October 5th

Israelis Look Nervously Across to Syria ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Media Line by Linda Gradstein - (Opinion) October 4, 2012 - 12:00am Fears that Syria’s Violence Could Spill Over Border into Israel » Read more

Both Israeli and Arab, a poet straddles a conflict ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Eli Eliyahu - (Interview) October 3, 2012 - 12:00am Our interview has barely begun when Marwan Makhoul says to me, “It’s not easy for me to be interviewed by an Israeli newspaper. We, the Palestinian residents of Israel, are threatened by both sides, the Arab and the Israeli. We’re neither here nor there. We haven’t found a fitting definition for ourselves.” Makhoul, an Arab poet, and I, a Jewish journalist, are together to discuss the Hebrew-language publication of his book, “Land of the Sad Passiflora.” Many of the poems in this volume, he tells me, come straight out of his own biography. » Read more

Royal corruption ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Salman Masalha - (Opinion) October 5, 2012 - 12:00am Is it conceivable that foreign governments are buying political parties and public figures in Israel? This no doubt sounds like an unthinkable fabrication to you. But such corruption is indeed taking place here, far from the eyes of the public. His Majesty King Abdullah of Jordan buys political parties and spiritual leaders in Israel. This is done quietly without anyone here showing the least bit of surprise. » Read more

William Hague intervenes over West Bank barrier ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian by Harriet Sherwood - October 4, 2012 - 12:00am The British foreign secretary and the Archbishop of Westminster have joined forces in opposing the route of Israel's vast barrier along the West Bank, which adversely affects a community of monks, nuns and Christian families near Bethlehem. In a private letter seen by the Guardian, William Hague told Archbishop Vincent Nichols that he shared his "concerns about the problem of land confiscation by the Israeli authorities affecting the people of Beit Jala and similar Palestinian communities in the occupied territories". » Read more

Israel, Palestinians cooperate on Gaza Internet ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Tovah Lazaroff - October 4, 2012 - 12:00am For two days hostilities ceased along a half kilometer stretch of the Gaza fence as Israelis and Palestinians jointly toiled to provide the strip with its first high speed internet service. It will take another two weeks for the service to be up and running, said Maj. Adam Avidan who heads the foreign relations department for the Israeli Coordination and Liaison Administration to the Gaza Strip. “It will allow Gazans to connect to the world, and hopefully to peace,” he said. » Read more

Gates: No blank check from US to Israel on Iran ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post October 5, 2012 - 12:00am Former US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates stated on Thursday that Washington must make it clear to Israeli leaders that the US must not permit Israel to harm American interests. Speaking at an event in Norfolk, Virginia, Gates commented that the Israeli leaders must be aware they "do not have a blank check to take action that could do grave harm to American vital interests." » Read more

Prominent Ramla figure found murdered in mosque ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Eli Senyor - October 5, 2012 - 12:00am The body of a prominent member of Ramla's Muslim community was found Friday inside the city's Great Mosque. The victim was identified as Muhammad Taji Abu Jamil, an official who oversaw the affairs of the Waqf in the city. Magen David Adom emergency services were called to the scene but had no choice but to pronounce him dead. The Ramla Police have launched an investigation. » Read more

Thousands of Christians march in Jerusalem in support of Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press October 5, 2012 - 12:00am Waving blue and white Israeli flags, thousands of evangelical Christians from around the world filled streets of downtown Jerusalem on Thursday in a show of support for the Jewish state. The annual march during the week-long Jewish Sukkot holiday brings together Christians from dozens of countries. » Read more

PA distributes August salaries ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency October 3, 2012 - 12:00am BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) -- The Palestinian Authority finance ministry said Wednesday that it was distributing late salaries to employees who have been waiting since early September to be paid. Ministry spokesman Rami Mahdawi said the salaries would be paid out on Thursday to employees making over 4,500 shekels per month. Their full salaries had been put on hold to pay lower wage earners. » Read more

Gaza man self-immolates ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency October 5, 2012 - 12:00am GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- A 20-year-old man is in intensive care after setting himself on fire on Friday in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, the health ministry said. Witnesses told Ma'an that Muhammad al-Khudri doused himself in gasoline and set himself on fire. Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra said al-Khudri was admitted to the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis with severe burns.