Ramallah’s Ashtar Theater perform Richard II in London ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Asharq Alawsat by Sheyma Buali - (Theater Review) May 11, 2012 - 12:00am London, Asharq Al-Awsat- Shakespeare has been translated into every major language, interpreted via every art and theater movement, has been the basis of discussions about language on multiple levels – including the formation of words and grammar. His plays and poetry have changed the way people think of romance, tragedy, comedy, fantasy and even the bizarre. His impression on lyrical works and drama has not waned in the 400 years that people of all ages have been studying and receiving his works, whether in classrooms or theaters. » Read more

Can good come of it? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Economist (Analysis) May 12, 2012 - 12:00am NO SOONER had news broken of the sudden alliance in Israel between Binyamin Netanyahu, the prime minister, and Shaul Mofaz, hitherto the leader of the main opposition, than the Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, called yet again for “substantive” talks to achieve a Palestinian state. Palestinian negotiators dusted off a plan Mr Mofaz first proposed in 2009 and has reiterated several times, wondering whether he might repackage it. » Read more

Clinton to Netanyahu: Use unity cabinet to advance Mideast peace ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Barak Ravid - May 11, 2012 - 12:00am Washington hopes the new, expanded coalition will enable Israel to take steps to advance peace talks with the Palestinians, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a phone call to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday. Over the past few years, Netanyahu has repeatedly claimed that he couldn't make certain gestures toward the Palestinians for fear that it would topple his government, which relied on smaller parties to his right. » Read more

Israeli city bans girls from singing at conference ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press May 10, 2012 - 12:00am JERUSALEM — An Israeli newspaper says a central city has agreed to a request by an Orthodox religious group to ban girls from singing at a youth conference next week. The Haaretz daily reported Thursday that the Kfar Sava town council imposed the ban to respect the wishes of the Bnei Akiva religious youth group. Various youth movements are set to participate in the conference. Strictly Orthodox Jewish men do not listen to women singing for reasons of religious modesty. » Read more

Hamas shuts down Gaza literary festival, only to later apologize ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz May 11, 2012 - 12:00am A leading Palestinian human rights group has condemned the Gaza Strip's Hamas government on Thursday for violently breaking up a Palestinian literature festival. The Palestinian Center for Human Rights said that armed Hamas men cut off electricity, confiscated cameras and dispersed the Palestine Festival of Literature near Gaza City. Participants said that speakers at Wednesday night's gathering had been critical of Hamas. » Read more

PA: Suspects in Jenin shooting attack detained ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency May 11, 2012 - 12:00am JENIN (Ma'an) -- Security forces on Thursday arrested the perpetrators of a shooting attack on the home of the late governor of Jenin, a spokesman said. On May 1, assailants opened fire on Qaddura Musa's home in Jenin. The governor left his home with security chiefs to investigate when he suffered a heart attack that killed him, police spokesman Mujahid Rabiya said. » Read more

Lawyer: Halahla could die at any moment ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency May 11, 2012 - 12:00am BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Prison doctors have told Thaer Halahla that he could die at any moment after 72 days on hunger strike, his lawyer Mona Neddaf said Thursday. Neddaf visited Halahla, 33, in Ramle prison clinic on Thursday, the prisoner rights group Addameer said in a statement. He is vomiting blood, bleeding from his gums and lips and has extremely low blood pressure, she said. His temperature is fluctuating at dangerous levels and the prison doctor said he also has an infection. He has refused food since Feb. 29 and now weighs 55 kilograms. » Read more

Palestinian leader warns Israel over hunger strike ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press May 10, 2012 - 12:00am RAMALLAH, West Bank — The Palestinian president says his people "will not be quiet" if any harm comes to a group of Palestinian hunger strikers held by Israel. Hundreds of prisoners are striking, including two men who have not eaten for 73 days. The strikers want better conditions and an end to an Israeli system of holding them for months without charge. President Mahmoud Abbas told a West Bank rally on Thursday that if anyone is harmed, "we will not be quiet ever." He did not elaborate. » Read more

The Palestinian taxi driver crucial to Jewish settlement in E. Jlem ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Nir Hasson - May 11, 2012 - 12:00am Mohammed Nabulsi's paper trail has been catching up with him, which is making it difficult for Jewish settlers and their state patrons to take over East Jerusalem homes. Starting in the 1970s, Nabulsi, an East Jerusalem taxi driver, provided settler organizations with affadavits claiming that Palestinian owners of East Jerusalem homes were "absentees" residing in enemy countries, which the state used over and over to expropriate the properties and turn them over to settler organizations. » Read more

Netanyahu to convene special meeting to discuss bill legalizing Ulpana outpost ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua May 11, 2012 - 12:00am JERUSALEM, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu scheduled on Thursday a special cabinet meeting for Friday with government members to debate on a law that would legalize a controversial West Bank outpost. Netanyahu called on the government members on Thursday to debate on the possibility of approving a bill to legalize the 30 Ulpana outpost homes in the West Bank, the Ha'aretz daily reported. » Read more