July 9th

Palestinians invite Swiss experts to take samples of Arafat's remains ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua July 9, 2012 - 12:00am The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) invited Swiss experts to the West Bank to take samples of late President Yasser Arafat's remains for more tests. "This reflects the Palestinian leadership's insistence to continue the investigations into the truth and the circumstances of Arafat's death," said Saeb Erekat, a senior member of Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). » Read more

President Abbas, if you don't want to fight, negotiate ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency by Nasser Laham - (Analysis) July 4, 2012 - 12:00am I cannot work out an explanation for the state of "no peace, but no war" which has prevailed in Palestine in the last two years. We Palestinians neither want to fight the Israeli occupation, nor to negotiate with them. We use the term "steadfastness" to describe this stalemate, as if doing nothing at all and remaining motionless has become steadfastness. Palestinian intellectuals have long criticized the Arab regimes because they neither want to fight Israel, nor accept reconciliation with the occupying country. » Read more

Palestinian president approves Arafat autopsy ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press by Karin Laub - July 9, 2012 - 12:00am Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has given his permission to exhume the remains of his predecessor, Yasser Arafat, a top aide said Monday, days after a Swiss institute reported finding elevated traces of a radioactive substance on the late leader's belongings. The findings by Switzerland's Institute of Radiation Physics were inconclusive, but revived speculation that Arafat was poisoned. » Read more

Reality Check: Netanyahu refuses to seize the day ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Jeff Barak - (Opinion) July 8, 2012 - 12:00am The decision facing Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is really quite simple: either do what’s best for the country or just tread water and survive another year in office. The first choice requires courage; the second demands nothing beyond the competence of any third-rate politician. Any guesses as to which path our prime minister will choose? Hint: At the very last second, just before the Knesset was about to disperse in May, Netanyahu chose to expand his coalition by throwing a lifeline to a sinking Kadima rather than risk facing the voters. » Read more

Reality Check ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Jeff Barak - (Opinion) July 8, 2012 - 12:00am The decision facing Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is really quite simple: either do what’s best for the country or just tread water and survive another year in office. The first choice requires courage; the second demands nothing beyond the competence of any third-rate politician. Any guesses as to which path our prime minister will choose? Hint: At the very last second, just before the Knesset was about to disperse in May, Netanyahu chose to expand his coalition by throwing a lifeline to a sinking Kadima rather than risk facing the voters. » Read more

Report on outposts' legality states Israel isn't an occupying force in West Bank ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Chaim Levinson - July 9, 2012 - 12:00am A report by a committee formed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to examine the legal aspects of West Bank land ownership recommended to sanction all Israeli outposts, rejecting the claim that Israel's presence in the territory is that of an occupying force. The Levy Committee, headed by former court vice president Edmond Levy, recommends a fundamental change in the legal regime in the West Bank, including the annulment of a long list of laws, High Court of Justice Rulings and procedures in order to permit Jews to settle in all of Judea and Samaria. » Read more

July 6th

Israel to Upgrade Air Force With F-35 Advanced Aircrafts ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-Monitor by Hanan Greenberg - July 5, 2012 - 12:00am Not long ago, a thick cloud of rumors settled on the new, much-talked-about IDF [Israel Defense Forces] acquisition of 20 F-35's, a fighter plane known as the Stealth produced by the American Lockheed Martin Company. There were rumors regarding production slowdowns and delays of the F-35, known as the “fifth generation fighter plane” (in contrast to the Israeli fourth-generation F-16's). The fear is that they will reach Israel very late — too late to serve the IDF in coping with future challenges. » Read more

Palestinians Turn to Solar Power To Reduce Reliance on Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-Monitor by Amnon Rubinstein - July 5, 2012 - 12:00am Palestinians are almost entirely dependent on electricity provided by Israel. In Gaza, a local power station provides some 40% percent of the Strip’s electricity. The Palestinians buy electricity in small levels from Egypt and Jordan, but this doesn’t change their dependence on Israel. As a result, the Palestine Electric Company, in cooperation with the Palestinian investment firm Padico, began roughly two years ago to make preparations to build a power station near Jenin. » Read more

Israel’s Domestic Communication Satellite Industry Saved ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Media Line by Arieh O'Sullivan - July 5, 2012 - 12:00am The decision to award the construction of Israel’s newest communications satellite to a state-owned company has probably saved the life of the production line and was likely done to preserve independence for defense communications. » Read more

World Bank pays $22.3 million to PA budget ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency July 6, 2012 - 12:00am The World Bank on Tuesday said it paid $22.3 million to the Palestinian Authority to help with a budget crisis. The funds are from a trust paid into by the governments of Australia, France, Kuwait, Norway, and the UK, the World Bank said in a statement. It noted that the aid was slated to support education, health care and other social services and for the economic reforms undertaken by the West Bank government. » Read more