October 22nd, 2012

Salafis' rise in Gaza robs Hamas of resistance banner ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Christian Science Monitor by Joshua Mitnick - October 15, 2012 - 12:00am Tel Aviv Israel and Hamas are seeking to restore the relative calm that has prevailed for months after a weekend flare-up in fighting between Israel and Gaza that left at least five Palestinians dead.  » Read more

Israeli local board green lights war college on disputed east Jerusalem plot, objection aroused ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua October 22, 2012 - 12:00am JERUSALEM, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- A Jerusalem district planning board has okayed construction of a National Defense College near the Mount of Olives on land in dispute with the Palestinians. The 42,000-square-meter structure, according to The Jerusalem Post, is to be erected adjacent to The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Mount Scopus campus, from where it overlooks the Old City, less than one kilometer away. » Read more

Israeli PM defers cabinet decision on report legalizing settlements ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua October 22, 2012 - 12:00am JERUSALEM, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday postponed a cabinet vote on a controversial report advocating legalizing the status of settlements and outposts in the West Bank. » Read more

Qatar's emir to head to Hamas-ruled Gaza ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press by Ibrahim Barzak - October 21, 2012 - 12:00am GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The ruler of Qatar is expected in the Gaza Strip this week, in what would be a major stamp of legitimacy for the territory's Islamic militant Hamas rulers. » Read more

Israel's Netanyahu: no limit on Jerusalem building ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press October 21, 2012 - 12:00am JERUSALEM — Israel's prime minister vowed on Sunday to continue building in east Jerusalem, despite objections from Palestinians who claim the territory as capital of their hoped-for state. » Read more

Palestinians: Israeli airstrike kills 2 Gazans ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press October 22, 2012 - 12:00am GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Israeli aircraft struck the northern Gaza Strip on Monday, killing two Palestinian militants, after mortar attacks targeted Israeli troops earlier in the day, officials said. » Read more

Israel Seizes Activist Ship en Route to Gaza Strip ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Jodi Rudoren - October 20, 2012 - 12:00am JERUSALEM — The Israeli Navy on Saturday seized a European ship headed to the Gaza Strip to try to break Israel’s maritime blockade against the Hamas-controlled region and diverted it to an Israeli port. » Read more

Analysts: Despite Hamas absence, elections still Fatah failure ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency October 22, 2012 - 12:00am BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- The first elections held in the West Bank for six years reflect how frustrated Palestinians are with their political system and ruling party Fatah, political observers said Sunday. The poll was held on Saturday in 92 of the 353 municipalities in the West Bank. Other seats were uncontested, creating automatic winners, or failed to register any candidates in this round, and will hold polls next month. » Read more

Civic Duty and Economic Worries Drive Palestinian Voters in Parts of West Bank ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Jodi Rudoren - October 21, 2012 - 12:00am AL BIREH, West Bank — More than half the Palestinians who participated in municipal elections on Saturday said they did so because they saw voting as a civic duty, twice the portion giving the next most popular reason. » Read more

Mixed Results for Fatah Amid Low Turnout in Municipal Elections in West Bank ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Jodi Rudoren - October 20, 2012 - 12:00am RAMALLAH, West Bank — The dominant Fatah faction of the Palestinian Authority posted mixed results in municipal elections across the West Bank on Saturday, winning in some key cities and losing in others, but with the whole exercise appearing compromised by a relatively low turnout. » Read more