February 4th

Palestinians argue over elections as reconciliation efforts stuck
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
by Saud Abu Ramadan, Emad Drimly - February 3, 2011 - 1:00am

Leaders of various Palestinian political factions argued on Thursday over when to hold new presidential and legislative elections on the Palestinian territories, as efforts to achieve a reconciliation between rival Fatah and Hamas had been stalled for more than three years.

»

Rights group: PA banning freedom of expression
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
February 4, 2011 - 1:00am

A Palestinian rights group on Thursday warned of deteriorating freedom of expression in the West Bank, as the PA banned "unlicensed assembly" in response to rallies in solidarity with Egyptians. In a statement, the Palestinian Commission for Human Rights condemned the PA's closure of the demonstrations. On Wednesday, PA security forces shut down a rally in Ramallah, using batons to push demonstrators back and detaining at least two protesters. PCHR said a number of journalists were also detained at the event.

»

Fayyad: Occupation factor in regional instability
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
February 4, 2011 - 1:00am

Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad on Thursday said the failure to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict had contributed to unrest across the Middle East. Fayyad said protests across the region reflected people's desire for political reform and their legitimate aspirations for democracy. But while internal conditions sparked the wave of demonstrations across the Arab world, the PA premier said the ongoing occupation of Palestine was a source of growing despair for Arab people.

»

What Egypt's unrest could mean for Hamas
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Christian Science Monitor
by Joshua Mitnick - February 3, 2011 - 1:00am

As Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's grip on power slipped this week, Israelis and Palestinians are sizing up what a change in government in Cairo may mean for the Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Both Israel and the Palestinian Authority officials fear the empowerment of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt might prompt Cairo to ease access to Gaza, and help Hamas consolidate its rule there.

»

Ministers: Paris to host new Palestinian donor conference
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
February 4, 2011 - 1:00am

Paris will host a new international donor conference for a Palestinian state in June, ministers from donor countries and the so-called Quartet on the Middle East said following talks Thursday. "At the request of the PA, a new international donors? conference for the Palestinian State will be held in Paris in June 2011," a statement released after the talks said, referring to the Palestinian Authority. The group also "call on Israel to take more ambitious, structural measures to continue to ease access and movement" of Palestinians.

»

February 3rd

Palestinian leaders and media are largely quiet about events in Egypt. A Fatah official calls for a revolt in Gaza. Police in Ramallah suppress a rally. The PA insists it will set a date for local elections soon, but Hamas rejects the idea. Unrest in Egypt may pose new challenges to the peace process. Israel conducts military maneuvers in the occupied Golan Heights. Pres. Abbas repeats he will run for re-election. Ha'aretz looks at the remains of a Palestinian village from 1948. Arye Carmon, Mordechai Kremnitzer and Yedidia Stern say Israel's democracy is under threat. Asher Susser says shared fears about Palestinian demographics are driving Israel and Jordan apart. Mohammad K. Shiyyab says peace is essential for Jordan.

PA: Elections will go forward, date to be set
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
February 3, 2011 - 1:00am

Palestinian Authority Minister of Local Governance Khaled Al-Qawasmeh confirmed Wednesday that the West Bank government would make a decision on the date of municipal elections in the coming session of the Central Election Committee. The elections would likely come in May, the official said, at least two weeks earlier than the likely date an official from Fatah estimated speaking with Ma'an on Tuesday. Fatah Central Committee member Muhammad Al-Madani had said the PA was "adamant" that elections be held on July 17, 2011, one year after they were supposed to have taken place.

»

Israeli military maneuvers in Syrian Golan Heights
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
February 3, 2011 - 1:00am

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched wide-range military maneuvers in Syria's occupied Golan Heights, the Damascus Press news website reported Thursday. The IDF Wednesday started live-ammo land drill as hundreds of tanks and thousands of soldiers, backed by helicopters and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, massed to drill simulations of war.

»

Israeli military maneuvers in Syrian Golan Heights
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
February 3, 2011 - 1:00am

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched wide-range military maneuvers in Syria's occupied Golan Heights, the Damascus Press news website reported Thursday. The IDF Wednesday started live-ammo land drill as hundreds of tanks and thousands of soldiers, backed by helicopters and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, massed to drill simulations of war.

»

Egypt crisis spells trouble for Mideast peace
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
by Josef Federman - February 2, 2011 - 1:00am

Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has only recently and grudgingly accepted the idea of an independent Palestinian state next to Israel. With Egypt in flux, efforts to bring this about may soon go into deep freeze. Israel's main concern is whether its peace agreement with Egypt, which underpins its security in a hostile Arab world, can survive without President Hosni Mubarak at the helm.

»


American Task Force on Palestine - 1634 Eye St. NW, Suite 725, Washington DC 20006 - Telephone: 202-262-0017