June 26th, 2008

Hamas: Qassam Fire Is Harming Palestinian Interests
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Avi Issacharoff, Barak Ravid, Yossi Melman, & Jack Khoury - June 26, 2008 - 4:05pm

The Hamas government in the Gaza Strip voiced its rage on Thursday after Gaza militants fired two rockets into southern Israel Thursday, causing no injuries but further straining a shaky, week-old truce between Israel and the Gaza rulers.

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June 25th

In a noticeable change of position Hamas decries the use of Qassam rockets as damaging to the Palestinian national interest (1). An opinion piece in the Los Angeles Times criticizes candidates exploitation of the American Muslim-Jewish divide (2). In The New Yorker Connie Bruck looks at controversial multibillionaire Sheldon Adelson’s political commitment to Israel (5). The tenuous ceasefire between Hamas and Israel continues despite recent rocket fire, though Gaza crossings remain closed (6) (8) (12). A last-minute compromise to between the two main Israeli political parties saves the parliament from dissolution and early elections (7) (9).

Prc: Shalit Will Not See Light Of Day Unless Our Demands Are Met
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Ali Waked - June 25, 2008 - 5:44pm

Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) spokesman Abu Mujahid told Ynet Wednesday that the demands posed by the groups holding IDF soldier Gilad Shalit will not change and that "Israel must comply with our demands otherwise Shalit will not see the light of day. "We demand Israel comply with all of our demands. We demand the release of the prisoners who were sentenced to long jail terms. Without their release, Shalit will remain in our hands for many years to come," said Abu Mujahid.

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Sarkozy Moves To Boost Palestinian Economy
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Khaled Abu Toameh - June 25, 2008 - 5:40pm

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas signed an agreement on Tuesday to establish an industrial zone in the Bethlehem area to boost the Palestinian economy. The agreement was signed during Sarkozy's visit to Bethlehem, where he met with Abbas and other PA leaders. Abbas thanked Sarkozy for agreeing to fund the $21 million project, which is expected to provide thousands of jobs. Abbas also called on the European Union to play a more active role in solving the Israeli-Arab conflict.

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Hope Thrives Amid Israeli-palestinian Violence
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Middle East Times
by Mel Frykberg - June 25, 2008 - 5:38pm

"Islamic Jihad has just fired several rockets into Israel," the U.N. World Health Organization representative told the Middle East Times at the Gaza-Israel border crossing as a convoy of U.N. vehicles and a delegation from the humanitarian organization Oxfam were waiting for Israeli security clearance to cross back into Israel yesterday. The tentative ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, which began at the end of last week, was already looking shaky with seasoned analysts questioning just how committed both sides were to ensuring its success.

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Bolton: Israel To Attack Iran After Us Elections
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Gulf News
June 25, 2008 - 5:37pm

John Bolton, the former American ambassador to the United Nations, has predicted that Israel could attack Iran after the US presidential election in November, but before George W. Bush's successor was sworn in. The Arab world would be "pleased" by Israeli strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities, he said in an interview with The Daily Telegraph. "It [the reaction] will be positive privately. I think there'll be public denunciations but no action," he said. Israel had a determination to prevent a nuclear Iran, he said.

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Ayoon Wa Azan (he Never Says That He Guarantees Peace)
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Dar Al Hayat
by Jihad El-khazen - (Opinion) June 25, 2008 - 5:34pm

President Mahmoud Abbas and Khaled Meshaal have at least one point in common. They do not want reconciliation to be solely restricted to Fatah and Hamas. Instead, they seek a Palestinian reconciliation with the participation of all Palestinian sides and an Arab blessing.

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French Contribution To Mideast Peace
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News
(Editorial) June 25, 2008 - 5:32pm

French President Nicolas Sarkozy laid it on the line to his hosts when he addressed the Israeli Knesset on Monday. The building of illegal settlements on the West Bank has to stop. Without this there could be no viable two-state solution and no peace. Sarkozy further urged Israeli legislators to backup legislation to encourage settlers to quit Palestinian territory and relocate to Israel in return for compensation.

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Israel Closes Gaza Crossings After Rocket Attack
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
June 25, 2008 - 5:31pm

Israel kept its border posts with the Gaza Strip closed yesterday, calling the move a response to a Palestinian rocket salvo that breached an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire. The posts were to have opened at 8am (0500 GMT) to allow for imports to reach the impoverished territory. But Israeli military liaison official Peter Lerner said they would stay closed until further notice. "Any reopening will be in accordance with security considerations," he told Reuters.

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Hamas Says It Will Not Police The Cease-fire With Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
June 25, 2008 - 5:16pm

The Hamas militant group said it remains committed to a cease-fire with Israel, but will not act as Israel's police force" in confronting militants who breech the truce. The comments by Hamas leader Khalil al-Haya came shortly after Gaza militants fired three rockets into southern Israel Tuesday, lightly wounding two Israelis. It was the first attack since the truce took effect last Thursday.

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