace deal is to be reached (1). Meanwhile, Prime Ministerial candidate and current Kadima party head Tzipi Livni seeks to distance herself from his strong language (8). The continued fuel shortage in Gaza forces the closure of the main power station (2). In The Guardian, Rory McCarthy reports on the recent Israeli supreme court decision to evict a Palestinian couple from the east Jerusalem home they have been living in for 52 years (4). Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas criticizes Hamas at a memorial rally for the late Yasser Arafat (5).

American Task Force on Palestine - 1634 Eye St. NW, Suite 725, Washington DC 20006 - Telephone: 202-262-0017