August 5th

Israeli-Turkish trade remains brisk in spite of tensions. Settlers turn to violence during the dismantling of an unauthorized outpost. Israeli forces demolish rebuilt Palestinian structures in the Jordan Valley. The PA Telecommunications Minister apologizes for harassment of TV and radio stations in Nablus. Israel arrests three Arabs accused of espionage for Syria. Hamas again denounces direct negotiations. Pres. Mubarak remains at the center of efforts to establish direct talks including a phone call with Pres. Obama, and Palestinians say negotiations on terms of reference are proceeding. PM Netanyahu vows to retaliate against Hamas for recent rocket attacks. Israeli police suspect an accused Jewish terrorist was part of a larger cell. Palestinian leaders in Israel threaten a national strike over discriminatory budget cuts, and a new study finds at-risk Arab students receive much less funding than Jewish ones. D. Bloomfield says Pres. Abbas' hesitation greatly assists Netanyahu. Gaza human rights groups blame Hamas for a large explosion. Israel plans to fight international isolation. Abdul Rahman Al-Rashed says Abbas must make some tough decisions. Michael Jansen says direct talks could be a trap for the Palestinians.

Arab authorities threaten state-wide strike
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
August 4, 2010 - 12:00am


Arab authority heads protested Wednesday in front of the Prime Minister's Residence in Jerusalem, against what they claim are discriminatory budget cuts. Union of Local Authorities chairman Shlomo Buhbut warned that if the government did not transfer more funds to the Arab authorities, he would start a general strike of all local authorities, including the Jewish ones, as well as the schools.


Is Bibi becoming a dove?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by D. Bloomfield - August 5, 2010 - 12:00am


Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has done what Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu could never do for himself – transform the Israeli leader’s image from hawk to dove. And he had help from American, European and even Arab leaders who are urging Abbas to quit dawdling and meet the Israeli prime minister at the peace table. The Obama administration weighed in Monday with State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley publicly warning Abbas “there are consequences to failing to take advantage of this opportunity.”


Report: Arab children shortchanged by social services
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Ruth Eglash - August 5, 2010 - 12:00am


Children at risk in the Arab sector are less likely to get assistance from social welfare services than Jewish children in similar situations, according to a study published on Wednesday by Sikkuy – The Association for the Advancement of Civic Equality in Israel. “The Ministry of Welfare and Social Services operates an unequal policy in caring for Jewish and Arab children at risk,” according to the study, which was presented at the organization’s annual conference in Haifa.


Shin Bet: Suspected Jewish terrorist Pearlman didn't work alone
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Liel Kyzer - August 5, 2010 - 12:00am


The Shin Bet security service and the police believe that Chaim Pearlman, suspected of murdering four Palestinians and wounding several others, committed the acts attributed to him with the help of accomplices. The suspicions emerged at Pearlman's remand in a Petach Tikvah court. Pearlman's remand was extended by six days. Sources close to Pearlman said "There has been no progress in the investigation ever since he was arrested. The Shin Bet insists on holding him for no reason."


Israel Fights Isolation With New Measures
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward
by Gal Beckerman - August 4, 2010 - 12:00am


Israel is taking significant new steps to relieve its international isolation following the fatal raid on a humanitarian flotilla and the accusatory Goldstone Report.


Netanyahu: Hamas responsible for rockets on Eilat; we will retaliate
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
August 5, 2010 - 12:00am


Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Israeli television Wednesday that Hamas was responsible for the deadly rocket fire on Israel's and Jordan's Red Sea ports on Monday, and that Israel would retaliate. Earlier Wednesday, Egyptian officials also confirmed that the rocket attacks, which had killed a Jordanian taxi driver in Aqaba, had been carried out by the militant Palestinian group operating from Egypt, after days of denials.


Contacts underway to set peace reference: Palestinian official
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
August 5, 2010 - 12:00am


A Palestinian official revealed on Tuesday that international and Arab contacts are underway to set the terms of reference for the peace process. "There are many contacts between the Palestinian leadership and international and Arab peace players to ensure that the Palestinian demands to start direct talks will be met," Fatah official Jamal Mohaisen told Xinhua following a meeting of the party's central committee that was chaired by President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah.


Obama Administration Presses Palestinians To Enter Direct Talks With Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward
by Nathan Guttman - August 4, 2010 - 12:00am


State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley strove hard to hit the right note August 2 in describing the Obama administration’s recent effort to push the Palestinians into direct peace talks with Israel.


Mubarak, Obama tackle over phone requirements of launching direct peace talks
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
August 5, 2010 - 12:00am


Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak received Wednesday a phone call from U.S. President Barack Obama during which they discussed the requirements for starting direct peace talks between the Palestinians and Israel, Egypt's official MENA news agency reported. Mubarak underlined during the conversation Egypt's appreciation of the commitment of U.S. president to establish peace and create a propitious atmosphere for launching peace talks in line with clear terms of reference and a specific time frame.



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