April 17th

Israel's leaders incite the public against peace activists ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz (Editorial) April 17, 2012 - 12:00am From time to time the news media or human rights groups film an Israeli in uniform using excessive force against human rights or peace activists protesting the wrongs of the occupation. » Read more

Israeli soldiers 'shoot, injure farmer' in southern Gaza ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency April 17, 2012 - 12:00am GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israeli soldiers shot and injured a Palestinian farmer on Tuesday in the southern Gaza Strip, witnesses said. Forces opened fire from an army watchtower toward fields in Khuzaa, east of Khan Younis, hitting Hasan Shenyo in the leg as he worked on his land, witnesses told Ma'an. Shenyo was taken to the European Hospital in Khan Younis with moderate injuries. An Israeli military spokeswoman said forces identified "a number of suspects approaching the fence" between southern Gaza and Israel. » Read more

'Gaza Doctor' Builds New Life in Toronto ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward by Nathan Guttman - April 17, 2012 - 12:00am Toronto — The photo leaning on Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish’s office window almost blocks the view of the Toronto skyline. It shows his three daughters, Mayar, Aya and Bessan Abuelaish, sitting on the beach in Gaza, writing their names in the sand. Closer to his desk, pinned to the wall, is the recent fourth-grade math test of Abuelaish’s youngest son, Abdullah, taken at his school in Toronto. The grade: A+. » Read more

Israel Police establishes unit to enforce demolition of Bedouin homes ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Yanir Yagna - April 17, 2012 - 12:00am Israel Police is establishing a new unit to enforce demolition and evacuation orders served to scattered Bedouin villages in southern Israel, in order to deal with “trespassing into state lands.” The unit, which will be made up of 200 police officers, will be established in cooperation with the Prime Minister’s Office to enforce Israeli land laws in the Negev. » Read more

IDF officer who hit Danish protester unlikely to be dismissed, precedents indicate ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Gili Cohen - April 17, 2012 - 12:00am Will Lt. Col. Shaul Eisner, who was filmed over the weekend hitting a Danish protester with his rifle butt in the Jordan Valley, be dismissed from the army for his behavior? Probably not, at least based on how past incidents of soldier violence have been handled. Very few of the investigations into alleged acts of gratuitous violence by Israel Defense Forces soldiers against Palestinians or protesters in the West Bank have resulted in criminal prosecution or discharge from the army, even when the incidents were filmed and generated a public outcry. » Read more

Netanyahu: Cabinet to vote on plan to legalize three West Bank outposts ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Barak Ravid - April 17, 2012 - 12:00am Following the recommendations of Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a meeting of Likud ministers on Tuesday that he will ask the cabinet to approve the status of the Bruchin, Sansana and Rachalim, respectively. » Read more

Palestinians mark prisoners day in Gaza, West Bank ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency April 17, 2012 - 12:00am JENIN (Ma'an) -- Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank marked Palestinian Prisoners Day on Tuesday with ceremonies symbolizing long-hoped-for freedom from Israeli jails. In Arraba village, south of Jenin, officials gathered to mark the day ahead of the expected release of local Khader Adnan, whose 66-day hunger strike ended with a deal to free him from administrative detention. » Read more

New Hamas politburo 'remains confidential' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency April 16, 2012 - 12:00am BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- The results of Hamas' internal leadership re-shuffle are still confidential, party officials said Monday. Hamas officials, speaking to Ma'an on condition of anonymity, denied that there had been any clashes over the process which took place in Gaza recently. The Shura Council, a 55-member advisory body, nominates candidates to form the politburo, and those selected must accept their positions or provide acceptable reasons to refuse. Political analyst Mustafa al-Sawwaf told Ma'an current politburo chief Khalid Mashaal was likely to retain his post. » Read more

New Hamas politburo 'remains confidential' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency April 16, 2012 - 12:00am BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- The results of Hamas' internal leadership re-shuffle are still confidential, party officials said Monday. Hamas officials, speaking to Ma'an on condition of anonymity, denied that there had been any clashes over the process which took place in Gaza recently. The Shura Council, a 55-member advisory body, nominates candidates to form the politburo, and those selected must accept their positions or provide acceptable reasons to refuse. Political analyst Mustafa al-Sawwaf told Ma'an current politburo chief Khalid Mashaal was likely to retain his post. » Read more

Hundreds of Palestinians declare hunger strike ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press by Dalia Nammari - April 16, 2012 - 12:00am RAMALLAH, West Bank — Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel launched a hunger strike on Tuesday, officials said, protesting their conditions and demanding an end to open-ended detentions without trial as the Palestinians marked their annual day of solidarity with the inmates. Some 3,500 prisoners refused meals on "Prisoners' Day," and 1,200 of them said they would continue with an open-ended hunger strike, according to Israeli prison service spokeswoman Sivan Weizman. » Read more