September 7th

U.S. congressman confirms high-level U.S.-Israel spat over Iran ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Tabassum Zakaria - September 7, 2012 - 12:00am Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blew up at the U.S. ambassador last month because he was "at wits' end" over what he sees as the Obama administration's lack of clarity on Iran's nuclear program, a U.S. congressman who was at the meeting said. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, a Republican, made his first public comments about the late August meeting in Israel in an interview with Michigan's WJR radio on Tuesday. » Read more

Suspected hate crime: Arab man assaulted in Jerusalem ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Noam Dvir - September 6, 2012 - 12:00am Jerusalem police are investigating an Arab man's claim that he was attacked on Wednesday night by Jewish youths just for being an Arab. Ibrahim Abu Ta’a, 28, an east Jerusalem resident who works at a local hotel, claims that he was the victim of a racist attack. According to Abu Ta'a, the assault occurred as he dropped off a co-worker after leaving a work event. » Read more

Residents: 7 Palestinians killed in Syrian army shelling ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency September 7, 2012 - 12:00am Seven Palestinians were killed on Thursday as the Syrian army bombed the Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus, sources in the camp said. Forces loyal to President Bashar Assad bombed Safad and al-Jaouna areas and the al-Basel Hospital, local Yarmouk media reported, adding that residents of the camp would protest the shelling outside the al-Waseem Mosque after evening prayers. At least 20 people were killed in Syrian army mortar and artillery bombardment in southern Damascus, residents and local emergency workers said. » Read more

Hamas pursuing Salafists from “street to street” ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Asharq Alawsat by Kifah Zaboun - September 6, 2012 - 12:00am Relations between the Hamas and Salafist Jihadist groups operating out of the Gaza Strip have entered a fractious stage as the movement has begun to tighten the noose around Salafist Jihadist elements. Over the past two days the Hamas movement has been carrying out a campaign of arrests against armed Salafist Jihadist groups in Gaza, and is reportedly pursuing elements from these groups from “house to house and street to street.” Hamas is in the process of investigating the structure of these groups, as well as the sources of their funding and arming. » Read more

Fayyad 'ready to resign' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency September 7, 2012 - 12:00am Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad on Thursday announced he would resign if that was the will of the people, amid growing protests across the West Bank over the rising cost of living. Palestinians have taken to the streets for three days in mass demonstrations against price rises and unemployment, and protesters in cities across the West Bank have called for Fayyad's resignation. In Hebron on Tuesday, protesters burned an effigy of the premier. » Read more

Nuclear-free Mideast ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times by George S. Hishmeh - (Opinion) September 6, 2012 - 12:00am It may have been coincidental that The Washington Post came out with a forceful column very critical of US silence about Israel’s nuclear arsenal as it assists the Tel Aviv government in its conflict with Iran over its alleged potential for nuclear weapons. » Read more

Palestinian taxi drivers snarl West Bank traffic to protest rising gas prices ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press September 6, 2012 - 12:00am Dozens of taxi drivers have snarled traffic in several West Bank cities to protest rising fuel prices and the government's refusal to allow them to raise fares. The protests early Thursday caused traffic jams stretching to up to four kilometers in Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron and Bethlehem. Small demonstrations have been staged across the West Bank in recent days to protest the rising cost of living. Teachers and Ramallah shop owners joined Thursday's strikes. » Read more

Protests shake West Bank as Palestinians hit by rising prices ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National by Hugh Naylor - September 7, 2012 - 12:00am In a backlash against lighter wallets and rising prices in the West Bank, Palestinians burnt effigies of their prime minister and striking taxi drivers blocked traffic. As the unrest shook the West Bank, President Mahmoud Abbas promised to revive the Palestinian bid for recognition at the United Nations. For Palestinians who are struggling to survive, the increasingly dire economic situation and the Palestinian Authority's (PA) financial crisis is a more pressing concern than Mr Abbas's move. » Read more

Eyesight for Israel’s blind ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times by Dominique Moisi - (Opinion) September 6, 2012 - 12:00am To find a glimmer of hope on the Israel-Palestine question has become difficult, if not impossible. Most Israelis now believe that a peaceful solution will not come in their generation. As for the Palestinians, the political stalemate, and ongoing Israeli occupation, has led to radicalisation: if they cannot have “something”, they want it all. » Read more

Will there be a Palestinian spring? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times by Ahmad Majdoubeh - (Opinion) September 6, 2012 - 12:00am he possibility of a Palestinian spring may seem far-fetched at a first glance, yet upon careful consideration, it may be their only course out of the current paralysis. » Read more