Gazan students hold Egypt solidarity rally
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
February 9, 2011 - 1:00am

Several hundred Islamist students rallied in central Gaza on Wednesday in a show of solidarity with the ongoing anti-government protests in Egypt, onlookers said. "Gaza salutes the Egyptians" they shouted, denouncing embattled President Hosni Mubarak as "an American collaborator." Waving Egyptian and Palestinian flags, they also shouted angry slogans against Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman and Prime Minister Ahmad Shafiq. Earlier on Wednesday, Egyptian immigration officials told AFP they had been ordered to bar Palestinians from entering the country.

»

Why Do U.S. Officials Boycott Bethlehem's Mayor?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Huffington Post
by Daoud Kuttab - February 9, 2011 - 1:00am

Why does the US boycott one of its own citizens who happens to be the Christian mayor of Bethlehem? This has been the case regarding Victor Batarseh, the elected mayor of the Palestinian town of Bethlehem.

»

Municipal Elections Likely to Widen Palestinian Divide, Politicians Say
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Media Line
by David Miller - February 9, 2011 - 1:00am

Palestinian municipal elections called for this summer will likely accentuate the rivalry between Fatah and Hamas, Palestinian politicians said. Fatah officially welcomed on Wednesday an announcement by the Palestinian cabinet to hold elections on July 9, the first in the Palestinian Authority since 2006. In a statement, Fatah said the elections would “forge political unity.” Local elections were previously set to take place on July 17, 2010, but were postponed by the PA after Hamas refused to participate.

»

Rights group: PA banning freedom of expression
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
February 4, 2011 - 1:00am

A Palestinian rights group on Thursday warned of deteriorating freedom of expression in the West Bank, as the PA banned "unlicensed assembly" in response to rallies in solidarity with Egyptians. In a statement, the Palestinian Commission for Human Rights condemned the PA's closure of the demonstrations. On Wednesday, PA security forces shut down a rally in Ramallah, using batons to push demonstrators back and detaining at least two protesters. PCHR said a number of journalists were also detained at the event.

»

Police in Gaza break up Egypt solidarity rally
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
February 2, 2011 - 1:00am

Police in the Gaza Strip shut down a demonstration Monday in support of the uprising in Egypt. Activists said six women and eight men were arrested at a park in Gaza City, where a few dozen demonstrators had gathered. The women were released after a few hours. It was not immediately clear when the men were freed because they were separated, one of the protesters said. Asmaa Al-Ghoul, a Gaza-based journalist and writer, was among those detained.

»

Fatah official: PA wants elections this year
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
February 2, 2011 - 1:00am

Now that leftist Palestinian factions have a court mandate forcing the government in Ramallah hold elections, Fatah and Hamas are back to bickering about how the vote might be held. Muhammad Al-Madani, member of the ruling Fatah’s main body, told Ma’an Tuesday evening that the Palestinian leadership planned to hold local elections in the summer and general elections by September.

»

Palestinians to hold municipal vote
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
by Ben Hubbard - February 1, 2011 - 1:00am

The Western-backed Palestinian government in the West Bank said Tuesday it will hold local council elections "as soon as possible" — a surprise move reflecting fears that massive anti-government protests in Egypt could inspire unrest here, too. The announcement was one of many responses among the region's Western-backed governments — many with questionable legitimacy and limited popular support — to reduce the chances their own people will rise up against them.

»

Palestinian media mum on Egypt protests
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
by Nasser Laham - February 1, 2011 - 1:00am

Silence prevailed, from the Palestinian Authority, the government in Gaza, the factions and the people; all kept a safe distance from the Egyptian hot potato for fear that coming out on the wrong side would impact their future.

»

Palestinian Cabinet in West Bank says it will hold municipal elections 'as soon as possible'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
February 1, 2011 - 1:00am

Palestinian Cabinet in West Bank says it will hold municipal elections "as soon as possible."


WEST BANK: Palestinians not allowed to show solidarity with Egyptians
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times
by Maher Abukhater - (Blog) February 1, 2011 - 1:00am

For the mainstream Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and its archrival the Islamist Hamas, which has ruled the Gaza Strip since June 2007, the turmoil in Egypt is a source of concern. In the West Bank, the pro-West Palestinian Authority refused to give permission for Palestinians wishing to hold protests in support of the Egyptian uprising.

»


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