September 28th

Hamas Bans Israeli Fruit Imports Into 'Self-Sufficient' Gaza Strip ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Calcalist by Doron Peskin - September 27, 2012 - 12:00am The Agriculture Ministry in the Hamas government announced over the weekend a prohibition on the import of fruits from Israel to the Gaza Strip, except for bananas and apples. Tahsin al-Saqa, manager of marketing in the Agriculture Ministry in Gaza, explained that the prohibition comes from the desire to protect local production. Saqa explained that the Strip has achieved self-sufficiency in various sectors, including grapes, citrus fruits, guavas, and more, and that preference is thus given to local farmers.  » Read more

Gaza official: Egypt pledged to ease Rafah travel in days ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency September 27, 2012 - 12:00am GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Egypt has informed Palestinian officials that it will introduce measures to ease travel through the Gaza Strip's Rafah crossing in the coming days, a crossings official said Thursday. Gaza crossing director Maher Abu Sabha said they understand the crossing will be opened on Fridays, the weekend day it is usually shut. Everyday working hours, currently from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., will also be increased, Abu Sabha said. The number of passengers permitted to travel each day will be raised to 1,500, he added. » Read more

Gaza tunnel-traders say network at 10 percent capacity ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency September 28, 2012 - 12:00am GAZA CITY (Ma’an) -- Just 10 percent of the tunnels under Gaza's border with Sinai are still in operation, after Egypt moved to close the underground network in recent weeks, tunnel owners said Friday. The tunnel trade, which operates with oversight from the Hamas government in Gaza, is now placed under strict regulations, they told Ma'an. » Read more

4 Palestinian refugees killed in northern Syria, violence elsewhere ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua September 28, 2012 - 12:00am   DAMASCUS, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- A pro-government radio said four Palestinian refugees were killed Friday when armed groups fired mortar shells at the al-Nairab camp in Syria's northern province of Aleppo. Sham FM gave no further details, but also reported that loud explosion was heard Friday in the coastal city of Banyyas. It said, however, that the details surrounding the blast are still emerging. » Read more

Israeli troops wound 2 Palestinians in northern Gaza: medics ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua September 28, 2012 - 12:00am GAZA, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Israeli troops stationed on the borderline between northern Gaza Strip and Israel on Friday opened fire and wounded two Palestinian civilians, medics said. Ashraf al-Qedra, spokesman of the Hamas-run ministry of health, said that the two Palestinians are aged 22 and 19 years old, respectively, adding that they are brothers and were shot by Israeli soldiers' gunfire in northern Gaza Strip. » Read more

Iran claims right to retaliate, after Israel UN speech ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News by Jonathan Marcus - September 28, 2012 - 12:00am Mr Netanyahu showed a drawing illustrating Iran's alleged progress towards nuclear weapons Iran has warned it is ready to retaliate against attack after Israel's prime minister urged a red line to be drawn to stop its nuclear programme. Benjamin Netanyahu told the UN time was running out to stop Iran having enough enriched uranium for a nuclear bomb. In response, Iran's deputy UN ambassador said his country was strong enough to defend itself. » Read more

Israelis see no Iran war this year after Netanyahu's speech ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Dan Williams - September 28, 2012 - 12:00am JERUSALEM, Sept 28 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's U.N. speech about Iranian nuclear advances has dampened speculation in Israel that he could order a war this year. Analysing Thursday's address in which Netanyahu literally drew a "red line" on a cartoon bomb to show how close Iran was to building nuclear weaponry, commentators saw his deadline for any military action falling in early or mid-2013, well after U.S. elections in November and a possible snap Israeli poll. » Read more

Hamas says Abbas' call for UN recognition of non-member state "solo " ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua September 28, 2012 - 12:00am GAZA, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Islamic Hamas movement, which rules the Gaza Strip, said Thursday Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' bid to the United Nations for a non-member Palestinian state is "a solo action." Sami Abu Zuhri, Hamas spokesman in Gaza, said in a press statement emailed to reporters that Abbas' move to ask for the UN recognition of a Palestinian state "wasn't agreed upon or consulted by the entire Palestinians." » Read more

Politicians deride PM's UN speech ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Moran Azulay - September 28, 2012 - 12:00am   Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's UN General Assembly address, during which he busted out a red marker and an illustration of a bomb to demonstrate Iran's worrisome nuclear progress, drew varied responses from his fellow politicians. » Read more

Palestinians shrug off Abbas bid for statehood at UN ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Jihan Abdalla, Noah Browning - September 28, 2012 - 12:00am RAMALLAH (Reuters) -- Palestinians who were galvanized a year ago by the launch of a campaign for statehood in the United Nations were left cold on Thursday by a watered-down bid from their leader President Mahmoud Abbas. In a speech to the UN General Assembly, Abbas sought so-called "non-member state" status in the world body, a grade below the full recognition that eluded the Palestinians at the UN Security Council last year, due to insufficient backing. » Read more