Al-Ahmad: Abbas considering holding elections
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
January 31, 2011 - 1:00am

Senior Fatah official Azzam Al-Ahmad said Sunday that President Mahmoud Abbas was looking into holding presidential and legislative elections despite the national division. Speaking at a press conference in Ramallah, Al-Ahmad said a meeting would be held Monday to discuss holding elections. Fatah would support a government decision to hold elections, he said. The PA called off elections in June 2010, just weeks ahead of a planned vote. Officials said the sudden decision stemmed from the refusal of Hamas officials in Gaza to partake in the vote, a decision taken as early as March.

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Analysis: Egyptian chaos and the Palestinian question
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Herb Keinon - January 31, 2011 - 1:00am

Instability gripping neighbors will only strengthen PM’s default setting - any peace accord must have ironclad security arrangements. Remember PaliLeaks? With all the current commotion in Egypt, last week’s release by Al Jazeera of Palestinian documents disclosing what went on behind closed doors between Israeli, Palestinian and American negotiators over the last number of years seems suddenly so distant.

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Gazans fear unrest threatens vital supply line
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
January 31, 2011 - 1:00am

The ongoing unrest in Egypt affected prices in the blockaded Gaza Strip, where most of the commodities have been flooding to the coastal enclave through smuggling tunnels. Locals say items like cigarettes and basic food went up by almost a third. Gas stations have closed because owners are worried they could fail to get enough fuel due to the deteriorating situation in Egypt, namely in the Sinai.

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UN resolution condemning Israel puts Obama on the spot
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National
by James Reinl - January 31, 2011 - 1:00am

A draft Security Council resolution that condemns Israeli settlement building on Palestinian land is expected to push the US president, Barack Obama, into the uncomfortable position of using his first veto in the top UN chamber. The Palestinians have returned to the UN's 15-nation body to settle grievances with Israel after US-brokered talks between the two sides broke down last year, saying that Washington will lose credibility if it blocks their draft resolution.

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Gaza-Egypt border sealed indefinitely
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
January 31, 2011 - 1:00am

Egyptian authorities have closed the crossing with the Gaza Strip indefinitely as its army deploys in the northern Sinai, a Ma'an correspondent said Sunday. Egyptian security contacted officials in Gaza to check up on the situation along the Rafah border, and Hamas authorities confirmed that large numbers of security officers were deployed at the crossing. Authorities in Gaza also confirmed that strict instructions were given to smugglers telling them all tunnels would remain closed to ensure no Palestinians in Gaza were able to enter Egypt.

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Israel shows its anxiety at protests in Egypt
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National
by Vita Bekker - January 31, 2011 - 1:00am

The anti-government protests in Egypt are prompting concerns in neighbouring Israel. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, last week ordered his cabinet to refrain from commenting publicly on the unfolding events in Egypt. But his statements to his government's ministers yesterday, the first spoken openly by an Israeli official about the situation in Egypt since the protests began on January 25, indicated his anxiety.

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Israel Shaken as Turbulence Rocks an Ally
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Ethan Bronner - January 30, 2011 - 1:00am

The street revolt in Egypt has thrown the Israeli government and military into turmoil, with top officials closeted in round-the-clock strategy sessions aimed at rethinking their most significant regional relationship.

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January 28th

In his memoirs former PM Olmert says he was close to a deal with the Palestinians. Israel warily views unrest in Egypt. Khaled Elgindy says the Palestinian domestic constituency must be taken into consideration in peace talks. Palestinians say settlers have shot another protester. Al Jazeera's correspondent in Ramallah resigns. There is little recourse for victims of gender-based violence in the occupied territories. Israeli leaders "war-game" a Palestinian unilateral declaration of independence. Leaked alleged documents deepen Palestinian political divides, but Aluf Benn says they show a surprisingly serious process. Israel says Hezbollah is sending agents to Gaza. Yoel Marcus says Israel should focus on peace with the Palestinians, not Iran's nuclear program. Gadi Taub says as long as the occupation continues, Israel will not shed its apartheid image. Bill Clinton says Israel has never had a better peace partner. A British filmmaker looks at the conflict. Students stage a sit-in at the PLO mission in London. Palestinians say they may release documents embarrassing to Qatar.

The Palestinian Authority to release documents critical of Qatar
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Asharq Alawsat
by Saleh Al-Naami, Kifah Zaboun - January 27, 2011 - 1:00am

Senior Palestinian sources have informed Asharq Al-Awsat that the Palestinian Authority is in possession of important documents that condemn Qatar with regards to numerous issues relating to the Palestinian – Israeli negotiations.

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Palestinian ambassador to UK's office taken over by protesters
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian
by Sam Jones - January 27, 2011 - 1:00am

The offices of the Palestinian ambassador to the UK have been occupied by a group of students who are demanding new Palestinian national council elections. At 1pm today, around a dozen Palestinian students from a number of British universities arrived at the Palestinian general delegation to the UK in Hammersmith, west London. Although they had made an appointment to see the ambassador, Professor Manuel Hassassian, they arrived in large numbers and with computers and banners.

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