July 3rd, 2012

Israeli leader vows more settlement building
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
by Daniel Estrin - July 2, 2012 - 12:00am

Israel's prime minister says his government will continue settlement construction in the West Bank. A participant in a closed meeting of parliament's powerful Defense and Foreign Affairs committee said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Monday to continue developing areas near Jerusalem, deep inside the West Bank and in the Jordan Valley. The Israeli leader struck a defiant note on settlements days after Israel evacuated a West Bank outpost ruled illegal by Israel's Supreme Court.

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After Arab Spring, Abbas discovers importance of public opinion in PA
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Avi Issacharoff - (Opinion) July 3, 2012 - 12:00am

Several hours after an official from Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud's Abbas' office leaked to the media that a planned meeting with Vice Prime Minister Shaul Mofaz would not take place, the latter's aides claimed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was behind the move. This reaction was both immature and condescending, reflecting a characteristic Israeli response to Abbas' moves - as if the Palestinian leaderhas no will of his own, no independent interestsand especially no public opinion to take into consideration.

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Lebanon: Israel explodes its spy devices in south
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
July 3, 2012 - 12:00am

Israel has remotely detonated three spying devices in south Lebanon, the Lebanese army said Tuesday. The explosions occurred Monday evening in the village of Zrariye, north of the Litani river, which runs through southern Lebanon, the army said. The militant Hezbollah group said it discovered the devices before their detonation and hailed that as a major achievement, accusing Israel of violating Lebanese sovereignty.

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Israel Disbands Panel on Military Service Rules
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Jodi Rudoren - July 2, 2012 - 12:00am

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel on Monday disbanded the committee he had charged with devising a plan for universal military or national service, a move that could lead to a coalition crisis and end the national unity government he formed two months ago.

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July 2nd

Ten Questions + One for the One-Staters
In Print by Ziad Asali - The Huffington Post (Blog) - June 29, 2012 - 12:00am

The supporters of the two-state solution are often told that this vision is unrealistic and has become unachievable. Young, idealistic seekers of justice and equality are increasingly offering what they claim is a more "realistic" solution: a single state for all Israelis and Palestinians, including refugees.

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Israel sought to borrow $100 million from IMF to prevent collapse of Palestinian Authority
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Barak Ravid - July 2, 2012 - 12:00am

Israel recently asked the International Monetary Fund for a bridge loan of a $100 million dollars that it planned to transfer to the Palestinian Authority to help prevent its financial collapse, but the IMF turned down the request. The PA, which is not a state, cannot ask the IMF for help on its own. The plan therefore, was for Israel to take the loan on the Palestinians' behalf, have the PA repay the loan to Israel, and Israel would repay the IMF.

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Labor minister: PA unable to pay July salaries
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
July 1, 2012 - 12:00am

The Palestinian Authority labor minister said Saturday that due to the government's worsening financial crisis, public sector salaries will not be paid on time for July. Ahmad Majdalani urged Arab nations to fulfill their financial pledges to the PA in order to allow salary payments. He said cabinet ministers had tasked the finance minister with preparing a report on the PA's financial crisis and potential solutions, which will be presented at the government's weekly meeting on Tuesday.

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NEWS: Palestinians in Syria are being drawn into the growing civil war in that country. The PA has arrested about 200 people since May for illegal weapons possession. Former PM Shamir passes away. Palestinians say a planned meeting with Deputy PM Mofaz has been postponed. Palestinians see the UNESCO designation of the Church of the Nativity as a World Heritage Site in Palestine as an important diplomatic victory. Hamas suspends voter registration in Gaza. Israel's Supreme Court grants the government a four month extension to evacuate a tiny “unauthorized” settlement outpost. PA police reportedly attack demonstrators protesting possible negotiations with Israel and the PA says it's launching an investigation into the incident. Israeli and Egyptian officials reportedly meet in secret. A senior Fatah official is shot by unknown assailants in Jenin. Israel reportedly sought a $100 million IMF loan for the PA. The PA says it may be unable to pay July salaries. The Israeli military says it's going to build a defense university in one of the most sensitive areas of occupied East Jerusalem. The PLO envoy to Germany calls the Holocaust “the greatest crime in human history.” The BBC looks at Palestinian athletes and the upcoming Olympic Games. COMMENTARY: ATFP Pres. Ziad Asali poses 11 questions to one-state advocates. Amira Hass asks if the PA is afraid of a third intifada. Assaf David says remembering past wars can help bring Arabs and Israelis together. Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff say both the PA and Israel are alarmed at an emerging rapprochement between Hamas and Jordan. Israel Ziv says Middle East peace will come from strong economic relations. Rock star Roger Waters urges Presbyterians to become activists against Israel's occupation. Emily Hauser says Palestinian children killed in the conflict cannot be forgotten.

Senior Fatah official shot in West Bank volatile city
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
July 1, 2012 - 12:00am

Unknown militants shot and wounded a senior member of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party in the West Bank city of Jenin, security sources said Sunday. Shami al-Shami, also a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), got two gunshots in his right leg, the sources added. The shooting came at a time of intensive campaign by forces of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) to restore order in the city, which has slid into militia chaos for months.

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Israeli envoy meets with Egyptian officials in secret
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
July 2, 2012 - 12:00am

During the inauguration of Egypt' s newly elected president last weekend, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's envoy met with Egyptian high-level military and intelligence officials in a secret visit to Cairo, local media reported on Monday. Yitzhak Molcho met with Hussein Tantawi, head of the ruling Supreme Council of Armed Forces, and director of Egyptian military intelligence, according to the report.

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