Medics: Gaza hospitals at crisis point
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
June 10, 2011 - 12:00am

Hospitals in Gaza are at crisis point due to shortages of supplies, medical services spokesman Adham Abu Salmiya said Thursday. Warehouses have run out of over 178 types of medicine, the spokesman said, adding that over 190 types of medical equipment needed for surgery had either run out or were in short supply. Abu Salmiya said doctors in Gaza had been forced to postpone surgeries due to the shortages, and working hours were reduced in many hospitals. The official urged countries in the region to intervene urgently to avert the crisis in Gaza.

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Palestinians believe Fayyad is the man for the job
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Khaled Abu Toameh - June 9, 2011 - 12:00am

A majority of Palestinians wants a government of independent figures and believes that Salam Fayyad is the most appropriate figure to head the government, according to a public opinion poll published on Wednesday. Two-thirds of the respondents are optimistic regarding the support from world countries to the Palestinians in September, when the Palestinian Authority plans to ask for recognition of a state along the pre-1967 lines, the poll by the Jerusalem Media & Communications Center showed.

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Revealed: the untold story of the deal that shocked the Middle East
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Independent
by Robert Fisk - June 7, 2011 - 12:00am

Secret meetings between Palestinian intermediaries, Egyptian intelligence officials, the Turkish foreign minister, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal – the latter requiring a covert journey to Damascus with a detour round the rebellious city of Deraa – brought about the Palestinian unity which has so disturbed both Israelis and the American government. Fatah and Hamas ended four years of conflict in May with an agreement that is crucial to the Paslestinian demand for a state.

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Doctors threaten to resign over PA inaction
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
June 3, 2011 - 12:00am

The doctors' union has threatened to submit mass resignations in response to a decision by the Palestinian government in Ramallah to refer an ongoing strike in the medical sector to court. Jawad Awad, head of the union, said “the decision taken by the government to go to court ... is a stab in the heart of democracy and citizens’ rights, which grant all workers a right to strike." Awad called on President Mahmoud Abbas to intervene in order to end the crisis.

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New government to be announced June 6
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
May 29, 2011 - 12:00am

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- The composition of the new Palestinian Authority's technocrat government will be announced on June 6 by delegates from formerly rival parties Fatah and Hamas as a major step to the implementation of a unity agreement, an official said Sunday.

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Should the Palestinians Recognize Israel as a Jewish State?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Foreign Policy
by Hussein Ibish - (Opinion) May 25, 2011 - 12:00am

Most observers expected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to target his harshest criticisms of the Palestinians during his U.S. trip on the Hamas-Fatah agreement. Surprisingly, his most important talking point turned out to be his demand for Palestinian recognition of Israel as a "Jewish state." To be sure, Netanyahu took every opportunity to denounce the Palestinian unity deal, compare Hamas to al Qaeda, and point out that some of its leaders had praised Osama bin Laden.

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Cairo: Some names for new govt selected
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
May 24, 2011 - 12:00am

Several names have been agreed on for the new technocrat government being compiled by Fatah and Hamas officials in Cairo, a party member told Ma'an on Tuesday. From Gaza City, Fatah national relations official Diab Al-Loh assured that progress was being made in the now nearly three-week long wait for the announcement of a new government, following the signing of a unity deal on 4 May. Al-Loh said none of the names would be announced until the government was set, and meetings between all factions were concluded.

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PA: Netanyahu's policies fraudulent
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Elior Levy - May 24, 2011 - 12:00am

Palestinian officials criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's AIPAC address Tuesday, saying that it reflects his "fraudulent policies, which are in contrast with all international laws and agreements." Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's advisor Nimr Hammad said that Netanyahu's speech – and the apparent speech he will give before Congress later Tuesday – was a "clear challenge" vis-à-vis Washington's policies and vision.

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Hamas' top leader challenged by Gaza strongman
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
May 24, 2011 - 12:00am

Gaza's Hamas strongman on Tuesday was quoted as challenging the Islamic militant movement's top leader because of his tacit backing of Palestinian negotiations with Israel. The comments by Mahmoud Zahar were carried by the Lebanese newspaper al-Akhbar on Tuesday and signaled a rare public dispute among Hamas leaders. A Hamas statement in Gaza claimed the comments were fabricated, but did not explain.

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West Bank: Palestinian Premier Has a Heart Attack in Texas
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
May 23, 2011 - 12:00am

The Palestinian prime minister, Salam Fayyad, suffered a heart attack on Sunday at a hospital in Austin, Tex., where he was attending his son’s college graduation, a spokesman said. Mr. Fayyad, a heavy smoker, underwent tests showing a blockage in a coronary artery, and doctors performed a catheterization to open the artery, the spokesman said. He is expected to leave the hospital in two days. Mr. Fayyad has been prime minister since 2007 and has developed close ties with Western leaders.



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