March 3rd

On brink of next intifada ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Shaul Mishal - (Opinion) March 3, 2010 - 1:00am There are fears that Jerusalem will be turning into the focal point of an outburst that would prompt the next intifada. It will be a civilian rather than armed intifada, although it may certainly escalate into a bloody uprising. This intifada may spread like wildfire across the rest of the West Bank and its main centers of activity will be protests around the settlements and mostly near the security fence. Bilin will turn into a focal point that will spread along the fence area. » Read more

US praises PM's intervention in Silwan dispute ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews March 3, 2010 - 1:00am The US State Department on Tuesday praised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's intervention in the Silwan dispute after he asked Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat to postpone the implementation of the mayor's plan. According to the plan, some buildings constructed without a permit in the al-Bustan neighborhood of Silwan in east Jerusalem will be demolished, and in their place an archeological park will be established. » Read more

Netanyahu: Conditions ripening for renewal of Mideast peace talks ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press March 3, 2010 - 1:00am Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday welcomed the Arab League decision to support U.S.-brokered indirect peace talks with the Palestinians. "It seems that the conditions are ripening for the renewal of negotiations between us and the Palestinians," he told the Knesset, during a special session Wednesday. "In the Middle East you need two to tango, but it could be that we need three to tango and we might need to leapfrog at first but the obstacle isn't and never was Israel." Advertisement » Read more

How will the next Palestinian uprising look? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Amira Hass - (Analysis) March 3, 2010 - 1:00am Judging from articles written by both Israelis and Palestinians, the next intifada is already in the air. They are predicting it is on the way and the most punctilious know it will be "popular." Bil'in and Na'alin are perceived as its models. » Read more

Israel's apartheid doesn't stop at the West Bank ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Salman Masalha - (Opinion) March 3, 2010 - 1:00am Here is a civics lesson about the Zionist heritage, which has recently basked in the limelight of another government decision. » Read more

Israeli PM vows not to cede Jordan River Valley ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua March 3, 2010 - 1:00am Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday said that his country would never cede the control of Jordan River Valley under any possible peace deal with the Palestinians, reported local daily Ha'aretz. » Read more

PNA denies tensed ties with Arab countries ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua March 3, 2010 - 1:00am A senior Palestinian National Authority (PNA) official denied on Tuesday reports that the ties between the PNA and Tunisia have been tensed due to political differences. "The ties between the two sides are strong and continuous and there is full ongoing diplomatic coordination," said Nemer Hammad, an aid to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Arab media reports said on Monday that there is tension in he diplomatic ties between the PNA on one hand, Tunisia, Libya and Syria on the other, adding that the three countries refused to receive Abbas this week. » Read more

Israeli forces kill Islamic Jihad militant in West Bank ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua March 3, 2010 - 1:00am slamic Jihad's military wing chief was killed early Wednesday during an Israeli army raid in Jenin city in northern West Bank, a source said. The source of Islamic Jihad who declined to give his name said the Israeli forces rolled into several neighborhoods in the town and conducted a house-to-house search that included a home where two Islamic Jihad militants had taken refuge. » Read more

Nazzal: Israel to approve 30,000 housing units on occupied land ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency March 2, 2010 - 1:00am Israeli authorities aim to approve the construction of a 30,000 housing unit for religious Israelis in the industrial area of Atarot and Qalandiya, after excavating the site, the follow-up director of the popular committee against the wall and settlements said Tuesday. Mohammad Nazzal said the plan was uncovered by an Israeli journalist, who detailed his findings on Israeli TV. The decision, Nazzal said, was reached between the Israeli mayor of Jerusalem, Nir Barkat, and members of Knesset, the Israeli parliament. » Read more

Abbas urges Arabs to protect Jerusalem ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency March 3, 2010 - 1:00am President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday urged delegates to the Arab summit scheduled later this month to challenge Israel's designation of West Bank landmarks as "Israeli heritage sites." Following a meeting with his Egyptian counterpart, the president said "Arabs and Muslims must protect Jerusalem's holy places, and its residents, because they too are evicted from their homes and stripped of their identities." » Read more