UNRWA responds to Israel TV's Gaza war claims
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
(Analysis) October 29, 2012 - 12:00am

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees issued a response this week to an Israeli TV channel's claim that Palestinian militants had used UNRWA facilities to fire rockets at Israel during its war on Gaza. During a recent interview, a reporter from Israel's Channel Two News claimed that during Operation Cast Lead in 2008-9, Hamas militants had been operating from inside UNRWA installations and attempting to fire rockets at Israel. The popular Israeli news channel did not provide any evidence to substantiate the claims made by its reporter.

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More Jews praying on site also sacred to Muslims
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Los Angeles Times
by Edmund Sanders - (Analysis) October 28, 2012 - 12:00am

  A simple, ancient ritual is threatening the delicate security balance atop Jerusalem's most sacred plaza: Jews are praying.

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Israeli Parties' Merger Thwarts US Push to Halt Settlements
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-Monitor
by Geoffrey Aronson - (Opinion) October 26, 2012 - 12:00am

 

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Israel deports activists from Gaza-bound ship
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA)
October 25, 2012 - 12:00am

Immigration authorities on Wednesday deported 15 international activists who were arrested after their ship, the Estelle, attempted to break Israel's naval blockade of Gaza. The pro-Palestinian activists were sent back to their homelands, with two more scheduled to be deported late Wednesday night. Ten other activists were deported on Sunday and Monday. Three of the activists are Israeli and were released on bail.

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We condemn Israel. So why the silence on Syria?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian
by Jonathan Freedland - (Opinion) October 19, 2012 - 12:00am

We know the government hopes to do nothing, but what about the rest of us? Exactly one year after the death of Muammar Gaddafi, the chances of another round of Libya-style western military intervention, this time for Syria, hover close to zero. Even the hawkish Mitt Romney promises no such thing. Few politicians speak even of non-military options – of which there are many – let alone taking up arms.

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Reality catches up with Hamas
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Jonathan Schanzer - (Opinion) October 12, 2012 - 12:00am

Hamas' long-standing political leader Khaled Meshal was in trouble the moment Western sanctions - punishment for Iran's illicit nuclear activities - began eating into Tehran's funding for its longtime Palestinian proxy. Meshal's job, after all, was to manage the lucrative Iran-Syria-Hamas axis. Then Bashar Assad began mowing down Sunnis in Syria, making it impossible for Hamas to remain there without appearing complicit. When the group pulled its headquarters out of Damascus in February, there was no denying it: Meshal was toast.

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Detained Palestinian theatre director resumes hunger strike
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian
by Harriet Sherwood - September 18, 2012 - 12:00am

The Palestinian militant turned theatre director Zakaria Zubeidi has resumed a total hunger strike in protest at his continued detention without charge by Palestinian security forces, and his supporters say he could die within days.

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Palestinian economic protests point to uncertain future for PA, Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA)
by Ben Sales - (Opinion) September 16, 2012 - 12:00am

TEL AVIV (JTA) – Could the Palestinian Authority's budget woes end up costing Israel? Growing economic protests in the West Bank could lead to increased regional instability and perhaps even the end of the Palestinian Authority, experts are warning. At this point, however, they say the protests are unlikely to result in an eruption of violence against Israel.

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EU pledges extra 100 million euros for PA
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
September 14, 2012 - 12:00am

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -- The European Union will double its aid for Palestinian development and the Palestinian Authority to 200 million euros in 2012, the EU executive said on Friday. The development aid will be focused on water, sanitation and support for refugees. A further 100 million euros aid credits unspent last year will be also spent in 2012, the European Commission said in a statement.

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Palestinians who fled Syria protest conditions at south Lebanon camp
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Star
by Mohammed Zaatari - September 12, 2012 - 12:00am

SIDON, Lebanon: Palestinian refugees who fled the violence in Syria protested at Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp in south Lebanon Wednesday, accusing UNRWA of ignoring them.

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