Palestine united
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Star
(Editorial) April 30, 2011 - 12:00am


The nascent Palestinian reconciliation, to be consummated next Wednesday in Cairo, is a welcome step that should result in a unified and stronger push for statehood led by the right group – a united Palestinian people.


Editorial: Arabs and Uncle Sam
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News
(Editorial) May 2, 2011 - 12:00am


They in the West have a thing for opinion polls. In the latest of its opinion polls, the US-based Pew Research Center reports that views about the US in the Arab world remain as negative as ever despite the arrival of President Barack Obama and all the impossible dreams and sweet promises he offered before and after his election. Interestingly, the Pew researchers note with dismay, even after the recent apocalyptic events in the Middle East, there has been no remarkable change in people’s perceptions about Uncle Sam.


Hamas-Fatah Hug Gives Illusion of Unity
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bloomberg
by Aaron David Miller - (Opinion) May 1, 2011 - 12:00am


As spring breaks out for Palestinian unity, winter arrives for the Middle East peace process. The prospective Hamas-Fatah unity agreement was driven primarily by domestic politics: Both of these long-term rivals are seeking to energize their bases, preempt discontent on the streets and dangle the always-attractive illusion of Arab unity before their constituents.


GAZA STRIP: Hamas leadership says it will remain in Syria
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times
by Ahmed al-Dabba - April 30, 2011 - 12:00am


Hamas officials on Saturday denied reports that its top leaders are planning to move from Syria and relocate to Qatar or another Arab country. “The leadership will remain there," said Hamas spokesman Ismail Radwan. "As far as I know, we were not told to move to any other country.” The London-based Alhayat newspaper reported Saturday that the Syrian government demanded Hamas leaders, who have been based in Damascus for about a decade, leave. The newspaper said that Qatar had agreed to receive the movement’s politburo leader, Khaled Mashaal.


Israel suspends tax transfers to Palestinians
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post
by Joel Greenberg - May 1, 2011 - 12:00am


Israel moved against the reconciliation agreement between the Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas on Sunday, with the country’s finance minister saying he would delay the transfer of tax funds collected for the Palestinian Authority until it proves the money will not reach Hamas. The minister, Yuval Steinitz, said that he had postponed meetings between his staff and Palestinian officials and that the tax transfers, which constitute most of the authority’s revenue, would be put on hold until the destination of the money is clarified.



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