November 3rd

Jewish-Arab relations in Israel hit boiling point
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Statesman
by Diaa Hadid - November 2, 2010 - 12:00am

Relations between Israel's Jewish majority and its Arab minority have never been warm, but they appear to have hit a new low that has activists on both sides worried the troubled relationship is beyond repair. In the past month alone, Israeli lawmakers have introduced a series of bills that aim to marginalize Arabs. Rabbis in a northern town have urged followers not to rent homes to Arabs. Extremist Jews marched through this town and set off a violent riot. And a prominent Arab activist has admitted in a plea bargain to spying for the Lebanese guerrilla group Hezbollah.

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Hague breaks protocol to meet Palestinian activists
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Independent
by Donald MacIntyre - (Opinion) November 3, 2010 - 12:00am

William Hague, the British Foreign Secretary, is to take the unusual step today of meeting Palestinian activists involved in regular unarmed protests and demonstrations against the Israeli occupation of the West Bank.

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Palestinian PM stakes claim to east Jerusalem
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Statesman
by Mohammed Daraghmeh - November 2, 2010 - 12:00am

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad on Tuesday staked a claim to Israeli-controlled east Jerusalem, announcing that his government quietly helped fund the renovation of 14 schools in what the Palestinians hope will be their capital. However, Fayyad stopped short of a full-fledged confrontation with Israel. He heeded an Israeli warning not to set foot in Jerusalem for the announcement and instead chose a West Bank school on the edge of the city as a venue.

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PLO official: Dissolving PA an option
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
November 2, 2010 - 12:00am

PLO negotiator Nabil Sha'ath said Tuesday that dissolving the Palestinian Authority would be considered as a last resort if efforts to end Israel's occupation failed. The Fatah official told Ma'an radio that if the PA was unable to meet its responsibilities, it would be shameful to retain authority. "Its decisions are shot down by the occupation, as the people of the West Bank can’t visit Gaza and Gazans can’t live in the West Bank. It is not permitted for anyone to build a new Palestinian village or city, which is unacceptable."

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Gaza medics: Israeli forces shoot mentally disabled man
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
November 3, 2010 - 12:00am

A mentally disabled man was shot Tuesday by Israeli forces east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, medics said. Gaza medical services spokesman Adham Abu Silmiyya said the 40-year-old man was transferred to hospital. An Israeli military spokesman said soldiers saw a Palestinian approaching the security fence in the area, and shot at his lower body after he failed to respond to warning shots. The army considers the area close to the border to be a combat zone, he added.

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Egypt intelligence chief to visit Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
November 3, 2010 - 12:00am

Egyptian intelligence chief Omer Suleiman will arrive in Israel on Thursday in an attempt to break an impasse in Palestinian-Israeli negotiations, news reports say. Suleiman is to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak to discuss ways of resuming negotiations, Egyptian reports said. Suleiman is expected to explain to Israeli officials that the impasse will result in violence that will harm both Palestinians and Israelis. News of Suleiman's visit was first reported Monday by Israeli media.

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Israel: Defying Ban, Palestinians Renovate East Jerusalem Schools
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Ethan Bronner - November 2, 2010 - 12:00am

Prime Minister Salam Fayyad of the Palestinian Authority said Tuesday that the authority had helped renovate 14 schools in East Jerusalem, in defiance of Israeli claims of sovereignty over the area and its ban on Palestinian political activity there. He went to a school in Dahyiat al Barid, on Jerusalem’s outskirts, to dedicate a section the authority had helped renovate, but Israel barred him from entering a refugee camp within the municipal boundaries for another ceremony. He said at the dedication that it did not matter if he was stopped.

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November 2nd

Israeli right-wingers create their own tea parties. There are more signs of revival in Nablus. Palestinians and Israeli human rights groups accuse Israel of abusing Palestinian prisoners. Israel bans PM Fayyad from Jerusalem ceremonies. Fateh and Hamas officials will meet soon in Damascus. Egypt is reportedly pressing Palestinians to present a comprehensive peace plan. Amir Oren says the US is subtlety linking settlements and Israel¹s nuclear arsenal for the first time. Deputy PM Meridor cancels a UK trip for fear of arrest. PM Netanyahu says the settlement issue is on hold. Israel pressures the PA to prosecute Palestinian suspects. Gaza businesses are suffering due to an export ban. The Forward looks at controversy over Ahava cosmetics manufactured in the occupied territories. Hassan Barari concludes that prospects for a peace agreement are bleak.

New Palestinian peace plan may force Israel into action
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Akiva Eldar - November 2, 2010 - 12:00am

Benjamin Netanyahu has adopted the worn-out tactic of soccer coaches: the best defense is a good offense. Instead of offering reasons for his refusal to freeze construction in the settlements, the prime minister is attacking the Palestinians for deciding to end negotiations. The story goes as follows. A few days ago we reported that Netanyahu's representative to talks with the Palestinians and Americans, Isaac Molho, refused to accept a Palestinian position paper on core issues - including the division of Jerusalem - from the head of the Palestinian delegation, Saeb Erekat.

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Obama's message to Israel: Freeze settlements or get rid of Dimona
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Amir Oren - (Opinion) November 2, 2010 - 12:00am

Maj. Gen. Benny Gantz will retire from his post as deputy chief of staff at the end of the month and begin his demobilization leave. It is hard to believe he will be offered another senior defense post. In the view of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak, his strategic approach is too moderate, just like that of his boss, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi. The chief of staff and his deputy failed to volunteer grave security assessments and enthusiastic recommendations for operations to their political superiors.

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