Experts Outline Challenges, Propose Solutions for Gaza at ATFP-UNRWA Briefing
Media Mention of Ghaith al-Omari In - May 19, 2014 - 12:00am

A group of prominent experts identified a number of key challenges facing the Gaza Strip and its Palestinian residents, and ways to address them, at a briefing jointly hosted by the American Task Force on Palestine (


Kerry's visit to Mideast hopes to pave way for talks
Media Mention of ATFP In - April 4, 2013 - 12:00am

Secretary of State John Kerry will head to the Middle East this weekend to encourage the Israelis and Palestinians to follow up on President Obama's recent call for the two sides to restart peace talks. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said Wednesday that Kerry will visit Turkey, Israel and Ramallah, West Bank. He will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, she said. The visit is a chance to figure out what Israeli and Palestinian leaders "think is possible," Nuland said.


Jerusalem Arab residents contest highway route
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
by Diaa Hadid - March 11, 2013 - 12:00am


A new Israeli highway project is threatening to add to tensions in Jerusalem by cutting through a quiet, middleclass Arab neighborhood to link a large bloc of Jewish settlements to the city. The project comes during a flurry of Israeli building in east Jerusalem, the section of the city claimed by the Palestinians as their future capital.


Israeli police, Palestinians clash at Jerusalem mosque
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
by Ori Lewis - March 8, 2013 - 1:00am


Israeli police fired stun grenades to disperse Palestinian worshippers who had thrown rocks and firebombs at them after Friday prayers at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City, police said. Dozens of officers entered the politically sensitive area, one of Islam's holiest sites to break up several hundred protesters. A number of policemen were lightly hurt, a police spokesman said, and Palestinian media said at least 15 protesters were injured.


Israeli police disperse Palestinians at key site
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
March 8, 2013 - 1:00am


Israeli police have entered Jerusalem's holiest site to disperse hundreds of Palestinians who were throwing rocks. Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said Palestinian worshipers rioted after Friday Muslim prayers at the hilltop site in the Old City of Jerusalem. It's known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary, where the Al-Aqsa Mosque stands.


East Jerusalem woman wounded by Israeli Border Police fire
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Amira Hass - March 6, 2013 - 1:00am


An East Jerusalem woman sustained a serious injury to her jaw last week from a foam-tipped plastic bullet fired by a Border Police officer in an incident whose particulars are in dispute. According to a police spokesman the incident, in the East Jerusalem village of Silwan, began when one young woman was arrested by the Border Police. He said residents began throwing rocks at the arresting officers from nearby rooftops, in response to which “the forces fired three foam-tipped bullets.” But residents insist that no rocks were thrown at the officers.


Israeli Soldiers Assault Palestinians, Remove Woman's Veil at Al-Aqsa Mosque
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Palestine News Network
March 6, 2013 - 1:00am


On Wednesday 6th March, Al-Aqsa Association for Waqf and Heritage said in a press statement that Israeli settlers and soldiers stormed al-Aqsa mosque and assaulted several Palestinian worshipers in clashes erupted at the mosque's courtyards. Eyewitnesses said that a group of settlers raided the mosque, and the Palestinian women worshipers started following them and chanting "Allah Akbar, "God is the Greatest" as a way to protest the raid. The soldiers suppressed the protest and tried to arrest one of the women.


Israel undermining own security with settlements, allies warn
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Los Angeles Times
by Carol J. Williams - March 1, 2013 - 1:00am


As Israel pursues an expanded settlement agenda in Palestinian territory, even its friends are beginning to sound like its adversaries.


Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu suspends housing settlements ahead of Obama’s visit
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Times
by Cheryl K. Chumley - March 1, 2013 - 1:00am


Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has suspended all housing construction in contested areas of east Jerusalem and the West Bank as a diplomatic nod at President Obama’s upcoming visit.


Economy minister welcomes EU settlements report
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
February 28, 2013 - 1:00am


The PA economy minister on Thursday welcomed an EU report calling for economic sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The leaked non-binding document by European Union consul generals in East Jerusalem and the West Bank said the 27-nation bloc should be diligent in ensuring settlements are excluded from trade benefits enjoyed by Israel.



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