June 4th

Smells Of Gaza
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Nicki Bennett - June 4, 2008 - 5:30pm

Like most people who read and watch a lot of news, I’ve seen a fair share of photographs and television footage of the Gaza strip in my life. And unlike some of the places I’ve worked — like Goz Beida in eastern Chad or El Zapote in Guatemala — Gaza is actually a place that many people can locate on a world map, or describe to you on the basis of the images they’ve seen.

»

June 3rd

In a special report for the New York Times Nicki Bennett assesses the environmental and health problems being caused in Gaza by the dumping of sewage into coastal waters (1). The Israeli Ambassador to London announces that peace talks will continue even if Ehud Olmert is forced to abandon his position as Prime Minister (3). The Israeli army closes the Gaza fuel crossing in response to rocket fire by Palestinian militants (4). Fuel rationing in Gaza forces black market prices to skyrocket (8). Hamas and Israel continue to pursue a cease-fire agreement brokered by Egypt (11).

Aipac Instructs Delegates To Stay ‘positive’
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward
by Nathan Guttman - June 3, 2008 - 5:21pm

This past week, an unusual letter was sent out to the 7,000 delegates expected to attend the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s upcoming annual conference. Reflecting the heightened political tension surrounding the gathering in this campaign year, organizers from Aipac effectively told those planning to attend on June 2 to behave themselves better than they had last year.

»

Palestinian Pharmaceuticals Company Exporting Painkillers To Eu
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
June 3, 2008 - 5:20pm

A Palestinian pharmaceuticals company is exporting drugs to Europe after passing the required EU quality tests. The first shipment by the Dar al-Shifa company consists of 1.4 million painkiller pills. Next on the list are antibiotics and ulcer medication. The head of the company, Bassem Khoury, said Tuesday that exports for 2008 are expected to reach $1.6 million and $47 million by 2010.


Olmert’s “crisis” And The “morality” Of Negotiations
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-ayyam
by Hassan Asfour - June 3, 2008 - 5:16pm

The crisis that Israel is experiencing due to Olmert’s corruption scandal and its effect on the governing coalition is the most important political event today. A sitting prime minister is under investigation for bribery and money laundering like any other citizen, which is something we are not used to in Arab countries. What is more, the defendant continue his governing job as if nothing is threatening his political career. People who are following the corruption allegations will notice that Olmert is acting as if he is untouchable.

»

Assad Wants Us To Sponsor Israel Peace Talks
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times
June 3, 2008 - 5:14pm

Syrian President Bashar Assad said on Monday that indirect peace talks with Israel would eventually need “international sponsorship” from the United States. “The success of these negotiations is dependent on Israeli intentions and political changes in the world,” he was quoted as saying by the United Arab Emirates’ official WAM news agency while on a visit to Abu Dhabi.

»

Olmert Seeks To Reassure Abbas On Talks
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times
by Reuters - June 3, 2008 - 5:12pm

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas protested Jewish settlement growth near Jerusalem in talks on Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who sought to show it was business-as-usual despite a corruption probe. “Differences were deep and strong in this area,” Abbas aide Saeb Erekat said of the settlement issue, which has dogged US-sponsored peace talks since they were launched in November.

»

Not In Our Name, Say Checkpoint Watchers
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Middle East Times
by Mel Frykberg - June 3, 2008 - 5:09pm

"Get back, get away, move, move," shouted the Israeli soldier as he and two female soldiers aimed their weapons at us threateningly.  "What is the problem?" I asked as the young, blonde, blue-eyed and red-faced Israeli soldier looked on the crowd in a state of panic.  "There is a bomb and you must move away for your own protection," he answered.  Last Sunday this Middle East Times reporter spent the afternoon at the notorious Huwara checkpoint, just south of Nablus in the northern Palestinian West Bank. 

»

Palestinians Get New Police Stations In W Bank
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
June 3, 2008 - 5:07pm

Israel gave the Palestinian Authority permission on Tuesday to open three police stations in the northern West Bank as part of a U.S.-backed security campaign meant to ready the Palestinians for statehood. Washington sees the campaign as a chance for Palestinian forces to show they can exert control and rein in militants.

»

On Middle East, Mccain Vows To Stay The Course
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Inter Press Service (IPS)
by Jim Lobe - June 3, 2008 - 5:04pm

In a major address on Middle East policy Monday, Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican candidate for president, pledged to maintain the Bush administration's hard line against Iran and expressed strong scepticism about the ability of the current Palestinian leadership to reach a peace accord with Israel.

»


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