US, Israel work to gain support at UN to avoid using veto
IBA, Israel

In our top story all eyes are on the United Nations in New York where the political war between Israel and the Palestinians enters a critical phase today. With the opening of the 66th General Assembly, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his aides landed two hours ago. Palestinians are working overtime to gain the support needed for statehood in the Security Council while the US and Israel are lobbying to prevent the need for an American veto. President Barack Obama will address the world body in about an hour from now.

West Bank settlers and Palestinians clash as tensions rise over statehood bid
Dubai TV, UAE

Presenter, Female #1
Palestinians in the West Bank have taken to the streets in support of their leadership's bid for recognition of the state of Palestine. Tens of thousands of residents started to gather early this morning in the cities of Ramallah, Nablus, and Hebron, raising the Palestinian flag and chanting slogans in support of the state of Palestine. The rallies took place amid heightened security measures, as confirmed by the Palestinian security forces spokesman Adnan al-Damiri. Al-Damiri said that nearly 8,000 police officers have been deployed in order to ensure the peacefulness of the popular mobilization. The warnings of Israeli politicians against the Palestinians coincided with a series of protests and provocative acts by the settlers in an attempt to drag the Palestinians into a confrontation. Meanwhile, the Israeli army was heavily deployed across West Bank cities. In addition, Israel plans to elevate its state of alert to the maximum level in order to counter what it referred to as "the fallout of the Palestinian statehood recognition." Our correspondent Sheruk As'ad reports from Ramallah.

Reporter, Female #2
As the Palestinian diplomatic battle nears its peak, Israel is seeking to reverse the move by mobilizing its media, military, politicians, and settlers. Meanwhile, armed Israeli settlers in the Palestinian territories have escalated their attacks on Palestinian residents and villagers who are living a daily nightmare. The settlers also targeted Palestinian farms. More than 50 settlers attempted to storm the village of Asira al-Qibliya near Nablus under the protection of the Israeli army. The Palestinians rushed to defend themselves.

Guest, Male #1 (Jamal Juma'h, Anti-Apartheid Wall and Settlement Campaign's Popular Committees)
Israel is facing a crisis, and it wants to overcome it by staging a conflict with the Palestinians. It wants to drag the Palestinians into a confrontation. Israel is training and arming its settlers and providing protection for them. It's clear that Israel is turning the settlers into organized armed gangs, and this is very dangerous. What is more dangerous, however, is that a massacre or two may be committed during one of the settlers' attacks on the villages.

Reporter, Female #2
The settlers have staged a series of rallies across the West Bank, including Nablus, Hebron, and Ramallah. The Palestinians see these rallies as provocative acts, especially since they come at a time when the Palestinians are trying to achieve UN recognition and reclaim one of their rights. By continuing to escalate their political and popular mobilization, the settlers who are backed by the Israeli army, want to show that they don't plan to withdraw from the settlements or end the occupation.

Guest, Male #2 (Ahmad Assaf, Fatah's Spokesman)
Israel has a major political obligation, which it will not meet because it's not ready to make peace. This is why it's trying to drag us into a security showdown. We as Palestinians will continue to cling to our unequivocal principles, and we will remain steadfast on our land and in our homes, regardless of how may crimes Israel commits. Despite all of this, we will not give Israel an opportunity to achieve its goals against the Palestinian people.

Reporter, Female #2
Israel has hit a political impasse. This is why it's trying to confuse the issues and reverse the scene, and one way to do this is to extend the hands of its settlers. Sheruk Asa'ad, Dubai TV, from the Beit Eil checkpoint north Ramallah.

Fresh clashes erupt in Yemen's Sanaa despite truce
BBC Arabic, UK

Presenter, Male # 1
The Yemeni issue is discussed on our main news page. Violent clashes were renewed in Sanaa despite the truce between forces loyal to Ali Abdullah Saleh and defectors. More details on the Yemeni issue in the following report.

Reporter, Male # 2
Amid the sound of explosions and gunfire in Sanaa, hundreds of thousands of Yemenis tightly packed al-Seteen Square in the west of the city to participate in the funeral of dozens of demonstrators. They were killed in the past few days in the gunfire of snipers and forces loyal to President Ali Abdullah Saleh, according to media reports relying on eyewitnesses and medical sources.

Guest, Male # 3
To the remnants of the regime, and Ali Abdullah Saleh's sons and relatives, I tell them they can steal our smiles, steal our happiness, and replace it with sadness but they will not steal and they will not break the will of the Yemeni people. Their end will be in the trash bin of history; those criminals and killers.

