September 25, 2008 | The American Task Force on Palestine

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September 25, 2008

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas meets with President Bush in Washington (1). An Israeli academic and well known critic of Jewish settlement is injured in a bomb attack at his home (2). A group of aid agencies releases a report criticizing the Mid-East Quartet?s effectiveness (4). The Shin Bet issues findings linking the construction of the West Bank barrier with the recent attacks in Jerusalem (5). A group of Arab countries plan to request a meeting of the U.N. Security Council to discuss Israeli settlement activity (6). The Israel Policy Forum discusses the revitalization of the West Bank city of Jenin (8).

Bush meets with Middle Eastern leaders
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
September 24, 2008 - 8:00pm

In separate meetings with Middle East leaders Thursday, President Bush applauded Lebanon's efforts to forge a national reconciliation and told Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that the administration has not given up hope on an agreement to create a Palestinian state. "I appreciate your determination and your desire to have a Palestinian state," Bush told Abbas in front of reporters before an Oval Office meeting. "I share that desire with you. It's not easy."

Bomb attack on Israeli academic
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC World News
September 24, 2008 - 8:00pm

A well-known Israeli critic of Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank, Zeev Sternhell, has been slightly wounded in a bomb attack. Police suspect ultra-nationalists Israelis were behind the attack. Professor Sternhall has also strongly opposed the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip, describing it as immoral and ineffective. Earlier this year, Professor Sternhall was awarded the prestigious Israel Prize for political science. Mr Sternhell suffered minor shrapnel wounds in one leg.

Mid-East Quartet 'has lost grip'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News
September 24, 2008 - 8:00pm

The Quartet of international powers has "lost its grip" on the Middle East peace process which it is meant to foster, a group of aid agencies says. In a damning report, the agencies say the Quartet - Russia, the US, the EU and the UN - is failing in its mission. Conditions for Palestinians, which it was meant to improve, have worsened since peace talks recommenced under US sponsorship in 2007, the agencies say. In the West Bank there was an increase in Israeli settlement and travel curbs. The report was issued ahead of a Quartet meeting in New York on Friday.

Israelis see barrier link to Jerusalem violence
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
by Dan Williams - September 24, 2008 - 8:00pm

Israel's West Bank barrier is fuelling attacks by East Jerusalem Arabs who feel isolated from fellow Palestinians and are increasingly likely to lash out independently, Israel's domestic spy service said on Wednesday. The findings by the Shin Bet, which has usually championed tough tactics against a Palestinian revolt that erupted in 2000, appeared to dovetail with Palestinian arguments that a peaceful resolution of Jerusalem's status is key to addressing the causes of political violence in the city.

Arabs want urgent UN meeting on Israel settlements
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
September 24, 2008 - 8:00pm

Arab countries will ask for an urgent U.N. Security Council session to discuss Israeli settlement activity on land the Palestinians want for a future state, Arab foreign ministers said on Wednesday. "There will be an Arab request for a Security Council meeting to discuss the issue of settlements ... as soon as possible, hopefully this week," Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit told reporters. Aboul Gheit was speaking after a meeting of Arab foreign ministers on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

Most Palestinians reject ?Jordan option? - poll
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times
September 24, 2008 - 8:00pm

Over two-thirds of Palestinians living in the occupied territories reject any type of union with Jordan, according to a poll released earlier this week. According to the survey, released by Al Najah University Centre for Opinion Polls and Survey Studies on Monday, 66.8 per cent of Palestinians rejected the proposal, with 32.8 per cent saying they ?strongly reject? a union between the Palestinian territories and the Kingdom, the so-called ?Jordan option?.

Beyond Law and Order in Jenin
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Israel Policy Forum
by Sadie Goldman - September 24, 2008 - 8:00pm

"There is no mistaking the fact that this is a different kind of Jenin.? Instead of armed gangs that once controlled the streets, "one could sense the overwhelming presence of the Palestinian security force,? Amos Harel and Avi Issacharov wrote in Haaretzthis week.

Ritual Ramadan Dinner Becomes An Opportunity for Muslims to Reach Out
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward
by Nathan Guttman - September 24, 2008 - 8:00pm

It has been a busy month for some Muslim Americans. According to Muslim tradition, the holy month of Ramadan is marked by fasting from dawn to dusk, ending each day with a festive meal known as Iftar. According to an emerging American tradition, Iftar is a great opportunity to show respect to the Muslim community. The result: an increasing number of official Iftar dinners held by government agencies, local communities, universities and interfaith groups.

PM receives list of prisoners Israel will free for Shalit
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Roni Sofer - September 24, 2008 - 8:00pm

The Ramon Committee submitted a list to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Thursday afternoon consisting of the names of the 450 Palestinian prisoners Israel will free in exchange for kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit. The committee approved half of the names demanded by Hamas. The negotiations, however, are currently frozen as Hamas is refusing to cooperate with talk mediator Egypt.

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