October 7th

Tzipi Livni, Israeli Prime Minister-delegate, warns that time is running out for a peace agreement as extremists continue to gain strength (1). Amira Hass analyzes how the fractured Palestinian leadership is complicating prospects for a peace agreement with Israel (2). An op-ed by Danny Rothschild in Ynet News criticizes Tzipi Livni’s pledge to take Jerusalem off the negotiating table (4). The IDF works with the Palestinian Authority to coordinate security for Palestinians during the olive harvest (5).

Egyptian police block a convoy of activist groups attempting to deliver medical supplies to the Gaza Strip (1). The Christian Science Monitor reports on the first attempt at high school integration in Israel (2). Member of Hamas’ parliament announce that they will not recognize Mahmoud Abbas as president after his term expires on January 8th (4). Israeli Prime Minister designate Tzipi Livni is expected to meet with party leaders in an attempt to form a coalition government (5). Israel agrees to the deployment of Palestinian security forces in the West Bank town of Hebron (9).

Israeli security officials: Time running out on Shalit deal
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Amos Harel, Avi Issacharoff - October 6, 2008 - 8:00pm

Security officials have warned that the time for making a deal for the release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit is running out. The officials told Haaretz that the more time that passes, the more things can go wrong and the greater the danger that an opportunity will be missed to bring Shalit home. Talks are to open Tuesday in Cairo between Hamas and Fatah, mediated by the Egyptians, with an Egyptian-proposed package deal on the agenda that would include the release of Shalit.

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Egypt seeks ways to end Fatah-Hamas rift
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Khaled Abu Toameh - October 5, 2008 - 8:00pm

A senior Hamas delegation is scheduled to arrive in Cairo Tuesday for talks with Egyptian officials on ways of ending the Hamas-Fatah power struggle. Headed by Musa Abu Marzouk, deputy head of the Hamas political bureau, the delegation is expected to hold a series of meetings with Egyptian Intelligence Chief Gen. Omar Suleiman and other senior Egyptian government officials over the next few days. The visit to Cairo is the first of its kind by a high-level Hamas delegation in several months.

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'Israel has agreed to allow PA troops into Hebron'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Ali Waked - October 6, 2008 - 8:00pm

Israel is backing a bid by the Palestinian Authority to reassert control over Hebron, a senior Palestinian defense official told Ynet on Monday evening. According to the official Israel has authorized the request made by the PA to deploy security forces in the West Bank city as part of the effort to push back Hamas, which is poised to seize control there. At present time Israel has yet to confirm such an agreement.

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Washington and Beirut set up joint military panel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Star
by Hussein Abdallah - October 6, 2008 - 8:00pm

Lebanon and the United States set up a joint commission on Monday charged with organizing their bilateral military relationship. The commission was set up after a meeting on Monday between Defense Minister Elias Murr and US Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Mary Beth Long, who arrived in Beirut late on Sunday. In a related development, a joint statement by the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and the US Embassy said that Beirut and Washington had signed three military contracts worth $63 million in US grants to the LAF.

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Israeli govt sued over settlement
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News
by Mohammed Mar’i - October 6, 2008 - 8:00pm

For the first time in the history of illegal takeovers of privately owned Palestinian land, the Israeli human rights organization Yesh Din on behalf of five Palestinian landowners demanded compensation from Israel for assistance it provided to builders of the illegal settlement outpost Migron in the West Bank as well as its failure to evacuate it.

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ATFP Hosts Palestinian Stone and Marble Delegation
Press Release - Contact Information: Hussein Ibish - October 6, 2008 - 12:00am

The American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) held a reception on Monday, Oct. 6th to welcome a delegation of Palestinians from the Stone and Marble Industry. The reception, held at the Capital Hilton, brought the 15-person delegation together with ATFP Board Members and staff, as well as leaders from the Arab-American community, including PLO Mission Charge’ d’ affaires Dr. Nabil Abuznaid and Commercial Attache Ramzi Issa.


Russia's Jerusalem land claim worries Israelis
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
by Tia Goldenberg - October 6, 2008 - 8:00pm

The Russians are coming to downtown Jerusalem, reclaiming ownership of a landmark with the approval of the Israeli government, just as Prime Minister Ehud Olmert visits Moscow to try to iron out serious policy differences between the two countries. After years of contacts, Olmert's Cabinet agreed Sunday to hand over the small tract known as Sergei's Courtyard. The area, which once accommodated Russian pilgrims visiting the Holy Land, now houses offices of Israel's Agriculture Ministry and the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel.

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Livni expected to meet leaders of religious parties in bid to form ruling coalition
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP)
October 6, 2008 - 8:00pm

Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni pressed ahead with efforts to secure a ruling coalition on Monday, a day after delivering her first foreign-policy speech since being named to form a new government. Elected on September 17 to replace Premier Ehud Olmert at the head of the Kadima party, Livni needs to put together a governing coalition if she is to also take over as premier while averting a snap election.

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