October 7th, 2009

'Old City violence may lead to 3rd intifada' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Abe Selig - October 6, 2009 - 12:00am Recent violence in the capital and the ongoing tensions surrounding the Temple Mount could trigger a third intifada, senior Fatah official Hatem Abdel Kader warned in a conversation with The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday. "It's a very sensitive situation," the former Palestinian Authority minister for Jerusalem affairs said as he stood outside a home in the city's Wadi Joz neighborhood. » Read more

FM wants 'new Israeli foreign policy' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Haviv Rettig - October 7, 2009 - 12:00am The policy staff in Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman's office has drawn up a secret memo calling for a radical refocus of Israeli foreign policy toward the developing world, The Jerusalem Post has learned. According to sources, the foreign minister plans to bring the five-page preliminary policy paper to the ministry's senior professional staff in the coming days, to begin discussion on implementing what is being described as "guidelines for a whole new foreign policy." » Read more

Solana calls for restraint in Jerusalem ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Elana Kirsh - October 7, 2009 - 12:00am European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana expressed concern Wednesday over "recent clashes in east Jerusalem." In a statement, he called for restraint, saying, "I have been closely following the situation around the Al Aksa mosque in recent days. I would like to urge all parties to refrain from provocative actions that could further inflame tensions or lead to violence." "Everyone must take action to avoid escalation," he added. » Read more

Libya asks for UN council meeting over Gaza report ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews October 7, 2009 - 12:00am Libya on Tuesday requested a meeting of the Security Council to discuss a UN report that accused Israel and Palestinian militants of war crimes during Israel's offensive in Gaza, diplomats said. Dang Hoang Giang, a spokesman for the mission of Vietnam, which currently holds the council's rotating presidency, said the Libyan request was being considered. A Libyan spokesman, however, said he understood a meeting would be held on Wednesday. » Read more

Gaza: Hamas bans motorbike rides for women ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews October 7, 2009 - 12:00am The Hamas government has banned motorcycle riders from carrying women on the back seat – the latest in the militants' virtue campaign in Gaza. The ban was posted on Hamas Interior Ministry Web site on Tuesday. It said the ban seeks "to preserve citizen safety and the stability of Palestinian society's customs and traditions." Hamas wants to impose a strict interpretation of Islam. Its other efforts have included breaking up mixed couples on the beach and obliging female lawyers to wear headscarves in court. » Read more

Minister Braverman: Jewish extremists also at fault for riots ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Sharon Roffe-ofir - October 7, 2009 - 12:00am Minorities Minister Avishay Braverman (Labor) said Wednesday that Jewish extremists were also to blame for the recent violence in Jerusalem. Speaking to Ynet, Braverman warned that outlawing the Islamic Movement would only bolster it and hurt Israel's status. "Ministers and MKs' calls to have the movement banned only serve the Islamic Movement's political interests. Outlawing the group would only embolden extremist elements and strengthen the movement itself," he told Ynet. » Read more

Israel fears violence following arrest of Islamic Movement head ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Barak Ravid - October 7, 2009 - 12:00am Security forces fear an outbreak of further violence following the arrest of the leader of the Islamic Movement's northern branch, Sheikh Ra'ad Salah on Tuesday. Salah was arrested, and later released, after Police Commissioner David Cohen, State Prosecutor Moshe Lador and Jerusalem police chief Aharon Franco decided that Salah would be interrogated about recent statements. » Read more

U.S. to Israel and PA: Calm Jerusalem tensions ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Barak Ravid - October 7, 2009 - 12:00am In its first response to recent clashes in Jerusalem, the U.S. administration of President Barack Obama on Tuesday called on Israel and the Palestinian Authority to take steps to calm the tensions in the capital. Israeli police mobilized reinforcements from across the country to secure the volatile Jerusalem on Tuesday, deploying thousands of officers on city streets for fear that two days of low-grade clashes with Palestinian protesters would escalate. » Read more

PLO official admits "mistake" in delaying Goldstone report ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency October 7, 2009 - 12:00am A senior Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) official admitted for the first time on Wednesday that the Palestinian leadership made a mistake by delaying action on a United Nations report on war crimes in Gaza. "We have the courage to admit there was a mistake," said Yasser Abed Rabbo, a member of the PLO executive committee and an advisor to President Mahmoud Abbas, according to AP. Abbas’ government buckled to US pressure last week and withdrew a motion from the UN Human Rights Council to take action on a report by South African Judge Richard Goldstone. » Read more

Israel tightens Jerusalem 'siege' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency October 7, 2009 - 12:00am Palestinians in Jerusalem’s Old City are describing it as a community “under siege” as Israeli forces continue to operate in large numbers fearing renewed demonstrations. Restrictions in the city were so severe Wednesday that children were prevented from reaching schools in the Old City. Israeli forces also prevented Islamic Endowment (Waqf) personnel from reaching the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which has been the site of rolling demonstrations and clashes with Israeli forces over the past four days. » Read more