Palestinian prisoners portraits underscore absence ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press by Dusan Vranic - May 13, 2012 - 12:00am KUFR RAI, West Bank — For the thousands of Palestinian families who have a relative in Israeli detention, a photograph is the only real contact with their loved ones. In homes, the images are usually decked in elaborate frames alongside the portraits of dead ancestors, marking the conspicuous absence of the prisoners. » Read more

Deal looks near to end Palestianian hunger strike ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press by Ian Deitch - May 13, 2012 - 12:00am JERUSALEM — Egyptian and Palestinian officials said Sunday they were close to reaching a deal with Israel that would end a mass hunger strike by Palestinians in Israeli jails. Some 1,600 Palestinian prisoners are on strike, most for a month, but three have refused food for more than 70 days. They launched the strike to press their demands for better conditions and an end to detention without trial. » Read more

Tony Blair urges Israel to keep hunger strikers alive ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Independent by Donald MacIntyre - May 14, 2012 - 12:00am Tony Blair has stepped into the crisis triggered by a mass hunger strike of Palestinian prisoners, pressing Israel to take steps to prevent the "tragic" outcome of any of them dying. » Read more

West Bank Leader Says Security Forces Can’t Get Guns ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Jodi Rudoren - May 12, 2012 - 12:00am RAMALLAH, West Bank — President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority said Saturday that his security forces were struggling because » Read more