October 17th

Hamas PM transfers powers to deputy, as he vies for top political role ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Times of Israel by Elhanan Miller - October 16, 2012 - 12:00am Hamas’s Gaza Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh reportedly transferred his authorities to his deputy Ziad Zaza on Tuesday, in a move analysts consider the start of his campaign to replace Khaled Mashaal as head of Hamas’s political bureau. » Read more

Just 5% of J'lem municipality property serves Arabs ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Melanie Lidman - October 16, 2012 - 12:00am Only 5.5 percent of the 2,600 properties owned by the city of Jerusalem are serving the Arab residents of the capital, according to a new database created by the Jerusalem Awakening party and the Public Knowledge Workshop. » Read more

Netanyahu cabinet to adopt parts of Levy report on legal status of West Bank outposts ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Barak Ravid - October 17, 2012 - 12:00am Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet will adopt parts of a report by a cabinet-sanctioned panel that advised to legalize West Bank outposts and which rejected the claim that Israel's presence in the territories is that of an occupying force, Israel Radio reported on Wednesday. » Read more

PA workers to strike over unpaid salaries ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency October 17, 2012 - 12:00am RAMALLAH (Ma’an) -- The Palestinian Authority's public workers union has called for full strike Wednesday and Thursday and again next week in protest of the government's failure to pay salaries. The head of the union, Bassam Zakarneh, said Tuesday that the Palestinian Authority was allowing the United States and Israel's pressure over the UN bid to affect the Palestinian people. » Read more

In letter, Abbas tells Obama still wants 2 states ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters October 17, 2012 - 12:00am RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- President Mahmoud Abbas sent a letter to US President Barack Obama on Tuesday insisting his government was still committed to the two-state solution. The letter, according to Abbas' political adviser Nimir Hammad, explains that the intended bid to the UN General Assembly to obtain the status of a non-member state was not a unilateral move. » Read more

Israel's Netanyahu banks on tough guy image to win early elections ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Christian Science Monitor by Christa Case Bryant - October 16, 2012 - 12:00am Jerusalem Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has come charging out of the gate with his reelection campaign, fashioning himself as a tough leader who is unrivaled in his ability to keep Israel safe and prosperous at a crucial time. » Read more

Uprooting of olive trees brings bitter harvest for Palestinians ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Irish Times by Mark Weiss - October 17, 2012 - 12:00am PALESTINIANS PROTESTING against the uprooting of olive trees by West Bank Jewish settlers yesterday blocked the main 443 motorway to Jerusalem before being dispersed by Israeli border police using stun grenades. » Read more

Palestinians protesters shut West Bank highway to avoid settlers' raids ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua October 16, 2012 - 12:00am RAMALLAH, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian protesters and international peace activists on Tuesday briefly blocked a street in the West Bank allocated for the use of Israeli vehicles only. The protesters shut Route 443 on a highway linking Jerusalem and Tel Aviv near Ramallah city, causing traffic jam for half an hour. » Read more

Israeli DM denies reported meeting with Abbas in Jordan ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua October 16, 2012 - 12:00am JERUSALEM, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Israel's Defense Ministry on Tuesday denied a Palestinian report alleging that Minister Ehud Barak recently met with Palestinian National Authority (PNA) President Mahmoud Abbas in Jordan. » Read more

Israeli ex-PM Olmert faces appeal against his corruption case acquittals ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua October 17, 2012 - 12:00am JERUSALEM, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli State Attorney's office announced Tuesday evening it is appealing the acquittals of former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in two corruption cases to the Supreme Court. The State Attorney's office notified Olmert's legal team about the appeals on Tuesday. » Read more