July 24th, 2012

Israeli field commanders to undergo training in int'l law
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
July 24, 2012 - 12:00am


The Israeli military is launching a first-of-its-kind course on international law for field commanders in a bid to lower the chances that Israel will be accused of war crimes in a future conflict, The Jerusalem Post reported Tuesday. The Military Advocate-General's Office is behind the initiative, which aims to familiarize officers with international law pertaining to combat operations, particularly those that take place in urban settings, said the report.


The myth of Palestinian neutrality in Syria
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
by Budour Hassan - (Analysis) July 24, 2012 - 12:00am


On July 14, thousands of Palestinian refugees marched in a funeral procession for 11 unarmed protesters shot dead by Syrian security forces in the al-Yarmouk refugee camp. Raucous and seething with rage, mourners chanted for Syria and Palestine, called for the downfall of Bashar Assad’s regime, and sang for freedom.


Israeli police investigating settlement land deal
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Statesman
by Associated Press - July 23, 2012 - 12:00am


Police are investigating whether residents of a rogue West Bank settlement used forged land deal documents in an effort to thwart their upcoming court-ordered eviction, an Israeli anti-settlement group charged Monday. Under a Supreme Court order, Israel's government must dismantle the Migron outpost by Aug. 1 because it was built on private Palestinian land. On Sunday, the government asked the Supreme Court to delay the evacuation by a month, its latest attempt to put off a potential clash with extremist settlers. The court has yet to rule.


West Bank: 103-Day Hunger Strike Ends
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
July 23, 2012 - 12:00am


The longest-ever Palestinian hunger strike has ended after 103 days in exchange for Israel’s pledge that it would release the protesting prisoner five months early, said Kadoura Fares, the leader of a Palestinian advocacy group for prisoners. Sivan Weizman of the Israel Prison Authority confirmed that the prisoner, Akram Rikhawi, ended his hunger strike on Monday. Mr.


July 23rd

Israel advances PA NIS 180m. to ease finance crisis
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Herb Keinon - July 23, 2012 - 12:00am


Israel, in a “goodwill gesture” to the Palestinian Authority, gave Ramallah over the last few days a NIS 180 million advance on tax money it transfers on a monthly basis, The Jerusalem Post has learned. The money was transferred before Ramadan, which began Friday, to help the PA – currently in the midst of a severe financial crisis – pay the monthly salaries of public sector employees.


NEWS: Efforts by PM Netanyahu to fracture the opposition Kadima party appear to have failed. Egypt is now reportedly allowing Palestinians to enter the country without advance permits, but Egyptian airport officials say they've received no such instructions. The Arab League endorses Palestinian plans to renew recognition efforts at the UN but does not set a date. Palestinian filmmakers try to depict life under occupation. Israel is concerned that Syrian nerve gas or rockets may end up in the hands of Hezbollah. A second group of Gaza families is allowed to visit relatives in Israeli jails. Israeli settlers reportedly seize large tracts of land, and Israel orders the demolition of eight Palestinian villages in the occupied West Bank. Hamas leaders vow not to try to separate Gaza from the West Bank. Sacha Baron Cohen settles a slander suit with a Palestinian grocer he had depicted as a terrorist in “Bruno.” The PA fiscal crisis appears to be boosting support for Hamas. The EU is planning to upgrade its relations with Israel. In a “goodwill gesture” Israel transfers an advance to the PA on its tax revenues.COMMENTARY:Jodi Rudoren writes about attending a film festival in Jerusalem. Amira Hass recounts details of a raid on a Palestinian home by Israeli soldiers. Khaled Diab recalls Egyptian-Israeli relations immediately following the 1952 coup. Jeff Barak says Netanyahu has damaged his reelection prospects. Leonard Fein says the Levy Committee report threatens Israel's legitimacy. Michael Felsen says a recent short story about the dynamics at the checkpoint examines the common humanity of Israelis and Palestinians. Nathan Brown says Egypt isn't going to change its policies towards Israel and Palestine now, but eventually probably will. Jillian Kestler-D'Amours says Israel is literally walling itself in on all sides. Shaul Arieli says in expanding its occupation, Israel is ignoring the simple mathematics of demographics.

EU move to upgrade relations with Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian
by Phoebe Greenwood - July 22, 2012 - 12:00am


The EU will offer Israel upgraded trade and diplomatic relations in more than 60 areas at a high-level meeting in Brussels on Tuesday, just weeks after European foreign ministers warned that Israeli policies in the West Bank "threaten to make a two-state solution impossible". In advance of the annual EU-Israel Association Council on Tuesday meeting, a diplomatic source shared with the Guardian details of the package of benefits that will be offered to Avigdor Lieberman, Israel's foreign minister.


Palestinian Financial Crisis Boosts Support for Hamas
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Media Line
by Mohammed Najib - July 22, 2012 - 12:00am


The Palestinian Authority (PA) is suffering an intensifying financial crisis that is threatening its stability and strengthening the rival Islamist Hamas. Palestinian security officials warn that if the international community fails to pay its pledges to the PA, it will not be able to pay salaries in the coming months.


Sacha Baron Cohen settles slander suit with Palestinian grocer
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
July 22, 2012 - 12:00am


A Palestinian grocer portrayed as a terrorist in the comedy "Bruno" has settled his slander suit against Jewish actor Sacha Baron Cohen and talk show host David Letterman, according to a report by the Daily Mail.


Contrary to the laws of math
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Shaul Arieli - July 23, 2012 - 12:00am


For years, Israelis have ranked low in the sciences and mathematics - 41 out of 64 countries, according to the Program for International Student Assessment tests. That is not surprising when one examines the conduct of the state with respect to teaching these subjects, especially in the past decade. Following are a few simple mathematical problems whose answers could have gotten more than half the country out in the streets demonstrating if we had only studied the way we should have in elementary school.



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