Palestinian Financial Crisis Boosts Support for Hamas
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Media Line
by Mohammed Najib - July 22, 2012 - 12:00am

The Palestinian Authority (PA) is suffering an intensifying financial crisis that is threatening its stability and strengthening the rival Islamist Hamas. Palestinian security officials warn that if the international community fails to pay its pledges to the PA, it will not be able to pay salaries in the coming months.

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Egyptian president meets Hamas chief
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
July 19, 2012 - 12:00am

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi held talks Thursday with Islamic Hamas movement's politburo chief Khaled Mashaal, official news agency MENA reported. The two talked about the latest developments in the Palestinian reconciliation, efforts exerted by Egypt supporting the Palestinian issue, and ways to get a Palestinian independent state. The meeting was attended by the deputy head of Hamas movement office and members of the political bureau, including Mahmoud al- Zahar. Morsi met visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Wednesday.

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Hamas now has monopoly on summer fun for Gaza kids
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
by Diaa Hadid - July 17, 2012 - 12:00am

The Islamic militant Hamas has won a vital battle with the U.N. over the hearts of Gaza's children, moving unopposed into the summer camp sector this year after the world body ran out of money. That means Gaza kids who go to camp will have only the option of those that are heavy with lessons on Islam, political indoctrination and, in some cases, paramilitary training.

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Hamas seeks new Gaza policy from Egypt
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
by Karin Laub - July 16, 2012 - 12:00am

Egypt's new president holds the key to blockaded Gaza, but he is signaling that he won't rush to help the territory's Hamas rulers by striking a border deal with them, even though they are fellow members of the region's Muslim Brotherhood. A bilateral border agreement between Egypt and Hamas could hurt chances of setting up a single Palestinian state, made up of the West Bank and Gaza, alongside Israel. "I don't think they (the Egyptians) are ready for that," said Palestinian economist and business leader Samir Hulileh.

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UNESCO chair at Gaza University angers Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
by Ian Deitch - July 12, 2012 - 12:00am

Israel has condemned UNESCO's decision to establish a chair at the Islamic University of Gaza, calling the institution "a breeding ground for terrorists." Israel's foreign ministry said Thursday that "(Palestinian militant group) Hamas uses Gaza University laboratories to develop and produce explosives and rockets and has even run a course on explosive making." Gaza militants often bomb southern Israel with mortars and rockets.

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Palestinians call local elections for October 20
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP)
by Nasser Abu Bakr - July 10, 2012 - 12:00am

The Palestinian government in the West Bank on Tuesday said it would hold local elections in October across the Palestinian territories, sparking anger from Gaza's Hamas rulers. "The Palestinian cabinet approved during its meeting today, chaired by prime minister Salam Fayyad, conducting local elections on October 20, 2012 in all local councils in the homeland," a statement said after the meeting.

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Hamas PM to meet Islamist president of Egypt
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
July 5, 2012 - 12:00am

A Palestinian official says Gaza's prime minister will head to Cairo within the next two weeks to meet with Egypt's new Islamist president, who has close ties with the territory's Hamas rulers. Cabinet secretary Mohammed Askoul says Ismail Haniyeh will meet President Mohammed Morsi and senior Egyptian security officials. Haniyeh wants Egypt to open its border with Gaza. Hamas is an offshoot of Morsi's region-wide Muslim Brotherhood movement.

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UN envoy: Elections commission must be allowed to work in Gaza
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
July 5, 2012 - 12:00am

UN envoy Robert Serry on Thursday called on authorities in Gaza to allow the Central Elections Commission to operate, after Hamas suspended its work. Serry, the UN special coordinator for the peace process, visited the commission's headquarters in Gaza on Thursday, a statement from his office said.

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PLO: Hamas pull-out from voter registration 'unjustifiable'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
July 3, 2012 - 12:00am

PLO officials gathered in Ramallah on Monday evening to discuss Hamas' decision to suspend voter registration in the Gaza Strip earlier in the day. Electoral officials were set to start registration on Tuesday, the first time rolls have been updated in Gaza since 2005. The meeting in the West Bank, headed by Fatah leader President Mahmoud Abbas, called the move an "unjustifiable decision which contradicts with all agreements reached in Cairo and Doha."

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Hamas leader gets royal welcome from Jordan's king
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Amos Harel, Avi Issacharoff - (Analysis) July 2, 2012 - 12:00am

Last week's visit to Jordan by Hamas politburo chief Khaled Meshal, which was under-reported in the Israeli media, reflects the shifting alliances taking place in the Middle East. Meshal received a royal welcome in the palace in Amman, where he dined with King Abdullah.

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