January 7th, 2013

Hamas to pick new chief this month: official ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua January 6, 2013 - 1:00am    Islamic Hamas movement will pick a new chief of its politburo through internal elections this month to succeed current leader Khaled Mashaal, a Hamas official said Sunday. "We will elect a new chief this month under a new electoral system," Hamas senior member Salah al-Bardawil told Xinhua. » Read more

Israeli security chief estimates "low" chance of third intifada ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua January 7, 2013 - 1:00am   The chance that Palestinians in the West Bank launch another violent uprising against Israel is low, according to a recent assessment by the director of Israel's Shin Bet security service. » Read more

Case dropped against Israeli teen accused of detonating Palestinian taxi ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua January 6, 2013 - 1:00am   The Attorney Office of Jerusalem District decided on Sunday to close an investigation against a 13- year-old Jewish settler suspected of hurling a Molotov cocktail at a Palestinian taxi in August 2012. In a statement obtained by Xinhua, the lawsuit was closed due to "lack of sufficient evidence" which could connect the defendant with the crime. » Read more

Netanyahu's rivals eye centre-left pact for Israel vote ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Dan Williams - January 5, 2013 - 1:00am   Three Israeli parties on Saturday proposed forming a centre-left opposition bloc to try to topple conservative Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Jan. 22 election, but disagreements over the terms suggested any pact could be elusive. » Read more

Egypt says it foils car bombing near Gaza border ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press by Ashraf Sweilam - January 7, 2013 - 1:00am   The Egyptian military said Monday it foiled an attempted car bombing that was likely targeting an abandoned church or a nearby military camp under construction along the Egypt-Gaza border. » Read more

US senator calls for gradual cut in aid to Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press by Aron Heller - January 7, 2013 - 1:00am   U.S. Sen. Rand Paul on Monday called for a gradual reduction of American foreign aid, delivering the message in an unlikely venue — since Israel is among the top recipients of American assistance. » Read more

Israel Plans to Construct a Syrian Border Fence ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Isabel Kershner - January 6, 2013 - 1:00am   » Read more

Palestinian PM warns of cash crisis ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press by Karin Laub - January 6, 2013 - 1:00am   The Palestinian self-rule government is in "extreme jeopardy" because of an unprecedented financial crisis, largely because Arab countries have failed to send hundreds of millions of dollars in promised aid, the Palestinian prime minister said Sunday. » Read more

January 4th

Israel's paranoid slide to the right pushes it towards a cliff ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National by Alan Philps - (Opinion) January 4, 2013 - 1:00am   An Israeli election, such as is being held on January 22, would normally be heralded by alarmist headlines proclaiming "last chance for peace" or "make or break". This election, however, is being passed over almost in silence. » Read more

Obama should meddle in Israel’s election ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Boston Globe by Alan Berger - (Opinion) January 4, 2013 - 1:00am   » Read more