Mar 27, 2009

News Roundup: Prisoner Swap Hits Snags; Sudan Attack Questioned

Israel denies progress in prisoner swap talks with Hamas (Xinhua)

Hamas objects to exile instead of release (Ynetnews)

Palestinians say Israel revises prisoner swap list (Reuters)

Sudanese official: Israel behind raids (The Associated Press)

US sources say Israel struck in Sudan (Ynetnews)

News from Within

Gaza witness: IDF troops told us 'Go south or you'll get shot' (Ha'aretz)

Palestinian Group Wins Top Literary Prize (Voice of America)

Israel nabs 7 Palestinians in West Bank raids (Xinhua)

Man shot at Huwwara; Israeli medical crews evacuate Palestinian (Ma'an News Agency)

Palestinian president's Baghdad trip called off (AFP)

Lebanese security sources say PLO official "victim of inter-Palestinian feud" (Xinhua)

Video: Israeli settlement building threat in West Bank (Al Jazeera)

FACTBOX-Key Palestinian economic indicators (Reuters)

Palestinian business skeptical of Netanyahu plan (Reuters UK)

Israel

Israeli military draws vaccine flak (Al-Jazeera)

Israel: One Fewer Olmert Inquiry (AP)

Israel successfuly tests anti-rocket missile: TV (AFP)

Israel army demotes Gaza soldier for shooting Palestinian woman (BBC News)

Israeli PM's "final offer" to Palestinians revealed (Xinhua)

International Relations and Law

Israel-Europe ties showing strains (Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

Turkey president: Netanyahu government must act responsibly (Ha'aretz)

Syrian president seeks "strong ties" with Lebanon (Xinhua)

'Egypt boosts Sudan border troops over Gaza smuggling' (Ha'aretz)

Israel Seals $2 Bn Indian Air Defense Deal (RTT News)

Israel ups anti-Iran rants as Bibi era nears (Press TV)

Assad says Syria-Israel talks depend on clear US position (Ha'aretz)

Pope Benedict to visit Ramallah during first trip to Israel (guardian.co.uk)

Palestinian clerics' Canada visit under scrutiny (Vancouver Sun)

Chas Freeman

Ex-US envoy slates Israel influence (Aljazeera.net)

Video: Riz Khan - Chas Freeman and the Israeli lobby - 26 Mar 09 - Part 1 (Al Jazeera)

Activism

Jewish group proud of role in barring Galloway (The Canadian Press)

Commentary

David Ignatius: A Tax Break Fuels Middle East Friction (Washington Post)

George Galloway: Canada Can't Muzzle Me (The Guardian)

Patrick Seale: Obama’s Arab and Muslim Strategy (Agence Global)

Nadia Hijab: Longing for Ottomans (Agence Global)

Aluf Benn: Will Egypt-Israel peace survive after Mubarak leaves office? (Ha'aretz)

Amos Harel: Sudan strike won't make Iran give up on Hamas (Ha'aretz)

Editorial Board: Being a Partner for Peace (NY Times)

Israel: 'We need a responsible adult to step in' (Examiner.com)