September 27th

Palestinian delegation working quietly at UN ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency September 26, 2012 - 12:00am NEW YORK (Ma'an) -- In stark contrast to 2011, the Palestinian delegation to the UN General Assembly is working quietly and limiting its remarks to the media. Since Friday, few details have emerged of President Mahmoud Abbas' visit to New York for the UN's 67th General Assembly, or his plan to seek an upgrade to Palestine's status at the world body. » Read more

Abbas meets Clinton, Ashton ahead of UN speech ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency September 27, 2012 - 12:00am RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- President Mahmoud Abbas met US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday on the sidelines of a UN summit, the PA's official Wafa news agency reported. The report said the meeting in New York was attended by PLO negotiator Saeb Erekat, senior Abbas aides Nabil Abu Rudeina and Akram Haniyeh, and PLO ambassador Maen Areikat. Abbas was in New York for the 67th General Assembly of the United Nations, where he plans to seek an upgrade to Palestine's status at the world body. » Read more

No date set for UN vote on Palestinian bid for recognition: official ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua September 26, 2012 - 12:00am RAMALLAH, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- A senior Palestinian official revealed Wednesday that no date has been set for the vote in the United Nations General Assembly to recognize a non-member state of Palestine. Palestinian Foreign Minister Reyad al-Malki, who is currently in New York to attend the UN General Assembly meetings, told " Voice of Palestine" radio that the issue is not related to the Palestinian readiness. » Read more

Q&A: Palestinian bid for upgraded UN status ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News September 27, 2012 - 12:00am The Palestinians are to ask the United Nations to upgrade their status to become a "non-member observer state" by the end of 2012. It follows a failed bid to join the international body as a full member state in 2011 because of a lack of support in the UN Security Council. Here is a guide to what is likely to happen and its significance. What are the Palestinians asking for? » Read more

Abbas set to renew bid to upgrade Palestine's UN status ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National by Hugh Naylor - September 27, 2012 - 12:00am RAMALLAH // When Mahmoud Abbas addresses the UN General Assembly today, those in attendance could be forgiven if they experience a sense of déjà vu. During his speech at last year's annual gathering of the world body, the Palestinian Authority (PA) president announced his intention to seek recognition for a Palestinian state amid great fanfare and popular support back home. Today, he is expected to make a similar request. Only this time, the distinguished guests will notice the Palestinian leader doing so under less enthusiastic circumstances. » Read more

September 26th

Welcome to 'Fortress Gaza,' Home of the Newly Radicalized Hamas ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Atlantic by Zvika Krieger - (Opinion) September 25, 2012 - 12:00am Top officials in Hamas have confirmed this week that the group's leader, Khaled Mishaal, has decided to resign his post. Hamas official Salah al-Bardawil tried to dismiss any suspicions of internal discord: "He has decided to retire to make room for the younger members." But Mishaal's decision belies significant shifts within the organization. » Read more

Stop Blaming Bibi ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Foreign Policy by Aaron David Miller - (Opinion) September 25, 2012 - 12:00am It's been a bad month for Benjamin Netanyahu. The Israeli prime minister has been hammered for being trigger-happy on Iran, he won't see his good friend Barack Obama at the opening of the U.N. General Assembly, and he's being blasted for intervening in American politics. » Read more

Can Israel Win Turkey Over? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Milliyet by Semih Idiz - (Opinion) September 25, 2012 - 12:00am Israel is probing its relations with Turkey. Moderate remarks from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his extreme right-wing Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman reflect their search for reconciliation. » Read more

Abbas’ grim options ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times by Osama Al-Sharif - (Analysis) September 25, 2012 - 12:00am Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas finds himself in an unenviable position as he prepares to fly to New York to pursue the difficult goal of upgrading Palestine’s status from observer status to a non-member observer state. » Read more

Netanyahu gets tangled up in US election ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News by Mark Mardell - (Analysis) September 24, 2012 - 12:00am Iran is not on the agenda. But it is on their minds. As the big United Nations meeting gets underway, the West's biggest foreign policy challenge is not likely to be discussed. » Read more