NYU poll: Two-thirds of US Jews back Obama over McCain ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz October 20, 2008 - 8:00pm A new poll commissioned by researchers at New York University reveals that American Jews favor Democratic presidential frontrunner Barack Obama over his Republic rival, John McCain, by a 67 - 33 percent margin. The survey, which sampled the opinions of over 3,000 respondents - half of them being Jewish - also found that Jews as an ethnic group will support Obama by almost 30 percent more than other white, non-Hispanic voters. » Read more

Tension in Ramallah as Abbas dismisses Tirawi ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Ali Waked - October 19, 2008 - 8:00pm Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued an decree on Monday evening ordering the dismissal of Col. Tawfik Tirawi, head of the PA General Intelligence Service in the West Bank, and Diab al-Ali, the top commander of the Palestinian security forces in the West Bank. Al-Ali is also known as Abu al-Fatah. The unforeseen move has stirred considerable tensions amongst the ranks of Ramallah's security forces. » Read more

Protestors for Shalit cage themselves outside Barak’s home ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Anat Shalev - October 19, 2008 - 8:00pm Dozens assembled outside the home of Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Monday afternoon to stage a unique demonstration for kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. The protestors placed a large cage at the forefront of the rally and packed themselves inside in an effort to illustrate the conditions of Shalit's captivity. The event marked 848 says since he was kidnapped into the Gaza Strip. » Read more

Underground cattle trade thrives in Gaza tunnels ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Nidal Al-Mughrabi - October 20, 2008 - 8:00pm When the calves were hauled out of the tunnel from Egypt on Tuesday, they could hardly stand up. After a terrifying, 1000 meter (yard) underground trip into the Israeli-blockaded Gaza Strip, what the young cattle wanted most was a long drink of cool water. Underground livestock smuggling has increased dramatically ahead of Eid Al-Adha, the day of sacrifice due December 10, when Muslims the world over slaughter animals and feed the poor to seek God's forgiveness. » Read more

Israel removes wildcat settlements in West Bank ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP) October 19, 2008 - 8:00pm Israeli troops have cleared three Jewish wildcat settlements in the occupied West Bank, the army said on Monday. The three outposts, one of which was built six months ago and the other two set up on Sunday by right-wing activists, were removed during the night by border police and army troops, it said in a statement. » Read more

Lock maker Assa Abloy to move West Bank plant ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press October 20, 2008 - 8:00pm Sweden's Assa Abloy AB, the world's largest lock maker, said Tuesday it would move a production plant from an Israeli settlement in the West Bank after being criticized by human rights groups. The announcement followed a critical report by the Church of Sweden, aid group Diakonia and SwedWatch, a nonprofit group that monitors the conduct of Swedish businesses. The report said Assa Abloy disrespects international humanitarian law by conducting business in occupied territory. » Read more

Israel Targets Palestinian Students ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Inter Press Service (IPS) by Mohammed Omer - October 20, 2008 - 8:00pm The letter of acceptance that 28-year-old Hazem Hussain got for a business graduate programme in a Californian university once brought joy. Now he does not know what to do with it. He has admission, and a visa to the U.S., but the Israelis will not let him leave. "I have tried to get out through every means possible for a year now," he says. "But I am not able to go." The semester started some weeks ago. » Read more

Hamas Welcomes Egypt Plan for Palestinian Unity ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP) October 20, 2008 - 8:00pm Hamas on Tuesday gave its tentative support to an Egyptian plan to reconcile the Islamist movement and the rival Fatah faction of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas. "We will agree to the draft of the agreement and will not reject it," Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhum told AFP, but he added that the plan would require some "modification" before it could be implemented. "The draft contains positive elements, but also has some points that need modification and some points that need clarification from the Egyptian leadership." » Read more

Egypt to host intra-Palestinian talks next month ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP) October 20, 2008 - 8:00pm Egypt has invited Hamas and Fatah to meet in Cairo on November 9 for talks aimed at restoring Palestinian unity, Hamas said Monday. "We received yesterday a draft of the Egyptian vision for Palestinian reconciliation which includes a call for a full Palestinian dialogue," Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhum told AFP. "Hamas has no problem in attending and we were the first to call for Palestinian-Palestinian talks to end the internal conflict," he added. » Read more

Palestinian group says Israelis killed 68 children in Gaza in year ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian by Rory McCarthy - October 20, 2008 - 8:00pm A prominent Palestinian human rights group says it has found evidence that 68 children were killed in the Gaza Strip in the 12 months to June this year as a result of "disproportionate and excessive lethal force" by the Israeli military. » Read more