September 10th

Israeli official: Militant Hamas ?like cancer?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
by Steven Gutkin - September 9, 2008 - 8:00pm

Israel's point man in indirect, Egyptian-mediated talks with Hamas said Wednesday the Islamic militant group is more powerful than the Western-backed Palestinian government and is "like cancer." Senior Defense Ministry official Amos Gilad said talks with Hamas designed to secure the release of a captured Israeli soldier have gone better since a truce went into effect in June, but he added that a deal is "not close." "Since the truce we are discussing more seriously, but I am impressed only by results," he said.

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Middle East Hamas and Islamic Jihad meet for Damascus talks
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
September 9, 2008 - 8:00pm

Officials from Palestinian groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad have met in Syria to resolve a Gaza flare-up between the two, the groups announced on Tuesday, just days after Hamas-led police forcefully dispersed a gathering by the other group. The two groups issued a joint statement saying they held a "long meeting" on Monday in Damascus, discussed their relations and the situation in the Palestinian territories.

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Every picture tells a story
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian
by Seth Freedman - (Opinion) September 9, 2008 - 8:00pm

"It's very easy for the Israeli public to believe that Palestinians are lying when it's just their word against the word of a soldier or settler", explained B'Tselem's spokesperson, Sarit Michaeli. The Israeli human rights group has brought several high-profile cases to the public's attention this summer, providing vital video evidence of the scale of the violence meted out by settlers and soldiers alike. In the process the footage has seriously dented efforts to smear Palestinians complaining of assault.

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The Guardian examines the recently prominent role of video footage in telling the story of occupation (1). Officials from Hamas and Islamic Jihad meet in Syria to discuss tension between the two groups within Gaza (2). Amr Musa, the Secretary General of the Arab League warns about possible sanctions against the fractured Palestinian groups (4). Yossi Alpher comments on the reestablishment of relations between Hamas and Jordan (5). Extensive delay at an IDF checkpoint causes the stillborn birth of a Palestinian child (8).

August 15th

Timely American Wisdom
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times
by Rami G. Khouri - August 15, 2008 - 3:15pm

Few observers expect the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli negotiations between the governments of Mahmoud Abbas and Ehud Olmert to achieve any significant breakthrough during the remaining months of President George W. Bush’s term. One reason for the low expectations from the negotiations spawned by the Annapolis meeting in the United States last November is the low-key mediating role of the United States itself.

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Rocket From Gaza Hits Southern Israel: Police
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
August 15, 2008 - 3:13pm

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - A rocket fired from the Gaza Strip landed in southern Israel on Friday but caused no injuries or damage, police said. Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said the rocket struck near Sderot, a town often targeted by militants. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Rocket attacks have become rare since an Egyptian-brokered truce took effect in June. Earlier this week, Israel closed its border crossings with the Hamas-controlled territory, saying it did so in response to a similar attack.


Lawyers To Us Witness Against Olmert - Stay Home
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times
August 15, 2008 - 3:12pm

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM (AP) - Lawyers for Morris Talansky have recommended that he refuse to come back to Israel to testify in a corruption case against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, according to a letter released Thursday. The American businessman already gave direct testimony and then was questioned at length by Olmert’s attorneys. Talansky told the court he gave Olmert envelopes stuffed with tens of thousands of dollars before he became prime minister.

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Israel 'worry' At Settler Attacks
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bbc News
August 15, 2008 - 3:10pm

Israeli security officials are reported to have raised concerns about an increase in violence by Jewish settlers in the West Bank. The Israeli Haaretz newspaper said officials had found an increase in incidents of settlers causing harm to Palestinians and to Israeli soldiers. There were 429 incidents in the first half of 2008, against 551 in 2007. There are frequent reports of settlers harassing Palestinians, with two attacks recently captured on video. These have been widely broadcast and have brought the issue to greater prominence.

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Behind The Scenes: Blindfolded For Trip To Gaza Rocket Factory
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Cnn
by Paula Hancocks - (Commentary) August 15, 2008 - 3:09pm

(CNN) -- It starts with a phone call at 8:30 p.m. as we are sitting down to dinner in Gaza City. The PRC tells us to be at a certain place in half an hour; they are training. No further details. After a phone call to our Jerusalem bureau chief to weigh up the risks, we all decide it is rare enough an opportunity not to be missed.We grab our equipment and jump into the armored car.

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August 14th

CNN correspondent Paula Hancock visits the training facilities and rocket factories of The Popular Resistance Committees in Gaza (1). Israeli security officials are reportedly disturbed by the increase in violence by Jewish settlers in the West Bank (2). A rocket fired from Gaza lands in southern Israel but causes no injuries or damage (4). Protest against the separation barrier in the West Bank town of Naalin continues (10). Jordan restores relations with Hamas following a series of meetings in Amman (11).

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