Reporter, Male # 2
The mourners, who held pictures of victims, chanted against Saleh's regime. They confirmed the peacefulness of their revolution despite the wave of violence they are being subjected to. In other Yemeni cities, demonstrations against the ongoing events were relentless and escalated despite the violence of the authorities. The city of Taiz continues to witness the death and injury of more protestors by Saleh's forces and those described as the thugs of his party. In southern Sanaa's Damar, tens of thousands of protestors took the city's streets to condemn the killing of peaceful demonstrators and reiterated the need to maintain what they describe as "revolutionary resolve" until the downfall of the head of the regime and his prosecution along with his aides. Meanwhile, the official media said Gulf Cooperation Council Chief Abdulatif al-Zayani met with Vice President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi. They reported on al-Zayani, saying his visit to Yemen aims to review the political situation on the ground and look into the readiness to discuss the details of the brotherly Gulf initiative. From that, observers understood that there are still no indication of tangible progress in the Gulf and international mediation efforts. Anwar al-Ansi, BBC.

Egyptians demand an end to Camp David Accords with Israel
Al-Alam, Iran

Presenter, Female #1
Amr Moussa, a potential candidate for Egyptian presidency, said the so-called Camp David Treaty does not exist. He indicated that the Camp David Accords were part of an agreement that has expired and is no longer being implemented. During his tour in Damietta Province, Moussa said that what is being currently implemented is the Egypt-Israel Treaty, and that its security framework should be reviewed. In addition, Moussa stressed the importance of quickly ending the transitional phase in the country so that the parliamentary elections, constitutional amendments, and presidential elections may take place. Moussa added that he rejects the emergency law, stating that the criminal laws in Egypt are sufficient to resolve the current situation.

Reporter, Female #2
The Egyptian revolution achieved its historical goal of overthrowing the Egyptian regime and liberating the country from the chains that have long hampered the country's growth, foreign relations, and strategic interests. Meanwhile, starting the process of compensating for the damages inflicted on the country and reversing the affects of the former regime's long years of corruption will be a much greater achievement, and is the challenge the Egyptian revolution faces today. The Camp David Accords are one of the most prominent agreements that Egyptians are trying to change in the post-revolution era, in light of increasing rejection of it, and the escalating controversy surrounding it; especially after several events proved the agreement undermined Egypt's sovereignty and was harmful to national and security interests.

Guest, Male #1 (Saeed al-Lawinadi, International Relations Expert)
Camp David brings a plague to Egypt and the Arab world. Camp David was a turning point; before it, we talked about Arab nationalism, Arab solidarity, etc. The Arab League was ambitious, and before Camp David, it took the initiative; after Camp David, we only talk about the Arab fallout. Today it is obvious that according to this agreement, Egypt does not have the right to have an army or military forces.

Reporter, Female #2
There are increasing calls to either abolish the agreement in its current form, or amend its articles in order to achieve more sovereignty and guarantees for Egyptian national security, especially after several Egyptians were killed by Israeli gunfire near the border. It was not the first incident of its kind; perhaps it will not be the last. Political observers say the change in the current balance of power is another reason to amend the agreement that was signed by Egypt and the Israeli entity over 32 years ago.

Guest, Male #2 (Hussein Hamouda, Expert in Israeli Affairs)
Israel shouldn't say anything; it must realize that the balance of power has shifted. The Camp David Accords were signed in light of a power balance in favor of Israel and the US, but Egypt today is not Mubarak's Egypt. Today's post-revolution Egypt has a right to reclaim its rights and amend the agreement, especially the articles pertaining to the military issue.

Reporter, Female #1
There is no doubt that Egypt's next battle is to review the country's priorities and formulate its foreign policies accordingly, and not evade its national responsibilities. The Israeli entity will be mistaken if it does not reevaluate Egypt's internal political scene and listen to the Egyptian voices of change that are echoing demands to not only amend the Camp David Accords but also the basis of Egypt's relations with the Israeli entity. Nourmin Khalil, Alalam, Cairo.

Bahrainis stage Dignity Blockade rally
Press TV, Iran

Moving on to Bahrain where anti-government protestors there have created massive traffic jams in the capital Manama. The crowd flooded the roads with their cars in response to a call by the opposition to boycott parliamentary elections this week. The opposition named this the "dignity blockade." The traffic jams hit many highways during morning commuter hours. Reports say that at least 18 drivers have been arrested. The al-Khalifa had threatened to confiscate the protestors' driving licenses and to bar them from driving for up to four years.

Fierce clashes near Bani Walid and Sirte
Press TV, Iran

Libyan revolutionaries say they have captured the southern city of Sabha from forces loyal to fugitive ruler Muammar Gaddafi. An official for the Libyan National Transitional Council said that anti-Gaddafi forces are now in full control of the desert town. Earlier this week, anti-Gaddafi forces said they had captured Sabha's airport. Meanwhile, fierce clashes are underway between Gaddafi forces and revolutionaries near Sirte and Bani Walid, the last strongholds of Muammar Gaddafi.

