February 2nd

Supporters fete Erdogan for stand at Davos over Israeli massacres in Gaza
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP)
February 2, 2009 - 1:00am

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stood firm Friday of his criticism of Israel's war against the Gaza Strip, in which more than 400 children were killed. Erdogan received a hero's welcome on his return to Istanbul and the Palestinian Hamas movement hailed his "courageous stand" after he walked out of a debate on the Gaza war at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. "We will never allow anyone to show disrespect to the prime minister of Turkey," Erdogan told a cheering crowd as he returned home following his clash with Israeli President Shimon Peres.

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February 1st

ATFP Senior Fellow Speaks on Gaza Crisis at University of Costa Rica
Press Release - Contact Information: Hussein Ibish - January 31, 2009 - 1:00am

Washington, DC, Jan. 31 – ATFP Senior Fellow Hussein Ibish lectured at the University of Costa Rica Law School on Jan. 30 on the subject, “The Gaza Conflict: Summary and Future Impact.” Dr. Ibish told the audience of law students, faculty and diplomats that the Gaza conflict could be a turning point in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, but its effects would more likely be decided by events in the West Bank in the coming 12-24 months as Palestinians and other Arabs would be comparing the results of the competing policies of confrontation and negotiation.


January 30th

Israeli newspaper Haaretz reports that the extent of settlement building has been covered up by the Israeli defense ministry (1). US Mideast envoy George Mitchell announces plans to return to Israel shortly after February’s general elections (2) and urges Israel to open Gaza’s commercial border crossings as a way to choke off underground arms smuggling (8). The Economist examines the role of diplomacy after the Gaza incursion (3). Dozens in Gaza are believed to have been killed in a wave of internal reprisal attacks (5). Returning after his heated denunciation of Israel at the World Economic Forum Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan is greeted warmly in Istanbul (6). Hamas calls for new Palestinian leadership to replace the PLO (7).

Spanish FM: We'll act to prevent war crimes probes against Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Barak Ravid - January 30, 2009 - 1:00am

Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Moratinos informed Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni on Friday of Spain's plan to amend legislation that granted a Spanish judge the authority to launch a much-publicized war crimes investigation against senior Israeli officials. Judge Fernando Andreu launched an investigation Thursday into seven current or former Israeli officials over a 2002 bombing in Gaza that killed a top Hamas militant, Salah Shehadeh, and 14 other people, including nine children.

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The Limits of International Public Opinion
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Dar Al-Hayat
by Hassan Haidar - (Opinion) January 30, 2009 - 1:00am

Both inside and outside the Arab World, there are an increasing number of calls to prosecute Israeli government and army officials before international courts, because of the war crimes and the crimes against humanity witnessed during their latest military campaign in the Gaza Strip.

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Post-Gaza Sea Change
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Israel Policy Forum
by M.J. Rosenberg - January 30, 2009 - 1:00am

Israel is just over a week away from elections so it is no surprise that its people are not focusing on whether or not the Gaza war was worth the price. Of course, the price was mostly paid by Gazans rather than by Israelis. It is infinitely easier for Israelis to forget about it, and move on, than for Palestinians.

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U.S. says open Gaza border to choke arms smuggling
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
by Andrew Hammond - January 30, 2009 - 1:00am

U.S. envoy George Mitchell said on Thursday opening the Gaza Strip to commercial goods would help to choke off the smuggling that Israel fears could replenish Hamas's weapons stocks. But he said the Palestinian Authority of President Mahmoud Abbas must help to supervise the crossings, a demand that has been a major sticking point in Egyptian-brokered negotiations with the Gaza Strip's Hamas rulers for a long-term ceasefire.

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Hamas wants new leadership for Palestinians
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
by Nidal Al-Mughrabi - January 30, 2009 - 1:00am

The Islamist Hamas group is calling for new leadership for Palestinians to replace the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) dominated by its arch-rival President Mahmoud Abbas and the factions loyal to him. Claiming victory in a devastating 22-day war with Israel in which 100 Palestinians were killed for every Israeli who died, the militant group is reasserting control over the enclave and resuming its central political challenge to the moderate Abbas.

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Turkish PM returns to hero's welcome after Gaza row
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
January 30, 2009 - 1:00am

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan received a hero's welcome on his return to Istanbul on Friday after accusing Israel of "knowing very well how to kill" during a heated debate at the World Economic Forum. President Shimon Peres had launched a fiery defence of his country's offensive in Gaza over the past month, and with a raised voice and pointed finger, questioned what Erdogan would do if rockets were fired at Istanbul every night.

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Dozens believed dead in reprisal attacks as Hamas retakes control
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian
by Rory McCarthy - January 30, 2009 - 1:00am

Evidence is emerging of a wave of reprisal attacks and killings inside Gaza that have left dozens dead and more wounded in the wake of Israel's war. Among the dead are Palestinians suspected of collaborating with the Israeli military. Others include criminals who were among the 600 prisoners to escape from Gaza City's main jail when it was bombed as the war began. Their attackers are thought to be their victims' relatives. Rory McCarthy on Hamas staging victory celebrations in Gaza Link to this audio

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