September 2nd

A promise to keep with Gaza’s people ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National September 2, 2009 - 12:00am Six months after the world’s top diplomats met at Sharm el Sheikh to pledge massive amounts of assistance to war-torn Gaza, there is little on the ground to show that their commitment has had any effect. The magnitude of the devastation that descended upon the Gazan people earlier this year is difficult to overstate. The UN estimates that as many as 14,000 homes and 240 schools have been destroyed and too little has been done to alleviate the suffering of the nearly 1.5 million Palestinians who overcrowd the tiny strip of territory. » Read more

Israeli, Palestinian mayors pitch rare joint industrial project ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) by Gil Shefler - September 2, 2009 - 12:00am Even as Israeli and Palestinian leaders argue about the conditions that must be in place for a return to the negotiating table, they are striking similar tones on the need for economic development. Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad unveiled an economic plan last week intended to bring about a stable, independent Palestinian state within two years, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been talking for months about the need for an "economic peace." » Read more

Israeli unilateralism undermines the peace process ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons by Ghassan Khatib - (Opinion) August 31, 2009 - 12:00am It's been four years since Israel evacuated its settlers and army from the Gaza Strip. Since then, Israel has kept Gaza under a tight siege that has undermined the economy of the already impoverished Strip. Now there seems to be consensus among most Palestinians and Israelis, though for different reasons, that the withdrawal was not constructive as far as peacemaking and ending the conflict are concerned. » Read more

The lonely struggle of Uri Davis ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian by Seth Freedman - September 2, 2009 - 12:00am Waiting for Uri Davis in a hotel forecourt in Ramallah, I reflect that his reputation precedes him by a comfortable distance. His rejection of political Zionism, coupled with his conversion to Islam and his recent election to Fatah's Revolutionary Council means he is treated with a mixture of scorn and hostility by vast swaths of Israelis and supporters of Israel in the Jewish diaspora. » Read more

'Jews who sell to Arabs are enemies' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Matthew Wagner - September 2, 2009 - 12:00am A Jew who sells land to an Arab in Israel should not be allowed to lead prayers in synagogue, should not be given the right to make a blessing during the Torah reading, should not be counted among the quorum needed for public prayers and is considered an abettor to the enemies of Israel, according to a halachic decision issued on Monday night by a group of rabbis calling themselves "The New Sanhedrin." » Read more

Minister Peled: No agreement on settlement freeze ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Atilla Somfalvi - September 2, 2009 - 12:00am Minister Yossi Peled said Tuesday that the government had no plans to freeze construction in settlements or in Jerusalem. "I have heard with my own ears that there is no agreement on freezing construction in settlements," he said. Speaking at a conference labeled 'Preserving Jerusalem and the Golan Heights', Peled said he heard while visiting Germany with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that "Jews will continue to live and build in Jerusalem". Regarding the peace process he said, "We must talk with whoever is willing to talk with us, but we mustn't lose our assets." » Read more

Hamas: Israel won't get better deal on Shalit ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Ali Waked - September 2, 2009 - 12:00am Just hours after Defense Minister Ehud Barak told a group of students that Gilad Shalit's release won't be "at any price", a Hamas official told Ynet that Israel is trying to make talks on the kidnapped soldier's release more difficult. "The Shalit family is paying the price of the negotiation ploys that their government is trying to carry out in a bid to present a better deal than its predecessor," said the Hamas official. According to him, Israel is trying to bide time by presenting new versions of the deal. » Read more

Outcry over violence in Israel ignoring occupation ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Amira Hass - September 2, 2009 - 12:00am The most amazing thing about the wave of murders in recent weeks has been the collective Israeli stupefaction at the discovery of violence in our midst. Once again we have displayed our talent for excluding from the discourse the daily violence inherent in our continued domination over the Palestinians and their land. » Read more

Israeli, Palestinian ministers meet for first time in half a year ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Barak Ravid - September 2, 2009 - 12:00am Vice Prime Minister Silvan Shalom met with Palestinian Economic Minister Bassem Khoury in Jerusalem on Wednesday for the highest level talks between Israeli and Palestinian officials in half a year. The meeting was the first between an Israeli and Palestinian Authority minister since Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu's government took office in March. Until Wednesday, the Palestinian ministers had boycotted their Israeli counterparts. During the talks, which were held at the King David Hotel, the ministers discussed economic proposals to improve life for the Palestinians. » Read more

Fayyad visits family of teen killed by Israeli army ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency September 2, 2009 - 12:00am Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad visited Al-Jalazoun refugee camp near Ramallah on Tuesday evening to offer condolences to family of 15-year-old Muhammad Nayif who was killed by Israeli forces in the morning. Fayyad expressed his sorrow and sadness reminding of Muhammad’s father, a Palestinian intelligence officer who was also killed by Israeli forces seven years ago. » Read more