July 2nd

Obama to press Netanyahu on peace process, settlement freeze
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Barak Ravid - July 2, 2010 - 12:00am

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will get a warm reception from U.S. President Barack Obama on his trip to Washington next week, official sources said. But Obama is expected to question Netanyahu closely on where the peace process is heading, around three months before the freeze on West Bank construction expires. The Americans are concerned about the implications that resuming the construction might have on the negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, the sources said.

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July 1st

Aid from the Turkish flotilla begins to arrive in Gaza. Turkish and Israeli officials resume high-level contacts. Nick Kristof says the occupation is morally repugnant. Special Envoy Mitchell welcomes the easing of the Gaza blockade. Tensions build in Silwan In occupied East Jerusalem where Palestinian homes are slated for demolition. Israel bombs three sites in Gaza. Power outages in Gaza are down to eight hours a day. Pres. Abbas gives a rare interview to Israeli media, reiterating that he is ready for direct talks if Israel clarifies its positions on borders and security. The IHH claims Gaza flotilla passengers were tortured. Larry Derfner says Israelis are not ready for peace. Ben White says Camp David proves one-on-one negotiations are hopeless and international pressure is required. A Gaza lawyer sues for the right to study in the West Bank. ATFP Pres. Ziad Asali says peace demands courage from both Palestinians and Israelis.

'Flotilla passengers were tortured'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
July 1, 2010 - 12:00am

The organization which sent the Gaza aid flotilla which was intercepted by the IDF earlier this month, released a report Thursday outlining the events of the raid. Describing the goal of the aid flotilla as "completely civilian in nature" and "carrying the conscience of the world," the report categorized the IDF interception as a terrorist attack carried out by the Israeli government in "international waters against civilians who had come together for peaceful purposes."

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Palestinian leader gives interview to Israel media
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
by Matti Friedman - July 1, 2010 - 12:00am

The Palestinian president has given a rare interview to Israeli media in an apparent effort to counter the claims in some circles that Israel has no partner for peace talks. Mahmoud Abbas spent three hours with Israeli reporters, discussing subjects from peacemaking efforts to the World Cup and his smoking habit. Abbas' top negotiator, Saeb Erekat, says the president is trying to "reach out" to the Israeli public and seek a partner for peace. The interview took place in his office in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Wednesday and was reported in Israeli newspapers on Thursday.

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Rattling the Cage: Israelis don’t want peace
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Larry Derfner - (Opinion) July 1, 2010 - 12:00am

Soon after I came to this country 25 years ago, I learned that among my relatives, “Tali” was the real Arab-hater, the most extreme right-winger in the family. “For Tali, the only good Arab is a dead Arab, right?” one of my cousins ribbed her one Friday night. “Wrong,” she said. “For me, dead isn’t good enough – he’s got to be buried 40 meters underground, too.”

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Gaza blackouts down to 8 hours per day
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
July 1, 2010 - 12:00am

A delivery of 250,000 liters of industrial fuel on Wednesday will allow the Gaza Power Plant to redistribute its electricity supply, providing central Gaza with 16 hours of power each day. With the infusion of fuel, the Gaza Energy Authority said in a statement, power production will once again reach 30 megawatts, bringing capacity back up to 50-60%. For the past week, blackout schedules had 12-16 hours of darkness for each area served by the power station, a schedule that will be reduced to eight hours per day as of Thursday morning.

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Lessons from Camp David
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian
by Ben White - July 1, 2010 - 12:00am

Ten years ago this month, Israelis and Palestinians gathered at Camp David, under the guidance of President Bill Clinton, for negotiations aimed at reaching a final agreement. The talks ended in failure, and by the end of September, the second intifada had begun.

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Israeli warplanes target 3 sites in Gaza
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
July 1, 2010 - 12:00am

Israeli aircraft shelled two locations in the southern Gaza Strip and one in the north Thursday morning, damaging the already destroyed Yasser Arafat International Airport, a residential area, and an empty field. Eyewitnesses said at least two F16 warplanes were involved in the operation, and one Gaza City resident said a strike targeted the Abu Jerad area, damaging several homes.

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Gaza lawyer challenges West Bank study ban
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian
by Harriet Sherwood - July 1, 2010 - 12:00am

A 29-year-old lawyer from Gaza has launched a legal challenge against Israel's refusal to allow her to travel to the West Bank to study human rights and democracy. Fatima Sharif must register for her masters degree at Birzeit University near Ramallah in two weeks' time or she will lose her place. The Israeli authorities have denied her permission to leave Gaza on the grounds that she does not meet Israel's criteria of "humanitarian and exceptional" need.

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Tensions build in Palestinian neighborhood over plans to demolish 22 houses
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post
by Joel Greenberg - July 1, 2010 - 12:00am

In a warren of cramped alleys in the crowded Palestinian neighborhood of Silwan, a slogan scrawled on a wall warns: "Silwan is in danger." The danger, as residents see it, is a city development plan that calls for the demolition of 22 homes to make room for a park that would flank a promenade of restaurants, art studios and shops. Mayor Nir Barkat says the plan -- aimed at attracting visitors to the historic valley near Jerusalem's Old City where Silwan is located -- will improve services to residents, provide jobs and boost commerce.

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