October 7th

Mosque rumour sparks clashes ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Independent October 7, 2009 - 12:00am Israeli police mobilised reinforcements from across the country to secure the streets of Jerusalem yesterday, deploying thousands of officers amid fears that violence would escalate after two days of clashes with Palestinian protesters. Rumours that Israeli extremists planned to march on the most sacred Muslim and Jewish shrine in the Holy Land apparently fuelled the unrest. No such march has taken place. » Read more

Jerusalem's troublesome sheikh ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian by Mick Dumper - October 7, 2009 - 12:00am A subtle shift in power has recently taken place on the street in Jerusalem. The confrontations during the past week between Palestinians and the Israeli police over perceived Israeli threats to the Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa mosque bring home the growing role of the Israeli Islamic movement in the politics of the city. As a result of the ineffectiveness of the secular and traditional Palestinian leadership, below the radar, Palestinians in the city are being mobilised by the northern branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel, led by the charismatic Sheikh Ra'ed Salah. » Read more

'Old City violence may lead to 3rd intifada' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Abe Selig - October 6, 2009 - 12:00am Recent violence in the capital and the ongoing tensions surrounding the Temple Mount could trigger a third intifada, senior Fatah official Hatem Abdel Kader warned in a conversation with The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday. "It's a very sensitive situation," the former Palestinian Authority minister for Jerusalem affairs said as he stood outside a home in the city's Wadi Joz neighborhood. » Read more

FM wants 'new Israeli foreign policy' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Haviv Rettig - October 7, 2009 - 12:00am The policy staff in Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman's office has drawn up a secret memo calling for a radical refocus of Israeli foreign policy toward the developing world, The Jerusalem Post has learned. According to sources, the foreign minister plans to bring the five-page preliminary policy paper to the ministry's senior professional staff in the coming days, to begin discussion on implementing what is being described as "guidelines for a whole new foreign policy." » Read more

Solana calls for restraint in Jerusalem ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Elana Kirsh - October 7, 2009 - 12:00am European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana expressed concern Wednesday over "recent clashes in east Jerusalem." In a statement, he called for restraint, saying, "I have been closely following the situation around the Al Aksa mosque in recent days. I would like to urge all parties to refrain from provocative actions that could further inflame tensions or lead to violence." "Everyone must take action to avoid escalation," he added. » Read more

Libya asks for UN council meeting over Gaza report ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews October 7, 2009 - 12:00am Libya on Tuesday requested a meeting of the Security Council to discuss a UN report that accused Israel and Palestinian militants of war crimes during Israel's offensive in Gaza, diplomats said. Dang Hoang Giang, a spokesman for the mission of Vietnam, which currently holds the council's rotating presidency, said the Libyan request was being considered. A Libyan spokesman, however, said he understood a meeting would be held on Wednesday. » Read more

Gaza: Hamas bans motorbike rides for women ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews October 7, 2009 - 12:00am The Hamas government has banned motorcycle riders from carrying women on the back seat – the latest in the militants' virtue campaign in Gaza. The ban was posted on Hamas Interior Ministry Web site on Tuesday. It said the ban seeks "to preserve citizen safety and the stability of Palestinian society's customs and traditions." Hamas wants to impose a strict interpretation of Islam. Its other efforts have included breaking up mixed couples on the beach and obliging female lawyers to wear headscarves in court. » Read more

Minister Braverman: Jewish extremists also at fault for riots ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Sharon Roffe-ofir - October 7, 2009 - 12:00am Minorities Minister Avishay Braverman (Labor) said Wednesday that Jewish extremists were also to blame for the recent violence in Jerusalem. Speaking to Ynet, Braverman warned that outlawing the Islamic Movement would only bolster it and hurt Israel's status. "Ministers and MKs' calls to have the movement banned only serve the Islamic Movement's political interests. Outlawing the group would only embolden extremist elements and strengthen the movement itself," he told Ynet. » Read more

Israel fears violence following arrest of Islamic Movement head ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Barak Ravid - October 7, 2009 - 12:00am Security forces fear an outbreak of further violence following the arrest of the leader of the Islamic Movement's northern branch, Sheikh Ra'ad Salah on Tuesday. Salah was arrested, and later released, after Police Commissioner David Cohen, State Prosecutor Moshe Lador and Jerusalem police chief Aharon Franco decided that Salah would be interrogated about recent statements. » Read more

U.S. to Israel and PA: Calm Jerusalem tensions ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Barak Ravid - October 7, 2009 - 12:00am In its first response to recent clashes in Jerusalem, the U.S. administration of President Barack Obama on Tuesday called on Israel and the Palestinian Authority to take steps to calm the tensions in the capital. Israeli police mobilized reinforcements from across the country to secure the volatile Jerusalem on Tuesday, deploying thousands of officers on city streets for fear that two days of low-grade clashes with Palestinian protesters would escalate. » Read more