May 3rd

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.

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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.

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Palestinian factions sign unity deal in Cairo
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP)
May 3, 2011 - 12:00am

Palestinian factions gathered in Cairo on Tuesday signed a reconciliation deal that will pave the way for elections within a year, an AFP correspondent said. Representatives of 13 factions, including President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party and its rival Hamas, as well as independent political figures inked the deal following talks with Egyptian officials. A formal signing ceremony will be held on Wednesday, and will be attended by Hamas chief Khalid Mash'al and President Mahmoud Abbas.

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Palestinian vulnerability exposed as Israel withholds money
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times
by Maher Abukhater - (Blog) May 2, 2011 - 12:00am

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad on Monday sent out an urgent appeal for help saying he may not be able to pay for salaries for about 130,000 public employees or anything else if Israel does not release about $100 million in funds collected over the last month on behalf of the Palestinian Authority.

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Palestinian vulnerability exposed as Israel withholds money
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times
by Maher Abukhater - May 2, 2011 - 12:00am

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad on Monday sent out an urgent appeal for help saying he may not be able to pay for salaries for about 130,000 public employees or anything else if Israel does not release about $100 million in funds collected over the last month on behalf of the Palestinian Authority.

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Smaller Palestinian factions, including Islamic Jihad, back Hamas-Fatah reconciliation
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
May 3, 2011 - 12:00am

A top Palestinian negotiator says 15 smaller factions, including militant Islamic groups, have thrown their weight behind a reconciliation deal ending a four-year rift between the movement’s main groups, Hamas and Fatah. Under a framework accord reached last week between Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, and Fatah in the West Bank, a unity caretaker government will be formed ahead of elections next year.

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Tensions Rise as Hamas Refuses to Take Sides in Syria
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Ethan Bronner - May 2, 2011 - 12:00am

Relations between the Palestinian group Hamas, which is based in the Syrian capital, Damascus, and the Syrian authorities have been strained in recent weeks, mostly as a result of the antigovernment uprising there, with reports growing that Hamas is looking for another home. Al Hayat, the London-based pan-Arab newspaper, reported Saturday that Hamas’s political wing was decamping to Doha, the capital of Qatar, but Hamas officials in Syria and beyond it denied it. Similar reports circulated on Monday and denials were again issued.

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Tensions Rise as Hamas Refuses to Take Sides in Syria
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Ethan Bronner - May 2, 2011 - 12:00am

Relations between the Palestinian group Hamas, which is based in the Syrian capital, Damascus, and the Syrian authorities have been strained in recent weeks, mostly as a result of the antigovernment uprising there, with reports growing that Hamas is looking for another home. Al Hayat, the London-based pan-Arab newspaper, reported Saturday that Hamas’s political wing was decamping to Doha, the capital of Qatar, but Hamas officials in Syria and beyond it denied it. Similar reports circulated on Monday and denials were again issued.

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May 2nd

Israel says it may end tax revenue transfers to the PA, prompting calls from the US for clarification and from PM Fayyad for international intervention. Hamas’ leadership denies it is leaving Syria. Palestinian leaders are making their way to Cairo for a national unity agreement signing ceremony. The deal may be partly the result of new Egyptian foreign policy, which Rami Khouri says marks Egypt’s return to the Arab fold. Hamas says the next prime minister must be from Gaza, but Fatah officials say Fayyad may remain in office. Aaron David Miller says the deal creates the illusion of unity. Israel feels increased tension and pressure. Egypt calls on the US to recognize a Palestinian state. Likud hardliners call for annexing the West Bank. The planned opening of the Gaza-Egypt border may cause new problems for Israel. The PA welcomes the death of Osama bin Laden, but Hamas condemns it and calls him a “holy warrior.” Israeli conductor Daniel Barenboim will perform a “peace concert” in Gaza. Akiva Eldar and the Daily Star both welcome the Palestinian unity agreement and Amira Hass says it may serve Israeli policies. Tzachi Hanegbi says PM Netanyahu should announce plans for Israeli national unity. The Arab News says Pres. Obama has capitulated to Israeli intransigence.

Palestinians: Bin Laden's death is good for the cause of peace
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
May 2, 2011 - 12:00am

The Western-backed Palestinian Authority said on Monday the killing of Osama bin Laden by U.S. forces was "good for the cause of peace," "Getting rid of Bin Laden is good for the cause of peace worldwide but what counts is to overcome the discourse and the methods -- the violent methods -- that were created and encouraged by Bin Laden and others in the world," PA spokesman Ghassan Khatib said.

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