Iran frees two jailed US hikers
Press TV, Iran

Iran has released two American nationals who were convicted of spying for the United States. Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer left Tehran' prison after Iran's judiciary granted each of them a $500,000 bail. The Swiss ambassador in Tehran along with the Americans' lawyer finalized the release process at the prison. Last month the court found the two guilty of espionage and illegal entry into Iran, for which they were sentenced to eight years in prison. The judiciary says the sentences were not final. A third US citizen, Sarah Shourd, who accompanied them, was released on a similar bail last year

Trio of bomb attacks strike Iraq's Anbar Province
Al-Iraqiya TV, Iraq

Presenter, Male #1
In the Iraqi province of Anbar, four residents were martyred and 15 others were wounded in three bomb attacks, including a booby trapped explosion. The attacks, which were carried out by three terrorists strapped to explosive belts, targeted the local government building in central Ramadi. While one of the terrorists was killed by police before detonating his explosives, the other two managed to blow themselves up.

Reporter, Male #2
The targeting of innocent people seems to be the only language spoken by terrorists, who continue to target everyone, young and old, male and female. They bring their heinous acts to the civilian population. Today, Anbar witnessed three terrorist attacks, martyring four people and injuring 15, including women and children.

Guest, Female #1 (Sundus Abed, Injured Resident)
It was like a bad dream. They brought me to the hospital. I didn't know what was happening. I live in Baghdad.

Guest, Male #3 (Abdel Star Aftan, Resident)
This is a criminal act carried out by terrorists. The explosions targeted innocent people who have done nothing wrong. Some of the victims were cab drivers who were gathering when the car exploded by this low-life terrorist.

Reporter, Male #2
The explosions struck around 1 p.m. near the entrance of the local government building. The perpetrators, disguised in police uniforms, entered the building and killed one of the security officers with a silenced handgun. After gaining access to the building, one of the terrorists who was strapped to an explosive belt, blew himself up.

Guest, Male #4 (Hadi Rizikh, Anbar Police Chief)
The quick actions by our officers and one of the recruits in charge of protecting this building foiled one of the attacks. They saw one of the suspects acting strange and yelled at him to stop. When he refused to obey the order, our police recruits shot him dead at the scene.

Reporter, Male #2
The businesses adjacent to the scene of the attacks sustained massive damages. In addition, a number of the residents' vehicles were burned from the blast of a suicide bomber's car near the eastern entrance of the government building in central Ramadi.

Guest, Male #7
The final causality toll was 15 injured and three martyrs. Most victims sustained minor injuries and have already left the hospital. Several of those who remained at the hospital sustained moderate injuries.

Reporter, Male #2
The terrorists committed suicide on the walls of Ramadi, killing civilians in cold blood. This proves that the terrorists have been thrown off balance as they continue to fall day by day. Not long ago, they targeted dozens of people in the area of al-Nakhaib. And today, they targeted innocent people in the city of Ramadi. This shows the heinous nature of these strayed gangs, which have nothing to do with Islam.

FBI suspends Islamophobic guide
Al Jazeera, Qatar

Presenter, Female #1
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation suspended an employee guide that teaches them how to deal with American Muslims. The guide depicted Islam as a violent religion and Muslims as not having developed since the 7th Century. This move came after a wave of criticism about the guide by US human rights organizations. Wajd Waqfi reports on the details from Washington.

Reporter, Female #2
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation's employee guide on how to deal with Muslim Americans received a wave of strong criticism from both US human rights groups and Islamic organizations, which forced the FBI to recall the guide from its training program in order to revise it, according to the organizations. The guide, published on Wire.com and the American Civil Liberties Union website, claims that Islam is a violent religion, and that Zakat and Sadaqah, or Islamic charitable giving, is a "funding mechanism for combat against non-Muslims." In addition, it claims that Muslims have not developed and are still living as if in the 7th Century. Islamic organizations and human rights groups said the author of the guide described the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, as a "cult leader."

Guest, Male #1 (Corey Saylor, Council on American-Islamic Relations)
This very clearly shows Islam as a hostile religion. Its author is a person who made hostile statements towards Islam before he joined the FBI, then was given such a position so he could spread his ideas among employees.

Reporter, Female #2
In its response to al-Jazeera's request to verify the existence of the guide, the FBI replied with a letter confirming that it does indeed exist. However, it denied that the guide represents the FBI's position or point of view on Muslims. Despite this, it confirmed in a separate letter to al-Jazeera that similar problems emerged in 2009. The FBI told al-Jazeera that the most recent guide was only used once this past March. Meanwhile, US human rights groups speak of a pattern of behavior that the FBI uses with Muslims.

Guest, Male #2 (Michael German, American Civil Liberties Union)
There are a number of materials that we're finding that are currently being revised by them. Therefore, it is difficult for us to know the essence of the new guide. In 2009, we learned about these suspicious things that are being repeated now. The problem is bigger than we imagined.

Reporter, Female #2
The US rights groups fear that such an act would be repeated. Therefore, they demanded the FBI enforce strict standards to avoid a repeat of such behavior. Wajd Waqfi, al-Jazeera, Washington.

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