November 18th, 2008

Police to grill Israeli OM again over graft claims
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP)
by Patrick Moser - July 31, 2008 - 8:00pm

Israeli police grilled Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for three hours on Friday over graft allegations that have dogged his term in office, two days after his surprise resignation announcement. It was the fourth time since May that anti-fraud squad officers have interviewed Olmert, 62, at his official residence in Jerusalem in connection with the allegations of wrongdoing, which he has strongly denied.

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Candidate who wants Olmert's job once 'sought deaths of 70 Palestinians a day'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Independent
by Donald MacIntyre - July 31, 2008 - 8:00pm

A leading candidate to be Israel's next premier called for a death toll of 70 Palestinians a day when he was head of the military during the second intifada, according to a best-selling book by two Israeli journalists.

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Truth and Consequences Under the Israeli Occupation
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Nation
by Mohammed Omer - July 30, 2008 - 8:00pm

I am a Palestinian journalist from Gaza. At the age of 17, I armed myself with a camera and a pen, committed to report accurately on events in Gaza. I have filed reports as Israeli fighter jets bombed Gaza City. I have interviewed mothers as they watched their children die in hospitals unequipped to serve them because of Israel's embargo. I have been recognized for my reporting, even in the United States and United Kingdom, where I have won two international awards. I have also been beaten and tortured by Israeli soldiers.

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Israel’s Political Situation Dims Hopes for Peace Deal
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Helene Cooper - July 31, 2008 - 8:00pm

The official line in Washington, Jerusalem and Ramallah is that the decision by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel to resign will not affect American efforts to negotiate a peace deal between Israelis and Palestinians before the end of the year. Israeli officials said Thursday that Mr. Olmert could still try to reach a peace pact in his remaining time in office. In Tunisia, Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian leader, pledged to work with Mr. Olmert and his successor.

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November 17th

As speculation flies about U.S. President-elect Obama’s cabinet, an op-ed in the Los Angeles Times by Aaron David Miller outlines the qualities necessary for an effective Secretary of State (1). An Israeli airstrike kills four Palestinians in Gaza (2). A number of Israeli soldiers face trial by court martial for the abuse of a blindfolded Palestinian man (3). Israel opens a Gaza border crossing to allow in a limited amount of humanitarian aid (4). Outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert suggests the release of 250 Palestinian prisoners next month (6).

Livni to Miliband: U.K. plan to label West Bank goods is 'exaggerated'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Barak Ravid - November 16, 2008 - 8:00pm

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni on Sunday told her visiting British counterpart, David Miliband, that the U.K. was taking an "exaggerated" stance in its initiative to distinctly label produce imported from the West Bank. Miliband arrived in Israel on Sunday, where he met with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Livni, for a two-day visit aimed at advancing Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

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8 Qassams hit western Negev
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Ilana Curiel - November 16, 2008 - 8:00pm

Eight Qassam rockets were fired at communities in the western Negev's Eshkol Regional Council on Monday morning. There were no reports of injuries but several houses were damaged. Residents of the Eshkol Regional Council were ordered to enter fortified rooms. The Al-Quds Brigades, the Islamic Jihad's military wing, claimed responsibility for the attack. Following the barrage, the transfer of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip was put on hold.

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New dovish faction shaping up in Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
by Amy Teibel - November 16, 2008 - 8:00pm

A group of high-profile Israeli politicians, intellectuals and business leaders have banded together to form a new dovish faction ahead of February elections, worried by polls that give hardline opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu a strong chance of winning.

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Analysis: Hamas, Israel trying to rewrite truce
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
by Karin Laub - November 16, 2008 - 8:00pm

A June truce between Israel and Gaza's Hamas rulers comes up for renewal next month and it looks like both sides are trying to dictate more favorable terms. That would explain why Israel and Hamas have been trading rocket fire and air strikes for two weeks, even as they keep saying they're interested in a continued cease-fire. But the attempt to establish new ground rules could easily spin out of control, especially if there are civilian casualties. Domestic concerns further complicate the situation.

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Officials: Israel to free 250 Palestinian inmates
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
by Mark Lavie - November 16, 2008 - 8:00pm

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday promised to release 250 Palestinian prisoners, a goodwill gesture to the moderate Palestinian president at a summit overshadowed by ongoing violence in Gaza that threatens a cease-fire. Even as Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met in Jerusalem, Gaza militants were firing rockets, underlining that Abbas has little influence in the seaside territory. Islamic Hamas militants overran the Gaza Strip last year, expelling forces loyal to Abbas.

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