October 5th

Political and Market Forces Hobble Israel’s Pack of Ink-Stained Watchdogs ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Isabel Kershner - October 4, 2012 - 12:00am JERUSALEM — The mainstream newspaper Maariv is on the verge of closing, apparently having lost a fierce 64-year contest against the populist Hebrew tabloid Yediot Aharonot. On Thursday, Haaretz, the flagship broadsheet of Israel’s left-wing intelligentsia, was not published for the first time in three decades; the newsroom held a one-day strike to protest the planned layoff of scores of employees. » Read more

Temple Mount Faithful: From the fringes to the mainstream ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Nir Hasson - October 4, 2012 - 12:00am Eight Jewish Israelis have been arrested on Temple Mount in Jerusalem over the past two days after police feared their attempts to pray there would incite violence. Among those arrested were right-wing Likud party member Moshe Feiglin and Yehuda Liebman, a prime figure at the Od Yosef Chai Yeshiva in the hard-line West Bank settlement of Yitzhar. Among the suspects is the more moderate Elyashiv Cherlow, son of Rabbi Yuval Cherlow, head of the Petah Tikva yeshiva, who is considered a relatively liberal religious Zionist leader. » Read more

Following the dream of a Third Temple in Jerusalem ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Shanty Littman - October 4, 2012 - 12:00am "Thanks to you I had a tremendous insight,” Yehuda Glick roared at me as I entered the room where a meeting of the joint directorate of the Temple movements was taking place. “I went up to the Mount of Olives today,” he continued, “and I looked toward the Temple Mount. And what do I see? Two round domes, next to each other! And then it came to me: Those who want to build the Temple want to suckle from the source! » Read more

Hundreds of Arabs assault guards at Temple Mount ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Times of Israel by Gabe Fisher, Yoel Goldman - October 5, 2012 - 12:00am Following the conclusion of Friday prayers at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, hundreds of Arabs threw stones at security guards in the area. Police charged through the Mughrabi Gate in the Old City and fired stun grenades to disperse the angry mob. Unconfirmed Palestinian reports suggested that several people were lightly injured. Police officials, having restored calm, said that they would arrest some of the stone throwers in the coming days. » Read more

October 4th

Abbas aide meets Egypt intelligence chief ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency October 3, 2012 - 12:00am RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- President Mahmoud Abbas' senior aide Tayyeb Abdul-Rahim on Wednesday met Egypt's intelligence chief Raafat Shehata to discuss relations. Abdul-Rahim, Abbas' secretary-general, thanked the newly-appointed Shehata for Egypt's official and popular support for Palestinians and their struggle for statehood, and the Egyptian government's efforts to release Palestinians detained in Israeli jails, a statement from his office said.

Bypassing Israel, French capital endorses unprecedented agreement with ‘East Jerusalem’ ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Times of Israel by Elhanan Miller - October 4, 2012 - 12:00am France’s most populous administrative zone, encompassing the capital Paris, has signed a cooperation agreement with the Palestinian district of Jerusalem, a move organizers say is designed to send a “political message” of solidarity with the Palestinians and their aspirations for a future capital in the city. The French region described the agreement as the “first of its kind.” » Read more

Settlers to appeal decision on Hebron building ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Tovah Lazaroff - October 4, 2012 - 12:00am Settlers plan to file a legal appeal to of the Civil Administration’s refusal to certify their purchase of a three family building, known as Beit Hamachpela, located in the West Bank city of Hebron. The refusal was based on technical reasons. Settlers moved into the building at the end of March after buying it from its Palestinian owners. In early April, security forces forcibly evicted them within a week pending investigation of the purchase claim and because they had failed to obtain the necessary permits to enter the building. » Read more

Arab-Israeli indicted on espionage charges ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Ahiya Raved - October 4, 2012 - 12:00am It has been cleared for publication that a 26-year-old resident of Majd al-Kurum has been arrested and indicted on espionage charges following a joint police and Shin Bet investigation.  Milad Mohammed Khatib, a truck driver, is suspected of spying for Hezbollah and gathering intelligence on IDF bases and defense facilities. He has also allegedly tracked the movement of President Shimon Peres. » Read more

S. African Jews, minister at loggerheads amid West Bank labeling row ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Jeremy Gordin - October 4, 2012 - 12:00am JOHANNESBURG – The leader of South Africa's central Jewish organization recently slammed Trade and Industries Minister Rob Davies for ignoring the Jewish community when proposing legislation labeling goods imported from the West Bank as originating from “the Occupied Palestinian Territories.” » Read more

PA budget crisis expected to worsen ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency October 3, 2012 - 12:00am BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- The Palestinian Authority does not expect a significant boost in foreign budget assistance to follow a meeting of donor countries in New York last month. A report presented by Nabil Qassis, the Palestinian Authority finance minister, has received no significant response, a senior government official told Ma'an. The official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said late Tuesday that the financial crisis would likely escalate widely in the coming weeks and months due to foreign aid shortfalls. » Read more