August 28th

Bibi's own "tree limb" ATFP World Press Roundup Article from NOW Lebanon by Hussein Ibish - (Opinion) August 28, 2012 - 12:00am Over the past few years it was frequently alleged, not least by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, that the Palestinian leadership had climbed out onto various political “tree limbs.” The implication was that on issues such as the settlement freeze, Palestinian leaders adopted rhetorical positions that were not in keeping with their real strategic options and hadn't allowed themselves sufficient room to climb down. As a consequence, it was suggested, they were stuck with unworkable policies.  » Read more

Gov’t steps up campaign for Jewish Arab refugees ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Jeremy Sharon - August 28, 2012 - 12:00am The Foreign Ministry – along with the World Jewish Congress and the Pensioners Affairs Ministry – is ramping up its campaign to bring the issue of Jewish refugee rights to public and diplomatic attention. According to the Foreign Ministry more than 850,000 Jews from Arab states fled their countries of birth following persecution that ensued after the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. Many also had their property confiscated. » Read more

Palestinian Authority angry with Mursi gov’t ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Asharq Alawsat by Kifah Zaboun - August 27, 2012 - 12:00am Well-informed Palestinian sources have revealed to Asharq al-Awsat that a state of anger and dissatisfaction prevails among the Palestinian leadership regarding the new Egyptian administration’s dealings with the Palestinian issue, and especially with regards to Palestinian representation and legitimacy. » Read more

Egyptian President Morsi reassures Israel that peace treaty is safe ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters August 28, 2012 - 12:00am Egypt's new Islamist president said on Monday he would pursue a "balanced" foreign policy, reassuring Israel its peace treaty was safe, hinting at a new approach to Iran and calling on Bashar Assad's allies to help lever the Syrian leader out. Mohammed Morsi, who was elected in June and consolidated his power this month by dismissing top military leaders, is seeking to introduce himself to a wider world ahead of a trip to Iran - the first by an Egyptian leader in three decades - and China. » Read more

More East Jerusalem Palestinians seek Israeli academic degrees ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Nir Hasson - August 28, 2012 - 12:00am The number of young East Jerusalem Palestinians wanting to study in Israeli universities is rising rapidly. As a result, the number of East Jerusalem residents registering for Israeli matriculation exams has risen by tens of percent, Education Ministry officials estimate. Most Palestinians who take the Israeli exams, which are adjusted for the Israeli Arab students, do so after studying at one of the many private matriculation schools that have opened in East Jerusalem in recent years. » Read more

PA 'stops recruitment, promotions' due to financial crisis ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency August 26, 2012 - 12:00am The Palestinian Authority issued a decision on Friday to stop all new recruitment and promotions in government institutions until further notice as a result of the financial crisis it is currently experiencing, a statement from President Abbas' office said. Palestinian economist Nasser Abed al-Kareem told Ma'an that the PA was forced to make the decision as a result of the current financial crisis, adding that the move will add around $30 million annually to the PA's budget. » Read more

Diplomat: FM's letter aimed to block Abbas’s UN bid ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Herb Keinon - August 28, 2012 - 12:00am Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman’s letter to the Quartet last week calling for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’s ouster is part of a campaign to get leading democracies to oppose the PA’s UN bid, a senior diplomatic official said Monday. The idea behind the letter, the official said, was primarily to preempt Abbas’s move at the UN by putting on the public agenda his record of rejecting Israeli gestures and refusing to negotiate, while trying to diplomatically isolate Israel. » Read more

FM: Abbas to seek support for UN bid at Tehran summit ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency August 28, 2012 - 12:00am President Mahmoud Abbas will canvas for support for the UN bid at a summit of 120 developing nations in Tehran, PA Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki said Tuesday. The PLO plans to ask the UN General Assembly to upgrade its status to a non-member observer state. A previous bid for full UN membership stalled at the Security Council last year. Al-Malki told Ma'an he was confident Palestine had the support of the non-aligned states at the summit. » Read more

Rights group: investigate Palestinian police abuse ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press August 27, 2012 - 12:00am An American rights group is calling on the Palestinian Authority to investigate incidents where police beat protesters in the West Bank. The New York-based Human Rights Watch said in two incidents, Palestinian police beat Palestinian demonstrators in the West Bank city of Ramallah in June and July. The group said six people were hospitalized. The group said Palestinian officials conducted four inquiries but did not prosecute any of the police involved. » Read more

Israeli PM retracts from his request to amend investments, fearing public backlash ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua August 27, 2012 - 12:00am Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu retracted on Monday from his request to modify his private investments, fearing public speculation over an upcoming war with Iran would circulate and affect global economy. On Aug. 15, a special committee at the State Comptroller's office authorized Netanyahu's request to make changes to his foreign and domestic investment portfolio. » Read more