September 7th

A lynch could happen in the bubble of Tel Aviv ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Ithmar Handelman-Smith - (Analysis) September 6, 2012 - 12:00am It is easy for Tel Avivians to file the attempted lynch in Zion Square, in which dozens of Jewish youths attacked three Palestinians in broad daylight, almost killing one, under the category of “that will never happen here." That filing tag has become worn out from overuse, but it is still there, trying to do its job. And what is its job? Autosuggestion. » Read more

Most Jews see rosy future, Israeli Arabs cite prejudice: poll ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua September 7, 2012 - 12:00am A new poll released Thursday found most Israelis optimistic about the future, however, the Israeli Arabs -- some 20 percent of the state's 7.8 million residents -- feel less proud of their societal status than in 2011, and cite discrimination, The Jerusalem Post reported. The annual Israeli Democracy Index poll, conducted by Prof. Tamar Hermann of the Israel Democratic Institute, sketches a portrait of public opinion on core issues connected to the country 's democratic values. » Read more

Egypt's President meets Palestinian President Abbas ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua September 6, 2012 - 12:00am Egypt's President Mohamed Morsi met Thursday with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the Egyptian presidency headquarters, official news agency MENA reported. They discussed latest developments in the Palestinian reconciliation, ways to unify the Palestinian sides, and the Egyptian efforts to alleviate the Palestinian people's misery. The meeting was also attended by the Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr, Palestinian ambassador to Egypt Barakat al- Farra, and members of Fatah central committee Saeb Oraikat and Azzam al-Ahmed. » Read more

Israel reserves right to decide on military strike on Iran: DM ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua September 7, 2012 - 12:00am Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Thursday said that although the Iranian nuclear threat is within Washington's main concerns, Israel and the United States are not on the same page regarding the time for a military strike, according to local media. "The Iranian challenge is a mutual one, however, Israel and the United States' clocks are ticking at different times," Barak said at a toast for the Jewish New Year. » Read more

U.S. congressman confirms high-level U.S.-Israel spat over Iran ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Tabassum Zakaria - September 7, 2012 - 12:00am Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blew up at the U.S. ambassador last month because he was "at wits' end" over what he sees as the Obama administration's lack of clarity on Iran's nuclear program, a U.S. congressman who was at the meeting said. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, a Republican, made his first public comments about the late August meeting in Israel in an interview with Michigan's WJR radio on Tuesday. » Read more

Suspected hate crime: Arab man assaulted in Jerusalem ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Noam Dvir - September 6, 2012 - 12:00am Jerusalem police are investigating an Arab man's claim that he was attacked on Wednesday night by Jewish youths just for being an Arab. Ibrahim Abu Ta’a, 28, an east Jerusalem resident who works at a local hotel, claims that he was the victim of a racist attack. According to Abu Ta'a, the assault occurred as he dropped off a co-worker after leaving a work event. » Read more

Residents: 7 Palestinians killed in Syrian army shelling ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency September 7, 2012 - 12:00am Seven Palestinians were killed on Thursday as the Syrian army bombed the Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus, sources in the camp said. Forces loyal to President Bashar Assad bombed Safad and al-Jaouna areas and the al-Basel Hospital, local Yarmouk media reported, adding that residents of the camp would protest the shelling outside the al-Waseem Mosque after evening prayers. At least 20 people were killed in Syrian army mortar and artillery bombardment in southern Damascus, residents and local emergency workers said. » Read more

Hamas pursuing Salafists from “street to street” ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Asharq Alawsat by Kifah Zaboun - September 6, 2012 - 12:00am Relations between the Hamas and Salafist Jihadist groups operating out of the Gaza Strip have entered a fractious stage as the movement has begun to tighten the noose around Salafist Jihadist elements. Over the past two days the Hamas movement has been carrying out a campaign of arrests against armed Salafist Jihadist groups in Gaza, and is reportedly pursuing elements from these groups from “house to house and street to street.” Hamas is in the process of investigating the structure of these groups, as well as the sources of their funding and arming. » Read more

Fayyad 'ready to resign' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency September 7, 2012 - 12:00am Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad on Thursday announced he would resign if that was the will of the people, amid growing protests across the West Bank over the rising cost of living. Palestinians have taken to the streets for three days in mass demonstrations against price rises and unemployment, and protesters in cities across the West Bank have called for Fayyad's resignation. In Hebron on Tuesday, protesters burned an effigy of the premier. » Read more

Nuclear-free Mideast ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times by George S. Hishmeh - (Opinion) September 6, 2012 - 12:00am It may have been coincidental that The Washington Post came out with a forceful column very critical of US silence about Israel’s nuclear arsenal as it assists the Tel Aviv government in its conflict with Iran over its alleged potential for nuclear weapons. » Read more