October 11th

PA official: Hamas ignoring internal security crisis
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
October 10, 2010 - 12:00am

RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- Palestinian Authority security department spokesman Adnan Ad-Dmeiri said Hamas was failing to deal with intelligence collaborators among its members. Ad-Dmeiri said security weaknesses within Hamas had enabled a series of assassinations of Hamas leaders. Israeli forces killed two leaders of Hamas' armed wing in Hebron on Friday, Nashat Al-Karmi and Maamoun Al-Natsha. Hamas leader Ali As-Suweiti was killed by Israeli soldiers in Hebron in April, and in March Mahmoud al-Mabhouh was assassinated in Dubai.

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Rachel Corrie trial continues in Israel, reviving controversial case
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Christian Science Monitor
by Ben Lynfield - October 8, 2010 - 12:00am

Haifa, Israel — Seven years after an Israeli military D-9 bulldozer buried American pro-Palestinian activist Rachel Corrie under sandy soil near Gaza's border with Egypt, her family has effectively put the Israeli army on trial for her death. The Corrie family is demanding a symbolic $1 in punitive damages from the state for wrongful killing and negligence.

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Transcripts on ’73 War, Now Public, Grip Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Ethan Bronner - October 10, 2010 - 12:00am

JERUSALEM — For many Israelis, the 1973 Arab-Israeli war was their single most terrifying moment, when a woefully unprepared nation, deluded into believing that its neighbors regarded it as impregnable, suffered a devastating attack and struggled back to victory at enormous cost with last-minute American help. Last week, the confidential discussions of Israel’s top leaders in the first days of that war, known here as the Yom Kippur War because the attack began on that Jewish holy day, were declassified and gripped the public.

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Israeli Cabinet Approves Citizenship Amendment
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Isabel Kershner - October 10, 2010 - 12:00am

JERUSALEM — The Israeli cabinet on Sunday approved a contentious draft amendment to the country’s citizenship law that calls for non-Jews seeking to become citizens to pledge loyalty to Israel as a Jewish and a democratic state. Decried by opponents as unnecessary, provocative and racist, the amendment, which is subject to approval by Parliament, encountered a storm of criticism and drove open divisions within the ruling coalition.

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October 8th

How Will Jews React to ‘Budrus’?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Forward
by Josh Nathan-Kazis - October 8, 2010 - 12:00am

Protesters in the Palestinian town of Budrus were growing frustrated. After months of nonviolently demonstrating against the Israeli separation barrier being built through their olive groves, the demonstrators faced increased force from Israeli border police who were firing tear gas and swinging batons. Young Palestinians began tossing rocks at the soldiers despite pleas from protest organizers, and Israeli forces occupied the town, sending live ammunition down the narrow streets.

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ATFP Advocacy Director Speaks at J Street Event
Press Release - Contact Information: Hussein Ibish - October 8, 2010 - 12:00am

On October 6th, ATFP Advocacy Director participated in a forum organized by J-Street and held at Temple Sinai entitled "Who are the Partners for Peace? Palestinian Perspectives: A Discussion with the American Jewish Community". In addition to Mr. Al-Omari, the panel included Dr. Amal Jadou, Deputy Chief of Mission of the General Delegation of the PLO to the U.S. and Amjad Atallah, Co-Director of the Middle East Task Force, New America Foundation, and was moderated by Amb. Martin Indyk, Vice President and Director of Foreign Policy at the Brookings Institution.


ATFP Advocacy Director Speaks at J Street Event
Press Release - Contact Information: Ghaith al-Omari - October 8, 2010 - 12:00am

On October 6th, ATFP Advocacy Director participated in a forum organized by J-Street and held at Temple Sinai entitled "Who are the Partners for Peace? Palestinian Perspectives: A Discussion with the American Jewish Community". In addition to Mr. Al-Omari, the panel included Dr. Amal Jadou, Deputy Chief of Mission of the General Delegation of the PLO to the U.S. and Amjad Atallah, Co-Director of the Middle East Task Force, New America Foundation, and was moderated by Amb. Martin Indyk, Vice President and Director of Foreign Policy at the Brookings Institution.


The US does not expect the Arab League to cancel direct negotiations. The New York Times reviews a new film about the death of Rachel Corrie. The Israeli military is facing more abusive videos mocking Palestinian prisoners. A deal may be brewing on settlements. Palestinian citizens of Israel condemn a proposed new loyalty oath. Hamas' military wing vows revenge after Israel kills two operatives in Hebron, and demands the PA stop suppressing violence. Pres. Abbas is threatening to resign if settlement activity continues, and Palestinians say that would mean dissolving the PA and transferring authority back to Israel. The US and Israel finalize a deal on F-35 stealth fighters. D. Bloomfield says Israel needs a real foreign minister. Hamas declares a “war on drugs.” Jewish Americans have a mixed reaction to a new film about Palestinian nonviolent protests. Osama Al Sharif says PM Netanyahu must realize Israel's interests are under threat from the status quo. Faisal Abbas says online videos have exposed Israeli abuses. Rami Khouri says unconditional US support for Israel's security undermines diplomacy.

Bizarre blend of politics and diplomacy
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times
by Rami Khouri - (Opinion) October 8, 2010 - 12:00am

The revelation here in the United States last Wednesday that Washington was offering Israel new security-related guarantees in return for a two-month extension of the partial moratorium on new Jewish colonies in the occupied Palestinian territories is neither surprising nor encouraging.

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Bizarre blend of politics and diplomacy
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times
by Rami Khouri - (Opinion) October 8, 2010 - 12:00am

The revelation here in the United States last Wednesday that Washington was offering Israel new security-related guarantees in return for a two-month extension of the partial moratorium on new Jewish colonies in the occupied Palestinian territories is neither surprising nor encouraging.

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