October 28th

Palestinian reconciliation and the peace process ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons by Walid Salem - (Opinion) October 26, 2009 - 12:00am With the current paralysis in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process--which is due to the Israeli government's refusal to abide by its obligations under previously signed agreements, notably the roadmap--it might at first glance seem strange to ask what are the ramifications of Palestinian unity for Palestinian-Israeli relations. » Read more

To solve the problem ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times (Editorial) October 28, 2009 - 12:00am Tension flared up again recently in Al Aqsa Mosque compound, in the Holy City of Jerusalem, when Israeli security forces clashed with Palestinian worshippers, injuring some and forcing scores of others to take refuge in the mosque. News that some ultra-orthodox Jewish groups plan to worship in the Noble Sanctuary that houses one of Islam’s holiest places, in a bid to lay claim to the Islamic holy sites, no doubt angers the Palestinians. » Read more

Jones Signals White House Support for J-Street Cause ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Independent by Spencer Ackerman - October 27, 2009 - 12:00am Granting recognition to a new American Jewish lobby group pressing for peace between Israel and the Arab world, ret. Gen. James Jones, President Obama’s national security adviser, said that resolving the 60-year conflict was the crisis that the Obama administration would prioritize if it could “solve any one problem.” » Read more

J Street confab shows generational divide on Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) by Eric Fingerhut - October 27, 2009 - 12:00am After all the arguing in recent weeks over J Street, one thing was clear at the inaugural conference of the self-described “pro-Israel, pro-peace” group: Even among the 1,500 delegates who attended the parley, there are crucial disagreements over what’s best for Middle East peace. » Read more

The Palestinian Authority's state-first mistake ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian by Samih Khalidi - (Opinion) October 28, 2009 - 12:00am As President Obama seeks to jumpstart the Middle East peace process with increasingly disappointing results, a new approach has begun to emerge from within the upper circles of the Palestinian Authority. In essence, this approach puts "statehood first" – without waiting for negotiations to resume, or for a full final status agreement with Israel. From this point of view, and in a kind of Zionism in reverse, unilateral actions on the ground can lay the foundations for an independent Palestinian state, irrespective of Israel's demands or strategy. » Read more

Grassroots group aims to break deadlock over Israeli settlements ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian by Rory McCarthy - October 28, 2009 - 12:00am There are few more pressing issues for the Palestinians of Salfit, living deep in the rocky hills of the occupied West Bank, than the remarkable expansion of the Israeli settlements around them. Sitting along a broad hilltop range above them is Ariel, one of the largest and oldest settlements in the West Bank, and one that Israel is intent on retaining in any future peace agreement with the Palestinians. Dotted on the nearby hills are more settlements carving a deep swath through the area that reaches nearly 15 miles into the territory. » Read more

Arabs to Abbas: Renew talks with Israel without freeze ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Ali Waked - October 28, 2009 - 12:00am As Israel and the Palestinians exchange blame for the failure to get peace talks off the ground, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is reportedly under pressure from the Arab camp to renew negotiations. Palestinian sources told Ynet that Arab officials have passed on messages to Abbas prodding him to agree to renewed peace talks without conditioning them on a total freeze of building in West Bank settlements. » Read more

Hamas vows to prevent Palestinian elections in Gaza ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz October 28, 2009 - 12:00am The Islamic Hamas movement which rules the Gaza Strip said Wednesday it would not allow presidential or parliamentary elections to take place in the salient on January 24, as called for by Ramallah-based President Mahmoud Abbas. A statement by the Hamas ministry of the interior said the ban was because the election had been called "by figures who do not have the right to declare it" and because the polling would take place without a reconciliation deal between Hamas and Abbas' Fatah movement. Abbas announced Friday that elections would be held on January 24, » Read more

Avi Issacharoff / Obama demands may leave Abbas feeling betrayed ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Avi Issacharoff - October 28, 2009 - 12:00am U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will arrive on Sunday for a visit to Israel and the Palestinian Authority during which she will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and PA President Mahmoud Abbas. George Mitchell, the U.S. Middle East envoy, will be in Israel Thursday to lay the groundwork for the secretary of state's visit. Clinton and Mitchell will attempt to persuade Abbas to reopen negotiations with Israel on a final peace agreement. » Read more

U.S. leaning toward indirect Mideast peace talks ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Barak Ravid - October 28, 2009 - 12:00am U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will arrive in Israel on Saturday night for her first official visit since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government was sworn in. Clinton's visit underscores the goal of reaching a compromise that could see the resumption of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. In light of the ever-wide gaps between the Israeli and Palestinian sides, voices are growing within the Obama administration to shift strategy and suffice with indirect - rather than direct - negotiations. » Read more