Palestinian official says Israel fails to implement Oslo Accords ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua July 25, 2011 - 12:00am RAMALLAH, July 25 (Xinhua) -- Israel does not need to threaten by calling off the Oslo Accords signed between Israel and the Palestinians in 1993, because it does not implement it, a senior Palestinian official said on Monday. "We would have gained our independence since 1993 if Israel implemented the Oslo accords," Saeb Erekat, a Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) official told Xinhua. "Israel's practices on the ground have practically canceled the Oslo agreement years ago," he added. » Read more

Israel looking into revoking Oslo Accords in response to Palestinian UN bid ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Barak Ravid - July 25, 2011 - 12:00am A team headed by National Security Adviser Ya'akov Amidror is looking into calling off the Oslo Accords in response to the Palestinian Authority's unilateral plan to gain United Nations recognition for an independent state. The Prime Minister's Bureau confirmed yesterday only that the NSC was discussing many alternatives ahead of September, and would be presenting them to the political echelon for a decision when it was done. » Read more

Palestinian president launches campaign for state recognition ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua July 23, 2011 - 12:00am ISTANBUL, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas launched an international campaign with his envoys from 93 countries for state recognition on Saturday. Abbas told his envoys at the meeting that Palestinians have been left with no choice other than to apply to the United Nations for statehood after negotiations with Israel have stalled. "This can't be considered a unilateral move, as a unilateral move is settlement construction which Israel continues unabated," Abbas said. » Read more

In Palestinian city, diggers uncover biblical ruin ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Statesman by Associated Press - July 22, 2011 - 12:00am NABLUS, West Bank — Archaeologists unearthing a biblical ruin inside a Palestinian city in the West Bank are writing the latest chapter in a 100-year-old excavation that has been interrupted by two world wars and numerous rounds of Mideast upheaval. Working on an urban lot that long served residents of Nablus as an unofficial dump for garbage and old car parts, Dutch and Palestinian archaeologists are learning more about the ancient city of Shekhem, and are preparing to open the site to the public as an archaeological park next year. » Read more

Israel's Lieberman won't quit on apology to Turkey ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Dan Williams - July 24, 2011 - 12:00am JERUSALEM, July 24 (Reuters) - Israel's Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said on Sunday he would not quit the coalition government if it decides to apologise to Turkey for killing nine Turks aboard a pro-Palestinian activist ship last year. Lieberman, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's most powerful and hawkish partner, has scorned meeting Ankara's demand that Israel atone for storming the Mavi Marmara as it tried to breach the blockade on the Gaza Strip at the head of an aid flotilla. » Read more

UNRWA responds to Gaza protests ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency July 25, 2011 - 12:00am BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- The UN agency for Palestinian refugees was forced to close its offices in Gaza City last week as protesters blockaded its entrances, angry at the slashing of UNRWA's emergency programs. Demonstrators physically blocked the entrances of the agency's offices with large vehicles after UNRWA removed tens of thousands of Palestinian refugees from its food distribution list. UNRWA spokesman Chris Gunness has said the lack of donor funds to the agency -- and anti-UN protests on the doorstep of Israel -- directly affect the stability of the region. » Read more

Barak: Focus on Europe to stop UN bid ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency July 25, 2011 - 12:00am JERUSALEM (Ma'an) -- Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Sunday that Israel must exert all efforts to avoid a confrontation with the Palestinian Authority over its plan to seek recognition at the United Nations in September. Barak told Israel's Army Radio that his government's main concern was to mobilize European support to stop the PA's bid. The defense minister said he believed dialogue with the Palestinians was possible to prevent them seeking UN recognition. » Read more