July 23rd

Abbas: I'll Pull Out West Bank Forces ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press July 23, 2008 - 4:44pm Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas told supporters on Tuesday that he will withdraw his forces from West Bank cities unless Israel halts its army operations there. Parallel to negotiations with Israel, Abbas has been trying to exert more control in the West Bank and to rein in terrorists. At the same time, the international community is training Abbas's forces, with hopes they will one day take over from Israel. » Read more

Israel's Ehud Olmert Survives 3 No-confidence Votes ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters July 23, 2008 - 4:42pm Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's government survived three no-confidence motions in parliament Monday, even though one of them saw a majority voting against him for the first time. One motion was approved by 41 votes to 40 after Olmert's Shas coalition partner boycotted the vote. But under Israeli law, 61 votes are needed to pass a no-confidence motion, which would lead to the dissolution of the 120-member parliament and herald new elections. » Read more

Jerusalem Shooting Officer Dies ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bbc News July 23, 2008 - 4:41pm An Israeli policeman has died 12 days after being shot in an apparent militant attack in Jerusalem. David Shriki was hit in the head when an unidentified gunman opened fire as he was on patrol in the Old City, in mainly Arab East Jerusalem. Israeli police said they were treating it as a "terrorist" attack. Another officer was wounded by the gunfire and is recovering. There have been a number of violent incidents in Jerusalem recently. » Read more

July 22nd

Shin Bet Chief Diskin: Idf Must Increase 'field Presence' In Gaza ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Shahar Ilan - July 22, 2008 - 5:09pm Shin Bet chief Yuval Diskin warned lawmakers of copycat terrorist attacks in the works three hours before Tuesday afternoon's bulldozer rampage in Jerusalem, which left over a dozen people injured. In his appearance before the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Diskin said the Shin Bet received indications that Palestinians were planning to stage attacks mimicing the deadly incidents in Jerusalem, including the first bulldozer attack and the shooting massacre of yeshiva students at Mercaz Harav earlier this year. » Read more

Israeli Official: U.s. Intervention In Minor Palestinian Issues Could Damage Ties ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Barak Ravid - July 22, 2008 - 5:06pm Senior officials in the U.S. State Department, including Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, have repeatedly complained to Israel recently over relatively minor Palestinian issues that it would have ignored until a few months ago, Israeli officials say. Complaints about settlement construction or army operations that kill Palestinian civilians have always been the norm. But Israeli officials are worried by the State Department's new tendency to intervene in a much broader range of issues. » Read more

Israel Fears Scathing U.s. Report On Its West Bank Policies ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Amos Harel, Barak Ravid, And Avi Issacharoff, Haar And News Agencies - July 22, 2008 - 5:04pm The United States security coordinator for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, retired general James Jones, is preparing an extremely critical report of Israel's policies in the territories and its attitude toward the Palestinian Authority's security services. » Read more

Soldier Implicated In Naalin Shooting Incident Released ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Hanan Greenberg - July 22, 2008 - 5:00pm  The Military Advocate General's Office has not yet closed the case, and when the IMP completes its investigation the office will decide whether to press criminal charges against the soldier and his commander, who held the Palestinian's arm as the shots were fired. » Read more

Un Official Visits Gaza To Assess The Humanitarian Situation ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Kuwait News Agency (kuna) July 22, 2008 - 4:58pm United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in the Occupied Palestinian Territory Max Gaylard witnessed first-hand Tuesday the worsening economic and humanitarian situation in Gaza Strip under Israeli siege. Gaylard met Tuesday with Gaza Governor Mohammad Al-Qudwa, Khan Younis Governor Osama Al-Farra, and Governor of the strip's central area Ismael Abu Shamala. The governors stressed, according to a press release distributed here, on the importance of the United Nations' role in supporting the Palestinian cause from the humanitarian aspects. » Read more

Palestinian President Denounces Bulldozer Attack In Jerusalem ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Kuwait News Agency (kuna) July 22, 2008 - 4:57pm Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas denounced the attack which took place today after a Palestinian used a bulldozer in southern Jerusalem injuring 19 Israelis. In a Presidential statement the President said they condemn such terrorist act, particularly on civilians. "This was a deliberate attack which we condemn, we do not accept, and hurt peace efforts in general," the statement said. President Abbas also indicated his absolute rejection to targeting civilians.

Israel Arrests Over 20 Palestinians In Nablus ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News by Mohammed Mar’i - July 22, 2008 - 4:55pm Israeli forces operating in the West Bank city of Nablus early yesterday arrested more than 20 Palestinians, including a Hamas woman lawmaker, businessmen and students, Palestinian security sources said. The sources said that the detentions were part of a crackdown that Israel launched since early July against civil institutions and charities alleged to be linked with Hamas. According to the sources, the Israeli forces rolled into the city early yesterday and broke into tens of houses and conducted search operations. » Read more