Palestinians turn to educational reform
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Common Ground News Service
by Hussein Ibish - August 19, 2010 - 12:00am

In an important new move, the Palestinian Authority has recently begun highlighting education as one of the main centrepieces in the next phase of the state and institution building programme. Under the leadership of President Mahmoud Abbas, the PA understands that an effective and progressive educational system is essential for economic and social development, building a functional state, and laying the groundwork for peace with Israel.

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PA allocates more funding for university fees
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
August 18, 2010 - 12:00am

The Palestinian Authority Cabinet has allocated $1 million to cover university fees for students enrolling this year. The cabinet agreed to the Education Ministry’s proposal in its weekly meeting in Ramallah. The announcement came after a union of university students threatened protests at the ministry if scholarships and loans were not transferred.

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Amin al-Hindi, Former Palestinian Intelligence Chief, Dies at 70
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Isabel Kershner - August 18, 2010 - 12:00am

Amin al-Hindi, an associate of the Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat and a former Palestinian Authority intelligence chief who was widely suspected of having played an organizing role in the deadly attack on Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics, died Tuesday in Amman, Jordan. He was 70. His death was reported by the official Palestinian news agency, Wafa, which did not list the cause. However, the Palestinian ambassador in Amman, Atallah Kheiry, told Agence France-Presse that Mr. Hindi had been treated for cancer.

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Haniyeh: PA waging war against Islam
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
August 17, 2010 - 12:00am

Gaza government Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh accused the Palestinian Authority on Monday evening of waging a war against religion and Islam. Haniyeh, speaking to reporters at the rebuilding ceremony of the police station in Al-Shati refugee camp, said "what is happening in the West Bank is a religious war that targets the pious people, particularly the new generation."

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Op-Ed: Palestinian leaders must foster hope, not hate
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA)
by Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi - August 16, 2010 - 12:00am

With a flurry of diplomatic activity regarding direct Israeli-Palestinian talks, a contingent from The Israel Project (TIP) including pollster Stanley Greenberg met in the West Bank with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat.

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PA reports year's achievements
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Ali Waked - August 15, 2010 - 12:00am

The Palestinian government on Sunday published a report outlining its activity in the past year. According to the document, in the past 12 months the Palestinian Authority's government, headed by Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, marked significant achievements in the construction of government institutions and other infrastructure.

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Hamas, Palestinian groups say no to direct talks
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
August 15, 2010 - 12:00am

Hamas and 10 Damascus-based Palestinian organizations declared they oppose the resumption of direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority on Sunday. The Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front – General Command and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine were among the groups represented in the statement.

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Ceasefire turns up the heat on Hamas
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National
by Mitchell Prothero - August 14, 2010 - 12:00am

A campaign by Hamas security forces against violations of an unofficial but strictly enforced ceasefire with Israel has drawn the ire of their former allies in Islamic Jihad, who now accuse the Hamas leadership of pursuing peace with Israel rather than military operations. The issue came to a head on July 31 after two homemade rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip by disgruntled militants linked to Islamic Jihad’s Al Quds Brigade, who acted out of frustration and on their own accord, according to top officials in both groups.

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Justice Ministry wants clearer separation of powers
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
August 11, 2010 - 12:00am

The justice sector under the Palestinian Authority needs a clear separation of powers and a clarified jurisdictional scheme to make it more effective, officials from the Ministry of Justice say. The minister and several key portfolio holders from the ministry gathered in Bethlehem on Saturday to conduct a three-day self-evaluation on the performance of the ministry and its branches. Following the close of meetings Monday, ministerial undersecretary Khalil Karaja spoke with Ma'an.

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Hamas’ many-splendored contradictions
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from NOW Lebanon
by Hussein Ibish - (Opinion) August 10, 2010 - 12:00am

Hamas was in the news last week, accused by Egypt of having been behind the rocket attacks from the Sinai against the Israeli town of Eilat and the Jordanian town of Aqaba. This, once again, told us something about the paradoxes of the Islamist group.

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