Quarter of Palestinians suffer from Poverty, says Statistics Bureau
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from WAFA
June 12, 2012 - 12:00am

Around 25.8% of Palestinians suffered from poverty in the Palestinian Territory in 2011, said a report by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) on Monday. It showed that slightly more than one out of four individuals was living below poverty line in 2011, 17.8% in the West Bank and 38.8% in Gaza Strip. Similarly about 12.9% of individuals were living below the deep poverty line in 2011, 7.8% in the West Bank and 21.1% in Gaza Strip.

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The state of Gaza: Five years after Hamas took power in the city, how has life changed for its citizens?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Independent
by Donald MacIntyre - (Opinion) June 10, 2012 - 12:00am

The front office of Kamal Ashour's small family clothing factory in Gaza City opens on to Izzedine al-Qassam Street, named, like Hamas's military wing, in honour of the Islamist mujahid who led the anti-Zionist, anti-Mandate, Black Hand gang and was shot dead by British police in 1935.

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Segregating Gazans has made them easier to demonise
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian
by Amira Hass - (Opinion) June 8, 2012 - 12:00am

A stout sense of humour and self-irony is the least most Israelis expect of Gazans. It is certainly true today, when they are spoken of almost solely through the hyperbole of military commentators who jump frantically from discussing the Iranian threat to the danger that the tiny, overcrowded, impoverished and besieged enclave poses to the state of Israel, a global military power.

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Rafah Border Crossing Gets a Makeover
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Media Line
by Omar Ghraieb - June 7, 2012 - 12:00am

Abu Yousef Hammouda shuffled into the Rafah border crossing to travel to Egypt for his periodic medical treatment and a smile grew on his weary face as he entered the newly renovated and air conditioned halls. “I have traveled to Egypt many times before,” said Hammouda, who looked much older than his 30 years. “The arrival hall wasn’t modern or efficient but today I see what a huge effort has been made and what a great job has been done.”

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Owner of destroyed Gaza dairy factory challenges Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
June 5, 2012 - 12:00am

Ahmed Dalloul, 34-year-old owner of a dairy factory, stood near the rubble of his factory angrily and sadly. He was unable to find out a logical explanation for Israeli aerial attack that destroyed his factory Sunday night, the fourth time in three years.

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Shuffling Through an Underground Artery to Gaza
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Ruqaya Izzidien - May 29, 2012 - 12:00am

They stood just outside the gates of the Rafah crossing on the Egyptian side of the border with Gaza, a couple of inconspicuous Bedouin men waiting for people to be denied entry. As the disappointed travelers retreated, the Bedouins whispered from behind the gates: “You want to go to the tunnels? Fifty dollars.” Their gaze fixed on the Egyptian border police officers, who turn a blind eye to the Bedouins so long as they do not mention the tunnels within earshot.

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Gaza Bustling Under Hamas Despite Economic Isolation
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Calcalist
by Danny Rubenstein - (Opinion) May 29, 2012 - 12:00am

The isolation policy applied by Israel, separating the Gaza Strip from the West Bank both economically and socially, is designed to weaken and possibly even bring down the Hamas government.

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Israeli court: Reconsider Gaza student travel ban
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
May 25, 2012 - 12:00am

JERUSALEM — Israel's Supreme Court has ordered the military to reconsider its ban on Gaza residents studying in the West Bank. The court posted its decision Thursday, implying it would order a change. The Israeli military has 45 days to respond. Sari Bashi, head of the Israeli human rights group Gisha who was involved in petitioning the court, said this was the first time such a ruling has been made.

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Israel allows Gaza to export clothes after 5-year ban
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
May 15, 2012 - 12:00am

GAZA CITY (Reuters) -- Israel allowed on Monday the export of Palestinian-made clothes from the Gaza Strip for the first time in at least five years, a Palestinian official said. Raed Fattouh, who coordinates supplies into Gaza, said a truck carrying 2,000 pieces of mainly woolen garments were exported through the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing towards an Israeli seaport en route to Britain.

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Ice cream in Gaza
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Egypt Independent
by Amr Ezzat - (Opinion) May 15, 2012 - 12:00am

In 2008, stifled by an Israeli blockade exacerbated by a weak Egyptian position, Gazans barged through Egypt’s borders to get needed supplies of food and other products. At the time, some Egyptians sympathized with our brothers in Gaza, while others condemned their act, saying their break-in violated Egypt's sovereignty. In response I published an article in my blog titled “Crossing the lines,” in which I mocked those who were more angered by the Palestinians’ transgression of the borders than they were by their suffering and suppression. 

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