July 2nd

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.

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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.

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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.

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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." 

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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.

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Jerusalem 'bulldozer Terrorist' Was Palestinian Father-of-two Hossam Dawiath
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Times
by Sheera Frenkel - July 2, 2008 - 4:01pm

A Palestinian construction worker at the wheel of a digger went on a rampage in central Jerusalem today, killing at least three people and injuring 45 in an act that brought terror back to the streets of Israel. Hossam Dwayyat, a 31-year-old Arab resident of East Jerusalem, wrought havoc on one of Jerusalem’s main thoroughfares, driving into oncoming traffic and leaving a trail of mangled vehicles in his wake.

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July 1st

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).

Bill Calling For Israeli Withdrawals Only By Referendum Approved In First Reading
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Amnon Meranda - July 1, 2008 - 4:02pm

A bill stating that a referendum will be held before the ceding of any land belonging to the State of Israel has been approved in its preliminary reading by the Knesset on Monday. The motion was approved with a majority of 65 MKs, and was opposed by 18. According to the bill, if the government approves the ceding of Israeli land the decision will be brought before the Knesset, and if it is approved by the Knesset, a referendum will be held within 180 days. However, should a withdrawal be supported by at least 80 MKs, the matter will not be brought to a referendum.

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Bill Banning Those Who Visit Enemy States From Knesset Duty Approved
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Amnon Meranda - July 1, 2008 - 3:57pm

The Knesset passed a bill on Monday determining that any Israeli citizen who visits enemy territory without a proper permit will not be able to serve in the Knesset for seven years.

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Assad: Peace Talks Need New Push
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Roni Sofer - July 1, 2008 - 3:54pm

Following the approval of the prisoner swap deal with Hizbullah, negotiations with Syria have undergone developments. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's envoys to Turkey, Yoram Turbowicz and Shalom Turgeman, are set to leave for the third round of indirect talks with Syria. On Monday Syrian President Bashar Assad dubbed the political climate in the Middle East "positive", and called on the EU to increase its involvement in the peace talks with Israel.

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