November 10th

Hamas may try Fatah general in absentia
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Khaled Abu Toameh - August 15, 2008 - 8:00pm

In the first case of its kind, a Hamas "security court" in the Gaza Strip has issued a warrant for the arrest of Gen. Rashid Abu Shabak, the former commander of the Palestinian Authority's Preventive Security Service. The warrant gives Abu Shabak 10 days to hand himself over to the Hamas security forces in Gaza City or face being tried in absentia. The court ruled that Abu Shabak should be arrested for misusing public funds and abusing his powers.

»

What happened to the "vision" of a two-state solution?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons
by Yisrael Harel - August 17, 2008 - 8:00pm

A few years ago, at a dialogue meeting between Israelis and Palestinians, the Palestinians were asked what they thought of the idea voiced by Ariel Sharon that Jordan, with more than two-thirds of its population Palestinian, is in fact a Palestinian state. And if that is not today the case, then when Jordan becomes a constitutional monarchy or enjoys some other form of regime that expresses the will of the majority, it will indeed become Palestinian.

»

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice makes an historic visit to the West Bank town of Jenin during what will likely be her last official trip to the Palestinian territories (1) (2). In an interview with Der Spiegel Syrian Foreign Minister calls on the US to play a central role in Middle East politics (3). Israel has closed Gaza to outside fuel, food, and journalists (4). More Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem have reportedly been demolished by Israel (5). Outgoing Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert warns that time is running out for a two-state solution (7). Prime Ministerial candidates Livni and Netanyahu make pledges for the continuation of the peace process under their respective administrations (8) (11).Rice

Livni, after Quartet meet: I’m not repeating mistakes of Camp David
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Barak Ravid - November 9, 2008 - 8:00pm

Israel and the Palestinian Authority presented the Quartet for Mideast peace with several agreements on Sunday on the way negotiations will proceed next year on the conflict's core issues. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who updated the Quartet at Sharm el-Sheikh with PA President Mahmoud Abbas, said she was convinced she has not repeated the mistakes of Camp David in 2000. She said although no deal was reached this year, both sides are determined to continue talks. Livni and Abbas stressed "the need for continuous, uninterrupted, direct bilateral negotiations."

»

IDF: Army may need to respond to fresh terror alerts from Gaza
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Amos Harel - November 9, 2008 - 8:00pm

Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip may be planning to execute terror attacks against Israel which would require responsive military operations like the one carried out last week, Israeli defense officials said on Sunday. Over the next two days, Defense Minister Ehud Barak will determine whether to reopen the border crossings with Gaza, which were shut down last Wednesday after Gaza militants resumed rocket fire on the western Negev.

»

Hamas and the Art of Time-Wasting
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Asharq Alawsat
by Tariq Alhomayed - November 9, 2008 - 8:00pm

An official Egyptian statement released the day before yesterday expressed regret over Hamas's decision to boycott the reconciliation talks with Fatah in Cairo and in the process wasting an opportunity for national unity, despite the strenuous efforts exerted by the Egyptians the statement said. But the question here is; what's new about that?

»

Netanyahu: Peace Talks Will Continue if Elected
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
November 9, 2008 - 8:00pm

Israeli opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday pledged to continue negotiations with the Palestinians if he wins February elections, backing away from earlier hints he would abandon U.S.-backed peace talks. But Netanyahu gave no indication he would make significant concessions.

»

Olmert says time running out for two-state solution
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
November 9, 2008 - 8:00pm

Outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Monday time was running out for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. At an annual memorial ceremony for Yitzhak Rabin, the Israeli prime minister killed by an ultranationalist Jew in 1995, Olmert again advocated a peace deal under which Israel would withdraw from nearly all of the occupied West Bank.

»

Row over Jerusalem Muslim cemetery
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News
by Wyre Davies - November 7, 2008 - 8:00pm

Religious leaders in Jerusalem are warning of dangerous consequences after a decision by Israel's Supreme Court to allow the destruction of part of an ancient Muslim cemetery. The graveyard has not been used for more than 50 years, but contains the bodies of some important Islamic figures. Many of those bodies will now be disturbed to make way for a new Jewish "Museum of Tolerance". Earlier this week hundreds of Muslims - young and old - marched through the centre of Jerusalem towards the city's Mamilla cemetery.

»

Israel demolishes homes for 'City of David' heritage site
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Independent
by Donald MacIntyre - November 6, 2008 - 8:00pm

Israel has been accused of demolishing Palestinian houses in Arab East Jerusalem while international attention was focused on the election of Barack Obama.

»


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