Fresh clashes at Jerusalem shrine
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News
October 5, 2009 - 12:00am

The protesters threw stones and bottles at the police, who responded with tear gas and stun grenades. Several Palestinians are reported to have been detained, including a former minister, Hatem Abdulqader. The Israeli police said they had closed the compound because Palestinians had planned a mass gathering there. Palestinians say they are trying to protect the site, known to Muslims as the Haram al-Sharif and to Jews as the Temple Mount, from Jewish hardliners, who they fear intend to desecrate it.

»

In Jerusalem, clashes over Temple Mount, Al Aqsa Mosque
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Christian Science Monitor
by Ilene Prusher - October 4, 2009 - 12:00am

Israeli police shut down access to key Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem's Old City on Sunday, spurring Palestinian protesters to throw rocks and bottles in protest – marking the second consecutive Sunday of disturbances near the city's overlapping points of prayer for Jews and Muslims.

»

First Palestinian prisoner released
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Ali Waked - October 1, 2009 - 12:00am

The videotape deal between Israel and Hamas is already underway, with the first Palestinian prisoner, 15-year-old Bara'ah Malki, released from prison Wednesday night. Malki was convicted of attempted murder and carrying a knife with intent to harm, and was slated to be released in November 2009. According to the deal, announced by the Prime Minister's Office on Wednesday, 20 female Palestinian prisoners are slated to be released in exchange for a recent video of captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

»

Former Arafat aide: Third Intifada on its way
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
September 30, 2009 - 12:00am

Bassam Abu Sharif, a former senior advisor to late President Yasser Arafat, added his voice to a chorus of those raising the possibility of a third Intifada, or uprising against Israel.

»

Israel to Free 20 Palestinians in Return for Proof Soldier Is Alive
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Isabel Kershner - September 30, 2009 - 12:00am

JERUSALEM — Israel said Wednesday that it would release 20 Palestinian women from its jails in exchange for a videotape of a captured Israeli soldier that would prove that he was alive. The soldier, Gilad Shalit, was seized by the Islamic group Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups in 2006 in a cross-border raid and taken into Gaza. The prisoner release offer, announced Wednesday by the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was the first significant sign of progress in negotiations about him since Mr. Netanyahu took office in March.

»

Kidnapped Israeli Soldier Shown Alive in Traded Videotape
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post
by Howard Schneider - September 30, 2009 - 12:00am

JERUSALEM, Sept. 30 -- Kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit is alive, according to a newly recorded videotape that will be provided to Israel by the Islamist Hamas movement in return for Israel's release of 20 Palestinian women prisoners, government officials said. The videotape already has been turned over to German mediators and will be given to Israel on Friday, when the prisoners are due to be set free, according to government officials and a statement from Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's office.

»

Palestinians 'close to agreement'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News
by Christian Fraser - September 28, 2009 - 12:00am

Exiled Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal says all Palestinian factions are drawing close to agreement on Egypt's proposals for Palestinian reconciliation. Mr Meshaal has met the head of Egyptian intelligence, Omar Suleiman, to give his answer to the proposals. He said Hamas have given some thoughts on how the draft might be adjusted - but in principle will return by the end of October to sign a final draft. Fatah and Hamas have been divided since Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007.

»

Palestinian from Bilin claims beaten by soldiers
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Ali Waked - September 17, 2009 - 12:00am

A Palestinian from the West Bank village of Bilin claimed Wednesday that Israel Defense Forces soldiers beat him and threatened to treat him like another activist who was shot during an anti-fence rally. Soldiers attending to the incident were confronted by foreign left-wing activists who documented the occurrence.

»

Egypt to open Rafah crossing 15, 16 September
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
September 8, 2009 - 12:00am

Egypt will open the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the southern Gaza Strip for two consecutive days on 15 and 16 September Egyptian security sources said Tuesday. The source explained that the crossing for patients, foreign visa holders, and students would be able to leave the Gaza Strip to Egypt, while all Gazans stranded at the Egyptian side of the terminal will be able to return to Gaza. Egyptian authorities said they would consider keeping the crossing open for an additional day or two so all those eligible to cross would be able to do so.

»

Palestinian Paper: Netanyahu visited Arab State
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
September 8, 2009 - 12:00am

Palestinian newspaper Al Manar reported Tuesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the capital of an Arab country which does not have diplomatic ties with Israel. Israeli journalists who were scheduled to meet Netanyahu on Monday inquired as to the change in his schedule. Later on in the evening, his office said he had visited a security facility in central Israel with National Security Adviser Uzi Arad and the PM's Military Secretary Maj. Gen. Meir Kalifi.

»


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