November 30th

Leak: Peres said Oslo based on false economic premise ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Gil Hoffman - November 30, 2010 - 1:00am President Shimon Peres admitted to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu that the Oslo peace process he helped initiate was based on a mistaken premise, according to an April 2007 cable of a conversation Netanyahu had with US Congressman Gary Ackerman, the Wikileaks website revealed Monday. Netanyahu was opposition leader at the time and Peres was vice premier. » Read more

Aid groups: Plight of Gaza civilians still dire ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Statesman by Diaa Hadid - November 30, 2010 - 1:00am Business and construction in the Gaza Strip remain stifled half a year after Israel announced it would ease its three-year-old blockade of the needy, war-ravaged Palestinian territory, a report by several aid groups said Tuesday. The groups accused Israel of ducking promises to ease the blockade's effects on civilians, a pledge it made under pressure after a deadly Israeli commando raid in May on an international flotilla protesting the restrictions. The report said Israel is allowing in more food and some building materials but is dragging its feet on major construction projects. » Read more

Fayyad named among 100 'top global thinkers' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency November 30, 2010 - 1:00am The premier of the Ramallah-based Palestinian government has been named among the top 100 "global thinkers" by an American news magazine. Foreign Policy's December issue ranked Salam Fayyad at 23 "for bringing faith in technocracy to the Holy Land." "In his three years in office, Fayyad has evolved from a bureaucrat's bureaucrat into a political figure in his own right. At the same time, he remains the West Bank leader most willing to work with his Israeli counterparts," the magazine reported. » Read more

Israel's eased blockade 'still crippling' Gaza ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC World News by Jon Donnison - November 29, 2010 - 1:00am That is the verdict of a new report by aid agencies and rights groups working inside the Palestinian territory. A ban on most exports from Gaza is "crippling" the economy, they say. The report, "Dashed Hopes: Continuation of the Gaza Blockade", was compiled by 21 different groups, including Oxfam, Amnesty and Save the Children. "Only a fraction of the aid needed has made it to the civilians trapped in Gaza by the blockade," said Jeremy Hobbs, Director of Oxfam International. » Read more

Abdullah Hourani, former PLO leader, dies in Jordan ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency November 30, 2010 - 1:00am Former member of the PLO’s Executive Committee and the Palestinian National Council Abdullah Al-Hourani died Monday in Jordan. The Executive Committee announced his death in a statement reminding of his traits as a loyal leader of the Palestinian struggle and co-founder of the contemporary Palestinian revolution. “His extensive national and patriotic activities contributed to protect the Palestinian identity.” » Read more

Abdullah Hourani, former PLO leader, dies in Jordan ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency November 30, 2010 - 1:00am Former member of the PLO’s Executive Committee and the Palestinian National Council Abdullah Al-Hourani died Monday in Jordan. The Executive Committee announced his death in a statement reminding of his traits as a loyal leader of the Palestinian struggle and co-founder of the contemporary Palestinian revolution. “His extensive national and patriotic activities contributed to protect the Palestinian identity.” » Read more

Abdullah Hourani, former PLO leader, dies in Jordan ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency November 30, 2010 - 1:00am Former member of the PLO’s Executive Committee and the Palestinian National Council Abdullah Al-Hourani died Monday in Jordan. The Executive Committee announced his death in a statement reminding of his traits as a loyal leader of the Palestinian struggle and co-founder of the contemporary Palestinian revolution. “His extensive national and patriotic activities contributed to protect the Palestinian identity.” » Read more

The demise of peace camp ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times by Hassan Barari - (Opinion) November 25, 2010 - 1:00am Not one Israeli premier ever thought of moving the peace process forward without taking into account the internal political scene. The history of the Arab-Israeli peace process is full of examples of missed opportunities thanks to the political complications within Israel. The Israeli premier places greatest priority on political survival. » Read more

Wikileaks: Israel assessed Abbas as weak, unpopular ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency November 30, 2010 - 1:00am Senior Israeli defense and political figures described President Mahmoud Abbas as weak, unpopular and unlikely to survive politically past 2011, leaked US diplomatic cables showed on Monday. In meetings with US representatives, Israeli officials ranging from then-opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu, to senior defense official Amos Gilad expressed doubt about Abbas's political longevity. » Read more

Wikileaks: Israel assessed Abbas as weak, unpopular ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency November 30, 2010 - 1:00am Senior Israeli defense and political figures described President Mahmoud Abbas as weak, unpopular and unlikely to survive politically past 2011, leaked US diplomatic cables showed on Monday. In meetings with US representatives, Israeli officials ranging from then-opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu, to senior defense official Amos Gilad expressed doubt about Abbas's political longevity. » Read more