Palestinian groups deny involvement in recent unrest in Syria
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
March 28, 2011 - 12:00am


Damascus-based Palestinian political groups denied on Monday accusations that some Palestinians were behind recent unrest in Syria. In a statement, the groups warned of "attempts of division between Syria and the Palestinian factions." Khaled Abdul Majeed, secretary of the national follow-up committee and the Palestinian forces coalition, said in the statement that "Syria will overcome the current crisis and will be able to foil external attempts to undermine its national stability. "


Another Israel-Hamas war is inevitable
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Barry Rubin - (Opinion) March 27, 2011 - 12:00am


I’m going to make a prediction here that, unfortunately, I’m sure is going to come true. Any good analyst should be able to see this, yet few will, until it happens within the next two years: The Egyptian revolution will make another Israel-Hamas war inevitable, with a lot more of an international mess. And I’ll go a step further: An incompetent and mistaken US policy makes such a conflict even more certain. Why?


Abbas would give up US aid for Palestinian unity
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
by Mohammed Daraghmeh - March 28, 2011 - 12:00am


Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is making a heavy push for reconciliation with Hamas and is willing to give up hundreds of millions of dollars in U.S. aid if that's what it takes to forge a Palestinian unity deal, a top aide said Monday. The comments were the latest sign that Abbas is giving up on stalled peace talks with Israel and prefers to pursue unity with Gaza's Hamas rulers as he makes a push toward independence. "Of course we need the American money. But if they use it as a way of pressuring us, we are ready to relinquish that aid," said Azzam Ahmed, an Abbas aide.


Abbas would give up US aid for Palestinian unity
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
by Mohammed Daraghmeh - March 28, 2011 - 12:00am


Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is making a heavy push for reconciliation with Hamas and is willing to give up hundreds of millions of dollars in U.S. aid if that's what it takes to forge a Palestinian unity deal, a top aide said Monday. The comments were the latest sign that Abbas is giving up on stalled peace talks with Israel and prefers to pursue unity with Gaza's Hamas rulers as he makes a push toward independence. "Of course we need the American money. But if they use it as a way of pressuring us, we are ready to relinquish that aid," said Azzam Ahmed, an Abbas aide.


The single demand that can unite the Palestinian people
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian
by Karma Nabulsi - (Opinion) March 29, 2011 - 12:00am


After another week of breathtaking demonstrations from Jordan to Yemen heralding dramatic revolutionary change, in occupied Palestine things appear much the same. The repetitions of bombing, air attacks on civilians, muted international protests, and dubious gestures towards a bankrupted peace process: all lend an air of futility and hopelessness to the trajectory of Palestinian freedom.


Israel considering annexing West Bank settlements
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
March 28, 2011 - 12:00am


An Israeli official says Israel is considering annexing major West Bank settlement blocs if the Palestinians unilaterally seek world recognition of a state. The official said Tuesday that Israel can respond to unilateral Palestinian action with one-sided acts of its own. Annexation of settlements is one option. He says others could include restricting water supplies beyond agreed-upon amounts and restricting Palestinian use of Israeli ports for business purposes. The official spoke on condition of anonymity on Tuesday because no final decisions have been made.


Israel eases steps to revoke citizenship
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
by Allyn Fisher-Ilan - March 28, 2011 - 12:00am


Israel passed a law on Monday that eases the process of revoking citizenship in a step denounced as a move to threaten primarily its Arab minority. The amendment to a so-called "Citizenship Law" was the latest in a list of parliamentary measures taken this past month that civil rights activists denounce as undemocratic but Israeli rightists see as essential to the Jewish state's defence.


Unhelpful to peace
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times
(Editorial) March 29, 2011 - 12:00am


Israel has shown yet again its true, intransigent, position on peace with the Palestinians by rejecting a national unity government comprising both Fateh, the Palestinian party ruling in the West Bank, and Hamas, the Islamic movement in control of Gaza Strip.


Israeli tanks accompany bulldozers into Gaza
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
March 29, 2011 - 12:00am


Several Israeli military tanks crossed the border into the Gaza Strip on Tuesday morning near the Kissufim military post north of Khan Younis. Witnesses northeast of the town of Qarara, close to where the military action was reported, said three tanks and four bulldozers were operating inside the coastal enclave. Gunfire was reported, but no injuries, and onlookers said the bulldozers began leveling agricultural areas around the Kissufim military base.


Abbas moves on PLO constitution amendments
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
March 28, 2011 - 12:00am


President Mahmoud Abbas asked the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization to convene the body's Constitution Committee, government news agency WAFA reported. He advised the committee that it should draw up amendments to the PLO charter by the end of September. The committee was first convened in 2005, after unity talks between 13 Palestinian factions in Cairo led to an agreement which paved the way for legislative elections in 2006.



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