August 6th

Peace Would Curb Palestinian Need for Donors, Abbas Aide Says
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bloomberg
by Jonathan Ferziger - August 6, 2010 - 12:00am


The Palestinian economy may grow 20 percent annually if there is peace with Israel and become less dependent on international donors, said Mohammad Mustafa, who runs the Palestinian Authority’s main investment fund. In the meantime, Palestinians are pushing ahead with development of a new West Bank financial center and what may become the biggest initial public offering yet when mobile phone operator Wataniya Palestine Telecom sells shares before the end of the year.


At the crossroads to peace and war in the Middle East
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Michael B. Oren - August 6, 2010 - 12:00am


Rarely have the lines in the Middle East's sands been drawn so distinctly. Arrayed on one side is the peace-seeking camp that opposes militant extremism and favors direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians. On the other are the organizations, many of them surrogates for Iran, that work to undermine moderate governments and violently impede any effort for peace.


Stand against Israel's extremists
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Washington Jewish Week
by Ori Nir - (Opinion) August 6, 2010 - 12:00am


Israeli soldiers last week again had to chase lawless settlers on the hills of the West Bank. This time, it was settlers from Yitzhar and Bracha, near Nablus, who vandalized Palestinian property, blocked roads, torched fields, sabotaged Israel Defense Forces vehicles, punched, kicked Israeli police officers, cursed and harassed them and resisted arrest -- all in reaction to the demolition of two illegally built structures at an outpost near Yitzhar.


From intifada hub to model Palestinian city: How Jenin turned around
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Christian Science Monitor
by Joshua Mitnick - August 6, 2010 - 12:00am


In a dramatic turnaround, the Palestinian city that served as the heart of the second intifada now boasts a new shopping mall. A return of Israeli Jewish shoppers after nearly a decade appears imminent and – as of today – the city boasts its first cinema.


ATFP Launches New Online Palestinian State and Institution Building Resources
Press Release - Contact Information: Hussein Ibish - August 6, 2010 - 12:00am

The American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) is pleased to announce the launching of a new section of its website devoted to compiling resources on the Palestinian state and institution building program. As far as we are aware this is the first effort to compile comprehensive set of resources on the Palestinian state building program.


August 5th

Obama Administration Presses Palestinians To Enter Direct Talks With Israel
Media Mention of Hussein Ibish In The Jewish Daily Forward - August 5, 2010 - 12:00am

State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley strove hard to hit the right note August 2 in describing the Obama administration’s recent effort to push the Palestinians into direct peace talks with Israel.


Israeli-Turkish trade remains brisk in spite of tensions. Settlers turn to violence during the dismantling of an unauthorized outpost. Israeli forces demolish rebuilt Palestinian structures in the Jordan Valley. The PA Telecommunications Minister apologizes for harassment of TV and radio stations in Nablus. Israel arrests three Arabs accused of espionage for Syria. Hamas again denounces direct negotiations. Pres. Mubarak remains at the center of efforts to establish direct talks including a phone call with Pres. Obama, and Palestinians say negotiations on terms of reference are proceeding. PM Netanyahu vows to retaliate against Hamas for recent rocket attacks. Israeli police suspect an accused Jewish terrorist was part of a larger cell. Palestinian leaders in Israel threaten a national strike over discriminatory budget cuts, and a new study finds at-risk Arab students receive much less funding than Jewish ones. D. Bloomfield says Pres. Abbas' hesitation greatly assists Netanyahu. Gaza human rights groups blame Hamas for a large explosion. Israel plans to fight international isolation. Abdul Rahman Al-Rashed says Abbas must make some tough decisions. Michael Jansen says direct talks could be a trap for the Palestinians.

Arab authorities threaten state-wide strike
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
August 4, 2010 - 12:00am


Arab authority heads protested Wednesday in front of the Prime Minister's Residence in Jerusalem, against what they claim are discriminatory budget cuts. Union of Local Authorities chairman Shlomo Buhbut warned that if the government did not transfer more funds to the Arab authorities, he would start a general strike of all local authorities, including the Jewish ones, as well as the schools.


Is Bibi becoming a dove?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by D. Bloomfield - August 5, 2010 - 12:00am


Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has done what Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu could never do for himself – transform the Israeli leader’s image from hawk to dove. And he had help from American, European and even Arab leaders who are urging Abbas to quit dawdling and meet the Israeli prime minister at the peace table. The Obama administration weighed in Monday with State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley publicly warning Abbas “there are consequences to failing to take advantage of this opportunity.”


Report: Arab children shortchanged by social services
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Ruth Eglash - August 5, 2010 - 12:00am


Children at risk in the Arab sector are less likely to get assistance from social welfare services than Jewish children in similar situations, according to a study published on Wednesday by Sikkuy – The Association for the Advancement of Civic Equality in Israel. “The Ministry of Welfare and Social Services operates an unequal policy in caring for Jewish and Arab children at risk,” according to the study, which was presented at the organization’s annual conference in Haifa.



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