April 26th

PalTel: No choice in Web censorship orders
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
by George Hale - April 26, 2012 - 12:00am


BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- The largest telecommunications company in the occupied territories has no choice but to enforce orders issued by the Palestinian Authority, its chief executive said Wednesday. Ammar Aker says PalTel conducts its operations in compliance with regulatory and legal instructions, but has no further involvement in decisions imposed by the government. "Our role is to implement those orders and instructions and not to enter into such matters that the company cannot deal with or accept to be part of," Aker said in an emailed statement.


US concerned by Palestinian Web blocking
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
April 25, 2012 - 12:00am


BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- The United States said Wednesday it was concerned by efforts to restrict Palestinian access to information on the Internet and would raise the issue with the Palestinian Authority. The Palestinian Authority recently began blocking access to as many as eight opposition news websites, according to Palestinian officials who oppose the decision.


Settlers attack village, block Nablus road
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
April 26, 2012 - 12:00am


NABLUS (Ma'an) -- Settlers in the northern West Bank set up a roadblock and attacked a Nablus village on Thursday, a PA official said. Ghassan Daghlas, who monitors settler activity in the northern West Bank, said that settlers blocked a main road that links the West Bank town of Huwwara to Tulkarem and Qalqiliya. Settlers prevented Palestinian vehicles from passing through, causing a large traffic jam. Around 12 settlers also attacked the village of Urif in Nablus, clashing with local villagers.


Abbas renews calls on Arabs, Muslims to visit Jerusalem
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
April 25, 2012 - 12:00am


RAMALLAH, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday renewed his calls on Arabs and Muslims all over the world to visit Jerusalem. Abbas' earlier call to visit the city was opposed by the some Islamic Palestinian groups which considered the visits of Arabs and Muslims as a sign of normalization with Israel. State-run Wafa news agency quoted Abbas as saying that "we called and we are still calling our Arab, Muslim and Christian brothers to visit Palestine and Jerusalem."


West Bank settler post faces demolition deadline
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
by Amy Teibel - April 25, 2012 - 12:00am


ULPANA OUTPOST, West Bank — A fast-approaching deadline to demolish the homes of 30 families in an unauthorized West Bank settlement outpost is deepening fractures in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, with some hard-liners warning the ruling coalition will fall if the buildings come down. As he enters his fourth year in office, Netanyahu is walking a fraying tightrope, declaring himself committed to making peace with the Palestinians while making concessions to settlers who have illegally staked claim to territory Palestinians want for a future state.


Israel army chief: Other nations could strike Iran
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
by Diaa Hadid - April 26, 2012 - 12:00am


JERUSALEM — Israel's military chief said Thursday that other countries have readied their armed forces for a potential strike against Iran's nuclear sites to keep Tehran from acquiring atomic weapons. Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz did not specify which nations might be willing to support or take direct action against Iran. Still, his comments were one of the strongest hints yet that Israel may have the backing of other countries to strike the Islamic Republic to prevent it from developing nuclear arms. "The military force is ready," Gantz said. "Not only our forces, but other forces as well."


Israel’s Big Day, Under Sun and Cloud
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Ethan Bronner - April 25, 2012 - 12:00am


JERUSALEM — The paradox that is Israel — wealthy, dynamic and safe, yet mistrusted, condemned and nervous — was on full display on Wednesday as the country mourned its fallen soldiers and began celebrating its 64th Independence Day. Commentators on the left and the right stuck to their scripts, with the left asserting that the country’s treatment of the Palestinians and its regional saber rattling have made it isolated and stagnant, and the right glorifying Israel’s accomplishments: high-tech innovations, long life expectancies and democracy.


April 25th

NEWS: An Israeli court orders the release of Palestinian protest leader Bassem al-Tamimi. IDF Chief of Staff Gantz says Iran's leaders are rational actors and will respond to international pressure not to build a nuclear weapon. New Kadima leader Mofaz warns that without peace with the Palestinians, Israel is bound to become a binational, and not a Jewish, state. The natural gas dispute between Israel and Egypt reflects significant changes in their relationship since the overthrow of former Pres. Mubarak. The National looks at the political implications of the controversy. While Israeli officials have been downplaying the dispute, the Israeli media sees it as extremely ominous. The United States says Israel's recognition of “unauthorized” outposts is “unhelpful” and that the US doesn't "accept the legitimacy of continued settlement activity.” UNSG Ban also says he is “deeply troubled” by increased settlement activity, including outposts. Israel's navy arrests Gaza fishermen. Airports in Scandinavia are prohibiting Israeli airlines' security procedures based on profiling. Conditions for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon are reportedly deteriorating. COMMENTARY: Paul Krugman says "the narrow-minded policies of the current [Israeli] government are basically a gradual, long-run form of national suicide." Avraham Burg says Israel needs a constitution. Doron Rosenblum says Israeli hasbara can't hide the ugliness of the effects of some of its policies. Bradley Burston says the best way to celebrate this Israeli Independence Day is to buy Palestinian products. CNN interviews PM Netanyahu. The Jerusalem Post interviews Pres. Peres. The Forward reviews a new novel illustrating the complexities of identity for Palestinian citizens of Israel. Leah Koenig explains why she had good reasons for opposing a boycott of all Israeli products at her New York food co-op. Osama Al Sharif asks if it's too late to save Arab East Jerusalem. Daniel Levy says it's actually Benny Morris, not the Palestinians, who clings to absolutist rejectionism.

Airports in Scandinavia Ban Israeli Screening Methods
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
by Ravit Naor - April 24, 2012 - 12:00am


Israeli airlines cannot operate in Scandinavia due to the countries' refusal to allow profiling to be employed in security checks.


Palestinians’ situation declining
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Star
April 25, 2012 - 12:00am


BEIRUT: The Palestinian Association for Human Rights (Shahed) announced in its annual report Tuesday that the situation of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon is getting worse by the year, as their rights diminish in number and value daily. According to the report, “the [poor] housing conditions in camps have not been addressed, and there is no local or international initiative on the horizon to improve them.” It described the camps as “a breeding ground for disease, home collapses, and a well of social problems.”



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