Social media offers last keffiyeh factory lifeline
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News
by Howard Johnson - August 8, 2011 - 12:00am

Hirbawi Textiles is located on a nondescript road on the outskirts of the Palestinian city Hebron. To the outsider it looks like any other ageing factory. In the dank, strip-light lit interior there are rows of disused machines with cogs wrapped in cobwebs. But three years ago the factory became the focus of the world's media, when it became apparent it was the last in the Palestinian Territories to produce the keffiyeh, the traditional Arab headdress and favourite of former leader Yasser Arafat.

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Could Arab staying power ultimately defeat Zionism?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian
by David Hearst - (Opinion) August 5, 2011 - 12:00am

There is an Arabic word you come across a lot when Palestinians talk about their future. Sumud means steadfastness, and it has turned into a strategy: when the imbalance of power is so pronounced, the most important thing to do is to stay put.

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West Bank murder smashed the lie of 'honor killings'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
August 3, 2011 - 12:00am

Aya's remains were found bound, decomposed at the bottom of a well more than a year after she vanished without a trace, leaving her family beside themselves with worry. The university student's disappearance in April 2010 left her relatives increasingly ostracized in their southern West Bank village, an area known for its deeply conservative traditions and morals. Neighbors assumed the worst -- that their daughter had run away with a lover.

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Israeli report says Palestinian violence in September unlikely
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by The Associated Press - August 3, 2011 - 12:00am

An internal Israeli parliamentary report shows Israel doesn't anticipate violence around a symbolic UN endorsement of Palestinian independence expected next month, but it proposes reserve soldiers be called up just in case. The report, based on Israeli intelligence assessments, was drafted for parliament's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. It was presented to the committee on Wednesday. An official disclosed main points to reporters. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the material.

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Gazan Defies Handicap to Live Life to Fullest
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Media Line
by Omar Ghraieb - August 2, 2011 - 12:00am

Abdul Qader Abu Lubda is walking down the street in his Gaza City neighborhood one afternoon this week. In one hand he has a sheaf of papers perched precariously between his palm and two short fingers. In the other, two stumpy fingers are holding a heavy bag. But Abu Lubda doesn’t look or act like he’s struggling..

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Israel's water management shameful
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from San Antonio Express
by Xelena Gonzalez - (Opinion) August 1, 2011 - 12:00am

Following a series of pro-Israel stories that reek of propaganda, your paper praised Israel's wise water management in the July 23 piece, “Israel trip is already paying off for SAWS.” This is ironic considering the dire situation faced by half country's population.

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Palestinians plan mass demonstrations against Israel on eve of UN vote
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
August 1, 2011 - 12:00am

Palestinian officials said Monday they plan to begin mass marches against Israel's occupation of the West Bank on September 20, the eve of a largely symbolic UN vote expected to recognize their independence. Palestinian official Yasser Abed Rabbo said leaders hope to attract millions, and the protest will be the first of a prolonged effort. He said the campaign would be called "Palestine 194," since the Palestinians hope to become the 194th member of the United Nations.

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Palestinian Police Taking to the Air
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Media Line
by Arieh O'Sullivan - August 1, 2011 - 12:00am

The idea of turning to the police to hear the news, catch some of the latest tunes and vent some frustration to a talk show host seems a bit odd, but Palestinians will soon be able to do this with a new radio station being set up by the local police force in the West Bank. The Palestinian Civil Police said they plan to model their new station on the popular ones run by the neighboring Israeli and Jordanian armies. With financial support already pledged from Turkey, senior commanders say they hope to be on air by the end of the year.

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PA: Employees to receive salaries Tuesday
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
August 1, 2011 - 12:00am

BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- The Palestinian Authority premier said Sunday that full salaries for the month of July would be paid Tuesday, following strike threats from a union representing government employees. But Salam Fayyad said that "the payment of full salaries will significantly reduce the ability of the Palestinian Authority to meet other needs during the next month.” Fayyad urged patience, saying he would continue to make tireless efforts to secure foreign aid that needed to overcome the crisis and enable the Palestinian Authority to meet all of its commitments.

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Palestinians Prepare for Massive Uprising
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Inter Press Service (IPS)
by Mel Frykberg - July 29, 2011 - 12:00am

"We plan to take to the streets en masse," Musa Abu Maria, a leading member of the Popular Committee in Beit Ummar, a town 11 km north of Hebron in the southern West Bank told IPS. "We will block entire highways leading to and from Israel’s illegal settlements. We will march on settlements. But these will be non-violent and the protestors will be peaceful.

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