September 12th, 2012

Are W. Bank riots the start of ‘Palestinian Spring’? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Ilene Prusher - September 12, 2012 - 12:00am Thousands of young Palestinians out on the streets – chanting slogans, throwing rocks, burning tires. Working class drivers striking to protest against the price of gas, middle- class merchants shuttering their shops to avoid damages and the moneyed classes chattering nervously about whether this is really as momentous as it looks. » Read more

Salam Fayyad catches Palestinians' flak as West Bank protests continue ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National by Hugh Naylor - September 12, 2012 - 12:00am RAMALLAH // As large protests sweep the West Bank for a second week, no official has faced as much criticism over the ailing economy as Salam Fayyad. Palestinian demonstrators have burnt effigies of the Palestinian Authority (PA) prime minister in previous rallies and yesterday rallied outside his office and called for his resignation. Video from Monday also showed protesters throwing their shoes at a poster of Mr Fayyad. » Read more

Protests renew in Ramallah despite Palestinian PM's measures to ease economic crisis ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua September 12, 2012 - 12:00am RAMALLAH, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- Despite Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad's declaration to introduce easing measures against the high cost of living, a new demonstration was organized in the city of Ramallah Tuesday night calling for the immediate end of the economic crisis. In Ramallah, hundreds of angry protesters marched towards the headquarters of President Mahmoud Abbas. They held banners calling for a final resolution to the economic crisis. » Read more

Palestinian Tax Increases Canceled in Move to Calm West Bank Protests ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters September 11, 2012 - 12:00am RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) — In a reversal aimed at ending protests that have swept the West Bank, the Palestinian Authority announced Tuesday that it had canceled recent tax increases. But a union leader rejected the concession and said street demonstrations would continue. » Read more

September 11th

India reiterates support for Palestinian state ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency September 11, 2012 - 12:00am RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- India's prime minister stressed his country's support for a Palestinian state on Tuesday, the official PA news agency Wafa reported. Manmohan Singh made the comments during a joint press conference with President Mahmoud Abbas, who is currently visiting the country for three days. "India has played an active role in supporting the efforts of the state of Palestine to secure full member ship status at UNESCO," Singh said. » Read more

ZOA's Uncertain Status ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward by Josh Nathan-Kazis - September 11, 2012 - 12:00am The Zionist Organization of America’s tax-exempt status has been revoked after the group missed three consecutive years of filings to the Internal Revenue Service, the Forward has learned. The 115-year-old Zionist group has not been allowed to accept tax-deductible donations since February. » Read more

Crafting Peace ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Media Line by Linda Gradstein - September 11, 2012 - 12:00am As the sun set over Jerusalem, about one hundred women milled around tables covered with hand-made crafts. There were delicate earrings, hand-embroidered shawls, olive wood jewelry boxes and brightly colored ceramic bowls. There was chatter in Hebrew and Arabic and a lot of laughter.   » Read more

Crafting Peace ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Media Line by Linda Gradstein - September 11, 2012 - 12:00am   As the sun set over Jerusalem, about one hundred women milled around tables covered with hand-made crafts. There were delicate earrings, hand-embroidered shawls, olive wood jewelry boxes and brightly colored ceramic bowls. There was chatter in Hebrew and Arabic and a lot of laughter.   » Read more

In bid to counter Palestinian efforts, Israeli diplomats told to raise issue of Jewish refugees ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Judy Maltz - September 11, 2012 - 12:00am Israeli diplomats and representatives abroad have been instructed to raise the issue of Jewish refugees from Arab countries at every relevant forum. This is part of a new international campaign to create parity between the plight of Jewish and Palestinian refugees, Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon announced on Monday » Read more

Hamas reaches agreement over forming joint security committee with Egypt: spokesman ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua September 10, 2012 - 12:00am The Hamas authority in the Gaza Strip announced Monday it has agreed to form a joint security committee with Egypt. A spokesman for the Ministry of Interior in Gaza, Ihab Ghussien, released a statement on the ministry's website, confirming the agreement has been signed and the committee will cover common security issues, especially along the Palestinian-Egyptian border. Ghussien added that the agreement was built upon issues discussed during the meeting between Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi and Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haneya in June. » Read more