July 22nd, 2008

Israel Fears Scathing U.s. Report On Its West Bank Policies ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Amos Harel, Barak Ravid, And Avi Issacharoff, Haar And News Agencies - July 22, 2008 - 5:04pm The United States security coordinator for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, retired general James Jones, is preparing an extremely critical report of Israel's policies in the territories and its attitude toward the Palestinian Authority's security services. » Read more

Soldier Implicated In Naalin Shooting Incident Released ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Hanan Greenberg - July 22, 2008 - 5:00pm  The Military Advocate General's Office has not yet closed the case, and when the IMP completes its investigation the office will decide whether to press criminal charges against the soldier and his commander, who held the Palestinian's arm as the shots were fired. » Read more

Un Official Visits Gaza To Assess The Humanitarian Situation ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Kuwait News Agency (kuna) July 22, 2008 - 4:58pm United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in the Occupied Palestinian Territory Max Gaylard witnessed first-hand Tuesday the worsening economic and humanitarian situation in Gaza Strip under Israeli siege. Gaylard met Tuesday with Gaza Governor Mohammad Al-Qudwa, Khan Younis Governor Osama Al-Farra, and Governor of the strip's central area Ismael Abu Shamala. The governors stressed, according to a press release distributed here, on the importance of the United Nations' role in supporting the Palestinian cause from the humanitarian aspects. » Read more

Palestinian President Denounces Bulldozer Attack In Jerusalem ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Kuwait News Agency (kuna) July 22, 2008 - 4:57pm Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas denounced the attack which took place today after a Palestinian used a bulldozer in southern Jerusalem injuring 19 Israelis. In a Presidential statement the President said they condemn such terrorist act, particularly on civilians. "This was a deliberate attack which we condemn, we do not accept, and hurt peace efforts in general," the statement said. President Abbas also indicated his absolute rejection to targeting civilians.

Israel Arrests Over 20 Palestinians In Nablus ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News by Mohammed Mar’i - July 22, 2008 - 4:55pm Israeli forces operating in the West Bank city of Nablus early yesterday arrested more than 20 Palestinians, including a Hamas woman lawmaker, businessmen and students, Palestinian security sources said. The sources said that the detentions were part of a crackdown that Israel launched since early July against civil institutions and charities alleged to be linked with Hamas. According to the sources, the Israeli forces rolled into the city early yesterday and broke into tens of houses and conducted search operations. » Read more

Roadblocks Cripple West Bank Economy ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Inter Press Service (IPS) by Mel Frykberg - July 22, 2008 - 4:54pm The Israeli military has erected three additional roadblocks, further blocking vehicular access on the road between the south Hebron village of At-Tuwani and the commercial hub of Yatta in the southern West Bank. The West Bank is the Palestinian area west of the Jordan river, much of it under Israeli control. Besides being the main economic hub for the region, Yatta is also the principal provider of critical services such as hospitals, secondary schools and public administration offices. » Read more

Hamas Member Killed In Explosion ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bbc News July 22, 2008 - 4:51pm Hamas says one of its members has been killed in an explosion at a house near Gaza City. The militant group said the man died while on "a holy mission" - a term often used when a member dies accidentally while handling explosives. Two teenage boys were wounded in the blast at the militant's home. In the West Bank, Palestinian officials say Israeli troops have arrested a Hamas member of parliament from the city of Nablus. Mona Mansour and 19 other people were detained. » Read more

Palestinian Bulldozer Driver Shot Dead In Jerusalem Copycat Attack ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP) July 22, 2008 - 4:50pm A Palestinian man was shot dead after going on a bulldozer rampage in Jerusalem on Tuesday, wounding at least 16 people as he ploughed into cars in the second such attack this month. Jerusalem police chief Aharon Franco said the assailant, identified as a man from occupied east Jerusalem, rammed his vehicle into a bus near the King David Hotel, failing to overturn it, but smashing its windows. "The bulldozer then rammed five cars and damaged them. A civilian tried to stop him when a border guard arrived and neutralised him." » Read more

Arabs Are Not Always The Victims! ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-ayyam July 22, 2008 - 4:36pm  Have the Americans in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the Israelis in the West Bank and Gaza, committed crimes that are punishable under international law? Yes. And does the lack of indictments against American and Israeli officials for their war crimes by the International Criminal Court detract from its right to indict Sudanese officials for committing war crimes in Darfur? No. » Read more

July 21st

Obama To Land Here Tuesday For Meetings With Israeli And Palestinian Leaders ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Barak Ravid - July 21, 2008 - 4:12pm U.S. Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama is scheduled to land in Israel tomorrow for a visit, which will include meetings with Israeli and Palestinian officials in Jerusalem and the West Bank. Obama is scheduled to dine with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert tomorrow, and will later visit the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem. Over dinner, the prime minister plans to discuss Israel's military intelligence on the Iranian nuclear program and stress the importance of maintaining diplomatic pressure on Tehran. » Read more