Palestinian presidency calls for keeping calm with Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua May 3, 2011 - 12:00am The Palestinian presidency called on factions Fatah and Hamas movements to maintain calm with Israel, saying this is only way to face it. "Israel is trying to make excuses in order not to break the siege on the Gaza Strip or to withdraw from the Palestinian lands, " presidency spokesman Nabil Abu Rdineh said. "We do not want to give Israel pretexts by violating the state of calm." » Read more

Popular Palestinian premier could be on way out ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press by Mohammed Daraghmeh - May 3, 2011 - 12:00am There are growing signs that the Palestinian prime minister, Salam Fayyad, could be on his way out, as the rival Fatah and Hamas movements prepare to sign a reconciliation deal this week and form a new "unity government." An ouster of the internationally respected economist could cost the Palestinians hundreds of millions of dollars in Western aid, spell the end of critical U.S. training for Palestinian security forces and endanger an effort to win support for Palestinian statehood at the United Nations. » Read more

Palestinian Reconciliation, First Step Toward Proclamation of the State ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Dar Al-Hayat by George Semaan - (Opinion) May 2, 2011 - 12:00am The signing of the Palestinian reconciliation agreement between the authority and the Hamas movement is an extremely belated step. Throughout many months, this agreement remained quasi-impossible, but the Arab action, from Tunisia to Syria going through Egypt, Yemen and Jordan, was behind the activation of reconciliation, as the Palestinians felt that their cause was no longer the first item on the agenda of the Arab capitals facing a busy domestic schedule. At this level, it would be enough to mention the major transformation witnessed in Egypt, i.e. » Read more

'Arab Spring' a boon for Israel? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News by Linda Heard - May 2, 2011 - 12:00am It is generally believed that the political shape shifting throughout swathes of the Arab world constitutes bad news for Israel. That argument does hold some water. For instance, Egypt's caretaker Cabinet has succeeded in bringing Fatah and Hamas together to form a unity government and has announced plans to reopen the Rafah crossing to Gaza. Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces Gen. Sami Anan says, "Israel has no right to intervene in the decision about the Rafah border. It is an Egyptian-Palestinian matter." » Read more

Palestinians: Fire damages mosque in West Bank ATFP World Press Roundup Article from May 3, 2011 - 12:00am Palestinian villagers say a mosque has been set on fire in the northern West Bank. The residents of Hawara village near Nablus say they didn't see anyone at the scene of the pre-dawn blaze on Tuesday. But the villagers say they suspect the mosque was torched by Jewish settlers who live nearby and with whom they have strained relations. Villagers put out the fire, which damaged prayer carpets. Two of the mosque's windows were broken. Israeli security forces had no immediate comment. » Read more

Gaza demonstrators condemn death of bin Laden ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press May 3, 2011 - 12:00am Some two dozen Palestinians gathered in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday to pay tribute to slain al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden. About 25 people holding pictures and posters of bin Laden rallied outside a Gaza City university. The crowd included al-Qaida sympathizers as well as students who said they opposed bin Laden's ideology, but were angry at the U.S. for killing him and consider him a martyr. Hamas police did not interfere in the demonstration. » Read more

Good news for peace ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons by Ghassan Khatib - (Blog) May 2, 2011 - 12:00am The reconciliation agreement that was initialed between Fateh and Hamas and will be signed by them in Cairo, next Wednesday, is good news for both the Palestinian people and the peace process. A united Palestinian people is more conducive to a successful peace process than Palestinians splintered and in conflict. This is especially true if they are united on a political basis compatible to the fundamental requirements of the peace process and international legality. » Read more

Palestinian unity drive has Israeli price tag ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Mohammed Assadi - May 3, 2011 - 12:00am Palestinian government workers fear pay cuts this month after Israel halted transfer of tax revenues in response to a deal to reunite the two rival wings of the Palestinian independence movement. But many believe the surprise agreement between President Mahmoud Abbas' secular Fatah faction and Hamas Islamists in Gaza will be worth the price if it brings statehood closer. Israel refuses to deal with Hamas, which does not recognise the Jewish state. The two came close to a second war last month. » Read more

Not a finished product ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons by Yossi Alpher - (Blog) May 3, 2011 - 12:00am The Fateh-Hamas reconciliation announced last week is yet another by-product of the revolutionary wave sweeping the Arab world. As such, it is not a finished product: it is subject to change and evolution. Moreover, in the particular case of the Palestinians, we may also witness changes in the reconciliation process that reflect the shifting tactical calculations of the two partners, much as we have seen in their relationship ever since the 2006 Palestinian elections. Indeed, one difficulty in understanding this new departure is the lack of total clarity regarding both sides' motives. » Read more

Fayyad: No salaries as PA waits for tax revenues ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency May 3, 2011 - 12:00am Palestinian Authority premier Salam Fayyad said Monday that Israel's decision to withhold Palestinian tax revenue over the announcement of Palestinian unity would not deter reconciliation efforts. "The Palestinian Authority will never accept division as the price of financial support," Fayyad told reporters Monday afternoon in Ramallah. Israel's Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz told Army Radio on Sunday he had postponed a meeting to arrange the transfer of an estimated 300 million shekels ($88.7 million) in tax revenue which Israel collects on behalf of the PA. » Read more