Protesters rally in solidarity with hunger strikers ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency February 19, 2013 - 1:00am Protesters rallied in Bethlehem, Hebron and Ramallah on Monday in support of hunger striking prisoners in Israeli jails, as the PA minister of prisoner affairs warned of a popular uprising in the West Bank. In Al-Khader near Bethlehem, dozens of people, including the families of prisoners and representatives from human right groups, rallied by route 60. Israeli soldiers arrived in the area and dispersed protestors using tear gas canisters and stun grenades, witnesses said, injuring several people. » Read more

Israel, PA lobbying US before Obama's visit ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Khaled Abu Toameh, Herb Keinon - February 17, 2013 - 1:00am The Palestinian Authority on Sunday dispatched two senior officials to Washington to brief the US administration on its stance regarding the resumption of peace talks with Israel. » Read more

Official: Israel continues to withhold PA tax revenues ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency February 19, 2013 - 1:00am Israel continues to withhold tax revenues from the Palestinian Authority, an official said Monday, as unions in the West Bank organize strike action this week over unpaid salaries. Ahmad al-Hilou, director of customs taxes and VAT, told Ma'an that Israel was supposed to transfer December tax revenues to the PA last Thursday, "but the money is still withheld due to a political decision." A PA delegation will meet with Israeli officials on Feb. 28 to discuss transferring January tax revenues, al-Hilou said. » Read more

Palestinians to ask that Obama personally kickstart peace process ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Jack Khoury - February 19, 2013 - 1:00am Palestinian Authority representatives are expected to request the personal involvement of United States President Barack Obama in the Mideast peace process when they arrive in Washington on Wednesday. The PA representatives are even expected to even ask that Obama present his own initiative that will contain a formula that will allow both Israel and the PA to return to the negotiating table. » Read more