At Gaza's only spa, the well-heeled find relief
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP)
by Joseph Krauss, Mai Yaghi - September 17, 2009 - 12:00am

High above the pot-holed streets, donkey carts and militant graffiti that have come to define the besieged Gaza Strip sits Rosy, the territory's only spa and a refuge for its unlikely upper crust. The spa's luxurious setting and its upscale clientele stand in stark contrast to the poverty gripping the war-battered Palestinian territory of 1.5 million people, the vast majority of whom rely on foreign aid. "We have the highest quality services in the region," says Mohammed Faris, who launched the spa with his British wife in 1999.

»

Mideast Discord Thwarts A Palestinian Love Story
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from National Public Radio (NPR)
by Lourdes Garcia-Navarro - September 16, 2009 - 12:00am

They are engaged — Amani, a Palestinian woman from the Gaza Strip, and Basheer, her fiance who lives in the West Bank. But even though they are both of the same religion and the same nationality, they cannot get married. The house he has built for her sits in an orchard filled with ripe pomegranates, figs and lemons. It's fully furnished, but everything is too neatly in its place. It's lifeless, a home waiting to be lived in. Basheer

»

Fayyad praises local comedy-soap "Homeland on a Thread"
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
September 15, 2009 - 12:00am

Ramallah – Ma’an – Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad received the actors of the comedy series Homeland on a Thread (Watan Ala Watar) in his office on Tuesday, and praised what he called a "meaningful television achievement." The Ramadan soap opera, played every night of the holy month of fasting, is broadcast on Palestine TV and has made a splash in the Palestinian and international arenas. The satirical comedy pokes fun at all levels of government, and holds no punches when it comes to the Israeli occupation or Palestinian customs.

»

Fatah backs Egypt's plan for 'unity'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Khaled Abu Toameh - September 11, 2009 - 12:00am

Fatah welcomes a new Egyptian proposal aimed at solving its dispute with Hamas, a high-ranking Fatah official said on Thursday. The Egyptian proposal has the support of the Hamas as well. "Fatah has welcomed and accepted the latest proposal," said Jibril Rajoub, the newly-elected member of Fatah's Central Committee, who said that the proposal would bring the two rival parties closer to signing a "national unity agreement."

»

Growing ties between Israeli, PA police
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Yaakov Lappin - September 11, 2009 - 12:00am

Away from the media spotlight on efforts to kick-start diplomatic talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, the two parties' police forces together with the IDF's civil administration are increasing their cooperation, and have implemented a series of confidence-building measures over the past two years. The cooperation has taken a number of surprising forms.

»

Towards a Palestinian state
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times
by Ziad Asali - September 11, 2009 - 12:00am

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad’s blueprint for what he called “de facto Palestinian statehood” offers a new and important element to the quest for peace in the Middle East.

»

Build Palestine, and they will come
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Star
by Ziad Asali - September 11, 2009 - 12:00am

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad’s blueprint for what he has called “de facto Palestinian statehood” offers a new and important element to the quest for peace in the Middle East. Peace between Israel and the Palestinians hinges on recognition and security for Israel and freedom and independence for a Palestinian state. Fayyad’s model emphasizes the importance of the reality of the Palestinian state as a functioning entity, irrespective of international recognition and grand diplomatic gestures.

»

Rare TV satire mocks Palestinian politicians
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
by Mohammed Daraghmeh - September 10, 2009 - 12:00am

Palestine TV was once the boring channel that viewers skipped over while searching for entertainment. But this time, the state-run station has picked a winner — an irreverent comedy show that mocks and often bites the hand that feeds it: the government. "Homeland on a Thread" satirizes inept Palestinian politicians, police bullies and Muslim extremists. It's Palestine TV's first ever attempt at political satire, an art form that remains rare in the Arab world where authoritarian regimes abound.

»

Gaza border violence heats up: Israel enters, factions retaliate
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
September 10, 2009 - 12:00am

Clashes erupted as Israeli bulldozers and armored vehicles entered 800 meters beyond the Gaza border near Beit Hanoun and began destroying agricultural land near the border, witnesses said Wednesday afternoon. Israeli soldiers reportedly fired on civilians in the area as they began bulldozing lands. Farmers fled the area and shortly after they reported hearing explosions from the same direction. The Military wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, claimed they launched a rocket propelled grenade shell at the invading forces.

»

Fayyad's Statehood Plan
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News
by Ziad Asali - (Opinion) September 10, 2009 - 12:00am

PALESTINIAN Prime Minister Salam Fayyad’s blueprint for what he has called “de facto Palestinian statehood” offers a new and important element to the quest for peace in the Middle East.

»


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