Palestinians Urge For Early Presidential Ballot ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Angus Reid Global Monitor February 4, 2008 - 7:45pm The vast majority of people in the Gaza Strip and West Bank believe a change of government is necessary, according to a poll by An-Najah National University. 65.1 per cent of respondents support conducting an early presidential election, and 52.4 per cent would dissolve the Palestinian Legislative Council. » Read more

Israeli Defense Minister To Stay In Olmert Coalition ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Isabel Kershner - February 4, 2008 - 7:44pm Ehud Barak, Israel’s defense minister and the leader of the Labor Party, announced Sunday that he would remain in the government, stabilizing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s coalition despite last week’s harsh report on the political and military leaders’ handling of the Lebanon war in 2006. » Read more

Shikaki: Hamas’ Popularity On Rise In Gaza After Tearing Down Wall With Egypt ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Council on Foreign Relations by Bernard Gwertzman - (Interview) February 4, 2008 - 7:44pm Khalil Shikaki, a leading Palestinian political scientist and polling expert based in the West Bank, says that Hamas, the radical Palestinian group opposed to Israel, has been losing popularity among Palestinians since it took over Gaza by force last June. But more recently, Israeli sanctions against Gaza in retaliation for the rocket attacks on Israel, and Hamas tearing down the wall separating Gaza from Egypt, have probably boosted Hamas’ popularity again, making it difficult for Hamas’ rival, Fatah, to contemplate defeating Hamas in another election. » Read more