January 19th

Israeli forces re-take Nablus during op
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
November 26, 2010 - 1:00am

Following an official hand over of military control to Palestinian Authority Security forces one week earlier, Israeli military vehicles were reported moving near the former government compound toward Joseph's Tomb. Informed Palestinian security sources said the Israeli military had informed the appropriate officials ahead of what was described as a "security activity" in the eastern sector of Nablus, in the region of the Balata refugee camp mid-morning on Friday.

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GAZA STRIP: Italian minister calls for Israel to relax border restrictions
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times
by Rushdi Abu Alouf - November 24, 2010 - 1:00am

Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini toured the Gaza Strip on Wednesday and called on Israel to facilitate more movement of goods and people between the seaside enclave and the West Bank. During a visit to a U.N. school in northern Gaza Strip, Frattini said Israel must do more to open the crossings. "It is true that there have been improvements on the situation, but this is not enough." The Italian minister arrived after meeting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and a number of Palestinian officials, as well as leaders of Israel.

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WEST BANK: Israel bulldozes Fayyad’s Freedom Road
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times
by Maher Abukhater - November 25, 2010 - 1:00am

On Sept. 1, Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad celebrated with the residents of Qarawat Bani Hassan the inauguration of a mile-long road linking the small West Bank village to a spring its residents consider the lifeline of the community. It was called Freedom Road. While Fayyad was on a trip to Japan this week, hoping to get more funding for his two-year “Palestine: Ending the Occupation, Establishing the State” program, of which building that road was one project, Israel on Wednesday destroyed the road, which is located in Area C of the West Bank.

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Western Wall Feud Heightens Israeli-Palestinian Tensions
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Isabel Kershner - November 25, 2010 - 1:00am

The prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, on Thursday strongly denounced a Palestinian Authority paper that denies any Jewish connection to the Western Wall, the iconic holy site and place of Jewish worship in the Old City of Jerusalem, describing the report as “reprehensible and scandalous.” The episode appeared to signal a worsening atmosphere after a two-month hiatus in peace talks.

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G.O.P. and Tea Party Are Mixed Blessing for Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Mark Landler - November 25, 2010 - 1:00am

When Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel came to the United States recently for another round of tense talks with the Obama administration, he got a decidedly warmer welcome from one of the rising Republican stars on Capitol Hill, Representative Eric Cantor, the incoming majority leader of the House. But while Mr. Cantor and other newly empowered Republicans are eager to promote themselves as Israel’s staunchest defenders in Washington, the reconfigured American political landscape is a more complex and unpredictable backdrop for Middle East peacemaking.

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Colony freeze a must for peace
Media Mention of ATFP In Gulf News - January 19, 2011 - 1:00am

Hillary Rodham Clinton was quick to rebuke Israel for its demolition of part of the historic Shepherd Hotel in occupied Arab East Jerusalem where Jewish colonists are hoping to build 20 housing units.

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Palestinians raise flag at Washington diplomatic mission
Media Mention of Ghaith al-Omari In The Associated Press - January 19, 2011 - 1:00am

The Palestine Liberation Organization for the first time hoisted its flag above its Washington mission Tuesday, saying the symbolic step shows progress in the US-Palestinian relationship. “It’s about time that this flag that symbolizes the struggle of the Palestinian people for self-determination and statehood be raised in the United States,” said PLO chief of mission Maen Areikat. “I think it indicates the willingness of the American administration to deal with the realities on the ground.”

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Pres. Medvedev visits the West Bank, reaffirms Russian commitment to Palestinian statehood, and demands an end to Israeli settlement activity. An Israeli citizen has been arrested in connection with the Srebrenica massacre.The Arab League praises Palestinian diplomatic efforts for more recognition. A Palestinian man is killed by Israeli forces in Gaza. PM Fayyad says Palestinian tax revenues must increase to offset dependence on foreign aid. The Middle East Quartet will meet in Munich in February. The Israeli military is digging in for future conflicts. Aluf Benn says Israel cannot stop Palestinian independence. Recognition of Palestine by Spain and Caribbean islands may be in the offing. The Palestinian flag is raised at the PLO Mission in Washington for the first time. Hammas announces a rebuilding program in Gaza. A strike by Israeli Foreign Ministry workers is severely hampering Israel's diplomacy. Pres. Abbas urges the Quartet to pressure Israel. PM Netanyahu will attend the AIPAC conference in Washington in May. Arab states have formally submitted a draft resolution on settlements to the UN Security Council. Daniel Levy says the Labor Party and its political traditions are finally dead. Hussein Ibish says the Hariri assassination Tribunal report may give Hezbollah a similar experience Israel had with the Goldstone Report.

Arabs submit settlement resolution to Security Council
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News
January 18, 2011 - 1:00am

Arab nations have formally submitted a resolution to the UN Security Council condemning Jewish settlement building in the occupied West Bank. They did so despite objections from the US, which many expect would veto the resolution if it was brought to a vote. The Palestinians say they are turning to the Security Council because US attempts to get a settlement building freeze have so far failed. They pulled out of direct talks with Israel over the issue in October.

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Palestinians raise flag at Washington diplomatic mission
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
January 18, 2011 - 1:00am

The Palestine Liberation Organization for the first time hoisted its flag above its Washington mission Tuesday, saying the symbolic step shows progress in the US-Palestinian relationship. “It’s about time that this flag that symbolizes the struggle of the Palestinian people for self-determination and statehood be raised in the United States,” said PLO chief of mission Maen Areikat. “I think it indicates the willingness of the American administration to deal with the realities on the ground.”

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