February 25th, 2013

Israel tries to calm nerves in the West Bank, but outbreak of third intifada depends on Palestinian Authority
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Amos Harel - (Editorial) February 25, 2013 - 1:00am


Israel is currently making a huge effort to calm nerves in the West Bank, following a wave of turbulent protests that worsened over the weekend.


PA Seeks to Exploit West Bank Protests
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-Monitor
by Dalia Hatuqa - (Editorial) February 24, 2013 - 1:00am


 


The Israeli-Palestinian talks that never took place begin on the street
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Zvi Barel - (Editorial) February 24, 2013 - 1:00am


The death of Arafat Jaradat in the Megiddo Prison, together with the 216-day-long hunger strike of Samer el-Issawi and the hunger strike of three other prisoners, the demonstrations commemorating the anniversary of the massacre perpetrated by Baruch Goldstein in Hebron in 1994, the clashes in the village of Kusra in the Nablus district – all these are supposedly “local incidents” that can be easily defeated by a few smoke grenades, rubber bullets and arrests.


West Bank demonstrations are not a third intifada – yet
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Chaim Levinson - (Opinion) February 24, 2013 - 1:00am


There were protests in the West Bank all weekend long, and they continued Sunday.


February 22nd

NEWS: An Israeli court orders a hunger striking Palestinian prisoner released sometime in the next two weeks when his eight-month sentence is concluded, but he may continue his fast anyway. (Reuters) Palestinian security forces are struggling to maintain order, but are facing many challenges, including from Israel. (The Media Line) Israeli police in Jerusalem are reportedly beefing up their presence in preparation for more protests in support of hunger strikers. (Ma'an) The Israeli military is preparing for possible action along the Syrian border. (CSM) Israel is reportedly pressuring the UN to ensure no criticism of its policies in an upcoming report by UNSG Ban on the upgrade of Palestine's status to nonmember observer state. (Xinhua) Jordan says it will continue to work to revive Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations. (Xinhua) Palestinian officials reiterate that negotiations can only begin in the context of a settlement freeze. (Ma'an) A Hezbollah operative on trial in Cyprus says he was told to track Israeli flights. (New York Times) A youth in Gaza who immolated himself in front of a Hamas headquarters was apparently protesting against officials in the building. (Xinhua) The EU renews its support for mental health improvement in Gaza. (PNN) PM Fayyad condemns attacks against Palestinian electricity poles in the occupied West Bank, apparently by Israeli settlers. (PNN) A new batch of Israeli documents about the 1982 Sabra and Shatila massacres are released, but portions regarding the activities of the Israeli military remain heavily censored. (Ha'aretz) Then-DM Sharon said at the time that the Sabra and Shatila report could allow Israel to be accused of genocide. (YNet) Residents of an Arab neighborhood in occupied East Jerusalem appeared to be left without health care. (YNet) A new poll suggests that Yesh Atid would crush Likud in new elections. (Jerusalem Post) The BBC looks at two Oscar-nominated films about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (BBC) The only music school in Gaza faces closure due the lack of funds. (Al Monitor) The PA, the EU and the UN are holding a conference in the West Bank on improving the quality of teaching in Palestinian schools. (PNN)

COMMENTARY: Yossi Verter says PM Netanyahu suspects political newcomers Bennett and Lapid of plotting to overthrow him. (Ha'aretz) Linda Gradstein looks at why it's taking so long to form a new Israeli governing coalition. (The Media Line) Anshel Pfeffer says the "Prisoner X" scandal shows Israel has to stop stealing identities. (Ha'aretz) The Jerusalem Post interviews former Deputy FM Ayalon, who says former FM Lieberman's tenure was "a failure," and "it would be wrong" for him to regain the position. (Jerusalem Post) Uriel Halbreich thinks a confederation between Israel, Jordan and Palestine is the best way forward. (Jerusalem Post) Uri Savir says that for peace to be sustained, all mainstream constituencies must buy into and be included in it. (Jerusalem Post) Amy Goodman says the two Oscar-nominated films about the conflict will change the public dialogue on Israel and Palestine. (The Guardian) Adina Friedman says Morocco offers an example of good relations between Arabs and Jews. (The Daily Star) Akiva Eldar interviews Marwan Muasher on the urgent need for an American initiative on Israeli-Palestinian peace. (Al Monitor) Mick LaSalle calls the Oscar-nominated film "The Gatekeepers" revealing. (San Francisco Chronicle) Alon Ben-Meir looks at the perils of mutual delegitimization between Israel and the Palestinians. (Huffington Post)

First Palestinian Conference about Quality Teachers for Quality Education
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Palestine News Network
February 22, 2013 - 1:00am


 


First Palestinian Conference about Quality Teachers for Quality Education
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Palestine News Network
February 22, 2013 - 1:00am


 


Gaza's Only Music School May Close
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-Monitor
by Asmaa Al-Ghoul - February 22, 2013 - 1:00am


  During rehearsals in a music school in Gaza, Firas al-Sharafi, age 10, and his friend Abdel Aziz Abu Sharkh, age 11, were playing a song by Lebanese singer Fairuz. The two boys were playing the dulcimer, reading musical notes and occasionally glancing at each other with a smile on their faces.


Oscars: From West Bank to Hollywood
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News
by Kevin Connolly - February 22, 2013 - 1:00am


  Two of the films nominated for the Academy Award for best documentary deal with the vexed issue of Israel and the Palestinians.


Poll: Yesh Atid would crush Likud in new election
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Gil Hoffman - February 22, 2013 - 1:00am


MK Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid party would easily defeat Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s Likud Beytenu if an election were to take place now, according to a Panels poll taken on Wednesday for Sof Hashavua, The Jerusalem Post’s weekend sister newspaper in Hebrew.



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