August 6th

Back to the movies in former West Bank outlaw city ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters August 6, 2010 - 12:00am The big screen is back in Jenin after a 23-year intermission, marking a fresh start for the West Bank city that was a bastion of armed militias at the peak of the Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation. Mothballed in the grim atmosphere of 1987, Jenin Cinema was finally reopened on Thursday evening with a screening of "Heart of Jenin", a wrenching documentary that spurred its renovation. » Read more

Business leaders meet at iconic Nablus mansion ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency August 6, 2010 - 12:00am Business leaders from Nazareth in northern Israel met up with their counterparts in the West Bank on Thursday, holding a meeting with Hamas and Fatah officials in a bid to encourage reconciliation. Nablus governor Jibrin Al-Bakri attended the discussion hosted by telecommunications tycoon Munib Al-Masri at his Palladian-style palace atop Mount Gerizim. The talk focused on developing economic ties on both sides of the Green Line. » Read more

Hamas wing welcomes Egyptian resistance ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency August 6, 2010 - 12:00am Hamas' armed wing the Al-Qassam Brigades released a statement late Thursday night attesting total non-involvement with the Monday rocket launches that hit Eilat and Aqaba. "Military acts from the resistance are carried out inside of Palestine," spokesman of the brigades Abu Obeida said, added in a statement that also welcomed "any resistance targeting the occupation, whether from in our outside of Palestine." » Read more

Peace Would Curb Palestinian Need for Donors, Abbas Aide Says ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bloomberg by Jonathan Ferziger - August 6, 2010 - 12:00am The Palestinian economy may grow 20 percent annually if there is peace with Israel and become less dependent on international donors, said Mohammad Mustafa, who runs the Palestinian Authority’s main investment fund. In the meantime, Palestinians are pushing ahead with development of a new West Bank financial center and what may become the biggest initial public offering yet when mobile phone operator Wataniya Palestine Telecom sells shares before the end of the year. » Read more

At the crossroads to peace and war in the Middle East ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Michael B. Oren - August 6, 2010 - 12:00am Rarely have the lines in the Middle East's sands been drawn so distinctly. Arrayed on one side is the peace-seeking camp that opposes militant extremism and favors direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians. On the other are the organizations, many of them surrogates for Iran, that work to undermine moderate governments and violently impede any effort for peace. » Read more

Stand against Israel's extremists ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Washington Jewish Week by Ori Nir - (Opinion) August 6, 2010 - 12:00am Israeli soldiers last week again had to chase lawless settlers on the hills of the West Bank. This time, it was settlers from Yitzhar and Bracha, near Nablus, who vandalized Palestinian property, blocked roads, torched fields, sabotaged Israel Defense Forces vehicles, punched, kicked Israeli police officers, cursed and harassed them and resisted arrest -- all in reaction to the demolition of two illegally built structures at an outpost near Yitzhar. » Read more

From intifada hub to model Palestinian city: How Jenin turned around ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Christian Science Monitor by Joshua Mitnick - August 6, 2010 - 12:00am In a dramatic turnaround, the Palestinian city that served as the heart of the second intifada now boasts a new shopping mall. A return of Israeli Jewish shoppers after nearly a decade appears imminent and – as of today – the city boasts its first cinema. » Read more

August 5th

Arab authorities threaten state-wide strike ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews August 4, 2010 - 12:00am Arab authority heads protested Wednesday in front of the Prime Minister's Residence in Jerusalem, against what they claim are discriminatory budget cuts. Union of Local Authorities chairman Shlomo Buhbut warned that if the government did not transfer more funds to the Arab authorities, he would start a general strike of all local authorities, including the Jewish ones, as well as the schools. » Read more

Is Bibi becoming a dove? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by D. Bloomfield - August 5, 2010 - 12:00am Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has done what Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu could never do for himself – transform the Israeli leader’s image from hawk to dove. And he had help from American, European and even Arab leaders who are urging Abbas to quit dawdling and meet the Israeli prime minister at the peace table. The Obama administration weighed in Monday with State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley publicly warning Abbas “there are consequences to failing to take advantage of this opportunity.” » Read more

Report: Arab children shortchanged by social services ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Ruth Eglash - August 5, 2010 - 12:00am Children at risk in the Arab sector are less likely to get assistance from social welfare services than Jewish children in similar situations, according to a study published on Wednesday by Sikkuy – The Association for the Advancement of Civic Equality in Israel. “The Ministry of Welfare and Social Services operates an unequal policy in caring for Jewish and Arab children at risk,” according to the study, which was presented at the organization’s annual conference in Haifa. » Read more