NEWS: Hundreds of Palestinians are facing eviction to make way for an Israeli firing range in the occupied West Bank, and PM Fayyad urges EU leaders to intervene. PLO officials say upgrading Palestine's status at the UN to that of nonmember observer state doesn't contradict a two-state solution, but Pres. Abbas may have agreed to delay any such effort until after the US presidential elections. Hamas leaders are asking Egypt to open the crossing with Gaza. Because of Israel's blockade, books have become a rare commodity in Gaza. A bomb is detonated near Israeli soldiers on the Gaza border without any reported injuries. Palestinian families are fleeing Syria to escape the fighting. A Palestinian-American woman was among the shooting victims in Colorado. A PA investigation concludes that violence against protesters last month was unjustified. GOP candidate Romney condemns Pres. Obama for “lecturing” Israeli leaders. A Jerusalem family is keeping up the tradition of firing a cannon to signal the end of fasting during Ramadan. COMMENTARY: Ruth Marcus says Israel's approach to African migrants is a moral failure. Brandon Davis looks at a new documentary about the life of the late Pres. Arafat. Carlo Strenger says Israel's right is likely to stay in power. Michael Sfard says Israel's crackdown on OCHA is part of a larger assault on democracy. Ben Caspit asks what if PM Rabin had lived. Eli Avidar says Israel stands to gain from the downfall of Pres. Assad. Tom Phillips lists 10 reasons why there hasn't been Israeli-Palestinian peace. The Jewish Week interviews Alan Baker, a member of the Levy Committee.

Upgrading Palestine to non-member state in UN does not contradict with peace plan – Erekat
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)
July 25, 2012 - 12:00am


RAMALLAH, Juky 25 (KUNA) – A member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Dr. Saeb Erekat, said that approaching the General Assembly of the United Nations to seek a non-member state status for Palestine does not contradict with the peace process of the principle of two-state solution. During interviews conducted in the city of Areeha (Jericho) with the residing consuls, Eekat said that the Palestinian approach is a real focal point for the protection of two-state option.


Family keeps up Jerusalem's cannon ritual for 120 years
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News
by Sanjiv Buttoo - July 24, 2012 - 12:00am


The ancient tradition of firing cannons to signify the end of the daily fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan is thought to have taken place in the Arab world for hundreds of years. It is believed to have started in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, but long ago the practice was also adopted just outside the Old City of Jerusalem. Wherever cannons are used, Muslims do not break their dawn until dusk fast until they hear its booming sound. The call to prayer follows and then it is time for the iftar meal.


Levy Commission: Concerned By ‘Misuse’ Of Report
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Week
by Stewart Ain - (Opinion) July 24, 2012 - 12:00am


The Levy Commission report that earlier this month found Israelis have the legal right to settle in the West Bank is being twisted and distorted by those here who are on both sides of the issue, according to its authors.


Romney slams Obama for 'lecturing Israel's leaders'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
July 24, 2012 - 12:00am


Leading into his major trip to the UK, Israel and Poland to highlight his foreign policy competence and positions, US Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney on Tuesday lashed out at US President Barack Obama for "lecturing Israel's leaders."


Ramallah violence 'unjustified,' inquiry concludes
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
July 24, 2012 - 12:00am


RAMALLAH (Ma’an) -- A committee to probe violence against protesters in Ramallah last month has concluded that attacks on civilians, including journalists, were unjustified, an official said Tuesday. Wasel Abu Yousif told Ma'an that President Mahmoud Abbas has received the report from the committee, which was formed by Munib al-Musri and included Abu Yousif, a PLO leader, and Ahmad Harb of the Independent Commission for Human Rights.


Palestinian-American among theater shooting victims
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
July 24, 2012 - 12:00am


BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- A young Palestinian-American woman is among the dead after a gunman opened fire in a US theater last Friday, killing 12 people and injuring 70, her family confirmed on Tuesday. Jessica Ghawi, 24, was an aspiring journalist who had moved to Aurora, Colorado to pursue a broadcast career, according to her brother Jordan, 26, who lives in Texas. Jordan told Ma'an that Ghawi was a Palestinian-American. "My father is a Christian Arab from Palestine," he said Tuesday.


There May Never Be Peace
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Project Magazine
by Tom Philips - (Opinion) July 18, 2012 - 12:00am


For the last six years I have served as a British ambassador in the Middle East, first to Israel and then to Saudi Arabia. I leave the region with particular sadness that in this period the chances of a solution to the long-running conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians—on which, ultimately, turns the issue of Israel’s acceptance in the region—have grown bleaker. These are my ten rules for why this is the case. Rule 1: “The worst thing will always happen at the worst possible time” Examples are legion. A few follow.


Over 100 Gaza families flee Syria
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
July 25, 2012 - 12:00am


GAZA CITY (Ma’an) -- More than 100 Palestinian families have fled Syria due to the deterioration in safety and security resulting from the uprising against President Bashar Assad, an official said Tuesday. Hamza Abu Shanab of the Gaza-based Palestinian Coalition for the Syrian Revolution told Ma'an that 105 families originally from the Gaza Strip have returned safely through Egypt's Rafah crossing in recent days. The families had business ties in Syria or were students studying at Syrian universities, Abu Shanab said.


Attempted bombing against Israeli soldiers near Gaza
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
July 25, 2012 - 12:00am


JERUSALEM, July 25 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian militants in the southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday set off a bomb targeting several Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers, an army source said. "Earlier this morning an explosive device was detonated against IDF soldiers who were performing routine activity adjacent to the security fence," the source told Xinhua Wednesday. The powerful blast, which Israel Radio said took place near the Kerem Shalom crossing point, did not cause any casualty or damage.



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