Hamas and Fatah can work together
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian
by Tareq Baconi - (Opinion) May 18, 2011 - 12:00am

The recent reconciliation deal between Hamas and Fatah could hold more merit than past deals between the two parties. Since both parties need unity in the face of the present changes in the Middle East, its survival prospects are stronger than before.

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Report: Hamas, Fatah ready to form government
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
May 18, 2011 - 12:00am

Egypt on Tuesday announced that Hamas and Fatah have reached agreements on all issues discussed in Cairo, particularly the formation of a new government. In a statement issued following their negotiations, the two Palestinian factions pledged on implementing everything they agreed on, according to a report in Egypt's independent daily Al-Masry Al-Youm. The meetings were to discuss how to move forward after signing a unity deal in Cairo this month. Both parties were cooperative during the meetings, the Egyptian statement reportedly said.

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Fayyad loses bid for head of Palestinian unity government
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ahram Online
by Saleh Al-Naami - May 18, 2011 - 12:00am

Ahram Online has discovered through informed sources that Salam Fayyad, the head of the Palestinian government in Ramallah, is no longer being put forward as a candidate for the premiership in the forthcoming transitional government. Informed sources affirmed that Fayyad was in fact among the four names Fatah suggested for the post, while Hamas had also put forth four suggestions. Soon afterwards, however, the number of candidates shrank at both ends as Fatah no longer recommended Fayyad for the position.

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Palestinians test tactic of unarmed mass marches
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
by Karin Laub - May 16, 2011 - 12:00am

Palestinian activists are calling it a preview of new tactics to pressure Israel and win world support for statehood: Masses of marchers, galvanized by the Arab Spring and brought together by Facebook, descending on borders and military posts — and daring Israeli soldiers to shoot. It could prove more problematic for Israel than the suicide bombings and other deadly violence of the past — which the current Palestinian Authority leadership feels only tainted their cause.

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The awakening
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Star
(Editorial) May 16, 2011 - 12:00am

Sunday’s deadly commemoration of the “Nakba” in Lebanon, Syria and the Palestinian territories came as added confirmation that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is entering a new and irreversible phase.

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Palestinians feel stronger through unity, protests
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
by Tom Perry - May 16, 2011 - 12:00am

Palestinians have declared Sunday's protests on Israel's borders a historic moment in the Middle East conflict, a turning point inspired by Arab revolts that could set the tone for more activism to come. Coming three weeks after rival Palestinian groups agreed to end four years of internal conflict, leading Palestinians say the protests have injected new hope into their national struggle as the U.S.-led peace process has ground to a complete halt.

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Palestinian "Arab Spring" confronts Israel on borders
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
by Dan Williams - (Analysis) May 16, 2011 - 12:00am

Founded as a Jewish homeland and post-Holocaust haven, forged in border wars with Arab forces, Israel now confronts a redefinition of the conflict after Palestinian refugees massed fearlessly on its frontiers. The thousands of protesters who surged from Syria, Lebanon and Gaza on Sunday, flattening some buffer-zone fences and drawing deadly Israeli gunfire, reminded many in the country of the image-corroding consequences of pitting the region's mightiest military against stone-throwing demonstrators.

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Palestine willing to merge with ?GCC when liberated: Envoy
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Khaleej Times
by Anwar Ahmad - May 13, 2011 - 12:00am

The Palestinian government seeks support from the GCC countries to resolve their long-standing conflicts with Israel and is willing to merge with the GCC bloc when liberated, said Dr Khairi Al Oraidi, Ambassador of Palestine to the UAE. Addressing the media on the occasion of the Nakba or catastrophe day at the embassy premises on Thursday, Dr Al Oraidi, said: “I believe in the important role which the GCC countries have been playing in the region socially and politically.”

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Barak presents plan for Palestinian accord
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
May 11, 2011 - 12:00am

Defense Minister Ehud Barak revealed his plan for an accord with the Palestinians on Tuesday, hinting at the points Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to present in his upcoming speech before the US Congress and President Barack Obama. Speaking at a reception held traditionally for combat soldiers at IDF Headquarters in Tel Aviv, Barak said Israel was prepared to take "courageous steps" to bring about peace. "On the eve of this Independence Day, Israel is the strongest country within a radius of 1,500 km from Jerusalem," Barak said.

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A fragile balance between forces in Fatah-Hamas deal
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National
by Magid Shihade - (Opinion) May 9, 2011 - 12:00am

The agreement between Fatah and Hamas, following secret talks sponsored by Egypt, has the potential to end years of Palestinian division, infighting and paralysis. The pact promises an interim "unity" government until elections next year. The Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) will be restructured to incorporate Hamas, creating a common front for the next stage of struggle against Israeli colonisation.

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