November 24th

Abed Rabbo: Hamas would form pact with Satan ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency November 24, 2009 - 1:00am Senior PLO official Yasser Abed Rabbo assailed Hamas on Tuesday morning, accusing the group of plotting to “ally with the devil” in order to weaken the Palestinian Authority (PA). The criticism comes amid media reports that Hamas is poised to conclude a deal with Israel that would involve the release of 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for a soldier held by guerrillas in Gaza. Both Fatah and Hamas prisoners would be released. » Read more

Two alternative paths ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons by Yossi Alpher - (Editorial) November 23, 2009 - 1:00am I continue to believe that a bilaterally negotiated two-state solution between Israel and the PLO is the optimal outcome and is possible. But not under the leadership currently in power in all the relevant capitals: Jerusalem, Ramallah, Gaza, Cairo and last but not least (on the basis of its first 10 months' performance) Washington. In the absence of credible hope for a near-term solution, a number of alternative paths to progress present themselves. Two are reflected in evolving realities on the ground, hence appear to be the most pragmatic. They are not mutually exclusive. » Read more

Who wins and who loses in Shalit deal? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Amos Harel, Avi Issacharoff - November 24, 2009 - 1:00am 1. Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tried hard Monday to lower public and media expectations of an imminent deal for Gilad Shalit, via a statement issued by his bureau and remarks to the Likud Knesset faction. This is being conducted under a thick veil of secrecy, replete with psychological warfare and false media reports. It's hard to guess exactly how long it will take, but reports that Hamas officials will fly to Damascus after their meetings in Cairo mean it probably won't happen by this Friday. » Read more

Two Hamas fighters killed in explosion ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency November 24, 2009 - 1:00am Two Palestinian operatives affiliated to Hamas’ armed Al-Qassam Brigades were killed and four others injured in a home-explosion near the Karni border crossing with Israel on Tuesday, local sources reported. The home, in the Ash-Shuja’iyya neighborhood of Gaza City, was destroyed, though it was unclear what caused the explosion. The two killed were identified as Ahmad Abu Ghaniyya and Muhammad Nawati, according to the director of the ambulance and emergency services in Gaza, Muawiyah Hassanein. » Read more

Two alternatives: backward or forward ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons by Ghassan Khatib - (Opinion) November 23, 2009 - 1:00am Palestinian officials have always and consistently reiterated their commitment to the peace process. Bilateral negotiations are seen as the main strategy to achieve the legitimate Palestinian objectives of ending the Israeli occupation, achieving statehood and freedom as well as solving the issue of Palestinian refugees in accordance with UNGA Resolution 194. » Read more

Fayyad: Israeli stubbornness impeding peace process ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency November 24, 2009 - 1:00am Caretaker Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said the Israeli refusal to bring settlement construction and activity to a complete standstill as the central reason for the stall in peace talks, during a news conference on Tuesday alongside German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle. During their meeting in Ramallah, Fayyad and Westerwelle discussed the peace process and what is needed to overcome the obstacles in front of it. Fayyad highlighted his own efforts to prepare for the establishment of a Palestinian state capable of serving the Palestinian people. » Read more

Palestinian Children Face Daily Settler Attacks Getting to School ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Inter Press Service (IPS) by Mel Frykberg - November 23, 2009 - 1:00am Being able to travel to school in relative safety is something children all over the world take for granted. But, for Palestinian children living in the shadow of the ubiquitous and illegal Israeli settlements dotting the West Bank, simply walking to school can be a terrifying experience. "It is really scary walking to school. We never know when the settlers will attack us and beat us," says Rima Ali, 10, from the village of Tuba in the southern West Bank, about two hours drive south of Jerusalem. » Read more

Exclusive Sit-Down with Palestinian P.M. ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Fox News by Michael Tobin - (Blog) November 23, 2009 - 1:00am The proposals of Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salem Fayyad seem simple and obvious from a Western Perspective; build the institutions of a working Palestinian government first, make the move for statehood second. However, coming from a population that has focused for decades on the conflict with Israel, his proposals are radical. » Read more

Gilad Shalit release: Hamas, Israel prisoner swap said to be imminent ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Christian Science Monitor by Ilene Prusher - November 24, 2009 - 1:00am Jerusalem Israel and Hamas appear to be moving closer to a prisoner swap in which Israel would release up to 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. » Read more

Netanyahu Says Swap of Prisoners Is Uncertain ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Ethan Bronner, Isabel Kershner - November 24, 2009 - 1:00am Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought Tuesday to temper expectations about a deal to exchange a captured Israeli soldier for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, saying “There is still no deal, and I do not know if there will be one.” Addressing the fears of some Israelis that a swap would boost the standing of Hamas, Mr. Netanyahu said the authorities would “not be sparing with a public discussion. We will not do it as a fait accompli,” news reports said. » Read more