Palestinian Rivals Announce Steps Toward Healing Rift
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Taghreed El-Khodary, Isabel Kershner - February 26, 2009 - 1:00am

Leaders of the rival Palestinian groups Hamas and Fatah declared Thursday a “historic day” at the conclusion of a meeting here aimed at healing a 20-month schism. The long-awaited Cairo talks added another twist to an already complex political situation as President Obama’s Middle East envoy arrived in Israel for discussions with Israeli and Palestinian officials.

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Israel's next government will be 'more Jewish and more Zionist'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
February 26, 2009 - 1:00am

Israel's next government will be "more Jewish and more Zionist", the confident faction leader of the right-wing National Union party declared Thursday, following coalition talks with members of Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party. "There was very positive atmosphere at the meeting [with Netanyahu]," said Yaakov Katz, as he emerged from the talks at Kfar Maccabiah in central Israel. "...There is an understanding with Likud that the next government will be more Jewish and more Zionist."

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Egypt to Hamas, Fatah: Reconcile for Palestinian statehood
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
February 26, 2009 - 1:00am

Egyptian intelligence head Omar Suleiman on Thursday urged rival factions Hamas and Fatah to unite in order to establish a Palestinian state. "Everyone is looking towards you ... and are hanging their hopes on you. So do not prolong the disagreement and deepen the division. Unite ranks to fulfill the hopes of all for an independent Palestinian state," said Suleiman, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's right hand-man.

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Fayyad asks donors to channel Gaza aid through him
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
February 26, 2009 - 1:00am

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad is asking donor countries to channel hundreds of millions in expected aid for Gaza "first and foremost" through his government. Fayyad's request is part of a 53-page report he presented to donors ahead of a pledging conference for Gaza next week. The report was obtained Thursday by The Associated Press. Gaza's Hamas rulers are not invited to the conference. Instead, the Palestinians will be represented by Fayyad, a US-backed moderate and Hamas rival.

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Netanyahu aide sees new approach to Palestinian state
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
by Jeffrey Heller, Alastair MacDonald - February 26, 2009 - 1:00am

Benjamin Netanyahu will move aggressively toward improving the Palestinian economy once he becomes Israel's prime minister, a senior adviser said, outlining a new approach toward the U.S.-backed peace process. The adviser, Dore Gold, told Reuters that while Netanyahu would make Iran's nuclear program his "highest priority," he would not neglect the Palestinian issue even though he envisions a state with only limited sovereign powers.

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Thousands rally for Abbas in West Bank as Palestinian rivals begin talks
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
February 25, 2009 - 1:00am

Thousands of Palestinians congregated in the West Bank town of Nablus on Wednesday in a strong show of support for President Mahmoud Abbas ahead of reconciliation talks between rival Palestinian factions set to begin in Cairo. Later in the day, representatives of Abbas' Fatah movement are to sit down in Egypt with envoys from the Islamic militant group Hamas to try to plaster over the gaping political rift that divides them. Fatah on Tuesday released some 42 Hamas prisoners as a goodwill gesture ahead of the reconciliation talks.

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Thousands rally for Abbas in West Bank as Palestinian rivals begin talks
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
February 25, 2009 - 1:00am

Thousands of Palestinians congregated in the West Bank town of Nablus on Wednesday in a strong show of support for President Mahmoud Abbas ahead of reconciliation talks between rival Palestinian factions set to begin in Cairo. Later in the day, representatives of Abbas' Fatah movement are to sit down in Egypt with envoys from the Islamic militant group Hamas to try to plaster over the gaping political rift that divides them. Fatah on Tuesday released some 42 Hamas prisoners as a goodwill gesture ahead of the reconciliation talks.

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Prime Minister Salam Fayyad: Palestinian factions should unite and make peace with Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Israel Policy Forum
by Sadie Goldman - (Interview) February 24, 2009 - 1:00am

In an interview released yesterday, Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, called for a united Palestinian government that includes Fatah and Hamas, and would continue the peace process with Israel. The following are key excerpts: On Palestinian reconciliation,

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Musical Show of Unity Upsets Many in Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Ethan Bronner - February 24, 2009 - 1:00am

Achinoam Nini, a singer and peace activist, has long stirred controversy here. Known abroad by her stage name, Noa, she has recorded with Arab artists, refused to perform in the occupied West Bank, condemned Israeli settlements there and had concerts canceled because of bomb threats from the extreme right.

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Al Qaeda's Zawahri tells Hamas don't accept truce
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
by Inal Ersan - February 23, 2009 - 1:00am

Al Qaeda's second-in-command urged Palestinians in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip not to succumb to Arab pressure for a truce with Israel and vowed to support fighting against the Jewish state. The militant leader, in a recording posted on the Internet on Monday, also called on Muslims in Yemen, Afghanistan and Somalia to press ahead with fighting "crusaders" -- a term used to denote the West -- and their agents.

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