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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.



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