November 29th

The enemy within: life under Hamas
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Independent
by Donald MacIntyre - November 28, 2010 - 1:00am


He seemed to come from nowhere, walking at a fast pace across the junction where we were parked in the heart of the crowded refugee camp. Alerted to the registration number of our taxi, he opened a back door and slipped into the rear seat. "Let's get out of here," he said. "There are eyes everywhere."


Israel tries to clean up its image abroad
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Independent
by Catrina Stewart - November 29, 2010 - 1:00am


Israel's ultra-nationalist Foreign Minister is proposing a major new public relations drive in Europe aimed at bolstering Israel's flagging image. The campaign, expected to launch early in the new year, would rely on teams of volunteers in Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Spain to deliver Israel's message, while professionals from public relations and lobbying firms would also be hired to for the rebranding initiative.


B'tselem hands Naalin shooting tape to police
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Naama Cohen-Friedman - November 28, 2010 - 1:00am


The B'tselem organization handed over a tape in which an IDF soldier is seen shooting at the foot of a bound Palestinian protestor in Naalin, two and a half years after it was recorded. The police are expected to give the tape, which shows Staff Sgt. Leonardo Corea firing at the order of Lt. Colonel Omri Burberg, to forensics for an objective investigation.


Beyond Green Line: Apartments instead of hotel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Ronen Medzini - November 29, 2010 - 1:00am


The Jerusalem Local Planning and Building Committee on Monday gave its approval to build 130 housing units in an area located beyond the Green Line, between the neighborhoods of Gilo and Beit Safafa. The area was previously designated for the construction of hotels.


Palestinians: Gaza war claim exposed by WikiLeaks is untrue
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Barak Ravid - November 29, 2010 - 1:00am


There were never any actual consultations between us and the Israelis before the Gaza war, a top aid to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said on Monday, refuting a WikiLeaks cable that claimed otherwise. One of the documents included in the over 250,000 diplomatic cables between the United States and its allies which were leaked on Sunday said that Israel tried to coordinate Operation Cast Lead with both Fatah and Egypt.


Israeli fire wounds four Gazans
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
November 28, 2010 - 1:00am


GAZA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli army on Sunday shot and wounded four Palestinians who were digging for gravel in northern Gaza Strip, a medical official said. Adham Abu Selmia of the medical services said that the four workers were moderately injured. A spokesman of the Israeli army said that the four approached the security fence that separates Israel and Gaza. The shooting took place near Erez crossing point and the Israeli authorities shut the passengers' gate briefly.


First shipment of Gaza roses, berries leaves to Europe
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
November 28, 2010 - 1:00am


GAZA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Two trucks, carrying flowers and strawberries, left the Gaza Strip Sunday towards Netherlands as the first limited export from the besieged territory, an official said. The trucks, with their load of 20,000 roses and five tons of strawberries, left through Kerem Shalom crossing in southeast Gaza. Mahmoud Khalil, a representative of farmers, said the agricultural products would be sold in the European markets, mainly in Holland. Israel has barred export since 2007, but it is now allowing the seasonal export of Gaza's flora for the second time since then.


Livni: Wikileaks proves "common interest" in ending Israeli-Palestinian conflict
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
November 29, 2010 - 1:00am


JERUSALEM, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Israeli opposition leader Tsipi Livni said Monday that it is "obvious now that there is a common interest in ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," in reference to dozens of U.S. State Department cables dealing with assessments of diplomatic maneuvers in the areas released by WikiLeaks overnight. The documents are part of what is being described as the largest leak of official documents in history.


Blair: Israel must do more to ease Gaza blockade
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Statesman
by Karin Laub - November 28, 2010 - 1:00am


RAMALLAH, WEST BANK — Israel needs to do more to ease its blockade of Gaza and allow exports from the Hamas-ruled territory, international Mideast envoy Tony Blair said in an interview Sunday, after meeting with the Israeli prime minister. The former British prime minister told the Associated Press that he hopes to see progress soon, noting that exports are crucial for reviving Gaza's battered economy. "There has been significant change in Gaza, but not nearly as much as we need," he said.


In leaked cable, Egypt says factions unserious on unity
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
November 29, 2010 - 1:00am


GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- The Egyptian official charged with reconciling rival Palestinian factions judged in 2009 that neither Fatah nor Hamas wanted a unity deal, a leaked document revealed Sunday. A US diplomatic cable, one of more than a quarter million obtained by the whistleblower group WikiLeaks recounts a meeting between CENTCOM commander Gen. David Patraeus and Egypt's intelligence chief Omar Suleiman in Cairo in June 2009. "Reconciliation remains elusive, he [Suleiman] noted, as neither Hamas nor Fatah really want an agreement," the document states.



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