Israel accused of pillaging Dead Sea resources in occupied territory
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian
by Harriet Sherwood - September 2, 2012 - 12:00am

Israel is "pillaging" the natural resources of the Dead Sea which lie in occupied Palestinian territory in violation of international law, a report which singles out the cosmetics firm Ahava for criticism. According to the Palestinian human rights organisation al-Haq, the "appropriation and exploitation of Palestinian land and natural resources in the occupied Dead Sea area by Israeli settlers and companies … meet the requirements of the crime of pillage".

»

Palestinians chip away at male divorce monopoly
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
by Diaa Hadid - August 31, 2012 - 12:00am

RAMALLAH, West Bank — For decades, Palestinian women seeking to divorce their husbands risked years of miserable, expensive litigation or lengthy domestic battles as they begged their spouses for permission to leave. Now Palestinian religious authorities announced sweeping reforms of divorce laws that will make it easier for a woman to end her marriage. The changes make a huge step forward in a society where many still believe that a woman should have no right to separate from her husband.

»

Arafat's widow has unclear motives
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National
by Hugh Naylor - August 30, 2012 - 12:00am

After her husband, the Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, died in 2004 in a Paris military hospital, she refused to allow outside examination of his medical records or permit an autopsy. Her refusal compounded the mystery surrounding Arafat's death and fuelled rumours of stonewalling, Israeli plots and cover-ups.

»

Paralympic Games: For Gaza's athletes, just getting to the practice track is a challenge
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Christian Science Monitor
by Ruqaya Izzidien - August 30, 2012 - 12:00am

While most Paralympics national teams are on a strict training schedule as the Olympics companion event approaches, focused entirely on improving their performance and winning a coveted gold medal, the Palestinian Gaza team is a bit different.

»

Three Reasons Israel Is Issuing More Permits for Palestinians
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-Ayyam
by Hani al-Masri - (Opinion) August 30, 2012 - 12:00am

The Israeli government has been growing more extremist and stubborn, to the point of sabotaging all efforts and initiatives aimed at resuming negotiations and reviving the so-called “peace process.” Furthermore, it is waging a continuous campaign — headed by Foreign Minister Lieberman — against President Abbas, demanding that he be replaced because of the diplomatic and legal campaign he has undertaken against Israel and his plan to resort to the United Natio

»

Two Palestinian cars torched in West Bank
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
August 29, 2012 - 12:00am

Two Palestinian vehicles were torched and vandalized Tuesday night in a refugee camp near Ramallah just several hours after a similar incident in the West Bank, Israel Radio reported Wednesday. Perpetrators lit two cars on fire and spray painted them with slogans reading: "Revenge on the Arabs" and "Freedom for the homeland." Security forces were called into the Jalazun refugee camp north of Ramallah and launched an investigation after reports of Israelis entering the camp, Israel Radio reported.

»

France opens Arafat murder inquiry
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
August 29, 2012 - 12:00am

A French court has opened a murder inquiry into the 2004 death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, prosecutors said on Tuesday, following claims by his wife that he may have been poisoned. Arafat died in a Paris military hospital in November 2004, a month after being airlifted - when his health collapsed - from his battered headquarters in Ramallah, where he had been effectively confined by Israel for more than two and a half years.

»

Former Israeli official denies Israel poisoned Arafat
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
August 29, 2012 - 12:00am

A former Israeli official is denying allegations that Israel poisoned Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat as French prosecutors begin investigating his possible murder. Dov Weisglass was chief of staff to the Israeli prime minister when Arafat died in 2004. He says Israel had no interest in harming the Palestinian leader at the end of his political career. Weisglass told Army Radio Wednesday that Israel permitted Arafat to seek medical treatment in France so Israel could not be accused of exacerbating his illness.

»

Fayyad approves measures to counter electricity crisis
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
August 29, 2012 - 12:00am

Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad approved new measures on Tuesday to help counter an electricity crisis in the West Bank, a statement said. Fayyad approved the measures during a weekly session of the Council of Ministers in Ramallah. The council endorsed measures to support low-income consumers of electricity as well as encouraging higher-income consumers to conserve their energy consumption. The council will also enter discussions with Jordan about bringing electricity prices into line with previous tariffs.

»

Auschwitz and Palestinians: what the media missed
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Star
by Natalia Simanovsky - (Opinion) August 29, 2012 - 12:00am

In late July, Ziad al-Bandak, an adviser to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas made an official visit to the Auschwitz Holocaust memorial to pay respect to the million-and-a-half victims of the camp, most of whom were Jewish.

»


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