May 20th

Cairo Is The Key
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Ron Ben- Yishai - (Opinion) May 20, 2008 - 4:03pm


The rush of Israeli politicians to the World Economic Forum in Sharm el-Sheikh was more than a ceremonial move. Barak and Livni, and to some extent Benjamin Netanyahu as well, are currently managing a crucial phase in lull negotiations. However, we are not talking about indirect negotiations with Hamas via Egypt; rather, those are direct talks with Egypt over Cairo’s role in such deal.


America Is Tired
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Nahum Barnea - (Opinion) May 20, 2008 - 4:01pm


President Bush stood up at the Knesset plenum last Thursday and said things that every Israeli would be touched by. One of the declarations that would be remembered from that speech expands the limits of America’s commitment to Israel and almost turns it into the 51st state. Should Israel need to defend itself, the president said, 300 million Americans will stand by the seven million Israelis


Gaza: 4 Palestinians Killed In Idf Strikes
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
May 20, 2008 - 4:00pm


Palestinian sources in Gaza reported Tuesday afternoon that two Palestinians were killed and five others were wounded by IDF artillery fire at a Gaza City neighborhood, raising the death toll in a series of IDF strikes to four.


Israel's Leading Team: An Unfulfilled Promise
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons
by Nimrod Novik - (Opinion) May 20, 2008 - 3:59pm


For decades, we Israelis have found ourselves frustrated by the shortcomings of our leaders and yearning for the miracle of a mid-life genetic mutation: an act of nature or nurture that would mesh the best in each and thus produce the ideal leader.


Don’t Depend On Outsiders For A Settlement Of Mideast Dispute
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News
by Shlomo Avineri - (Opinion) May 20, 2008 - 3:58pm


Israel’s 60th anniversary has come and gone. So, too, has President George W. Bush’s final visit to the Middle East. Amidst the celebrations and the soul-searching, no meaningful breakthrough in the deadlocked Israeli-Palestinian negotiations is visible.


Barak Warns Of Military Escalation In Gaza
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times
May 20, 2008 - 3:57pm


ISRAELI DEFENCE minister Ehud Barak warned on Monday after talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak that continued rocket fire from the Hamas-run Gaza Strip could accelerate a military conflict in the territory. Barak told Mubarak, whose government is mediating a truce between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, that "the ongoing rocket fire against civilian targets and terror activity from the Gaza Strip could accelerate an escalation towards a military conflict", his office said.


Bush's Heroes And Rogues
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Der Spiegel
by Christoph Schult, Daniel Steinvorth And Bernhard Zand - May 20, 2008 - 3:57pm


The refugees came in a magnificent white yacht, the Michka II. Under a brilliant blue sky, the boat glided smoothly into the harbor at Larnaca, on the east coast of Cyprus. Madame Habib, the wife of the Arab shipowner, bade farewell to her new friends with a peck on the cheek. Then the 12 elegantly dressed Lebanese passengers, with their fashionable sunglasses, handbags and trolley suitcases, disembarked.


Bush Castigated By Leading Palestinian
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Independent
by Donald Macintyre - May 20, 2008 - 3:56pm


President George Bush yesterday tried to reassure sceptical Arab leaders that by the end of the year he wanted a Palestinian state "defined", after being criticised for missing an opportunity to highlight the matter when he lavished praise on Israel last week. Speaking before Mr Bush met the President of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas, in Sharm el-Sheikh, a leading Palestinian negotiator and moderate, Saeb Erekat, said: "He should have told the Israelis no one can be free at the expense of others. He missed this opportunity and we are disappointed."


Symposium
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Quarterly
by Various - May 20, 2008 - 3:55pm


Israel's Arab citizens comprise 18% of its population yet have languished on the margins of Israeli society for decades. Failed peace talks and political stalemates have convinced a growing number that Israeli Arabs will not only play an important role in a peace settlement between Israel and her Arab neighbours but could also hold the key to the future internal stability, security and prosperity of the Israeli state. Empowering them with the necessary social and political muscle will require a rethink on the part of most Israelis. Here, four key workers consider the possibilities.


Al-nakba: The Sponsor Of Arab Identities
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-ayyam
by Hassan Al-batal - (Opinion) May 20, 2008 - 3:54pm


Some Arabs and Israelis have started to take pleasure in asking Palestinians about their claim of being nation builders, and pointing specifically to their failure in building a nation of their own.



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