Palestinians get first private equity fund at $15m start up ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press January 31, 2010 - 1:00am Two Arab investment companies on Sunday announced the launch of the first private equity fund designed to boost the Palestinian economy. The semi-official Palestine Investment Fund and Dubai-based private equity firm Abraaj Capital will provide an initial $15 million, they said in a statement, hoping to raise the total to $50 million this year. The investments would target small- and medium-sized businesses in the Palestinian territories. » Read more

IDF denies disciplining top officers over white phosphorous use in Gaza war ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Anshel Pfeffer - February 1, 2010 - 1:00am The Israel Defense Forces on Monday denied that two of its senior officers had been summoned for disciplinary action after headquarters staff found that the men exceeded their authority in approving the use of phosphorus shells during last year's military campaign in the Gaza Strip, as the Israeli government wrote in a recent report. » Read more

Hebron governor warns of severe reaction to new settlement ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency February 1, 2010 - 1:00am Hebron – Ma'an – Governor of Hebron Hussein Al-Araj warned that renewed settlement building in the area "are pushing Palestinians to react seriously," he said on Sunday evening. Israel is not offering Palestinians motivation to return to negotiations by continuing settlement construction in the West Bank, Al-Araj said, which justifies President Mahmoud Abbas' refusal to return to negotiations while building of settlements and the separation wall is ongoing. "Let everyone know that Israeli settlement construction is still in place, contrary to Israeli allegations," he said. » Read more

Abbas: We don't want guarantees ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency February 1, 2010 - 1:00am Bethlehem – Ma'an – President Mahmoud Abbas told reporters in London on Friday that his government was not interested in US guarantees and denied reports that Arab ministers exerted pressure on him in Washington to resume negotiations with Israel. "The US continued to contact us and the Israelis, and they intended to give what they call 'guarantees,' but we said frankly that we didn’t want guarantees," Abbas added. » Read more

Israel: Hamas commander killed in Dubai was key arms smuggler ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Christian Science Monitor by Ilene Prusher - January 31, 2010 - 1:00am Jerusalem Israel declined official comment on Sunday following news of the assassination in Dubai of a key Hamas operative. But analysts and defense officials here say that Mahmoud Mabhouh, who was found dead in his room in a luxury hotel on Jan. 20, was the point man for transferring weapons from Iran to Gaza, and has long been wanted by Israel following his involvement in the kidnapping and killing of two Israeli soldiers more than 20 years ago. » Read more

Israel and Pacific republics, united by an island mentality ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post by Howard Schneider - February 1, 2010 - 1:00am As Israeli diplomacy goes, it was a smooth affair, unblemished by any of the policy disputes or disagreements that often follow diplomats or officials here. The visiting heads of state were eager to tour the country and soak up information in briefings by Israeli officials without breaking stride for the typical trip to the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah or, as some do, a request to go to the Gaza Strip. » Read more