Palestinian Financial Crisis Boosts Support for Hamas
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Media Line
by Mohammed Najib - July 22, 2012 - 12:00am

The Palestinian Authority (PA) is suffering an intensifying financial crisis that is threatening its stability and strengthening the rival Islamist Hamas. Palestinian security officials warn that if the international community fails to pay its pledges to the PA, it will not be able to pay salaries in the coming months.

»

PA fears for Palestinians caught in Syria violence
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Khaled Abu Toameh - July 20, 2012 - 12:00am

Palestinian Authority officials Thursday concern over the safety of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians living in refugee camps in Syria. They said that some 300 Palestinians have been killed since the beginning of the uprising in Syria in March 2011. More than 500,000 Palestinians are believed to be living in Syria, mostly in a number of refugee camps. The PA announced Thursday that it was in contact with the Syrian authorities and opposition to avoid involving Palestinians in the escalating violence.

»

Arafat documentary paints intimate portrait of late leader
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
by Brandon Davis - (Opinion) July 19, 2012 - 12:00am

He has been called a terrorist, a freedom fighter and the founding father of the Palestinian nation - and in Richard Symons' and Joanna Natasegara

»

Arab League to form committee to probe Arafat's death
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
July 18, 2012 - 12:00am

The Arab League (AL) decided on Tuesday to set up an independent committee to probe the death of former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. The committee will work with the Palestinian side and Arab and international bodies to reveal the details behind Arafat's death, according to a statement issued after a meeting of the pan-Arab body's permanent delegates. The AL urged Palestinian investigators to provide all information available and other countries, especially France, to support the committee's work.

»

Was Yasser Arafat Poisoned?
Media Mention of Hussein Ibish In Voice of America - July 18, 2012 - 12:00am

Former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat died in 2004 of a sudden illness, which led to a fury of conspiracy theories that have never died down.  The rumors surrounding his death were revitalized recently after a the Lucerne-based Swiss Institute of Radiophysics found traces of the deadly radioactive agent polonium  on Arafat’s clothing and personal effects.  So what has prompted this investigation into Arafat’s death - and could an autopsy of his remains finally put a rest to this enduring mystery?

»

Hamas executes three Gaza men for murder
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
July 17, 2012 - 12:00am

Three men convicted of murder were hanged in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip on Tuesday, the territory's interior ministry said. A total of 14 Palestinians have now been executed since the Islamist group Hamas seized the Gaza Strip in 2007 from Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah faction. No details of the murder cases were given and the Hamas-run ministry identified the executed men only by their initials.

»

Police launch campaign against child labor
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
July 17, 2012 - 12:00am

Police took to the streets of Tulkarem on Tuesday to raise awareness about a campaign to stop child labor and begging, a statement said. Accompanied by a committee set up to fight child labor, police toured Tulkarem's markets and main streets. Sixteen children aged between 11-16 were taken to the police station for questioning, and their parents were called to explain that child labor is illegal.

»

Was Yasser Arafat Poisoned?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Voice of America
by Cecily Hilleary - July 17, 2012 - 12:00am

Former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat died in 2004 of a sudden illness, which led to a fury of conspiracy theories that have never died down.  The rumors surrounding his death were revitalized recently after a the Lucerne-based Swiss Institute of Radiophysics found traces of the deadly radioactive agent polonium  on Arafat’s clothing and personal effects.  So what has prompted this investigation into Arafat’s death - and could an autopsy of his remains finally put a rest to this enduring mystery?

»

Special investigator dies in Palestinian custody
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
by Mohammed Daraghmeh - July 16, 2012 - 12:00am

A senior Palestinian official suspected of embezzling public funds fell to his death from the third-floor kitchen window of a West Bank security compound where he was being interrogated, officials said Monday. The official investigating the incident said Osama Mansour jumped and that there is security camera footage to prove it. Mansour's family and a leading human rights activist called for an autopsy in the presence of an independent doctor.

»

Saudi Arabia donates $100 million to Palestinian Authority
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
July 16, 2012 - 12:00am

President Abbas on Sunday welcomed Saudi Arabia's decision to donate $100 million to the Palestinian Authority, official news agency Wafa reported. Ramallah prime minister Salam Fayyad applauded King Abdullah for arranging the contribution through Saudi's ministry of finance.

»


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