May 7th

For Jerusalem's Palestinians, Israeli ID policies cast a long shadow ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Hadani Ditmars - (Opinion) May 2, 2012 - 12:00am For me as for most citizens of independent states, the ability to study and work abroad while maintaining citizenship in one’s home country is unexceptional. But for a growing number of Palestinians with Jerusalem ID, a trip overseas can mean the loss of their right to residency in their homeland. » Read more

Israel's Continued Independence Rests on Palestinian Independence ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Huffington Post by Alon Ben-Meir - (Opinion) May 1, 2012 - 12:00am As Israel recently observed sixty-four years of independence, it is critical that Israelis reflect on the path they have taken and ask if the current one is sustainable in the long-term. Much has been achieved since the nation's founding and the Israelis should take immense pride in what they have accomplished in a relatively short period of time. In the midst of celebration, however, there is a dangerous obliviousness to the "dark side" of Israel, one that could jeopardize Israel's very existence far more than threats from Iran or any other country. » Read more

Hezbollah Stockpiling Drones In Anticipation of Israeli Strike ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Yedioth Ahronoth by Ronen Bergman - April 27, 2012 - 12:00am Hezbollah is preparing "surprises" for the event of an Israeli assault on Iran. The Hezbollah organization has recently been investing efforts in upgrading its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) unit, with the aim of using the UAVs to attack Israel in the event Israel decides to strike Iran's nuclear facilities. » Read more

Palestinian TV station sued as journalists fear media crackdown ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian by Harriet Sherwood - May 1, 2012 - 12:00am An independent Palestinian television station is facing a potentially crippling court case next week amid growing evidence of a clampdown by the Palestinian Authority on freedom of expression and journalists critical of its activities. » Read more

Abbas, Fayyad send Netanyahu condolence letters ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Tovah Lazaroff - May 2, 2012 - 12:00am In an unusual gesture, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad on Tuesday sent separate condolence letters to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who is sitting the shiva mourning period for his father in Jerusalem. Direct communication between Palestinian and Israeli leaders has been scant since Netanyahu took office in March 2009. » Read more

Shas insiders: Deri may yet return ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Jeremy Sharon - May 2, 2012 - 12:00am Despite recent reports, Shas insiders are hopeful that former party leader Arye Deri will return to the party for the next general election and not form a separate one. Channel 2 reported on Monday that, according to associates of Deri, Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef offered Deri the third spot on the Shas electoral list after current party chairman and Interior Minister Eli Yishai and Construction and Housing Minister Ariel Attias. According to senior Shas figures, Deri refused and demanded the top spot and the senior ministerial position. » Read more

Parties agree on September 4 vote ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews May 2, 2012 - 12:00am Coalition Chairman MK Zeev Elkin (Likud) filed an official motion for the dissolution of the 18th Knesset on Wednesday. Likud officials told Ynet that the party will now push for elections on Tuesday, September 4. » Read more

U.S. pressing UN Human Rights Commissioner to put off West Bank settlements probe ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Barak Ravid - (Analysis) May 2, 2012 - 12:00am The Obama administration is trying to delay the establishment of a panel appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council to investigate the issue of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. A U.S. official conveyed messages to UN Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay in the last few weeks, asking her not to advance the matter in the near future. » Read more

Israeli settlement hotel plans 'threaten West Bank tourism' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency May 2, 2012 - 12:00am JERUSALEM (Ma'an) -- Israeli plans to build nine hotels in a settlement neighborhood in East Jerusalem aim to undermine tourism in Bethlehem, a Palestinian researcher warned Tuesday. Israel on Tuesday pushed forward with plans to build 1,100 hotel rooms in Givat Hamatos, a neighborhood in occupied East Jerusalem close to Israel's checkpoint to Bethlehem. Khalil Tufakji, a Palestinian expert in settlement affairs, told Ma'an that an Israeli committee had approved the plan, which includes nine hotels. » Read more

Blame game defers solution to Gaza's energy crisis ATFP World Press Roundup Article from IRIN May 2, 2012 - 12:00am GAZA CITY (IRIN) -- From factories to the fishing industry, the Gaza Strip economy is being affected by more than two months of fuel shortages and power outages, taking a toll on the livelihoods of its 1.6 million inhabitants. To make a living on the sea, Madlene Kollab needs 20 liters of fuel each day. Unable to afford that, the Gaza Strip's only fisherwoman has seen her catch halve to just 1.5 kilos per day. » Read more