October 29th

UNRWA responds to Israel TV's Gaza war claims ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency (Analysis) October 29, 2012 - 12:00am The UN agency for Palestinian refugees issued a response this week to an Israeli TV channel's claim that Palestinian militants had used UNRWA facilities to fire rockets at Israel during its war on Gaza. During a recent interview, a reporter from Israel's Channel Two News claimed that during Operation Cast Lead in 2008-9, Hamas militants had been operating from inside UNRWA installations and attempting to fire rockets at Israel. The popular Israeli news channel did not provide any evidence to substantiate the claims made by its reporter. » Read more

More Jews praying on site also sacred to Muslims ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Los Angeles Times by Edmund Sanders - (Analysis) October 28, 2012 - 12:00am   A simple, ancient ritual is threatening the delicate security balance atop Jerusalem's most sacred plaza: Jews are praying. » Read more

Palestinians to seek UN recognition next month ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press by Mohammed Daraghmeh - (Analysis) October 29, 2012 - 12:00am   » Read more

Rocket fire from Gaza draws Israeli airstrike ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press (Analysis) October 29, 2012 - 12:00am   » Read more

Israel's Barak hopes to extend political career ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press by Aron Heller - (Analysis) October 29, 2012 - 12:00am   » Read more

Iran has drone pictures of Israeli bases ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press by Ali Akbar Dareini - (Analysis) October 29, 2012 - 12:00am   » Read more

October 26th

Why The Palestinian Authority Is Broke ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Beast by George Hale - (Opinion) October 25, 2012 - 12:00am File under: Reading the writing on the wall. As the United States withholds vital aid for the Palestinians, Israel handed over $78 million last week. The early transfer of tax revenues reflects Israeli fears of wider unrest as the crisis strains the Palestinian Authority's budget to the point of government shutdowns over unpaid wages.  » Read more

Why Is Qatar Mucking Around in Gaza? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Foreign Policy by David B. Roberts - (Opinion) October 25, 2012 - 12:00am A deeply contrarian streak has taken hold in Qatar these days. Insulated by U.S. security guarantees, eager to use its burgeoning fiscal reserves, and propelled by its elites' reformist zeal, Doha continues to exert a disproportionate influence on regional politics. Emir Hamad bin Khalifah Al Thani's latest move was a dramatic visit to the Gaza Strip, becoming the first head of state to visit the Palestinian territory since Hamas wrested control of it in 2007. » Read more

Qatari emir’s Gaza visit seen as move to wean Hamas away from Syria, Iran ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News by Adel Zaanoun - (Opinion) October 26, 2012 - 12:00am The Qatari emir’s visit to Gaza may have been a political coup for the Palestinian enclave’s Hamas rulers, but it was not aimed at supporting a separate entity there, analysts say.And many commentators believe that in receiving Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the first head of state to visit since Hamas took over Gaza in 2007, Hamas is seeking closer ties with the Gulf states while pulling away from Syria and Iran. » Read more

Israel a political slogan in American elections ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News by Hassan Barari - (Opinion) October 26, 2012 - 12:00am For decades, Israel has occupied a central place in American elections. It is hard to believe, but neither candidate for American presidential elections can afford to ignore assuring Israel of unqualified American support. Even when Israel’s policies in the region embarrass Washington, Israel gets away in time of elections. » Read more