November 3rd

Hague breaks protocol to meet Palestinian activists ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Independent by Donald MacIntyre - (Opinion) November 3, 2010 - 12:00am William Hague, the British Foreign Secretary, is to take the unusual step today of meeting Palestinian activists involved in regular unarmed protests and demonstrations against the Israeli occupation of the West Bank. » Read more

Palestinian PM stakes claim to east Jerusalem ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Statesman by Mohammed Daraghmeh - November 2, 2010 - 12:00am Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad on Tuesday staked a claim to Israeli-controlled east Jerusalem, announcing that his government quietly helped fund the renovation of 14 schools in what the Palestinians hope will be their capital. However, Fayyad stopped short of a full-fledged confrontation with Israel. He heeded an Israeli warning not to set foot in Jerusalem for the announcement and instead chose a West Bank school on the edge of the city as a venue. » Read more

PLO official: Dissolving PA an option ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency November 2, 2010 - 12:00am PLO negotiator Nabil Sha'ath said Tuesday that dissolving the Palestinian Authority would be considered as a last resort if efforts to end Israel's occupation failed. The Fatah official told Ma'an radio that if the PA was unable to meet its responsibilities, it would be shameful to retain authority. "Its decisions are shot down by the occupation, as the people of the West Bank can’t visit Gaza and Gazans can’t live in the West Bank. It is not permitted for anyone to build a new Palestinian village or city, which is unacceptable." » Read more

Gaza medics: Israeli forces shoot mentally disabled man ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency November 3, 2010 - 12:00am A mentally disabled man was shot Tuesday by Israeli forces east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, medics said. Gaza medical services spokesman Adham Abu Silmiyya said the 40-year-old man was transferred to hospital. An Israeli military spokesman said soldiers saw a Palestinian approaching the security fence in the area, and shot at his lower body after he failed to respond to warning shots. The army considers the area close to the border to be a combat zone, he added. » Read more

Egypt intelligence chief to visit Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency November 3, 2010 - 12:00am Egyptian intelligence chief Omer Suleiman will arrive in Israel on Thursday in an attempt to break an impasse in Palestinian-Israeli negotiations, news reports say. Suleiman is to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak to discuss ways of resuming negotiations, Egyptian reports said. Suleiman is expected to explain to Israeli officials that the impasse will result in violence that will harm both Palestinians and Israelis. News of Suleiman's visit was first reported Monday by Israeli media. » Read more

Israel: Defying Ban, Palestinians Renovate East Jerusalem Schools ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Ethan Bronner - November 2, 2010 - 12:00am Prime Minister Salam Fayyad of the Palestinian Authority said Tuesday that the authority had helped renovate 14 schools in East Jerusalem, in defiance of Israeli claims of sovereignty over the area and its ban on Palestinian political activity there. He went to a school in Dahyiat al Barid, on Jerusalem’s outskirts, to dedicate a section the authority had helped renovate, but Israel barred him from entering a refugee camp within the municipal boundaries for another ceremony. He said at the dedication that it did not matter if he was stopped. » Read more

November 2nd

New Palestinian peace plan may force Israel into action ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Akiva Eldar - November 2, 2010 - 12:00am Benjamin Netanyahu has adopted the worn-out tactic of soccer coaches: the best defense is a good offense. Instead of offering reasons for his refusal to freeze construction in the settlements, the prime minister is attacking the Palestinians for deciding to end negotiations. The story goes as follows. A few days ago we reported that Netanyahu's representative to talks with the Palestinians and Americans, Isaac Molho, refused to accept a Palestinian position paper on core issues - including the division of Jerusalem - from the head of the Palestinian delegation, Saeb Erekat. » Read more

Obama's message to Israel: Freeze settlements or get rid of Dimona ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Amir Oren - (Opinion) November 2, 2010 - 12:00am Maj. Gen. Benny Gantz will retire from his post as deputy chief of staff at the end of the month and begin his demobilization leave. It is hard to believe he will be offered another senior defense post. In the view of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak, his strategic approach is too moderate, just like that of his boss, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi. The chief of staff and his deputy failed to volunteer grave security assessments and enthusiastic recommendations for operations to their political superiors. » Read more

Fatah, Hamas agree to meet in Damascus next week ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua November 2, 2010 - 12:00am GAZA/RAMALLAH, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Islamic Hamas movement and its rival Fatah party said Monday that they agreed to hold their second round of reconciliation meeting in Syria's capital of Damascus next week. Ayman Taha, Gaza-based Hamas spokesman told Xinhua on telephone that the two movements agreed to hold their meeting over finalizing reconciliation in Damascus on Nov. 9. The meeting will be attended by two delegations of the two movements, and it will include experts in security affairs, he said, adding that Hamas representatives from Gaza may also join the meeting. » Read more

Palestinian PM stakes claim to east Jerusalem ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Statesman by Mohammed Daraghmeh - November 2, 2010 - 12:00am DAHIAT AL-BARID, WEST BANK — Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad on Tuesday staked a claim to Israeli-controlled east Jerusalem, announcing that his government quietly helped fund the renovation of 14 schools in what the Palestinians hope will be their capital. However, Fayyad stopped short of a full-fledged confrontation with Israel. He heeded an Israeli warning not to set foot in Jerusalem for the announcement and instead chose a West Bank school on the edge of the city as a venue. » Read more