May 30th

Israel to return 91 bodies on Thursday
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
May 30, 2012 - 12:00am


The Palestinian Authority civil affairs minister said late Tuesday that Israel will return the bodies of 91 Palestinians buried in an Israeli cemetery on Thursday. Hussein al-Sheikh released a list of names agreed with Israel, whose remains will now be handed to the PA in what the minister described as the first stage of the return of 100 Palestinians. The hand-over of Palestinian remains was promised on May 14 by Ofir Gendelman, spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as a "gesture" to President Mahmoud Abbas.


Gaza journalist wins courage award
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
May 26, 2012 - 12:00am


Gaza journalist Asma al-Ghoul has won an international award for courage in journalism, the International Women’s Media Foundation said. Al-Ghoul, 30, was awarded the 2012 IWMF prize alongside female journalists Reeyot Alemu from Ethiopia, Khadija Ismayilova from Azerbaijan and Zubeida Mustafa from Pakistan. She has worked for Palestinian newspaper Al-Ayyam and her popular blog, AsmaGaza, was discontinued in February for unstated reasons.


Israeli PM calls on Palestinians to "give peace a chance"
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
May 30, 2012 - 12:00am


Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday said he would like to restart the peace negotiations with the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), but only if there is an answer from the Palestinian side. Speaking at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), Netanyahu blamed the PNA for the breakdown of negotiations and said that in spite of Israel's approach, peace is not "always reciprocated."


Israel gas finds launch navy into troubled waters
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
by Dan Williams - May 29, 2012 - 12:00am


When Israeli economists contemplate their country's untapped natural gas finds far out in the Mediterranean, they dream of energy independence and lucrative export deals. Those charged with Israel's defence, however, worry that the navy - small and long a middling priority in budgets - may be hard put to protect the multinational drilling platforms and rigs out at sea.


Shuffling Through an Underground Artery to Gaza
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Ruqaya Izzidien - May 29, 2012 - 12:00am


They stood just outside the gates of the Rafah crossing on the Egyptian side of the border with Gaza, a couple of inconspicuous Bedouin men waiting for people to be denied entry. As the disappointed travelers retreated, the Bedouins whispered from behind the gates: “You want to go to the tunnels? Fifty dollars.” Their gaze fixed on the Egyptian border police officers, who turn a blind eye to the Bedouins so long as they do not mention the tunnels within earshot.


Israel’s Defense Minister Calls for More Action Against Assad
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Jodi Rudoren - May 30, 2012 - 12:00am


Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Wednesday praised the United States and other countries for ousting Syrian diplomats but said it was not sufficient, declaring that the massacre of 100 people in Houla “compel the world to take action — not just talk, but action.”


Ehud Barak: If negotiations fail, Israel must consider unilateral withdrawal from West Bank
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Barak Ravid - May 30, 2012 - 12:00am


Defense Minister Ehud Barak said on Wednesday that Israel should consider unilateral moves if negations with the Palestinians fail to bear fruit. "We are a coalition of 94 MKs, this is the time to lead a diplomatic process," Barak said Wednesday morning in a speech at Tel Aviv University's Institute for National Security Studies. "But if it isn't possible to reach a permanent agreement with the Palestinians, we must consider an interim arrangement or even a unilateral move."


May 29th

NEWS: Hamas leaders in Gaza say they will allow the Central Election Committee to begin working in the territory. Turkey indicts four Israeli military officials for the deadly flotilla incident. An Israeli court sentences a Palestinian protest leader to 13 months in jail, counting as time served. Two Israeli police officers are convicted of negligent homicide for allowing a Palestinian to die from injuries on a roadside. Israeli schools are accused of systematically discriminating against Palestinian medical students. Israeli officials believe they may have discovered significant energy reserves immediately offshore. The UN warns against an emerging “one-state” reality between Israel and the Palestinians. Qatar supplies much-needed diesel fuel to Gaza. The UN criticizes Israel over the Gaza blockade. Even after a deal with prisoners, Israel is allegedly still jailing Palestinians in “administrative detention.” The Palestinian national airline has resumed flights after a seven-year hiatus. COMMENTARY: Saliba Sarsar and Hussein Ibish say nonviolent "people power" is needed for peace. Vered Lee says a new book casts grave doubt on the traditional Israeli narrative about “Operation Magic Carpet.” Akiva Eldar says Israel can only blame itself when the next Palestinian intifada erupts. Gershon Baskin says Israelis and Palestinians need to be imaginative about peace. James Klutznick says when Israeli leaders are being irresponsible, Jewish American friends should be critical. Nathan Brown says UNRWA should be supported. Abdul Rahman Al-Rashid looks at the Palestinian dimension in the recent Egyptian elections. Boyd Tonkin looks at the issue of a cultural boycott against Israelis.

'Artists should not boycott other artists'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Independent
by Boyd Tonkin - (Opinion) May 28, 2012 - 12:00am


As a fierce May sun scours Tel Aviv's Bauhaus-style "White City", it's cool down in the compact "cellar" theatre of Habima.


Palestinian Airlines resumes flights after 7 years
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
by Ibrahim Barzak, Karin Laub - May 29, 2012 - 12:00am


MARKA AIRBASE, Jordan – Palestinian Airlines is back in the skies after being grounded for seven years by the deepening enmities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Once hailed as a symbol of Palestinian statehood dreams, the carrier is a tiny operation, with just two 48-seat turboprop planes, two weekly flights and a borrowed hub in Egypt. But Palestinians say just being on the map again is what matters.



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