March 3rd

PNA denies tensed ties with Arab countries ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua March 3, 2010 - 1:00am A senior Palestinian National Authority (PNA) official denied on Tuesday reports that the ties between the PNA and Tunisia have been tensed due to political differences. "The ties between the two sides are strong and continuous and there is full ongoing diplomatic coordination," said Nemer Hammad, an aid to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Arab media reports said on Monday that there is tension in he diplomatic ties between the PNA on one hand, Tunisia, Libya and Syria on the other, adding that the three countries refused to receive Abbas this week. » Read more

Israeli forces kill Islamic Jihad militant in West Bank ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua March 3, 2010 - 1:00am slamic Jihad's military wing chief was killed early Wednesday during an Israeli army raid in Jenin city in northern West Bank, a source said. The source of Islamic Jihad who declined to give his name said the Israeli forces rolled into several neighborhoods in the town and conducted a house-to-house search that included a home where two Islamic Jihad militants had taken refuge. » Read more

Nazzal: Israel to approve 30,000 housing units on occupied land ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency March 2, 2010 - 1:00am Israeli authorities aim to approve the construction of a 30,000 housing unit for religious Israelis in the industrial area of Atarot and Qalandiya, after excavating the site, the follow-up director of the popular committee against the wall and settlements said Tuesday. Mohammad Nazzal said the plan was uncovered by an Israeli journalist, who detailed his findings on Israeli TV. The decision, Nazzal said, was reached between the Israeli mayor of Jerusalem, Nir Barkat, and members of Knesset, the Israeli parliament. » Read more

Abbas urges Arabs to protect Jerusalem ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency March 3, 2010 - 1:00am President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday urged delegates to the Arab summit scheduled later this month to challenge Israel's designation of West Bank landmarks as "Israeli heritage sites." Following a meeting with his Egyptian counterpart, the president said "Arabs and Muslims must protect Jerusalem's holy places, and its residents, because they too are evicted from their homes and stripped of their identities." » Read more

PA goes live with electronic networking ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency March 3, 2010 - 1:00am Palestinian Authority ministries and government institutions will soon be connected via electronic networking, according to a draft agreement signed on Tuesday. The agreement, ratified by the PA Ministries of Telecommunication and Finance, will be implemented in several phases, initially by connecting all major institutions via an Ethernet network, followed by government institutions and their branches in all the districts. » Read more

Jerusalem Mayor Delays Demolition Plan ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Ethan Bronner - March 2, 2010 - 1:00am The mayor of Jerusalem agreed Tuesday to delay a plan to demolish some Palestinian homes to build a complex that would provide new apartments for the residents. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had asked the mayor, Nir Barkat, to allow more time to reach an understanding with the residents of the neighborhood, in East Jerusalem just outside the Old City walls. Mr. Barkat has been negotiating with the Palestinians there, who are living in housing that is illegal under Israeli law. The residents have rejected the plan, fearing that once homes are destroyed, Jewish settlers will be moved in. » Read more

U.N. Official Condemns Gaza Blockade ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Fares Akram - March 3, 2010 - 1:00am The senior United Nations official for humanitarian relief took a tour of Gaza on Tuesday, a year after Israel’s war here, and declared keen concern for what he called the collective punishment of 1.5 million Palestinians due to the blockade enforced by Israel and Egypt. » Read more

March 2nd

Q & A with Hamas's Mahmoud al-Zahar ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Asharq Alawsat by Saleh Al-Naami - (Interview) March 1, 2010 - 1:00am Q) Is the recent story published about Musab Hassan Yousef true? A) Israel is trying to distort Hamas's image and weaken and reduce its popularity by promoting the idea that there are many examples like Musab Hassan Yousef. We do not rule out that there could be some rot [in the organization]. The case of Hassan Yousf's son putting aside his religion does not discredit his father who has sacrificed a lot for his religion and country. Q) How close are you to reaching an agreement on a prisoner exchange deal with Israel? A) I have nothing to say in this regard. » Read more

US slams new east Jerusalem homes ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP) March 2, 2010 - 1:00am The United States criticized Israel on Monday for authorizing 600 new housing units in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Pisgat Ze'ev, describing the move as "counter-productive." "We've relayed our strong concerns to the government of Israel, that this kind of activity, particularly as we try to relaunch meaningful negotiations is counter-productive and undermines trust between the parties," said State Department spokesman Philip Crowley. » Read more

Palestinians on Silwan: Barkat responsible for potential flare up ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Ali Waked - March 2, 2010 - 1:00am In a conversation with Ynet on Tuesday, Hatem Abdel Kader, who holds the Jerusalem portfolio in the Fatah movement, said, "Nir Barkat will bear the responsibility for the conflagration that will occur in the city if his plan is carried out." According to Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat's plan, 20 buildings scattered throughout the western section of the Silwan neighborhood will be demolished so that an archeological park can be built in their stead. In exchange, the evacuated buildings' residents will receive permits to rebuild up to four-storeys in the eastern section of Silwan. » Read more