May 4th, 2012

By winning the elections, Netanyahu can enact his vision – doing nothing
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Yoel Marcus - (Opinion) May 4, 2012 - 12:00am


The big riddle is what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was thinking when he decided to move up the elections. Why not elections at the scheduled time? After all, another year and a half in a safe government is nothing to sneeze at. In addition, he is running the country with a solid majority of 65 seats. Nobody can bring him down. If he wanted, he could even bring Kadima under Shaul Mofaz into the coalition. Bibi Netanyahu is admired by a large part of the public, unlike during his first term when he slipped on every banana peel.


Israel Should Reduce Use of Administrative Detentions for Palestinians, Top Official Says
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Barak Ravid - (Analysis) May 3, 2012 - 12:00am


  Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch indicated that Israel should reduce its use of administrative detention against Palestinian suspects, a senior official said on Thursday, amid an ongoing wave of hunger strikes among Palestinian detainees.


Israel Prison Service: Palestinian Hunger-Strike Must “Stand Up” to Visit Lawyer
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
May 4, 2012 - 12:00am


  JERUSALEM, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Various NGO's protest against treatment of Palestinian hunger-strikers in Israeli prisons, where they cannot receive legal counseling from lawyers unless they can stand up and ask for it, despite that some of the protesters have been hunger-striking for two months.


Is the Palestinian Authority really a 'fig leaf' for Israeli occupation?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Christian Science Monitor
by Ben Lynfield - (Analysis) May 3, 2012 - 12:00am


Seated at her desk beneath pictures of two smiling leaders, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and the late founding father Yasser Arafat, principal Shadia Shaheen asserts that her high school plays a part in the building of a future Palestinian state.


Palestinian Hunger Strikers Appeal to Israeli Court
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
by Jihan Abdalla - May 3, 2012 - 12:00am


  JERUSALEM, May 3 (Reuters) - Facing Israel's highest court in their wheelchairs, two Palestinian prisoners on the 66th day of their hunger strike appealed on Thursday for their release from detention without trial.


Fayyad: Netanyahu Responsible for Health of Striking Prisoners
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
May 4, 2012 - 12:00am


RAMALLAH (Ma’an) -- The prime minister in Ramallah said Thursday that his counterpart in Israel was ultimately responsible for the wellbeing of Palestinian prisoners. 


Is a Palestinian revolt against Mahmoud Abbas brewing?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Telegraph
by Adrian Blomfield - (Analysis) May 4, 2012 - 12:00am


It was meant to be a day of catharsis and rejoicing, marking the fulfilment of a visionary government strategy to end years of debilitating political cleavage and create a formidable platform to challenge Israel's occupation. But instead of going to the polls as they were promised this Friday, Palestinians are remaining at home, betrayed once again by bickering leaders whose quarrels have contributed to an increasingly dangerous sense of malaise across the West Bank and Gaza.


Palestinians Go Hungry to Make Their Voices Heard
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Jodi Rudoren - May 3, 2012 - 12:00am


KHARAS, West Bank — The newest heroes of the Palestinian cause are n


Palestinian Christians are disappearing
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Star
by Saliba Sarsar - (Opinion) May 4, 2012 - 12:00am


Christians in the Holy Land, especially Palestinian Christians, are living under duress. In Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, now only 18 percent of the population is Christian. In Jerusalem, where Jesus was crucified and resurrected, the percentage of Palestinian Christians is a far lower 1.5 percent, or 12,000 out of some 800,000 people. The remaining population is made up of around 65 percent of Israeli Jews and 33.5 percent Palestinian Muslims. In 1948, by contrast, Christians numbered 25,000 in the city, out of approximately 165,000 inhabitants, or 15 percent.


April 27th

NEWS: The PA Communications Minister is resigning after criticizing a crackdown on websites critical of the government. The PA is continuing with its crackdown on criticism. DM Barak says chances are “low” that Iran can be dissuaded from developing a nuclear weapon. The Israeli government asks for a 90 day extension of a court order to demolish an “unauthorized” settlement outpost. PLO officials say Israel settlement activity proves it's not interested in a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders. The CSM looks at growing ties between Israel and Azerbaijan. Palestinian officials say better tax enforcement has increased PA revenue. Pres. Abbas and Hamas leader Mishaal have a telephone conversation about rallying support for hunger striking Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. The US House of Representatives is moving to approve $680 million in more aid for Israel's “Iron Dome” antimissile system. Israeli officials disagree about what PM Netanyahu meant when he told CNN he was in favor of a “contiguous” Palestinian state. VP Biden says no president has done more for Israel since Truman than Obama. COMMENTARY: Yossi Sarid says the Israeli military remains unreformed. Lyn Julius says the issue of Jewish refugees from Arab countries is important. Uri Savir says the EU needs a common approach on the Middle East and especially Israeli-Palestinian issues. The Forward says Israel's national anthem could easily be rewritten to reflect the aspirations of all its citizens. Alan Phillips says despair about the plausibility of a two-state solution is leading some serious observers, especially in Europe, to look at fresh ideas. George Hishmeh says there are real grounds for doubting whether a second term Pres. Obama would seriously attempt to reengage with Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts. Dylan Evans looks at the possibility of another war between Israel and Hezbollah. Ben Lynfield says the occupation is having a very corrosive effect on Israeli society. The Arab News says Israel's settlement outpost activities amount to “official larceny.” Frida Ghitis says if Netanyahu is serious about really engaging the Palestinians in peace negotiations, he should make them a serious offer.

American Task Force on Palestine - 1634 Eye St. NW, Suite 725, Washington DC 20006 - Telephone: 202-262-0017