Arafat’s death haunts foes, followers
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Gulf News
by Osama Al-Sharif - (Opinion) July 10, 2012 - 12:00am

Ask any Palestinian about the death of former leader and symbol of national resistance, Yasser Arafat, and he or she will immediately say that he was killed by Israel for refusing to give in to pressure to accept an unjust final peace settlement. Arafat’s death, in mysterious circumstances at a French military hospital, in November 2004, remains one of the most contentious issues for millions of Palestinians.

»

Palestinian president approves Arafat autopsy
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
by Karin Laub - July 9, 2012 - 12:00am

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has given his permission to exhume the remains of his predecessor, Yasser Arafat, a top aide said Monday, days after a Swiss institute reported finding elevated traces of a radioactive substance on the late leader's belongings. The findings by Switzerland's Institute of Radiation Physics were inconclusive, but revived speculation that Arafat was poisoned.

»

Palestinians invite Swiss experts to take samples of Arafat's remains
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
July 9, 2012 - 12:00am

The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) invited Swiss experts to the West Bank to take samples of late President Yasser Arafat's remains for more tests. "This reflects the Palestinian leadership's insistence to continue the investigations into the truth and the circumstances of Arafat's death," said Saeb Erekat, a senior member of Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

»

Abbas says Hamas obstructs reconciliation
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
July 9, 2012 - 12:00am

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday accused rival Hamas movement of obstructing the implementation of the Palestinian internal reconciliation agreements reached in Cairo and Doha. At a joint news conference with European Commission Chief Jose Manuel Barroso following a meeting held in Ramallah, Abbas said that he doesn't know why Hamas suddenly decided to halt the update of voters' record in Gaza.

»

New batch of officials to be charged with corruption
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
July 9, 2012 - 12:00am

Legal authorities are putting the final touches on a fresh series of indictments of public officials for corruption and misuse of public funds, an informed source told Ma'an on Monday. The defendants in this new batch of corruption cases will now be summoned for interrogation, the source said. A senior official recently tried to travel to Jordan via Jericho, but police prevented his exit and ordered him back to Ramallah for interrogation, Ma'an has learned.

»

The Israelis' quest to poison Yasser Arafat
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News
by Uri Avnery - (Opinion) July 9, 2012 - 12:00am

For me, there was no surprise. From the very first day, I was convinced that Yasser Arafat had been poisoned by Ariel Sharon. I even wrote about it several times. It was a simple logical conclusion. First, a thorough medical examination in the French military hospital where he died did not find any cause for his sudden collapse and death. No traces of any life-threatening disease were found.

»

Palestinian PM urges Arabs to send promised cash
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
July 8, 2012 - 12:00am

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad is urging Arab countries to keep their promises and send tens of millions of dollars to his cash-strapped government. The West Bank-based Palestinian Authority has always relied on foreign aid but is now embroiled in its worst cash crisis in years, unable to pay tens of thousands of government employees. Fayyad needs $1 billion to close the 2012 spending gap, but previous heavy borrowing means he can no longer turn to banks. Unlike Arab states, Western donors have mostly made good on pledges.

»

'Abbas not paying friendly visit to Iran'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Attila Somfalvi - July 8, 2012 - 12:00am

The Foreign Ministry responded to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' announcement that plans to attend the Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Tehran, saying that "it is not a state visit, and is solely aimed at attending the summit, which will take place in Iran."

»

Gaza govt begins demolition of homes
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
July 8, 2012 - 12:00am

The Gaza government on Sunday began the demolition of several homes in Gaza City, saying they are built on government land. Abu Al-Abed Abu Omra, whose house is threatened with demolition, told Ma'an that police officers arrived late Saturday night and told residents to evacuate their homes in order to facilitate the demolition. He said that there are more than 120 families living in the 15-dunams area under threat, near Gaza's Al-Azhar University, and they have been there since 1948.

»

Aide: Palestinian leader wants more on Arafat
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
by Karin Laub - July 6, 2012 - 12:00am

Digging up Yasser Arafat's bones may offer the best shot at learning if the legendary Palestinian leader was poisoned, as many of his old comrades-in-arms claim, but Palestinian officials signaled Thursday they're not rushing into an autopsy. Arafat's 2004 death remains shrouded in mystery, and this week's findings by Switzerland's Institute of Radiation Physics — that belongings linked to Arafat contained an elevated level of a radioactive agent — have revived speculation about foul play.

»


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