May 8th

Palestinians not optimistic about peace with new Israeli unity cabinet ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua May 8, 2012 - 12:00am RAMALLAH, May 8 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian official on Tuesday said he has no big hope in reviving stalled peace talks with Israel after the latter's parties agreed to form a unity government. Considering the deal an Israeli internal affair, Nabil Shaath of the Palestinian mainstream Fatah party said this agreement " will bring nothing new to the Palestinian-Israeli relations as long as Benjamin Netanyahu's policies remain in place." » Read more

Palestinians don’t have high hopes for Mofaz ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Elior Levy - May 8, 2012 - 12:00am Kadima Chairman Shaul Mofaz's decision to join Benjamin Netanyahu's government caught many in the Palestinian Authority by surprise but did not raise hope that the political change will lead to a resumption of peace talks. » Read more

Netanyahu, stunning Israel by forging unity bloc, defends move as pro-stability ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz May 8, 2012 - 12:00am The newly formed unity government was created to advance the main issues facing Israel today, including a "responsible peace process," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a joint press conference with Kadima head Shaul Mofaz on Tuesday, while the leader of Israel's Labor Party Shelly Yacimovich - thought likely to be become leader of the opposition - slammed the pair's pronouncements in her own press conference later on Tuesday. » Read more

Leader of Israel Centrist Party Kadima Agrees to Join Netanyahu’s Coalition ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Jodi Rudoren - May 8, 2012 - 12:00am JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the chairman of the opposition Kadima Party struck a deal early Tuesday morning to form a unity government, a surprise move that staves off early elections and creates a new coalition with a huge legislative majority. » Read more

May 7th

Israel's Civil Administration orders Palestinians to uproot 1,000 young olive trees in nature reserve ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Zafrir Rinat - (Opinion) May 1, 2012 - 12:00am Israel's Civil Administration in the West Bank has ordered Palestinian villagers to uproot more than 1,000 olive trees because they were planted in a nature reserve. Residents of Deir Istiya said they would fight the order in court, arguing that it violates their right to work privately owned land within the Nahal Kana reserve. » Read more

Abbas: I choose Netanyahu as my partner for peace ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Avi Issacharoff - May 1, 2012 - 12:00am Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas told the Tunisian parliament on Monday, "I choose you [Benjamin] Netanyahu as my partner for peace. With whom else can I make peace?" He qualified the unusual statement, however, by adding that Netanyahu must "choose between settlements and peace." Speaking to Tunisia's interim parliament, Abbas reiterated his demands from Israel: halting construction in the settlements, recognition of the two-state solution and acceptance of the principle of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders. » Read more

Islamic groups give $65 million to support Gaza health sector ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency May 1, 2012 - 12:00am GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- The Organization of Islamic Cooperation has collected $65 million support for the health sector in the Gaza Strip, a representative said on Monday. The funds will distributed among health service providers in Gaza to ease the crisis besetting the sector, deputy head of humanitarian affairs at the OIC Ataa al-Manane Bakhiti said at a Cairo press conference. Donated by several Islamic organizations, $15 million dollars will be delivered immediately in order to meet the basic needs of medical facilities, Bakhiti said. » Read more

Poll: Majority blame Fatah, Hamas for unity impasse ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency May 2, 2012 - 12:00am BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Most Palestinians blame both Fatah and Hamas for the stalling of a deal to reconcile the parties, according to the results of a poll released on Tuesday. The study carried out by Near East Consulting found that 52 percent believe both parties are responsible for the failure to form an interim cabinet to unite the divided governments, as agreed by party leaders in February. » Read more

4 injured at prisoners rally near Ramallah ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency May 1, 2012 - 12:00am RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- Four Palestinians were injured during clashes with Israeli forces near Ofer jail at a demonstration in support of hunger-striking prisoners, medics told Ma'an. Activist Tayseer Arabsha was moderately wounded after being hit in the head by a rubber bullet, Palestinian Red Crescent officials said. Three others were lightly injured by rubber bullets, they added. Protesters gathered near the Ramallah-district military jail to show solidarity with Palestinian prisoners on hunger-strike in Israel jails. » Read more

Israel renews administrative detention against Hamas member ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua May 1, 2012 - 12:00am RAMALLAH, May 1 (Xinhua) -- An Israeli military court extended the administrative detention of a Hamas lawmaker for six more months, sources from the Islamic movement said Tuesday. The ruling against Hassan Yousef, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) from the West Bank, was made on the same day when his six-month term ended, the sources said. » Read more