May 28th

An ATFP translation from Al-ayyam daily looks at the tension between Fatah and the Fayyad government (1). The pressure continues to build on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (3). Desmond Tutu condemns Israel’s Gaza blockade (4). Salaam Fayyad addresses the graduation ceremony for the most recent class of the Palestinian National Security Forces (6). The Israel Policy Forum hails the recent Palestine Investment Conference (7).

One Country Or Two?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-ayyam
by Qays Abd Al-kareem (abu Leila) - (Opinion) May 28, 2008 - 6:26pm


Talking about a onestate solution, as opposed to a two-state solution, would be escaping forward and avoiding all the hard obstacles that are facing the Palestinian struggle for liberation, instead of actually allowing us to deal with and resolve these obstacles. The reality is that a one state solution, if it is wanted to be truly democratic and ensure racial equality between both people, cannot be achieved without having to go through a two-state solution first.


Amnesty: Israel Harms Palestinian Civilians, Exploits Foreigners
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
May 28, 2008 - 6:19pm


An Amnesty International report released on Wednesday finds that Israel attacks innocent Palestinian civilians, exploits foreigners and subverts the general right to freedom of employment. In its annual annual report on the state of the world's human rights, Amnesty writes that six decades after world leaders unanimously signed the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the record is dismal and urgent action is needed to prevent global chaos.


Lebanon Falls... And The West Bank Rises
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Ephraim Sneh - (Opinion) May 28, 2008 - 6:18pm


Amid the excitement of the latest events - including the announcement of negotiations with Syria and the developments in the latest Olmert corruption scandal - not enough attention was paid to the most significant event of last week: the fall of Lebanon in oil-rich Qatar.


Gaza: 2 Hamas Gunmen Killed In Idf Strike
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Hanan Greenberg - May 28, 2008 - 6:14pm


Two Hamas gunmen were killed Wednesday morning as IDF troops clashed with armed Palestinian groups in southern Gaza. Over a dozen mortar shells were fired at Israeli ground forces operating in the region near the Sufa border crossing in the early morning hours as well as sporadic small arms attacks. Troops were able to get a fix on the point of origin of the mortar barrages and the IAF launched a counterstrike against the cell, killing two gunmen


Farmers Under Qassam Fire Stop Shipments Of Food To Gaza
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Yonat Atlas - May 28, 2008 - 6:13pm


A large group of farmers from communities in southern Israel under constant bombardment from Gaza's terror groups arrived at the Sufa border crossing and prevented the transfer of provisions into the Strip. Ailing Aid     The farmers said they were demonstrating against Israel's policy of continuing to ship aid into Gaza while rocket attacks continue to emanate from the territory.


Report: Israel, Syria Agree On 85% Of Issues
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Roee Nahmias - May 28, 2008 - 6:12pm


A senior Israeli source, who took part in unofficial Turkey-mediated talks between Israel and Syria, has said that the two sides are discussing a border line which will be based on the June 4 1967 borders and the future of the Golan Heights' residents, the London-based Arabic-language al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper reported Wednesday. The source confirmed that "serious progress has been made in the talks."


More Than 3,000 Israeli Demolition Orders Pending
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
May 28, 2008 - 6:10pm


More than 3,000 Israeli demolition orders are pending against Palestinian-owned structures in the West Bank and 10 small communities are at risk of being almost entirely displaced by demolitions, a UN agency said in a report Tuesday. From 2000 to 2007, Israel demolished more than 1,600 Palestinian-owned structures, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). During the same period, Israel denied 94 per cent of Palestinian requests for building permits, the agency said, citing Israeli government figures.


An Unmentionable Truce?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Middle East Times
by Sadie Goldman With Jason Proetorius And Ipf Staff - (Opinion) May 28, 2008 - 6:09pm


A Hamas-Israel ceasefire could be on its way, but you wouldn't know it. No press conference will be held to announce it. Instead, quiet on Gaza's borders – no rockets going out, no Israeli fire going in – will serve as the declaration that the ceasefire has begun. But this quiet will come with a tension that at any moment the ceasefire could end. And once that happens, major confrontation can be expected. The Ceasefire That Shall Not Be Mentioned


Syria: Olmert's Political Weakness May Affect Recently Renewed Peace Talks
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
May 28, 2008 - 6:09pm


The recently revived peace talks between Syria and Israel may be hindered by the weakness of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, beleaguered by a political crisis, Syrian analysts said Wednesday. The Syrian comment came shortly after Defense Minister Ehud Barak urged Olmert to step down or face early elections in light of the corruption investigation currently underway against him.



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