Palestinians Undecided on Timing Of UN Observer Status Bid
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-Ayyam
by Hani Habib - September 19, 2012 - 12:00am

Despite the clamor caused by the Palestinian premier when he requested that Palestine be given the status of “observer state” at the United Nations General Assembly, the Palestinian Authority has decided to go forward with this request at the UN. However, the PA is still uncertain of the best way to present this demand, and is hesitant regarding the vote it will undergo.

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World Bank: Palestinian fiscal crisis is deepening
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
by Amy Teibel - September 19, 2012 - 12:00am

JERUSALEM — The World Bank warned Wednesday of a deepening fiscal crisis in the Palestinian territories and appealed to donors to act urgently to prop up the Western-backed Palestinian Authority.

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Despite calm, Palestinian Authority still on brink of collapse
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
by Ghassan Khatib - (Opinion) September 19, 2012 - 12:00am

Last week, the Palestinian Authority experienced the most dangerous internal crises it has faced since its establishment in 1994. Although the immediate cause of that crisis was the government’s announcement of price hikes in fuel and a 1-percent increase in the value added tax, it is difficult to understand what happened without acknowledging the other, less obvious factors that contributed, including the current political environment.

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PNA to donors: Status quo cannot continue
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Gulf News
by Nasouh Nazzal - September 18, 2012 - 12:00am

Ramallah: The Palestinian National Authority will tell a donors conference in New York on September 23 that the status quo in the Palestinian Territories cannot continue. Rather, the PNA will present a plan to take over Zone C which constitutes 65 per cent of the total Palestinian Territories. According to a statement issued by the Palestinian government, Dr Nabeel Qasis, Finance Minister, and Mohammad Abu Ramadan, the State Minister for Planning Affairs will represent the PNA at this key conference.

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Palestinian protests in West Bank highlight link between economy and security
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Amira Hass - September 18, 2012 - 12:00am

Zakaria Zbeidi's continued arrest by the Palestinian authority has a great deal of impact and is condemned abroad, specifically by pro-Palestinian activists. Zbeidi's arrest, without a proper investigation, indictment and when allegations against him are constantly altered, is not exceptional. This is the Palestinian version of the Israeli administrative detention (extrajudicial arrest).

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Palestinian leadership considers annulling peace deal with Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
September 18, 2012 - 12:00am

  RAMALLAH, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian leadership is considering canceling the interim peace deal signed in 1993 between Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Israel after failing to reach a final-status solution, a Palestinian official said Tuesday. "The Palestinian leadership is seriously looking into the possibility of canceling Oslo accords," said Saeb Erekat, the Palestinian chief negotiator.

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Two-state solution less viable in Israel-Palestine conflict: UN
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
September 18, 2012 - 12:00am

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- The UN Special Coordinator for the Peace Process in the Middle East Robert Serry on Monday said a two-state solution to the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict is at risk. "The lack of progress between Israelis and Palestinians on the political track and the continuing conflict and occupation put at risk the viability of the two-state solution," said Serry in a briefing to the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East.

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News Analysis: Various scenarios await Abbas amid a series of Palestinian crises
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
September 18, 2012 - 12:00am

RAMALLAH, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is nowadays busy with preparing to go for a second risky trip to the United Nations in New York next week for the bid of recognizing a non-member Palestinian state in the UN General Assembly.

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PNA criticizes Egypt for receiving Hamas leader
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
September 18, 2012 - 12:00am

RAMALLAH, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) on Tuesday criticized the official reception of the deposed Premier of Hamas government in Gaza Ismail Haneya by Egyptian Premier Hesham Qandil.

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Restructuring of PLO Is Key To Palestinian Reconciliation
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from As-Safir
by Hani al-Masri - (Opinion) September 18, 2012 - 12:00am

Following a recent press conference, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that “reconciliation between [Palestinian] factions means holding elections” and that “there will be no further dialogue with Hamas unless the electoral commission resumes voter registration in the Gaza Strip.”

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