Suspect Arrested in Ramat Gan Bus Stabbing
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
May 4, 2009 - 12:00am


The security forces on Sunday night arrested a Palestinian suspected of stabbing an Israel Defense Forces soldier on a bus in Ramat Gan. The man, whose identity has been placed under a gag order, was turned over to the Shin Bet for questioning. The suspect was seized near the place where the soldier was stabbed.


Understandings before a clash
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Ephraim Sneh - May 4, 2009 - 12:00am


Glimmers of concern have recently crept into conversations with various American officials about a possible clash between the Obama administration and the Netanyahu government. On the one hand, the U.S. president has reiterated his intention to implement an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement based on the existence of two independent states. On the other hand, official voices in the Israeli government are heralding an attempt to evade, thwart or at least delay such a move.


Livni: Iran threat opens door to peace with Arabs
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Natasha Mozgovaya - May 4, 2009 - 12:00am


Opposition leader and Kadima party head Tzipi Livni on Sunday said that Israel must view the threat posed by Iran as an opportunity to further peace with other neighbors in the region. "Let me be clear: On the issue of Iran, there is no opposition party in Israel," Livni told an audience at the annual AIPAC conference in Washington. Livni continued: "The threat from Iran has created new possibilities for alliances between Israel and the pragmatic states in the region - countries that realize that Israel is not the source of the problems in the Middle East."


Spain okays Gaza war crimes probe against Israeli officials
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
May 4, 2009 - 12:00am


Spanish National Court judge Fernando Andreu announced Monday that he will pursue his investigation into a 2002 Israeli bombing in the Gaza Strip, despite contrary advice by prosecutors at the court. Defense Minister Ehud Barak said he would call on the Spanish government to prevent the investigation, reiterating Israel's stance that the Israel Defense Forces is the most "moral" army in the world.


UN experts discuss Gaza mission
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC World News
by Imogen Foulkes - May 4, 2009 - 12:00am


UN investigators are beginning a week-long meeting in Geneva, ahead of a mission to Israel and the Gaza Strip. The team is mandated to investigate possible war crimes committed by Israel and Hamas during Israel's incursion into Gaza last December and January. But it remains unclear whether Israel will grant the investigators access to the former conflict zone. The team, which is led by South African judge Richard Goldstone, was appointed by the UN's Human Rights Council. Other team members include a military specialist and a human rights lawyer. 'Impartial'


PA minister: Ending Hamas rule is a national, moral and religious duty
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
May 3, 2009 - 12:00am


The Palestinian Authority minister of Agriculture and Social Welfare on Sunday told an Israeli radio station that "ending Hamas rule in the Gaza Strip is a national, moral and religious duty." The minister, Mahmoud Al-Habbash, added that removing Hamas from power in the Gaza Strip "should be accomplished as soon as possible."



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