July 7th, 2011

Gaza flotilla: 'Solidarity more important than aid' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian by Ruqaya Izzidien - (Opinion) July 6, 2011 - 12:00am Support for the aid flotilla is universal in Gaza, partly because of the aid it aims to deliver, but more popularly because of the symbolism it holds. Khalil Shaheen, head of economic and social rights at the Palestinian centre for Human Rights, believes the most important message carried by the Gaza aid flotilla, which is attempting to leave Athens, is solidarity. » Read more

Ashton: Quartet meeting aim to set framework for talks ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post July 7, 2011 - 12:00am European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Wednesday said that the goal at a Quartet meeting in Washington scheduled for Monday will be "to try and adopt a statement that will help the Israelis and Palestinians to bridge the gap, and allow for a return to the negotiating table." The Quartet of Middle East peace negotiators -- the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations -- are scheduled to meet on July 11, a senior UN diplomat said last week. » Read more

UNRWA: Name has not changed ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency July 7, 2011 - 12:00am An UNRWA spokesperson said Thursday that the Palestinian refugee agency has not changed its name, after reports of a new title sparked protests in Gaza on Tuesday. Adnan Abu Hasnah said the only change was a logo update which actually added the term UNRWA, in English and Arabic, to the image. The organization's 60th anniversary, Hasnah said, and attracting donors and other partners was behind the update. But the no word in the title had been changed, he said. » Read more

PA report: Israeli settler attacks on the rise ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency July 7, 2011 - 12:00am Israeli settler violence towards Palestinians increased "dramatically" in June, according to a Palestinian Authority report released Wednesday. The report documented 139 attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank by the Israeli army and settlers as reported to the government during the month, including demolition of 95 buildings and over 3600 olive trees and vines. The release highlighted a fire in the village of Madama on Tuesday, and in Aqraba village on Monday, both in the northern Nablus district, which it attributed to Israeli settlers. » Read more

Washington Watch: Ships of fools ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Douglas Bloomfield - (Opinion) July 6, 2011 - 12:00am There’s more to the story of this year’s would-be Gaza flotilla than friends of Hamas going for another Mediterranean cruise just to poke their fingers in Israel’s eye. As this is being written, the ships remain bottled up in Greek harbors, stopped not by Israeli commandos rappelling from helicopters, but by something even more intimidating: squads of Jewish lawyers and diplomats. Israel also had help from international leaders who didn’t want to appear to be backing an international terrorist organization. » Read more

Erekat in Washington: UN bid continues despite pressure ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency July 7, 2011 - 12:00am PLO official Saeb Erekat said Wednesday that Palestinians would continue the bid for the UN to recognize an independent Palestinian state, after meeting US officials in Washington DC. The former chief negotiator said the US had demanded they withdraw their appeal, Israeli news site Ynet reported. But in a press conference Erekat stressed that the resolution, planned for September, does not contradict renewing currently stalled peace negotiations with Israel. » Read more

Support flotilla, with all its faults ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Larry Derfner - (Opinion) July 6, 2011 - 12:00am For political reasons, I wouldn’t go on the flotilla that’s trying to sail from Greece to Gaza, nor would I board the planned “air flotilla” to Ben-Gurion Airport on Friday. But for weightier political reasons, I hope the people on the boats make it to Gaza and those on the planes get through to the West Bank (even though it’s understood Israel won’t let them). As a Zionist, I don’t identify with these activists. But as a hater of the occupation, I support what they’re doing now. My heart isn’t really with them - but my head is. » Read more

In dealing with flotilla, Israel is anything but smart ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Amira Hass - (Opinion) July 7, 2011 - 12:00am Like an anti-Semitic caricature, Israel has extended its long tentacles around the globe in an effort to stop 10 decades-old ships from sailing to Gaza. Many Israelis interpreted this as a great victory. » Read more

July 6th

Study: Nonregistered Palestinian refugees are impoverished, marginalized and vulnerable ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Star by Simona Sikimic - July 6, 2011 - 12:00am U.N. service provision to the 17,000 estimated nonregistered Palestinian refugees in Lebanon has improved in recent years but too many of the “most vulnerable of the already vulnerable” continue to suffer from poor and patchy service provision, according to a report released Tuesday. The Danish Refugee Council study, “Incomplete Entitlement,” reveals that despite 80 percent of non-registered refugees reporting access to at least one U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) service, the average adult lives on $2.7 a day. » Read more

A Palestinian View: The consensus was positive ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons (Interview) July 4, 2011 - 12:00am an interview with Hanna Amireh bitterlemons: When the Palestine Liberation Organization decided last week to go ahead with its plan to seek statehood at the United Nations, was there great discussion about the issue? Amireh: The meeting decided on a general direction of seeking recognition of the Palestinian state on the borders of 1967, first at the Security Council and also at the General Assembly. Of course, there was a discussion and different positions presented, but the general consensus was to support the move. bitterlemons: Was there a discussion of the risks involved? » Read more