August 20th

Those forced from their land need a common voice ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National by Jesse Rosenfeld - August 20, 2010 - 12:00am It has been just over a year since Israeli settlers backed by the courts began evicting and taking over the homes of Palestinian families in the Sheik Jarrah neighbourhood of occupied East Jerusalem. In response, neighbourhood residents have been joined by Israeli and international activists in weekly demonstrations, inspired by the protests against Israel’s Wall in the West Bank towns of Bi’lin and Ni’lin. » Read more

Before we talk to Hamas ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian by Ron Prosor - August 20, 2010 - 12:00am Groucho Marx famously quipped: "Those are my principles, and if you don't like them … well, I have others." The International Quartet (the US, the UN, Russia and the EU) has long applied three principles Hamas must adopt to take part in negotiations. It must renounce violence, recognise Israel and abide by previous agreements between Israel and the Palestinians. At no point has Hamas satisfied these conditions – or indicated any intention to do so. » Read more

Mideast Quartet sees treaty deal within a year ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters August 20, 2010 - 12:00am A Middle East treaty creating a Palestinian state at peace with Israel can be completed in one year of negotiations, say major powers who were due on Friday to invite both parties to start talks in two weeks. The Quartet -- the United States, European Union, Russia and United Nations -- were due to issue a statement later on Friday confirming that President Barack Obama would invite the Palestinian and Israel leaders to Washington on Sept 2. » Read more

Survey: 'The whole world is against us' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Yoni Cohen - August 19, 2010 - 12:00am Fifty-six percent of Jewish Israelis believe that "the whole world is against us," according to a recent Peace Index survey published on Thursday. The Peace Index project is conducted under the auspices of the Evens Program for Conflict Resolution at Tel Aviv University and the Israel Democracy Institute. Many Israeli Jews believe that the world will continue to be critical of Israel with 77% saying that it does not make difference what Israel does and how far it will go on the Palestinian issue. » Read more

Ex-soldier in Facebook scandal would 'gladly kill Arabs' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency August 20, 2010 - 12:00am The ex-soldier criticized for uploading photos of herself on Facebook posing with Palestinian detainees wrote that she would "gladly kill Arabs – even butcher them" the Israeli press said Thursday. Eden Abergil attracted attention when photographs depicting her smiling in front of blindfolded, handcuffed Palestinians, in an album titled "IDF - Best years of my life" were publicized on a blog, and later in international media. » Read more

Paying for the ‘price-tag’ policy ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Mohamed Alasmar - August 18, 2010 - 12:00am It is no secret that over the course of the past several months, Israeli settlers in the West Bank have randomly attacked Palestinian villagers and their property after their government makes decisions they oppose. Settlers who resist the government’s limited attempts to implement the partial freeze of settlement expansion have adopted what they call the “price tag” policy, an irrational and indiscriminate policy applied against Palestinians who have no role in Israeli decision-making processes. » Read more

PLO defends Abbas statements on Jewish rights ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency August 20, 2010 - 12:00am The PLO responded Wednesday to a letter to Mahmoud Abbas authored and endorsed by Palestinian academics and intellectuals questioning the Ramallah-based government's ability to lead. The 22 July letter, signed by dozens of scholars, activists, and civil society leaders, specifically expressed concerns that Abbas had denied Palestinians their basic rights and accepted an "exclusive Jewish claim to Palestine" in remarks during a conversation with American Jews in the US capital. » Read more

Dozens faint during prayers under Ramadan sun ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency August 20, 2010 - 12:00am Tens of thousands of Palestinians lined up at West Bank checkpoints early on Friday morning, waiting to be granted access to the holy city of Jerusalem for prayer on the second Friday of Ramadan. Officials at the Islamic Waqf office estimated 150,000 worshipers gathered in the Old City mosque for prayer, while Israeli estimates put the number at 95,000. » Read more

Arab states cut aid to PA ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz August 20, 2010 - 12:00am Arab states have cut financial aid to the Palestinian Authority so far this year and the United Nations has warned of a looming Palestinian cash crisis. "The Arabs are not paying. We urge them to meet their financial pledges," said Saleh Rafat, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization's executive committee and one of the few Palestinian officials willing to speak out on the matter. Arab government officials declined to comment on the issue. » Read more

Israeli-Palestinian peace talks expected to resume in September ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post by Douglas Hamilton - August 20, 2010 - 12:00am Israelis and Palestinians will be invited Friday to begin direct peace talks in two weeks in Washington, a diplomatic source said Thursday night. Both sides were expected to attend the talks, which would begin Sept. 2, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Envoys from the so-called Quartet of powers -- the United States, the European Union, Russia and the United Nations -- agreed to the details Thursday, the source said, adding that President Obama would be present at the talks. The White House declined to comment Thursday. » Read more