July 2nd

Israel sought to borrow $100 million from IMF to prevent collapse of Palestinian Authority
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Barak Ravid - July 2, 2012 - 12:00am

Israel recently asked the International Monetary Fund for a bridge loan of a $100 million dollars that it planned to transfer to the Palestinian Authority to help prevent its financial collapse, but the IMF turned down the request. The PA, which is not a state, cannot ask the IMF for help on its own. The plan therefore, was for Israel to take the loan on the Palestinians' behalf, have the PA repay the loan to Israel, and Israel would repay the IMF.

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Labor minister: PA unable to pay July salaries
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
July 1, 2012 - 12:00am

The Palestinian Authority labor minister said Saturday that due to the government's worsening financial crisis, public sector salaries will not be paid on time for July. Ahmad Majdalani urged Arab nations to fulfill their financial pledges to the PA in order to allow salary payments. He said cabinet ministers had tasked the finance minister with preparing a report on the PA's financial crisis and potential solutions, which will be presented at the government's weekly meeting on Tuesday.

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NEWS: Palestinians in Syria are being drawn into the growing civil war in that country. The PA has arrested about 200 people since May for illegal weapons possession. Former PM Shamir passes away. Palestinians say a planned meeting with Deputy PM Mofaz has been postponed. Palestinians see the UNESCO designation of the Church of the Nativity as a World Heritage Site in Palestine as an important diplomatic victory. Hamas suspends voter registration in Gaza. Israel's Supreme Court grants the government a four month extension to evacuate a tiny “unauthorized” settlement outpost. PA police reportedly attack demonstrators protesting possible negotiations with Israel and the PA says it's launching an investigation into the incident. Israeli and Egyptian officials reportedly meet in secret. A senior Fatah official is shot by unknown assailants in Jenin. Israel reportedly sought a $100 million IMF loan for the PA. The PA says it may be unable to pay July salaries. The Israeli military says it's going to build a defense university in one of the most sensitive areas of occupied East Jerusalem. The PLO envoy to Germany calls the Holocaust “the greatest crime in human history.” The BBC looks at Palestinian athletes and the upcoming Olympic Games. COMMENTARY: ATFP Pres. Ziad Asali poses 11 questions to one-state advocates. Amira Hass asks if the PA is afraid of a third intifada. Assaf David says remembering past wars can help bring Arabs and Israelis together. Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff say both the PA and Israel are alarmed at an emerging rapprochement between Hamas and Jordan. Israel Ziv says Middle East peace will come from strong economic relations. Rock star Roger Waters urges Presbyterians to become activists against Israel's occupation. Emily Hauser says Palestinian children killed in the conflict cannot be forgotten.

Senior Fatah official shot in West Bank volatile city
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
July 1, 2012 - 12:00am

Unknown militants shot and wounded a senior member of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party in the West Bank city of Jenin, security sources said Sunday. Shami al-Shami, also a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), got two gunshots in his right leg, the sources added. The shooting came at a time of intensive campaign by forces of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) to restore order in the city, which has slid into militia chaos for months.

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Israeli envoy meets with Egyptian officials in secret
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
July 2, 2012 - 12:00am

During the inauguration of Egypt' s newly elected president last weekend, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's envoy met with Egyptian high-level military and intelligence officials in a secret visit to Cairo, local media reported on Monday. Yitzhak Molcho met with Hussein Tantawi, head of the ruling Supreme Council of Armed Forces, and director of Egyptian military intelligence, according to the report.

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Labor minister: PA unable to pay July salaries
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
July 1, 2012 - 12:00am

The Palestinian Authority labor minister said Saturday that due to the government's worsening financial crisis, public sector salaries will not be paid on time for July. Ahmad Majdalani urged Arab nations to fulfill their financial pledges to the PA in order to allow salary payments. He said cabinet ministers had tasked the finance minister with preparing a report on the PA's financial crisis and potential solutions, which will be presented at the government's weekly meeting on Tuesday.

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PNA opens investigation into demonstrators' repression
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
July 2, 2012 - 12:00am

The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) on Monday opened an investigation into clashes between demonstrators and police in the West Bank city of Ramallah. At least 15 people were injured, including six journalists, when the PNA forces repressed demonstrations Sunday and Saturday when protestors called on President Mahmoud Abbas not to receive Israeli Deputy Vice Premier Shaul Mofaz in Ramallah. Mofaz's visit has been canceled.

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PA police crush new Ramallah demo
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
July 2, 2012 - 12:00am

Palestinian protesters said security forces used brutal force Sunday during the second demonstration in as many days protesting Palestinian Authority policy. Police attacked protesters with batons, beating and injuring at least seven people. Another seven protesters were taken to a police station along with at least two journalists, a Ma'an correspondent said. Protesters shouted against police brutality, and the police responded by beating them. Journalists were also attacked for the second day in a row, the correspondent reported.

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Palestinian Children
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Beast
by Emily L. Hauser - (Opinion) June 29, 2012 - 12:00am

Those of us who advocate for a just Israeli-Palestinian peace (however defined) make a point of clarifying that each side has seen enormous suffering, and we’re right to do so. There are no angels and very few innocents in this war–there’s far more ugly dehumanization, bloodletting, and endless, inconsolable mourning.

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New IDF military college to move to east Jerusalem
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Melanie Lidman - July 2, 2012 - 12:00am

The Interior Ministry on Monday gave its initial approval for a new military college in east Jerusalem, which will be on the Mount of Olives. The 42,000 square meter structure of the new National Defense College is planned for an open area between the Mount of Olives and Hebrew University’s Mount Scopus campus.

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