ATFP Board Member Daoud Kuttab explains the ongoing centrality of the occupation to Palestinian lives and thinking (1). Disputes emerge among Hamas leaders (2), while the PA contemplates elections in the West Bank only if Hamas blocks them in Gaza (7). Reports suggest economic growth in the West Bank (5) and growing distress in Gaza (6). A UN official compares the Israeli occupation to apartheid in South Africa (4), while Israeli soldiers are again caught on tape abusing Palestinian civilians (3).
Brent Scowcroft and Zbigniew Brzezinski argue in the Washington Post that President Obama's team should move quickly on Israeli-Palestinian peace (1). Israel allows limited amounts of fuel and food aid into Gaza (2). Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says he may call for elections in 2009 (3). Outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Ehud OImert is in Washington for a farewell meeting with outgoing President Bush (4). An internal report by the Israeli government reportedly recommends peace talks with Syria (5).
The Daily Star features an op-ed by ATFP President, Dr. Ziad Asali (1). Israel heightens security in the West Bank town of Hebron in anticipation of 25,000 Jewish pilgrims, amidst the recent increase in settler violence (2). Hamas’ leader insists that Gaza wants the truce to hold with Israel, so long as it is reciprocated (4). The chief of UNRWA warns that Gaza is on the brink of a humanitarian “catastrophe” if Israel continues its blockade (5). The Christian Science Monitor examines the addition of women to the Palestinian Security Forces (6). An op-ed in the Daily Star lauds Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ decision to advertise the Arab peace plan in Israeli papers (7).
The BBC examines how the Israeli blockade is affecting Gazans (1). Meanwhile, a protest against it in Amman, Jordan draws thousands (8) and King Abdullah also joins Palestinian President Abbas in condemning the blockade (9). Israeli police remove a tent set up in protest by a Palestinian family recently evicted from their home (2). A group of extremist Jewish settlers desecrate a Palestinian mosque (3). The PLO places advertisements in Israeli papers promoting the Arab peace plan (4). A pair of polls show Netanyahu’s Likud party with a slight edge over Livni’s Kadima party in the run-up to February elections (6). Leaders of the world’s largest media organizations file a formal protest with Prime Minister Olmert over the banning of foreign journalists from Gaza (7).
The Foreign Press Association challenges Israel’s prohibition on foreign journalists entering Gaza (1). Israel reseals Gaza border crossings, although United Nations food distribution is allowed to resume (2) (4). A collection of articles discuss the mounting tension between settlers and the State of Israel (3) (7) (10) The military wing of Hamas claims that they are ready to end the cease-fire, but political sources deny the claim (9).