Gaza shelves stocked, but hope in short supply
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Alertnet
by Nidal Al-Mughrabi - June 30, 2011 - 12:00am

GAZA, June 30 (Reuters) - If pro-Palestinian activists unexpectedly manage to slip past Israel's naval blockade on the Gaza Strip in the coming days, they might be surprised by what they see in the Hamas-controlled enclave when they disembark. Roads are being paved, houses are being built, new cars have taken to the busy streets and shops are full of myriad products. Even the longtime scourge of unemployment is easing marginally, boosting living standards for a lucky few.

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Exploding the myths: UNRWA, UNHCR and the Palestine refugees
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
(Opinion) June 27, 2011 - 12:00am

JERUSALEM (Ma'an) -- As Palestinian leaders prepare to seek UN recognition of statehood in September, there is increasing talk in the US, Israel and elsewhere of disbanding the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, the UN Relief and Works Agency, and handing responsibility for Palestinian refugees to the UN High Commission for Refugees. Some argue UNHCR would resettle the refugees, robbing them of their right to return to their homes.

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Palestinian economic boom unsustainable without overseas donations
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Amira Hass - June 20, 2011 - 12:00am

How nice it would be if statistics and events on the ground would line up in a logical, orderly manner, without any inconsistencies. How easy it would be to report then.

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Gaza - ethnic cleansing by stealth
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times
by Michael Jansen - (Opinion) June 16, 2011 - 12:00am

It is hardly surprising that the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) should mark the fifth anniversary of Israel’s illegal siege and blockade of Gaza by issuing a report critical of Israel. But it is highly unlikely that the international community, led by the US, will press Israel to lift its punitive blockade or take any steps to relieve Gaza.

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Brutal blockade
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News
(Editorial) June 15, 2011 - 12:00am

It has been five years since Israel imposed its oppressive and inhuman blockade on the Gaza Strip. Without doubt it has been easily one of the toughest and most trying periods in the eventful history of the Palestinian people. The proud and fiercely independent people, however, have refused to give in to Israeli diktats or allow their fighting spirit to waver under the totally asphyxiating blockade of Gaza by land, air and sea.

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Don’t blame UNRWA
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Chris Gunness - (Editorial) June 14, 2011 - 12:00am

Ynetnews’ recent article, “The Arab refugee swindle” by Moshe Dann, fundamentally fails to understand international law, UNRWA’s mandate and its day-to-day operations. All refugee communities, whether those under the care of UNRWA or UNHCR, have their refugee status passed through the generations while their plight remains unresolved. Refugees in Kenya administered by UNHCR are a good example. In this regard, the accusation that UNRWA uniquely perpetuates the Palestine refugee problem is ignorant of international refugee law and practice.

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3 UNRWA workers injured from Gaza projectile fire
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
April 22, 2011 - 12:00am

Three UNWRA workers were injured Friday morning after a projectile fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel landed near the Karni border crossing and hit a UN building. Palestinians reported three injured from alleged IDF tank fire in the Sajaiye neighborhood east of Gaza City, according to a report by the Ma'an news agency. The IDF denied the report, saying that it was not operating in the area and that the three UN workers were injured due to an erroneously fired mortar or rocket.

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Palestinian refugees get new homes
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National
by Zoi Constantine - April 20, 2011 - 12:00am

Muneeb al Sayed perched his young grandson on the table and accepted a manila envelope, as the crowd around him broke into applause. Inside the envelope yesterday were the keys to an apartment for Mr al Sayed, 54, and his family, in the Nahr el Bared Palestinian refugee camp in the north of Lebanon. "I'm very, very happy," he said, holding the hand of his four-year-old grandson, also called Muneeb, who was dressed up for the occasion in a suit and tie. "We have families and children and we need a place to live."

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UNRWA: A Good Investment for American Taxpayers
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Huffington Post
by Philip C. Wilcox - March 3, 2011 - 1:00am

The historic popular uprisings in Egypt and elsewhere in the Middle East are forcing the United States, for the first time in decades, to recalibrate American priorities there. In the past, we have weighted our diplomacy and resources toward order and stability, often at the expense of our commitment to freedom, democracy and development. The events of recent weeks make clear that we must give higher priority to supporting more just and accountable political institutions and to unfulfilled human needs. If we don't, the threat of violence and instability will surely grow.

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Hamas fights UN's 'poisonous' Holocaust lessons in Gazan schools
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian
by Harriet Sherwood - (Editorial) February 28, 2011 - 1:00am

Hamas has vowed to stop the United Nations teaching children in Gaza about the Holocaust, saying it will poison their minds. The history of the Holocaust is planned to be included as part of a human rights curriculum in schools run by the UN Relief and Works Agency, which is responsible for the welfare of Palestinian refugees. More than 200,000 children attend UNRWA schools in Gaza. Hamas, the Islamist organisation that runs Gaza, has said it will do all it can to stop the teaching of Holocaust studies.

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