July 21st, 2008

Jewish Guerrillas Told British: Quit Palestine Or Die
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Times
by Marcus Leroux - July 21, 2008 - 3:40pm

A pamphlet warning Britons to leave the Middle East or face death has come to light in a stash of illicit propaganda. The document does not hail from Basra or Baghdad, nor was it penned by the Islamists of al-Qaeda or the al-Mahdi Army. It was found in Haifa, about 60 years ago, and it was issued by the underground group led by Menachem Begin – the future Prime Minister of Israel and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.

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Talks Signal Mideast Shift
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from International Herald Tribune
by Michael Slackman - (Analysis) July 21, 2008 - 3:37pm

BEIRUT: After years of escalating tensions and bloodshed, the talk in the Middle East is suddenly about talking. The shift is still relatively subtle, but hints of a new approach in the waning months of President George W. Bush's administration are fueling hopes of at least short-term stability for the first time since the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

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Israeli Soldier Arrested For Shooting Prisoner
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Times
by Anne Barrowclough - July 21, 2008 - 3:32pm

An Israeli soldier has been arrested after being caught on camera shooting a bound and blindfolded Palestinian prisoner in the foot. In the video, the Palestinian, Ashraf Abu Rahma, 27, is seen being led, handcuffed and blindfolded, to a Jeep by a high ranking officer of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF). While the officer, a lieutenant-colonel, grips his arm, a second soldier aims his gun at Abu Rahma’s legs and fires a rubber bullet at him from about 1.5 metres away.

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July 20th

An IDF soldier is arrested following the release of video of the shooting of a Palestinian prisoner (1) (4). British Prime Minister Gordon Brown demands an end to Israeli settlement construction and promises more aid for the Palestinian economy (5). Israel continues its actions against allegedly Hamas-affiliated institutions in the West Bank (7). There is speculation that Israel might be willing to release Marwan Barghouti in exchange for IDF soldier Gilad Shalit (9) (11). Barack Obama is set to visit Israel and Palestine later this week (10) (12).

July 18th

Even The Arab Envoys Came To Bid Farewell To Israel's Un Ambassador
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Shlomo Shamir - July 18, 2008 - 3:32pm

Ambassadors from Arab countries and the Gulf states were among the guests at a reception yesterday for outgoing United Nations Ambassador Dan Gillerman, who is completing a six-year tour of duty. One veteran UN reporter for an American television network told viewers he could not recall such an impressive Arab turnout for a diplomatic event for a senior Israeli official. The envoys from Egypt, Jordan, Qatar and Oman were seen at the reception, which took place in the official apartment of the Israeli ambassador in Manhattan.

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Arab Media Reacts To Swap
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Roee Nahmias - (Opinion) July 18, 2008 - 3:30pm

Who is the winner and who is the loser in the prisoner exchange deal? And what will the implications be for the future? But alongside these inevitable questions there are also far tougher questions being asked, ones to do with the heavy toll exacted on Lebanon.

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Hamas Says Learned From Hizbullah Deal
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Ali Waked - July 18, 2008 - 3:29pm

With Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser laid to rest, all eyes are now focused on the ongoing efforts to secure the release of Gilad Shalit – who was taken captive before them and is still being held in the Gaza Strip. This coming Tuesday he was meant to be discharged after having completed his three years of mandatory service. Shalit's friends, who will be discharged without him, have announced they intend to stage a protest march beginning at the army's recruitment center in Gilad's name.

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Madrid Dialogue Shows Unity: Ban
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News
by Badea Abu Al-naja - July 18, 2008 - 3:26pm

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has described the World Conference on Dialogue in Madrid as a symbol of unity among different faiths, adding that he hopes it will contribute to healing divisions and building a more secure and stable world. In a message to the three-day conference, the UN chief thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah “for this welcome and timely initiative.” King Abdullah arrived in Casablanca yesterday from Madrid, where he opened the conference on Wednesday.

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Freed Prisoners Vow To Fight Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
July 18, 2008 - 3:24pm

Five militants who were freed as part of a prisoner swap with Israel prayed Thursday at a slain Hizbollah military commander's grave, pledging to follow in his footsteps and continue fighting Israel. Wearing military fatigues, the five men walked down a red carpet laid out for them outside Imad Mughniyeh's burial spot at a cemetery south of Beirut. They laid wreaths and gave a military salute as supporters showered them with rice.

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U.s. Plans Peace Talks With Israelis, Palestinians
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
by Sue Pleming, Tabassum Zakaria - July 18, 2008 - 3:23pm

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice plans to host peace talks in Washington with Israeli and Palestinian negotiators on July 30, Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said on Thursday. Rice met a Palestinian delegation in Washington on Wednesday and offered to host the three-way meeting between herself, chief Palestinian negotiator Ahmed Qurie and his Israeli partner, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Erekat said.

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