Israeli PM weighing "goodwill" gestures to Palestinians ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua by Gur Salomon - August 30, 2010 - 12:00am Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to offer Palestinian National Authority (PNA) President Mahmoud Abbas several "goodwill gestures" in exchange for the Palestinian leader's approval of an Israeli renewal of construction activity in the West Bank, political sources said. » Read more

Palestinian PM reveals more of state-building plan ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua August 30, 2010 - 12:00am Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad on Monday announced the second part of his plan which aims at preparing national institutions for a possible declaration of a Palestinian statehood. In the second year of the two-year plan, which was first declared in August 2009, would focus on "continuing the rebuilding of the state's organizations." The newly-revealed part of the plan include spreading the basis of fairness, transparency, separation of powers and boosting security and order, Fayyad said in a news conference. » Read more

Fayyad says self-sufficient economy PA's next goal ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency August 31, 2010 - 12:00am A year into his two-year plan to build a Palestinian state, Prime Minister Salam Fayyad says the next goal is be a self-sufficient economy. Speaking at a presentation marking the midway point of his plan, Fayyad said recent growth was a result of foreign aid, but aid-dependency must be reduced to build an economy that can support statehood. The Ramallah-based prime minister explained that financial policy reforms and investment were required to achieve the aim of a democratic system that incorporates freedom of speech, civil liberties and a strong civil society. » Read more

At least they're talking ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times (Editorial) August 31, 2010 - 12:00am After nearly three decades of failed peace negotiations, Israelis and Palestinians are understandably dubious about the prospects for success of the latest round of talks, this one between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, starting in Washington on Thursday. President Obama had to drag the leaders to the bargaining table after a 20-month hiatus in face-to-face contact between the two sides. » Read more

Poll: Palestinians back negotiations with Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency August 31, 2010 - 12:00am Two-thirds of Palestinians are in favor of either direct or indirect negotiations with Israel, the results of a new poll released Monday finds. The Palestinian Center for Public Opinion surveyed over 1,000 Palestinians from the West Bank, occupied East Jerusalem and Gaza earlier this month, ahead of the resumption of direct talks in Washington on 2 September. Around one-third (31.7 percent) of Palestinians were in favor of resuming direct negotiations, while 31.1 percent favored continuing indirect talks. » Read more

Fayyad 'sorry' for response to anti-talks forum ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency August 31, 2010 - 12:00am Prime Minister Salam Fayyad apologized Monday evening for the actions of Palestinian Authority security forces at a conference meant to protest the PLO's decision to return to direct peace talks. "As prime minister, I am fully responsible for what happened and I apologize," Fayyad said during a news conference celebrating the "home stretch to freedom" and the start of the second year of the Plan of the 13th Government. "As I feel sorry when I say that, I feel confident that it will never be repeated," he added calling "what happened on Wednesday ... obviously a big error." » Read more

Time stands still in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post by Richard Cohen - (Opinion) August 31, 2010 - 12:00am Say what you will about the Arab world, it's hard to earn its gratitude. President Obama went to Egypt and not Israel. He demanded that Israel cease adding new settlements in the West Bank. He treated Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu with a chilling disdain. For all of that, though, Obama's approval rating in Arab countries has sunk. Unlike almost a fifth of Americans, the Arab world clearly knows Obama is no Muslim. » Read more

New Chance for Peace ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times (Editorial) August 30, 2010 - 12:00am Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, will open talks on a two-state solution on Thursday in Washington. These will be the first direct negotiations between the two sides in 20 months, and there will be an early test of the two leaders’ seriousness of purpose. » Read more

Outlines Emerge of Future State in the West Bank ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Ethan Bronner - August 30, 2010 - 12:00am As preparations intensify for a Palestinian-Israeli summit meeting in Washington on Thursday, the crude outlines of a Palestinian state are emerging in the West Bank, with increasingly reliable security forces, a more disciplined government and a growing sense among ordinary citizens that they can count on basic services. » Read more