Abbas: Palestinian, U.S. positions "completely identical" ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua June 17, 2010 - 12:00am Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Thursday he feels the Palestinian National Authority ( PNA) and the U.S. administration's positions are completely identical. Abbas, who returned Wednesday to the West Bank after visiting five countries, including the United States, said "the most important thing in this tour is that the U.S. and Palestinian positions were completely identical." "There are no differences between me and President Barack Obama on any issue," Abbas told the Ramallah-based al-Ayyam newspaper. » Read more

Hamas calls Israeli decision to ease siege "trick" ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua June 17, 2010 - 12:00am Gaza-ruling Islamic Hamas movement on Thursday described Israel's decision to ease the blockade on the Gaza Strip as "a trick." "This is a new trick aiming at enhancing the siege's image and securing its continuation instead of lifting and ending it," Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri told Xinhua. The Israeli security cabinet, which comprises top ministers, on Thursday approved a series of measures to increase cargo flow to the Hamas-controlled territory as a result of international criticism over the effectiveness of the sanctions that Israel has imposed three years ago to isolate Hamas. » Read more

Allegiance to Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Asharq Alawsat by Osman Mirghani - June 17, 2010 - 12:00am "It would have been hypocritical for me not to speak out about Israeli violations of international law simply because I am Jewish." This is what Judge Richard Goldstone said in self-defense against the violent attack that he faced from South African Jewish leaders and Israel as a result of his report on the Gaza War. » Read more

US lawmakers rap Turkey for its stance on Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters June 17, 2010 - 12:00am U.S. lawmakers warned Turkey on Wednesday that its ties with Washington would suffer if it continued on what they considered an anti-Israel path. "There will be a cost if Turkey stays on its present heading of growing closer to Iran and more antagonistic to the state of Israel," Representative Mike Pence, the No. 3 Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives, said. At a news conference, Republicans and Democrats denounced NATO ally Turkey for supporting an aid convoy of ships that recently tried to run the Israeli blockade of Gaza. » Read more

UN: Israel removed some checkpoints ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency June 17, 2010 - 12:00am A senior UN official said Israel has dismantled 20 percent of its West Bank checkpoints in the past year, according to the Associated Press. Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN humanitarian affairs office in Jerusalem, said Israel has removed 121 checkpoints, easing Palestinian movement between villages and towns, but 505 checkpoints and dozens of road obstacles still hinder travel, AP reported. Israel has said it has removed dozens of roadblocks. » Read more

Erekat slams Israeli 'claim' of relaxed Gaza siege ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency June 17, 2010 - 12:00am Chief Palestinian Negotiator Saeb Erakat called the Israeli cabinet decision to ease Gaza restrictions "not sufficient," in a statement released moments after the decision was announced. "With this decision, Israel attempts to make it appear that it has eased its four-year blockade and its even longer-standing access and movement restrictions imposed on the population of Gaza. In reality, the siege of the Gaza Strip, illegally imposed on Palestinians continues unabated," the statement read. » Read more

Presbyterian report condemns Israeli policies in Palestinian territories ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post by David Waters - June 17, 2010 - 12:00am America's largest Presbyterian denomination is preparing for a contentious General Assembly next month as delegates will be asked to consider approving a strongly worded report that calls on the U.S. to stop sending billions of dollars in aid to Israel until it changes its policy toward Palestinians. "Israel has both the responsibility and the ability to reverse the course of the precipitous decline throughout the region," states the 172-page report "Breaking Down Walls," written by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s nine-member Middle East Study Committee. » Read more

The Significance of the Second Palestine Investment Conference In Print by Ziad Asali - The Huffington Post (Blog) - June 17, 2010 - 12:00am Almost everything about the second Palestine Investment Conference held in Bethlehem in early June, which I had the honor of attending as a member of President Barack Obama's official delegation, was encouraging. » Read more

Palestine is open for business! In Print by Ziad Asali - The Huffington Post (Blog) - June 17, 2010 - 12:00am Almost everything about the second Palestine Investment Conference held in Bethlehem in early June, which I had the honor of attending as a member of President Barack Obama's official delegation, was encouraging. » Read more

Israel Easing Gaza Land Blockade ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters June 17, 2010 - 12:00am Israel said on Thursday it was easing a land blockade of the Gaza Strip that drew heightened international criticism after its deadly raid on an aid flotilla bound for the Hamas-run territory. A new Israeli-approved product list included all food items, toys, stationery, kitchen utensils, mattresses and towels, said Raed Fattouh, the Palestinian coordinator of supplies to the enclave. » Read more