May 2, 2008

Middle East News: World Press Roundup

ATFP President Ziad Asali concludes his week-long guest spot in Rosner’s Domain (1). MJ Rosenberg discusses the tragedy of the Holocaust and its relation to the current conflict (2). Kim Sengupta of the Independent offers an glimpse into Gaza City (3). ATFP Senior Fellow Ghaith al-Omari dissects the question of engaging Hamas (4). YNet News reports on a new deployment of Palestinian Policemen in Jenin (8). Haaretz’s Akiva Eldar questions the authenticity of Israeli-Syrian negotiations (10).

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Life Inside Gaza City

The home where Miyasar Abu Muatak died with her children is now just a pile of rubble. A mourning tent has been put up outside with photographs of the family. A steady stream of relatives, friends and neighbours come in to express their condolences.

The home where Miyasar Abu Muatak died with her children is now just a pile of rubble. A mourning tent has been put up outside with photographs of the family. A steady stream of relatives, friends and neighbours come in to express their condolences.

Mideast Quartet Presses Arab States, Israel

Key world powers called Friday on Arab states to fulfil their promises of aid for the Palestinians and voiced deep concern over the humanitarian impact of a nine-month-old Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip.

In a joint statement issued after the Middle East Quartet held talks in London, the powers also urged Israel to stop building or extending settlements in the West Bank.

Israeli Prime Minister Olmert Questioned In Corruption Probe

Occupied Jerusalem: Israeli police questioned Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Friday as part of an investigation into suspected corruption.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said Olmert was being questioned in his residence, but declined to provide further details.

Olmert is under criminal investigation into accusations he dispensed favours in return for a discount on the 2004 purchase price of a home in Occupied Jerusalem.

Syria Or Iran: Where Does The Decision Lie?

Undoubtedly, the first question that springs to mind for anyone following the developments of the Syrian-Israeli negotiations is what are the reactions of Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas? Hezbollah is happy to say “no comment” whilst Hamas has nothing to say and the statements made by its officials indicate confusion.

The surprise lies in Iran’s declaration; Tehran announced that it does not object to Syrian-Israeli negotiations as long as there are no preconditions applied to them.

Hundreds Of Palestinian Policemen To Deploy In Jenin

Hundreds of Palestinian police officers will be deployed Saturday across the West Bank city of Jenin following an agreement reached between Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.

Some 470 policemen will boost the presence of the Palestinian Authority forces currently securing the area.

  The officers will arrive in Jenin from Hebron, Ramallah and Jericho, and will mainly engage in law enforcement.

 

The 'nations Test'

A few years ago, I spoke at a conference of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, the umbrella organization for the 125 Jewish community relations councils in the United States. My host explained to me that the council's member organizations are tasked with doing all they can to ensure harmonious relations between Jews of their communities and the surrounding non-Jewish communities. America's five to six million Jews, he added, see it as being in their best interests to be on good terms with the country's 300 million non-Jews.

The Syrian-palestinian Lie

Last Friday, a few hours after a terrorist killed two

U.s. Envoy Cuts Short Hebron Trip After Clash With Settlers

The American bodyguards of a Bush administration envoy who was dispatched to the region to monitor the implementation of the road map engaged in a violent confrontation with right-wing Israelis who sought to disturb a visit to Hebron on Friday, Israel Radio reported.

One of the rightists is reported to have driven his jeep into the convoy accompanying General William Fraser. Subsequently, one of the vehicles in the convoy heavily collided with the jeep, according to Israel Radio.

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