Middle East News: World Press Roundup

A bulldozer attack in Jerusalem leaves three dead and 45 injured (1). Conflict ensues at the Rafah border crossing as some Palestinians attempt to force their way into Egypt (2). The Israeli government bars a UN human rights group from visiting the Palestinian territories on a recent fact-finding mission (3). Leaders from Israel, Jordan, and Palestine meet in Japan to discuss improvements to the Palestinian economy (4). Gaza prepares to receive its first cement shipment in over a year when Israel reopens its border crossings (5).

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Egyptian Police Injured In Gaza Border Clash ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters July 2, 2008 - 4:04pm Palestinians clashed with Egyptian police at the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip on Wednesday when some of the Palestinians tried to force their way across, witnesses said. Dozens of Palestinians from the territory, controlled by the Islamic militant group Hamas, pelted Egyptian border police with stones, injuring at least six of them, Egyptian security and medical sources said. » Read more

Israel Bars Un Rights Panel From Palestinian Areas ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP) July 2, 2008 - 4:05pm Israel's government has barred a UN human rights delegation from visiting the Palestinian areas on a fact-finding mission, the leader of the group said on Tuesday. "Israeli authorities did not allow us to visit the Palestinian territories," said Prasad Kariyawasam, head of the UN panel, adding that "no reasons were given by Israel because they do not recognize our mandate."  » Read more

Mideast Leaders Meet In Japan For Talks ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP) July 2, 2008 - 4:07pm Senior officials from Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority held talks Wednesday in Japan in a bid to lay the groundwork for peace by improving the Palestinian economy. Japan, which is seeking a greater role in the Middle East, hopes the talks will lead to a deal on its signature project in the region -- starting an agro-industrial park in the West Bank. » Read more

Gaza To Get Cement For First Time In A Year ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP) by Adel Zaanoun - July 2, 2008 - 4:09pm The Gaza Strip was to receive its first cement shipment in a year on Wednesday as Israel prepared to reopen border crossings it shut down after militant rocket attacks breached a truce. The Hamas rulers of the impoverished Palestinian enclave and the Israeli authorities said the cement would be shipped to Gaza on Wednesday as Israel eased its blockade. Authorities initially spoke of five tonnes of cement, but later said five truckloads would be sent to Gaza. "They will be delivered in the course of the day," Israeli military spokesman Peter Lerner told AFP. » Read more

Israeli Settlers Fire Two Rockets On Palestinian Village In West Bank ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Kuwait News Agency (kuna) July 2, 2008 - 4:10pm Israeli settlers fired two rockets toward Boreen village near Nablus city north of the West Bank, Palestinian security sources said on Tuesday. The source said two settlers from Baraka settlement near the village fired the two rockets targeting Palestinians, but caused no injuries. The rockets dubbed (Sharon-1, Sharon-2) fell in a deserted area causing fire only, the sources said. » Read more

Olmert, Barak: Demolish Terrorists' Homes ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Roni Sofer - July 2, 2008 - 4:11pm After the shooting rampage at Mercaz Harav seminary in March left eight students dead, Defense Minister Ehud Barak called for the demolition of the terrorist's home in east Jerusalem. It was never carried out. Following Wednesday's deadly terror attack in Jerusalem which left three Israelis dead and dozens more wounded, Barak reiterated his position. » Read more

Direct Syria-israel Talks Imminent, Turkish Officials Say ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Roee Nahmias - July 2, 2008 - 4:14pm Sources in the Turkish Foreign Ministry estimate that direct peace negotiations between Israel and Syria will follow the next round of indirect talks between the countries, London-based Arabic-language newspaper Al-Hayat reported on Wednesday. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's advisors, Yoram Turbowitz and Shalom Turgeman arrived in Ankara on Tuesday to discuss, among other things, the possibility of launching direct talks with Syrians. The fourth indirect round of talks is scheduled to begin in two weeks' time. » Read more

Policeman Convicted Of Killing Arab Escapes ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Erfat Weiss - July 2, 2008 - 4:17pm Where in the world is Yanai Lalza? The police are attempting to locate Yanai Lalza, a Border Guard police officer who killed a Palestinian boy in Hebron. Lalza for supposed to begin serving his prison term last week but failed to report at the jail. Despite the police's request, Lalza was not held in detention and was supposed to report to prison at the set date. Lalza was sentenced to six and a half years in prison after being convicted of killing a 17-year-old Palestinian in December 2002. Lalza was convicted of manslaughter by the Jerusalem district court. » Read more

Poll: 71% Of Americans Want Us To Stay Neutral On Mideast Conflict ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Yitzhak Benhorin - July 2, 2008 - 4:19pm A recent poll conducted by the University of Maryland in 18 countries revealed that 71% of Americans would prefer that the US stay neutral when it comes to the Mideast conflict. In 13 others countries covered in the poll, respondents also said they wanted their government to remain neutral on the issue. In no country did the majority back the Israeli stand, while those residing in Egypt, Iran and Turkey said they wanted their governments to support the Palestinian side. » Read more

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