Palestinian Leader, Israeli Defense Minister Meet
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
July 1, 2008 - 3:32pm

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak met briefly Tuesday on the sidelines of a worldwide socialist party conference near Athens. The two met privately for a half-hour on the sidelines of a three-day Socialist International conference in this coastal resort, 25 miles south of Athens. After the meeting, Barak said he expected U.S.-backed peace talks with the Palestinians to continue, according to aides who were there when he spoke.

»

Palestinians Queue In Droves As Egypt Reopens Rafah Crossing
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Times
by David Byers - July 1, 2008 - 3:25pm

Palestinians in the Gaza Strip were today queuing in their hundreds at the territory's hated border with Egypt after it was opened for the first time in months. Crowds gathered at the Rafah crossing after Egypt agreed to ease the closure for two days, with officials saying that Palestinians requiring medical attention would be allowed treatment at Egyptian hospitals.

»

Egypt opens the Rafah crossing temporarily after several months of closure, (1) though a permanent opening still appears a long way off (4). Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbbas met briefly with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak outside of Athens (2). Gaza crossings are closed again as rockets fall in southern Israel (3). B’Tselem, an Israeli human rights group warns that the West Bank is looking at a serious water shortage in the near future (6).

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