News Roundup: False Call on Soldier Capture Report?

Traffic around Tel Aviv airport and throughout the country came to slow as impromptu roadblocks and checkpoints were set up within Israel proper and the West Bank following reports that two civilians were seen forcing an Israeli soldier into a car near an army base.

The Israeli army found no evidence of the abduction after a roll call of all active soldiers and reservists.

Besides the witness account, an unknown group, "Al Quds Army," sent an e-mail to the Palestinian news agency, Maan, claiming to have captured a soldier in the same location. In the communique, the group pledged to release a statement by last night. It did not. Often, unknown groups rush to claim responsibility for reported events to which they have no connection.

While Shin Bet and the military continued to investigate the claims, Israeli forces were on high alert. They detained eight Palestinians, including one young woman, in a series of raids and spot checks throughout the West Bank on Thursday.

In 2009 so far, Israel has kidnapped more than 2500 Palestinians.

HEADLINES

Palestinian PM to Haaretz: It's not our business whether Israel is Jewish (Ha'aretz)

UN rights chief: Evidence that Israel abused rights in Gaza (Ha'aretz)

Fatah newly-elected leadership to hold first meeting (Xinhua)

UN Human Rights Chief: Israel's Blockade of Gaza Strip Is Illegal (FOXNews)

Israel questions Gaza war reports (Aljazeera)

Palestine and the Palestinians

Google launches local search engine (Los Angeles Times)

Deposed Hamas PM accuses Israel of incitement against Gaza (Xinhua)

Israeli army shoots, gasses MK at anti-wall rally in Bil'in (Maan News)

Abbas rules out talks unless Israel halts settlements (AFP)

Following election triumph, Fatah sets out to 'liberate' Gaza (Ha'aretz)

Recrimination mars Fatah's healing, Israel dismayed (Xinhua)

The Neighbors

Hezbollah to mark 3 years since its 'victory over Israel' (Ha'aretz)

Oman, Qatar: We'll renew Israel ties if it freezes settlements (Ha'aretz)

Egyptian Editor Advocates for Quick Peace Between Israel and Palestine (Kansas City infoZine)

US Foreign Policy

Hoyer blames Palestinians for no talks (Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

International Relations/Law

Arab states seek int'l inspection of Israel's nuclear program (Ha'aretz)

Arts and Activism

Reaching the next generation with 'Muppet diplomacy' (CNN)

United Church rejects Israel boycott (CBC.ca)

Misc.

NYC Mayor Bloomberg appoints US Palestinian to head immigration office (Maan News)

Commentary

Hishmeh: Fatah gets a facelift, but needs to reconcile (Gulf News)

Khouri: A Pro-Israel Panic (Agence Global)

Baroud: Fatah: A new beginning or an imminent end? (Maan News)

Freedman: Marriage and intolerance in Israel (The Guardian)

Wright: Listen to the women of Palestine (The Guardian)

Strenger: Why Israel's left has disappeared (Ha'aretz)

Hijab: More than One S in Resistance (Agence Global)

Shaaban: Where are the Arabs to stand up for the Hanoun and Ghawi families? (Counterpunch)

Levy: Obama's America is not delivering the goods (Ha'aretz)

Sheikh: When we stop dreaming (Palestine Telegraph)

Almadhoun: The endless adventure of trying to leave Gaza (Huffington Post)

Michael Oren: West Bank Success Story (Wall Street Journal)

Khouri: Perpetual and Collective Failures (Agence Global)

Goldberg: Obama is right not to spoil Israel in the same way that Bush did (Daily Star)

Mitchell is Trying, Israel is Tiring (Layalina Review)

Views expressed on this post or on linked web pages do not represent the Palestine Center, the educational program of the Jerusalem Fund for Education and Community Development. All content is for educational purposes only.

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