September 27th

Top Likud minister: Obama knows settlements are part of Jewish homeland ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Jonathan Lis - September 26, 2010 - 12:00am A holiday toast at the home of Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz (Likud) on Sunday evening turned quickly from a festive gathering into a triumphant celebration to mark the end of Israel's temporary freeze on construction in the West Bank. Thousands of activists from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's faction crowded the lawn outside Katz's estate in Moshav Kfar Achim, where their host declared that Israel should never accede to international pressure when it comes to exhibiting their right to settle in the Jewish homeland. » Read more

PA says 'quiet' construction freeze to go on ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Ali Waked - September 27, 2010 - 12:00am Renewed Israeli construction in the West Bank following the settlement freeze's expiration will be limited and won't prompt the Palestinian Authority to quit direct talks with Israel, a senior PA official says. The senior official, who is closely familiar with the negotiations, told Ynet Monday that construction will not be renewed in a manner that would "embarrass" the PA. » Read more

Clinton asks Arab leaders to support Abbas ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Yitzhak Benhorin - September 26, 2010 - 12:00am As officials in the US administration scramble to find a last-minute solution to the West Bank settlement building freeze, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has met in the past few days with senior officials from the Arab states in order to promote peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. » Read more

Divided city of Hebron shows challenge of peace ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Tom Perry - September 26, 2010 - 12:00am The growth of a Jewish settlement next to Hany Abu Haykel's home means the Palestinian needs an Israeli permit to use his front gate. Hardly anyone visits, he says. Guests need permission to reach the house where he was born 41 years ago, in an old neighbourhood of Hebron, in the occupied West Bank. Abu Haykel's family must trek through an olive grove patrolled by Israeli soldiers to enter the house the back way. » Read more

Painted into a corner ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Nahum Barnea - September 26, 2010 - 12:00am The following question shall not appear in the next history matriculation exam at Israeli high schools: Three politicians – Barack Obama, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Mahmoud Abbas – painted themselves into a corner and didn’t know how to get out of it. Who will go down now? The answer: None of them. Not immediately, The only thing that would crumple is the small chance of advancing an Israeli-Palestinian deal. » Read more

B'tselem: Since 2000, 7,454 Israelis, Palestinians killed ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post September 27, 2010 - 12:00am Since September 29th, 2000, 6,371 Palestinians have been killed and 1,083 Israelis according to a report by B'tselem on the casualties of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict released on Monday. » Read more

'We were looking for a nice, peaceful place near Jerusalem' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian by Rachel Shabi - September 25, 2010 - 12:00am The housing project currently under construction in Almon offers enticingly priced, spacious family homes with a garden and a view. The surrounding neighbourhood, also known as Anatot, sits on a ridge overlooking the Judean hills, near Jerusalem, a blaze of cultivated greenery in the parched landscape. Residents have a relaxed air, and newcomers who have recently relocated from Jerusalem wish they'd made the move years ago. If I were a prospective house-buyer, I'd be charmed. But I would not be looking here – because Almon is in the occupied West Bank. » Read more

Israeli couple injured in drive-by shooting ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency September 26, 2010 - 12:00am HEBRON (Ma'an) -- An pregnant Israeli woman and her husband were injured Sunday evening in a shooting attack south of the West Bank city of Hebron, the Israeli army reported. The couple were driving near the illegal Tene settlement, an Israeli military spokeswoman said, adding that both had been taken to Soroka Medical Center to be treated for moderate injuries. A second car was also fired at in the same attack, but no passengers were reported injured. » Read more

Israeli couple injured in drive-by shooting ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency September 26, 2010 - 12:00am HEBRON (Ma'an) -- An pregnant Israeli woman and her husband were injured Sunday evening in a shooting attack south of the West Bank city of Hebron, the Israeli army reported. The couple were driving near the illegal Tene settlement, an Israeli military spokeswoman said, adding that both had been taken to Soroka Medical Center to be treated for moderate injuries. A second car was also fired at in the same attack, but no passengers were reported injured. » Read more

Asharq Al-Awsat Talks to Israeli Deputy PM Dan Meridor ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Asharq Alawsat by Nazar Majli - (Interview) September 27, 2010 - 12:00am Tel Aviv, Asharq Al-Awsat- Israeli Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Intelligence Dan Meridor has appealled to Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas (Abu-Mazin) not to withdraw from the direct negotiations because of the issue of settlement construction activity. In An exclusive interview with Asharq Al-Awsat Meridor said that the negotiations are over something that is more important than the settlement activities; they are over the establishment of a Palestinian State that will provide the Palestinian people with stability and put an end to their suffering. » Read more