PA, Hamas not interested in escalation
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
February 27, 2013 - 1:00am

A third intifada is not likely to erupt in the occupied West Bank, neither a military confrontation is expected between Israel and the Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip, say Palestinian analysts. Two local analysts highlighted Tuesday that the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank is not interested in a third intifada, because the results would be disastrous. Similarly, Hamas is not interested in ending the ceasefire and resuming military confrontation with Israel forces.

»

Abbas: E1 building is 'red line' for Palestinians
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Khaled Abu Toameh - February 27, 2013 - 1:00am

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas reiterated his opposition on Wednesday to Israel’s plan to build in the area known as E1 between Jerusalem and Ma’aleh Adumim. Abbas said that the Palestinians considered the plan a “red line” that should not be crossed. Abbas’s remarks came during a meeting he held in his office in Ramallah with Nigel Kim Darroch, the National Security Adviser for the British government.

»

Abbas to Palestinian Authority security officials: Don't get drawn into Israeli violence
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Jack Khoury, Barak Ravid - February 26, 2013 - 1:00am

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas reportedly met Monday evening with Palestinian security chiefs in Ramallah and instructed them to enforce calm in the West Bank.

»

Abbas says Israel wants chaos
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
February 26, 2013 - 1:00am

President Mahmoud Abbas said Monday that Israel was seeking chaos as Israeli forces clashed with protesters across the West Bank for the second day. "The Israelis want chaos ... We will not allow them to drag us into it and to mess with the lives of our children and our youth," Abbas told reporters in his office in Ramallah. The death of 30-year-old Arafat Jaradat in Israeli custody on Saturday has sparked mass protests across the West Bank and Gaza. An autopsy revealed Jaradat died of extreme torture, Palestinian officials said Sunday.

»

Finance Ministry to Pay Remainder of Public Employees' January Salaries on Wednesday
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Palestine News Network
February 26, 2013 - 1:00am

The Palestinian Ministry of Finance announced that the remaining half of the public employees' January salary will be paid on Wednesday, 27 February. Spokesman of Finance Ministry Rami Mehdawi told Palestinian official news WAFA that 'some banks will disburse the remaining half of the salaries on Tuesday night through ATMs.’


Hamas gov't says no rockets fired from Gaza
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from
February 26, 2013 - 1:00am

Gaza's Hamas rulers denied Tuesday what they called "Israeli claims" that a rocket was fired into southern Israel. "No known party has claimed responsibility for firing the rocket and we are still following up on the matter," said Ihab Al- Ghussein, head of Hamas government media office.

»

Hamas bans Fatah official from leaving Gaza: statement
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
February 24, 2013 - 1:00am

Hamas security officers prevented an official from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party from leaving the Gaza Strip to the West Bank, Fatah said in a statement on Sunday. The move is part of finger-pointing between the rival groups over their failure to form a transitional unity government to achieve national reconciliation under the Egyptian-sponsored mediation efforts.

»

Poll: Large Majority of Palestinians Want Immediate Elections
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Palestine News Network
February 21, 2013 - 1:00am

A large majority of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and West Bank support holding immediate presidential and legislative elections, a new poll published Thursday said. The poll, by the Arab World for Research and Development (AWRAD) and reported by WAFA, said 95% of Gaza residents and 82% of West Bank residents support the holding of immediate legislative and presidential elections.

»

Fatah irate at reported indirect Israel-Hamas talks
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Khaled Abu Toameh - February 21, 2013 - 1:00am

Fatah officials expressed outrage on Wednesday over reports that Hamas and Israel are conducting indirect talks in Cairo. According to the reports, Israeli and Hamas officials who arrived in Cairo recently have been holding indirect talks about consolidating the current cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, which has been in effect since Operation Pillar of Defense ended in November.

»

Palestinian voter registration extended for two days
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
February 18, 2013 - 1:00am

The Palestinian Elections Commission (CEC) on Monday extended the registration of new voters in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank for two more days. The updating of voter registration records was supposed to end Monday, but as more people are going to the registration centers, Palestinian groups recommended the CEC to extend the period of registration, said Hisham Kuhail, the CEC executive director.

»


American Task Force on Palestine - 1634 Eye St. NW, Suite 725, Washington DC 20006 - Telephone: 202-262-0017