Israel sought to borrow $100 million from IMF to prevent collapse of Palestinian Authority ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Barak Ravid - July 2, 2012 - 12:00am Israel recently asked the International Monetary Fund for a bridge loan of a $100 million dollars that it planned to transfer to the Palestinian Authority to help prevent its financial collapse, but the IMF turned down the request. The PA, which is not a state, cannot ask the IMF for help on its own. The plan therefore, was for Israel to take the loan on the Palestinians' behalf, have the PA repay the loan to Israel, and Israel would repay the IMF. » Read more

Labor minister: PA unable to pay July salaries ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency July 1, 2012 - 12:00am The Palestinian Authority labor minister said Saturday that due to the government's worsening financial crisis, public sector salaries will not be paid on time for July. Ahmad Majdalani urged Arab nations to fulfill their financial pledges to the PA in order to allow salary payments. He said cabinet ministers had tasked the finance minister with preparing a report on the PA's financial crisis and potential solutions, which will be presented at the government's weekly meeting on Tuesday. » Read more

Senior Fatah official shot in West Bank volatile city ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua July 1, 2012 - 12:00am Unknown militants shot and wounded a senior member of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party in the West Bank city of Jenin, security sources said Sunday. Shami al-Shami, also a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), got two gunshots in his right leg, the sources added. The shooting came at a time of intensive campaign by forces of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) to restore order in the city, which has slid into militia chaos for months. » Read more

Israeli envoy meets with Egyptian officials in secret ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua July 2, 2012 - 12:00am During the inauguration of Egypt' s newly elected president last weekend, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's envoy met with Egyptian high-level military and intelligence officials in a secret visit to Cairo, local media reported on Monday. Yitzhak Molcho met with Hussein Tantawi, head of the ruling Supreme Council of Armed Forces, and director of Egyptian military intelligence, according to the report. » Read more

Labor minister: PA unable to pay July salaries ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency July 1, 2012 - 12:00am The Palestinian Authority labor minister said Saturday that due to the government's worsening financial crisis, public sector salaries will not be paid on time for July. Ahmad Majdalani urged Arab nations to fulfill their financial pledges to the PA in order to allow salary payments. He said cabinet ministers had tasked the finance minister with preparing a report on the PA's financial crisis and potential solutions, which will be presented at the government's weekly meeting on Tuesday. » Read more

PNA opens investigation into demonstrators' repression ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua July 2, 2012 - 12:00am The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) on Monday opened an investigation into clashes between demonstrators and police in the West Bank city of Ramallah. At least 15 people were injured, including six journalists, when the PNA forces repressed demonstrations Sunday and Saturday when protestors called on President Mahmoud Abbas not to receive Israeli Deputy Vice Premier Shaul Mofaz in Ramallah. Mofaz's visit has been canceled. » Read more

PA police crush new Ramallah demo ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency July 2, 2012 - 12:00am Palestinian protesters said security forces used brutal force Sunday during the second demonstration in as many days protesting Palestinian Authority policy. Police attacked protesters with batons, beating and injuring at least seven people. Another seven protesters were taken to a police station along with at least two journalists, a Ma'an correspondent said. Protesters shouted against police brutality, and the police responded by beating them. Journalists were also attacked for the second day in a row, the correspondent reported. » Read more

Palestinian Children ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Beast by Emily L. Hauser - (Opinion) June 29, 2012 - 12:00am Those of us who advocate for a just Israeli-Palestinian peace (however defined) make a point of clarifying that each side has seen enormous suffering, and we’re right to do so. There are no angels and very few innocents in this war–there’s far more ugly dehumanization, bloodletting, and endless, inconsolable mourning. » Read more

New IDF military college to move to east Jerusalem ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Melanie Lidman - July 2, 2012 - 12:00am The Interior Ministry on Monday gave its initial approval for a new military college in east Jerusalem, which will be on the Mount of Olives. The 42,000 square meter structure of the new National Defense College is planned for an open area between the Mount of Olives and Hebrew University’s Mount Scopus campus. » Read more

Deadline extended for Israel settler homes removal ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Ori Lewis - July 1, 2012 - 12:00am Israel's Supreme Court on Sunday granted the state a four-month extension to remove five apartment blocks built illegally on Palestinian-owned land in a Jewish settlement on the occupied West Bank. The court had ruled the homes, in the Ulpana neighbourhood of the Beit El settlement, must be torn down by July 1. The 30 families who lived in the buildings moved out last week to nearby temporary accommodation under a deal with the government to go quietly after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to construct 851 new settler homes in the West Bank. » Read more