More than 1,000 women running in Palestinian elections ATFP World Press Roundup Article from CNN by Samuel Burke, Claire Calzonetti - October 18, 2012 - 12:00am This Saturday, Palestinians in the West Bank will hold elections for the first time in six years, voting for municipal leaders. It takes place against a backdrop of a deep sense of frustration with the split between Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah, the stalled economy, and the stalemate with Israel over final statehood. What's so unusual about this election is the number of women running.  Maysoun Qawasmi is leading the first all-female independent ticket, their slogan: 'by participating, we can'. » Read more

Palestinians, heading to the polls, complain about lack of competition ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post by Karin Brulliard, Sufian Taha - October 19, 2012 - 12:00am HEBRON, West Bank — When local elections open on Saturday, Palestinians across the West Bank will exercise their right to vote for the first time in six years. Here in this city, the poll will carry even more significance: A long 37 years have passed since residents last cast ballots for their municipal council. » Read more

Palestinian local elections kick off in West Bank among concerns ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua October 18, 2012 - 12:00am RAMALLAH, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian municipal elections started in the West Bank Thursday for the first time since 2005 among concerns of excluding the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem. The voting on Thursday was allocated for policemen and security staff, and the polling stations will be open for more than 518,000 eligible voters Saturday, Palestinian officials said. » Read more

Israel approves more expansion of settlement near Jerusalem ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Ori Lewis - October 18, 2012 - 12:00am JERUSALEM, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Israel on Thursday issued a detailed plan for the building of some 800 new homes on annexed land in the West Bank that is certain to attract further international condemnation of its settlement policies. A planning committee issued a call for bids from contractors to start building 797 housing units on the western slopes of the urban settlement of Gilo, an area that Israel seized in the 1967 Middle East war and later declared part of Jerusalem. The annexation has never been recognised internationally. » Read more