Israeli race tightens with Livni gains ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Financial Times by Tobias Buck - February 6, 2009 - 1:00am The race to become Israel’s next prime minister has tightened, with the latest polls showing the right-wing Likud party under Benjamin Netanyahu is losing ground to his centrist challenger, Tzipi Livni. Ms Livni, Israel’s foreign minister, has led her Kadima party to a late sprint that has seen it catch up on Likud. Polls show that Kadima is not only gaining ground, but that Likud is losing support to the far-right Yisraeli Beiteinu group. » Read more

UN halts Gaza aid over 'thefts' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News February 6, 2009 - 1:00am The UN aid agency in Gaza says it has suspended all aid shipments, accusing the Hamas government of seizing hundreds of tonnes of food supplies. Ten lorries carrying flour and rice were taken from the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom crossing, the UN's Relief and Works Agency (Unrwa) said. Hamas admitted a "mistake" had been made and says it will return the goods. But Unwra says deliveries will not restart until it has assurances that such seizures will not happen again. Gaza is facing a humanitarian crisis after Israel's three-week offensive. » Read more

A setback for Turkey as Mideast broker ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Christian Science Monitor by Yigal Schleifer - February 6, 2009 - 1:00am Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's recent outburst at the World Economic Forum, where he berated Israeli President Shimon Peres for Israel's attack on Gaza, has won him unprecedented popularity in the Arab world. Mr. Erdogan's tirade may help Turkey reconnect with the region after decades of being estranged. But it could also damage Turkey's aspirations to be a mediating power in the Middle East, particularly between Israel and its neighbors. » Read more

U.N.’s Gaza Refugee Director Criticizes Israel and Hamas ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Neil MacFarquhar - February 5, 2009 - 1:00am John Ging, the director of operations for the United Nations refugee agency in Gaza, said Thursday that Israel’s blockade was creating growing misery there by choking off basic humanitarian supplies like food, medicine, clothes and blankets as well as school supplies. He also criticized the leadership of Hamas for letting its police force run wild, attacking a distribution center for the needy to cart off supplies. » Read more

The Obama Administration and the Unavoidable Issue of Palestine Policy Focus by ATFP - February 5, 2009 - 1:00am Overview » Read more