November 28th

Poll shows Israel's Netanyahu romping in election ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press November 28, 2012 - 1:00am JERUSALEM — A new poll shows Israeli prime minister's hardline Likud Party handily winning the Jan. 22 elections despite the entry of a dovish new party into the race. » Read more

Turkey's Erdogan considers Gaza visit ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press November 28, 2012 - 1:00am ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey's prime minister says he may visit the Gaza Strip alongside Hamas' supreme leader, Khaled Mashaal. » Read more

Israel won't punish Palestinians for UN statehood bid ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Barak Ravid - November 28, 2012 - 1:00am Avigdor Lieberman was asked on Tuesday during a closed meeting what will happen tomorrow night. The questioner hoped to hear the foreign minster's assessment of the vote due to be held in the UN General Assembly on recognizing Palestine as a non-member observer state, but Lieberman replied with typical cynicism: "It will be a good soccer game." » Read more

Key players and positions on Palestinian statehood ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press by Lori Hinnant - November 28, 2012 - 1:00am The vote is largely symbolic, the outcome nearly assured: The Palestinians and Israelis are closely watching the evolving positions of a few key countries in Thursday’s U.N. General Assembly resolution to raise the Palestinians’ status from a U.N. observer to a nonmember observer state. The United States and Israel are strongly opposed, saying they fear it will only slow progress toward a peace deal. » Read more

Palestinians predict historic UN vote on statehood ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press November 27, 2012 - 1:00am UNITED NATIONS — The Palestinians predicted a historic U.N. vote recognizing their statehood this week, praising important new support from France on Tuesday and likely backing from other European nations seen as critical to enhancing their international standing. » Read more

Spain to recognize Palestinian state at UN ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press November 28, 2012 - 1:00am MADRID — Spain's foreign minister says Spain will vote in favor of recognition of a Palestinian state at the U.N. General Assembly this week. » Read more

France to Vote in Favor of Palestinians’ U.N. Bid ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Christine Hauser, Scott Sayare - November 27, 2012 - 1:00am PARIS — Support in Europe for a heightened Palestinian profile at the United Nations grew on Tuesday when the French government said it would vote in favor of the Palestinians’ bid for nonmember observer status, embracing a move that Israel and the United States have opposed. » Read more

Gaza factions to join rally supporting UN bid ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency November 28, 2012 - 1:00am GAZA CITY (Ma’an) – Representatives of all Palestinian factions on Tuesday held a meeting in Gaza City during which all factions agreed to organize a joint rally raising Palestinian flags only to show support to the Palestinian statehood bid. Member of the politburo of the Palestinian People’s Party Walid al-Awad told Ma’an that factions would submit a memo to the government in Gaza about the rally, planned for Thursday. » Read more

Palestinians: No rush to join int'l court after UN ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters November 28, 2012 - 1:00am UNITED NATIONS - The Palestinians will not rush to sign up to the International Criminal Court if they win a UN status upgrade on Thursday, but warned that seeking action against Israel in the court would remain an option, said the Palestinian UN observer. » Read more

Ashrawi says PLO has submitted UN bid ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency November 28, 2012 - 1:00am BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- The PLO has submitted a final draft resolution to the UN General Assembly, PLO Executive Committee member Hanan Ashrawi said Tuesday. Ashrawi told Ma'an the final resolution was submitted on Monday afternoon to the UN in New York, requesting an upgrade of Palestine's UN status to an "observer state." The UN General Assembly is expected to pass the resolution on Thursday. » Read more