Palestinians miss salaries for first time since '07 ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Ali Sawafta - May 9, 2011 - 12:00am The Palestinian Authority said on Monday it had not been able to pay public sector salaries for the first time since 2007 because of Israel's decision to halt the transfer of tax funds. Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said Israel's decision, taken in protest at a Palestinian unity deal involving the Islamist group Hamas -- had put the Ramallah-based government in an impossible financial position. » Read more

France ups PA aid as Israel holds tax funds ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP) May 9, 2011 - 12:00am France on Monday announced it would donate 10 million euros ($14.3 million) to the Palestinian Authority after Israel froze tax revenue transfers following a Palestinian unity agreement. The aid infusion came as Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad told reporters his government was unable to pay employees because of Israel's decision to halt revenue transfers after Fatah and Hamas inked a unity deal. "The Palestinian Authority cannot pay the salaries for the month until the Israeli government transfers the money," he said. » Read more

Fatah to discuss September deadlines ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency May 10, 2011 - 12:00am Fatah's governing body will evaluate party support and possible strategies including the September deadline for statehood and a possible bid at the UN, an official said Monday night. The party's Revolutionary Council began meetings late Monday evening, headed by president and party leader Mahmoud Abbas at the presidential headquarters in Ramallah, officials told the government news agency WAFA. » Read more

Pro & Con: Should the U.S. support the Hamas-Fatah unity agreement? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Atlanta Journal Constitution by Jimmy Carter - (Opinion) May 9, 2011 - 12:00am This is a decisive moment. Palestine’s two major political movements — Fatah and Hamas — have signed a reconciliation agreement that will permit both to contest elections for the presidency and legislature within a year. If the U.S. and the international community support this effort, they can help Palestinian democracy and establish the basis for a unified Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza that can make a secure peace with Israel. If they remain aloof or undermine the agreement, the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory may deteriorate with new violence against Israel. » Read more

Fatah-Hamas pact called new chance for peace ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post by Joel Greenberg - May 9, 2011 - 12:00am The reconciliation pact signed last week by the Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas was denounced by Israel and has left Washington weighing its response, but Palestinian mediators who helped broker the deal say it opens new opportunities for a resumption of peace talks. The accord, which provides for the formation of a transitional government of technocrats to prepare for elections in a year, also sets a goal that Fatah and Hamas say they share: a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with a capital in Jerusalem, next to Israel. » Read more

West Bank: Tax Withholding by Israel Will Delay Paychecks for Palestinians ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Isabel Kershner - May 9, 2011 - 12:00am The Palestinian prime minister, Salam Fayyad, left, said Monday that the Palestinian Authority could not pay the salaries of its employees on time this month because of Israel’s decision to withhold the transfer of tax revenue it collects on behalf of the Palestinians. Israel delayed the transfer of almost $90 million after the reconciliation last week between Fatah, the party that dominates the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority, and Hamas, the Islamic militant group that controls Gaza. » Read more