February 27th

European Union Consuls Call for Economic Sanctions against Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Media Line by Linda Gradstein - February 27, 2013 - 1:00am A non-binding report by the European Union’s (EU) consuls general in East Jerusalem and Ramallah harshly criticizes Israel for undermining the possibility of an independent Palestinian state by expanding what it calls “settlement” construction. It calls Israel’s policy “systematic, deliberate and provocative” and calls for stepped-up European sanctions. » Read more

Palestinians welcome EU report urging sanctions on Jewish settlements ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua February 27, 2013 - 1:00am The Palestinian National Authority welcomed Wednesday an European Union (EU) report which recommended sanctions on Jewish settlement constructions in Israel ' s occupied land. » Read more

The Tough Task of Middle East Peace ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National Interest by Shai Feldman - (Editorial) February 27, 2013 - 1:00am   » Read more

Israel returns 6 wounded to Syria after treatment ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press February 27, 2013 - 1:00am The Israeli military says six wounded Syrians have been returned to their country after receiving medical treatment in Israel. » Read more

Israel: Mortar shell from Syria lands in Golan ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press by Josef Federman - February 27, 2013 - 1:00am A mortar shell fired from Syria exploded in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights on Wednesday, falling in an open area and causing no casualties, the Israeli military said. » Read more

Demand Grows for Third Party in Palestinian Elections ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-Monitor by Asmaa Al-Ghoul - (Editorial) February 26, 2013 - 1:00am   » Read more

Court throws out case calling for end of Israel-Egypt treaty ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-Masry Al-Youm by Ahmad Abou Darah - February 26, 2013 - 1:00am The Cairo Administrative Court ruled Tuesday that it has no jurisdiction over a lawsuit demanding the cancellation of the 1979 peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. The court said the issue involves state sovereignty, which is under the president’s purview. The plaintiffs said Egypt should void its peace deal over ongoing destruction of Islamic holy sites and the country’s refusal to stop settlement building in Palestinian territories, which they said is a violation of United Nations conventions and treaty itself. » Read more

Egypt-Gaza tunnels must be destroyed, Cairo court rules ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters February 27, 2013 - 1:00am A Cairo court ruled on Tuesday that the government must destroy all tunnels between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, removing a route for smuggled weapons and other goods. President Mohammed Morsi’s national security adviser Essam Haddad has said Egypt will not tolerate the two-way flow of smuggled arms through the tunnels that is destabilizing the Sinai Peninsula. » Read more

Hamas gov't says no rockets fired from Gaza ATFP World Press Roundup Article from February 26, 2013 - 1:00am Gaza's Hamas rulers denied Tuesday what they called "Israeli claims" that a rocket was fired into southern Israel. "No known party has claimed responsibility for firing the rocket and we are still following up on the matter," said Ihab Al- Ghussein, head of Hamas government media office. » Read more

Abbas: No peace without freedom for prisoners ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency February 27, 2013 - 1:00am President Mahmoud Abbas said Tuesday that the issue of prisoners and releasing them is the central issue of the Palestinian people and its leadership. He insisted there would not be peace with Israel side without releasing prisoners. Abbas’ remarks came at a reception with prisoners advocates at his residence in Ramallah, where he affirmed that the leadership was doing its best to save the lives of hunger strikers and end their suffering. He said talks were ongoing with all factions to resolve the issue. » Read more