November 29th

Israel tries to clean up its image abroad ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Independent by Catrina Stewart - November 29, 2010 - 1:00am Israel's ultra-nationalist Foreign Minister is proposing a major new public relations drive in Europe aimed at bolstering Israel's flagging image. The campaign, expected to launch early in the new year, would rely on teams of volunteers in Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Spain to deliver Israel's message, while professionals from public relations and lobbying firms would also be hired to for the rebranding initiative. » Read more

B'tselem hands Naalin shooting tape to police ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Naama Cohen-Friedman - November 28, 2010 - 1:00am The B'tselem organization handed over a tape in which an IDF soldier is seen shooting at the foot of a bound Palestinian protestor in Naalin, two and a half years after it was recorded. The police are expected to give the tape, which shows Staff Sgt. Leonardo Corea firing at the order of Lt. Colonel Omri Burberg, to forensics for an objective investigation. » Read more

Beyond Green Line: Apartments instead of hotel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Ronen Medzini - November 29, 2010 - 1:00am The Jerusalem Local Planning and Building Committee on Monday gave its approval to build 130 housing units in an area located beyond the Green Line, between the neighborhoods of Gilo and Beit Safafa. The area was previously designated for the construction of hotels. » Read more

Palestinians: Gaza war claim exposed by WikiLeaks is untrue ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Barak Ravid - November 29, 2010 - 1:00am There were never any actual consultations between us and the Israelis before the Gaza war, a top aid to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said on Monday, refuting a WikiLeaks cable that claimed otherwise. One of the documents included in the over 250,000 diplomatic cables between the United States and its allies which were leaked on Sunday said that Israel tried to coordinate Operation Cast Lead with both Fatah and Egypt. » Read more

Israeli fire wounds four Gazans ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua November 28, 2010 - 1:00am GAZA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli army on Sunday shot and wounded four Palestinians who were digging for gravel in northern Gaza Strip, a medical official said. Adham Abu Selmia of the medical services said that the four workers were moderately injured. A spokesman of the Israeli army said that the four approached the security fence that separates Israel and Gaza. The shooting took place near Erez crossing point and the Israeli authorities shut the passengers' gate briefly. » Read more

First shipment of Gaza roses, berries leaves to Europe ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua November 28, 2010 - 1:00am GAZA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Two trucks, carrying flowers and strawberries, left the Gaza Strip Sunday towards Netherlands as the first limited export from the besieged territory, an official said. The trucks, with their load of 20,000 roses and five tons of strawberries, left through Kerem Shalom crossing in southeast Gaza. Mahmoud Khalil, a representative of farmers, said the agricultural products would be sold in the European markets, mainly in Holland. Israel has barred export since 2007, but it is now allowing the seasonal export of Gaza's flora for the second time since then. » Read more

Livni: Wikileaks proves "common interest" in ending Israeli-Palestinian conflict ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua November 29, 2010 - 1:00am JERUSALEM, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Israeli opposition leader Tsipi Livni said Monday that it is "obvious now that there is a common interest in ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," in reference to dozens of U.S. State Department cables dealing with assessments of diplomatic maneuvers in the areas released by WikiLeaks overnight. The documents are part of what is being described as the largest leak of official documents in history. » Read more

Blair: Israel must do more to ease Gaza blockade ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Statesman by Karin Laub - November 28, 2010 - 1:00am RAMALLAH, WEST BANK — Israel needs to do more to ease its blockade of Gaza and allow exports from the Hamas-ruled territory, international Mideast envoy Tony Blair said in an interview Sunday, after meeting with the Israeli prime minister. The former British prime minister told the Associated Press that he hopes to see progress soon, noting that exports are crucial for reviving Gaza's battered economy. "There has been significant change in Gaza, but not nearly as much as we need," he said. » Read more

In leaked cable, Egypt says factions unserious on unity ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency November 29, 2010 - 1:00am GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- The Egyptian official charged with reconciling rival Palestinian factions judged in 2009 that neither Fatah nor Hamas wanted a unity deal, a leaked document revealed Sunday. A US diplomatic cable, one of more than a quarter million obtained by the whistleblower group WikiLeaks recounts a meeting between CENTCOM commander Gen. David Patraeus and Egypt's intelligence chief Omar Suleiman in Cairo in June 2009. "Reconciliation remains elusive, he [Suleiman] noted, as neither Hamas nor Fatah really want an agreement," the document states. » Read more

Leaked cable: Israel consulted PA prior to Gaza war ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency by Jared Malsin - November 28, 2010 - 1:00am GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israel approached the PA and Egypt about potentially assuming control of the Gaza Strip following a theoretical "defeat" of Hamas before Israel's winter war on Gaza, a leaked US diplomatic cable revealed Sunday. Made public by The New York Times, the document is a report on a conversation between US Senator Bob Casey, Representative Gary Ackerman, and Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak from June 2009. » Read more