August 7th

Israel To Release 150 Palestinian Prisoners ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News by Hisham Abu Taha - August 7, 2008 - 4:58pm GAZA CITY/JERUSALEM: Israel’s premier pledged to free more than 150 Palestinian prisoners in a meeting yesterday with President Mahmoud Abbas, as a way of energizing their sluggish peace talks. The release could also boost the prestige of the embattled Palestinian leader, whose Fatah movement is engaged in a tense power struggle with the Hamas. » Read more

The Mideast Mirage ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Gulf News by George Hishmeh - August 7, 2008 - 4:54pm It all depends on whether one is an optimist or a pessimist to argue whether there will be, as promised, an "outline" for a fair conclusion to the slow-moving peace talks between the Palestinians and Israelis before President George W. Bush leaves his office at the White House in six month's time. For a start, the belated talks have been plagued by the presence at the helm of three weak leaders in Palestine, Israel and the United States, all approaching their last days in office. » Read more

Egypt Cracks Down On Fuel Smugglers To Gaza ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press August 7, 2008 - 4:53pm   A senior Egyptian security official says police have discovered 20 underground tunnels and seized thousands of gallons of fuel being smuggled under the Egypt-Gaza border. He says four smugglers were arrested early Thursday after a heavy exchange of gunfire with Egyptian forces. Three of the suspects and one policeman were injured. The official says the suspects were laying an 800-meter underground pipeline to ship fuel illegally into Gaza. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to media. » Read more

Tunnels To Egypt Keep Hamas In Business ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Der Spiegel by Juliane Von Mittelstaedt - August 7, 2008 - 4:52pm One year after assuming total power over the Gaza Strip, Hamas is stronger then ever. Its weapons caches are overflowing and its control over daily life is secure. The Islamists can go about their business largely thanks to the supplies that get in via the tunnels connecting Gaza to Egypt. » Read more

British Diplomats Attacked By Hebron Settler ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Times by James Hider - August 7, 2008 - 4:49pm A car full of senior British diplomats was attacked today by a Jewish settler in the volatile West Bank city of Hebron. The diplomats were visiting from London and Brussels to assess the situation in the ancient city, where around 700 Jewish settlers live under massive Israeli army and police protection amid some 180,000 Palestinians. The city has been a major friction point, with Palestinians and Israeli human rights groups accusing the hardline religious settlers of attacking the Palestinian population with impunity. » Read more

Israel Troops Face Shooting Trial ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bbc News August 7, 2008 - 4:48pm An Israeli commander and sergeant face trial for "unworthy conduct" over the shooting of a bound Palestinian prisoner, Israeli officials say. Col Omri Borberg was filmed holding the prisoner as a soldier under his command fired a rubber bullet at his feet. Israel's military advocate general says the incident in the West Bank in July represents a "severe moral failure". Israeli human rights group B'Tselem had said the military would be shamed if it failed to punish anyone. » Read more

Interview: How To Deal With Jerusalem ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Middle East Progress (Interview) August 7, 2008 - 4:47pm Interview with Lt. Col. (Res.) Ron Shatzberg Project Director, Economic Cooperation Foundation. Can you explain the challenge Jerusalem poses to solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? » Read more

August 6th

Mofaz: I Will Keep Jerusalem United As Israel's Eternal Capital ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz August 6, 2008 - 2:27pm Speaking at a conference of Kadima party activists six weeks ahead of the scheduled party primary, frontrunner Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz emphasized that he pledges to "keep Jerusalem united as Israel's eternal capital." "We will keep alive the magnificent dynasty of the days of King David, who named the city as our capital 3,000 years ago," Mofaz continued. » Read more

Supreme Court: Palestinian Authority Can Be Sued ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Aviad Glickman - August 6, 2008 - 2:26pm The Supreme Court overturned a Jerusalem District Court decision on Wednesday and determined that the Palestinian Authority is not immune to lawsuits filed by Israeli bodies and it does not hold sovereign immunity. The Supreme Court’s ruling followed a petition filed by the Beit Midrash of the Elon Moreh settlement in the West Bank against the Jerusalem District Court, which rejected the Jewish organization’s 2006 lawsuit and determined that the PA is considered autonomous and thus, can’t be sued. » Read more

Israel To Release Prisoners As Gesture To Abbas ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Roni Sofer - August 6, 2008 - 2:24pm Despite his upcoming resignation and sensitive political status, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met Wednesday with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the PM's official residence in Jerusalem. During the meeting, Israel announced that it would release several Palestinian prisoners as a gesture to Abbas by the end of August. The Palestinian requested that the released prisoners include former Tanzim leader Marwan Barghouti and Ahmad Saadat, one of the masterminds behind the killing of Minister Rehavam Ze'evi. » Read more