June 22nd

Israel's easing of Gaza blockade doesn't address banking, travel rules
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Christian Science Monitor
by Joshua Mitnick - June 21, 2010 - 12:00am


Israel's decision to ease the impact of a three-year blockade on Gaza appears to have relieved diplomatic pressure on the Jewish state following the fatal intercept of a protest flotilla. But critics warn that the partial measure, which does not include lifting the naval blockade, may not be enough to revive Gaza's economy and relieve the distress of the 1.5 million Palestinians living there.


Israel orders settlers off Palestinian land
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
June 22, 2010 - 12:00am


An Israeli military appeals court on Tuesday ordered the evacuation of settlers from Palestinian-owned land near the southern West bank city of Hebron. Yatta landowner Khalil Al-Jbour said the 100-dunum plot was taken over by residents of the illegal Susiya settlement southeast of the village. The rest of the land, he added, belonged to the Hamad Awwad family. Al-Jbour said the owners filed a suit in an Israeli military court in 2004, when the lands were seized, and after years of filing paperwork, they finally succeeded in winning rights to their own land.


The silent expulsion
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
(Editorial) June 22, 2010 - 12:00am


Dr. Immad Hammada and Dr. Murad Abu-Khalaf are both lecturers in electrical engineering born in East Jerusalem. Their families have lived in the city for generations. They both left years ago, each one separately, to study in the United States, and after graduating and consolidating their careers they want to return to live in their home town.


Palestinian politicians reject Israeli deportation order
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post
by Samuel Sockol - June 21, 2010 - 12:00am


Four Palestinian politicians affiliated with the Islamist Hamas party on Monday rejected an Israeli order that they relocate to the West Bank. Israel revoked the Jerusalem residency status of the three members of the defunct Palestinian parliament and a former cabinet minister after they refused to resign from their positions and were deemed "disloyal" to the state. The move stripped them of their ability to live in the city legally.


U.S.: East Jerusalem demolitions undermine trust vital for Israel-PA talks
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
by Nir Hasson - June 22, 2010 - 12:00am


U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said Israel's decision on Monday to raze 22 Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem is the kind of step that undermines trust fundamental to progress in the proximity talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Senior U.S. officials have asked Netanyahu's office to explain why the plan was authorized, saying that Washington will issue an official condemnation of the demolitions.


Mayor defends plan to raze Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
June 22, 2010 - 12:00am


The office of Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat on Tuesday defended plans to demolish Palestinian houses in the city's eastern sector to make way for a tourist center, after Defense Minister Ehud Barak lashed out at authorities over the project. Barak, who is in the United States for a series of meetings with top officials, faced criticism and demands for explanations after the Jerusalem municipal planning committee decided to destroy 22 houses in the Arab neighborhood of Silwan, which it says were built illegally.


Abbas appeals to US over Silwan construction plan
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP)
June 22, 2010 - 12:00am


While Washington has already stated that the construction plan that entails the demolition of 22 Arab homes in Silwan damages trust between Israel and the Palestinians, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is not making do with statements, and is looking for action. Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat told AFP on Tuesday that Abbas asked the United States to take action to cancel the King's Garden project in east Jerusalem, part of which includes the demolition of Arab homes.


Israel's feeling of isolation is becoming more pronounced
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post
by Janine Zacharia - June 22, 2010 - 12:00am


An Elton John concert ordinarily isn't front-page news. But in Israel, where many feel more shunned than they have in decades, the legendary pop icon's decision to perform in Tel Aviv last Thursday was cause for celebration. After weeks of dreary reports about artists caving to calls to boycott Israel, Israeli diplomats being expelled by friendly allies, and even pressure from the United States to change course in Gaza, John allowed Israel an opportunity "for three hours," as one music reviewer put it, "to be a normal country."


The way forward
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Gershon Baskin - (Opinion) June 22, 2010 - 12:00am


Under the public radar and due to extreme amounts of skepticism, George Mitchell’s mediation efforts continue without public debate or concern. The silence is because almost no one believes they will be constructive, and the media blackout imposed by Mitchell. Four rounds of talks have taken place. The parameters have been set, the process has begun, and now it is time to get serious. The proximity talks can produce agreements; this is how I think they should proceed:


East Jerusalem Building Plan Advances
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Isabel Kershner - June 21, 2010 - 12:00am


Jerusalem’s city hall advanced rezoning and development plans on Monday for a hotly contested area of East Jerusalem, another example of an awkwardly timed, seemingly bureaucratic Israeli maneuver that could upset fragile peace efforts.



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