Israel confirms soldiers killed an unarmed Palestinian near a West Bank settlement. Settlers and Palestinians clash during an outbreak of “price tag” violence, and the Israeli military says it will curb such incidents. Pres. Abbas tells the AU that Israeli policies are promoting a cycle of violence. Uri Avnery describes proposals from the Israeli right to annex the West Bank as “Rosemary's baby.” The PA says merchants selling banned settlement goods will be punished beginning in August. A leading settler rabbi is arrested for incitement to kill non-Jews. A report from the GAO says Israel is interfering with US efforts to enhance Palestinian security forces. Ha'aretz interviews bereaved Gaza Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish. Israel bombs three targets in Gaza. Abbas says the “entire world” is pressuring for direct talks but Palestinians need more clarification. Seth Freedman says a controversial nine-year-old video of PM Netanyahu is no surprise. The Guardian interviews Palestinian MK Haneen Zoabi. As the blockade eases, a new mall opens in Gaza. The Pennsylvania Senate race turns into a competition of TV ads between Jewish American groups.

Why Binyamin Netanyahu tape is no real shocker
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian
by Seth Freedman - (Opinion) July 26, 2010 - 12:00am

A recently released tape revealing Binyamin Netanyahu's contempt for both the Palestinian and US administrations has caused far less of a diplomatic storm than his opponents hoped it might. For all that Netanyahu's innate arrogance and self-aggrandisement was laid bare by the contents of the nine-year-old recording, the collective shrugging of shoulders implies that few expected anything else from a man who has been boasting of his own political prowess throughout his tumultuous career.

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Abbas: 'Entire world' wants direct talks
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Khaled Abu Toameh - July 25, 2010 - 12:00am

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said on Sunday that he was under pressure from the international community to begin direct negotiations with Israel. He told the PA’s Voice of Palestine radio station that he would enter direct talks only if progress was first achieved on the future borders and security of a Palestinian state. Without “clear and specific references,” the negotiations would collapse from the beginning, Abbas said.

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Israel's harassment of citizens could ignite uprising, warns Arab politician
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian
by David Hearst - July 26, 2010 - 12:00am

Israel could ignite a third intifada if it continues to push its 1.2 million Arab citizens into a corner, claims Haneen Zoabi, the Arab member of the Knesset vilified for joining the Gaza aid flotilla. Zoabi, who was branded a traitor for her participation in the Gaza convoy, warned that Israel was playing with fire. "We accepted a democratic, liberal state, we voted for the Knesset. But we are not just an internal issue – we are the litmus test of the whole problem. If Israel does not recognise this, conditions will deteriorate towards a third intifada."

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Top settler rabbi arrested for allegedly inciting to kill non-Jews
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Chaim Levinson - July 26, 2010 - 12:00am

The head rabbi of a prominent yeshiva in the West Bank settlement of Yitzhar was arrested Monday for writing a book that allegedly encourages the killing of non-Jews. Rabbi Yitzhak Shapira is the alleged author of the book "The King's Torah," which deems as legal, according to "Jewish law," the killing of non-Jews. Police began investigating Shapira after an advertisement for the book in a Hebrew newspaper created a public uproar. Deputy Attorney General Shai Nitzan encouraged the investigation as he believed the book contained an incitement to violence.

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IDF Strikes 3 Gaza Targets
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Israel News
July 26, 2010 - 12:00am

The Israel Air Force struck three targets in the Gaza Strip Sunday night including an arms factory in the northern Strip and two smuggling tunnels in the south. The military reported that precise hits were identified and all jets returned safely to their bases. There were no reports of injuries on the Palestinian side. The IDF Spokesperson's Unit said the assault came in response to the rockets and mortar shells fired at Israel over the weekend.

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IDF: Curb 'price tag' violence
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Israel News
by Aviel Magnezi - July 26, 2010 - 12:00am

Palestinian fields in the Har Bracha area were torched on Monday as part of the settlers' "price tag" reprisals against the demolition of illegal structures in the settlement of Yitzhar earlier Monday. Palestinian fire trucks were deployed to the blazing fields and a heavy cloud of smoke hovered over the region. Meanwhile, two more settlers were arrested after clashing with police officers in Givat Natan near Bracha forest.

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As the Israeli blockade eases, Gaza goes shopping
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Independent
by Donald MacIntyre - July 26, 2010 - 12:00am

Hila Abdul Wahad, a new graduate in commercial accounting from the Islamic University, was enthusiastic as she window-shopped her way round the eight new stores on the second floor of the shopping mall. "It's great that this is happening in the situation we're in," she said. "We should be proud. It feels that we are outside of Gaza, it's like ... [she paused briefly] ... being in Egypt."

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As the Israeli blockade eases, Gaza goes shopping
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Independent
by Donald MacIntyre - July 26, 2010 - 12:00am

Hila Abdul Wahad, a new graduate in commercial accounting from the Islamic University, was enthusiastic as she window-shopped her way round the eight new stores on the second floor of the shopping mall. "It's great that this is happening in the situation we're in," she said. "We should be proud. It feels that we are outside of Gaza, it's like ... [she paused briefly] ... being in Egypt."

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IDF: Curb 'price tag' violence
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Israel News
by Aviel Magnezi - July 26, 2010 - 12:00am

Palestinian fields in the Har Bracha area were torched on Monday as part of the settlers' "price tag" reprisals against the demolition of illegal structures in the settlement of Yitzhar earlier Monday. Palestinian fire trucks were deployed to the blazing fields and a heavy cloud of smoke hovered over the region. Meanwhile, two more settlers were arrested after clashing with police officers in Givat Natan near Bracha forest.

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