Talk of Palestinian-Jordanian confederation irks observers on both sides of the river
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Times of Israel
by Elhanan Miller - December 17, 2012 - 1:00am

Media reports that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is advancing a plan for confederation with Jordan have sparked a flurry of negative reactions both in Jordan and in the Palestinian territories.

»

Hamas announces second day of West Bank rallies
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
December 14, 2012 - 1:00am

TULKAREM (Ma'an) -- Hamas will hold rallies in the West Bank on Friday in the second day of its celebrations to mark the movement's 25th anniversary. On Thursday, thousands turned out in Nablus to celebrate the founding of Hamas, the first time Hamas was authorized to hold a mass political event in the West Bank by the Fatah-dominated government.

»

Abbas mulls forming confederation with Jordan
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Khaled Abu Toameh - December 13, 2012 - 1:00am

Palestinian Authority officials confirmed Thursday that they were studying the possibility of establishing a confederation with Jordan, but stressed that this would take place only after the creation of an independent Palestinian state within the pre-1967 line

»

How Unilateral Moves Can Help
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Beast
by Ami Ayalon - (Opinion) December 13, 2012 - 1:00am

Several signs lately reinforce the conclusion that the direct negotiations paradigm for resolving the Israel-Palestinian conflict has failed and must be replaced. The recent U.N. vote accepting Palestine as a non-member state is one such sign: 138 states supported the Palestinians’ resolution, only 9 voted against it, including the United States (a prisoner of the old paradigm).

»

After Abbas
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Foreign Policy
by Jonathan Schanzer - (Opinion) December 13, 2012 - 1:00am

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas went to the United Nations last month and brought his people one step closer to statehood. But amid all the fanfare, Western diplomats quietly conceded that the General Assembly vote to upgrade the Palestinians' U.N. mission was not simply a step taken to advance their national project. It also reflected a desire to counter Hamas's growing influence, particularly after the Gaza-based terrorist group claimed victory in its war with Israel in November.

»

Abbas blasts Mashaal: We already recognized Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Elior Levy - December 13, 2012 - 1:00am

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas blasted Hamas Politburo Chief Khaled Mashaal for asserting that his group will never recognize Israel, hinting that the statement hinders the chances of the two-state solution, according to the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet.

»

Palestinian anti-corruption body gets boost
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Asharq Alawsat
by Kafah Zaboun - December 12, 2012 - 1:00am

Ramallah, Asharq Al-Awsat - Rafik Natsheh, head of the Palestinian anti-corruption body, has stated that his organization will now resume its pursuit of corrupt government figures who have fled abroad. Given that Palestine has obtained non-member observer status at the United Nations, the anti-corruption body has the right to pursue corrupt fugitives who have court judgments issued against them.

»

Hamas official: Mashaal will not run for re-election
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
December 12, 2012 - 1:00am

BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Hamas' chief-in-exile Khaled Mashaal will not run for re-election as leader of the Islamist movement, a group official said Wednesday, reiterating a position outlined several months ago.

»

Is Palestine a state? That may depend on the Palestinians
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Times of Israel
by Raphael Ahren - (Opinion) December 12, 2012 - 1:00am

On the morning after the vote that upgraded Palestine to a nonmember observer state, United Nations officials were perplexed when they looked at the Palestinian delegation’s bench in the General Assembly Hall. A sign that used to say “Palestine” had been replaced with a sign reading “State of Palestine” — even though the special machine that usually produces these signs at the UN was temporarily out of order.

»

Interview: Palestinian negotiator rules out declaring new Mideast peace initiative soon
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
December 12, 2012 - 1:00am

RAMALLAH, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- A high-ranking Palestinian negotiator said in an interview with Xinhua on Wednesday that there will be no new peace initiative declared on the Middle East conflict before February 2013. Mohamed Ishteya, also a member in the central committee of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah Party, told Xinhua at his office in the city of Ramallah that the Palestinian leadership welcomes any international initiative aiming at resuming the stalled peace talks with Israel.

»


American Task Force on Palestine - 1634 Eye St. NW, Suite 725, Washington DC 20006 - Telephone: 202-262-0017