Joe Biden delivers 'hardest truth' in Israel
Media Mention of ATFP In Politico - March 12, 2010 - 1:00am

Vice President Joe Biden departed from Israel Thursday leaving behind a raging controversy over the consequences of what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists was the unintentional embarrassment of the highest-ranking member of the Obama administration to visit his country.

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Washington is the indespensible partner for a settlement
Media Mention of Ziad Asali In The Daily Star - March 12, 2010 - 1:00am

The situation facing Israel, the Palestinians and all other interested parties, especially the United States, is difficult, but it also presents important new opportunities. Negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians may resume soon, although continued disagreements over Israeli settlement building may yet derail this.

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Israel imposes a 48-hour closure on the entire West Bank. VP Biden ends his Middle East trip amid controversy and uncertainty. Multiple commentaries analyze his trip and his speech to Israelis. Israel may amend its law to prevent similar miscalculations in future. Two Israeli soldiers are indicted for using Palestinian civilians as human shields. The LA Times asks what Pres. Obama can do to restore confidence in the peace process, and Amjad Atallah says there are lessons from health-care reform. Egypt expels hundreds of Palestinians to Gaza. Israeli warplanes bomb southern Gaza. The 1,000th day of the Gaza blockade is marked, and the UN reiterates serious concerns. Pres. Abbas is asking the US to ensure Israel cancels East Jerusalem settlement plans. Larry Derfner says PM Fayyad is now the leader of the peace movement. ATFP Pres. Ziad Asali says Washington is the indispensable partner for peace.

Joe Biden delivers 'hardest truth' in Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Politico
by Laura Rozen - March 12, 2010 - 1:00am

Vice President Joe Biden departed from Israel Thursday leaving behind a raging controversy over the consequences of what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists was the unintentional embarrassment of the highest-ranking member of the Obama administration to visit his country.

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Israel Seals off West Bank to Prevent Unrest
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
March 12, 2010 - 1:00am

JERUSALEM (AP) -- Israel has sealed off the West Bank for 48 hours, preventing Palestinians from entering Israel because of fears of unrest. There have been clashes after Friday prayers at mosques in Jerusalem and elsewhere in recent weeks, sparked by deadlock in peace talks and Israel's inclusion of two West Bank shrines on a list of national heritage sites. Several Palestinians have been badly wounded and dozens of protesters and Israeli policemen have suffered light injuries.

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Israel's Challenege to the U.S.
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
March 10, 2010 - 1:00am

Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. was unpleasantly surprised in Israel on Tuesday when the country’s Interior Ministry declared that it would expand housing units for Jews in East Jerusalem. Mr. Biden, who earlier that day had expressed American support on Israel’s security needs, condemned the announcement, which had been made without the knowledge of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. What did the incident reflect about the state of the Obama administration’s relations with Israel and the future of talks with the Palestinians? Aaron David Miller -

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Washington is the indispensible partner for a settlement
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Star
by Ziad Asali - (Analysis) March 12, 2010 - 1:00am

The situation facing Israel, the Palestinians and all other interested parties, especially the United States, is difficult, but it also presents important new opportunities. Negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians may resume soon, although continued disagreements over Israeli settlement building may yet derail this.

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Breaking down the Biden speech
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA)
by Ron Kampeas - March 11, 2010 - 1:00am

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's attempt to reassure Israel of American steadfastness survived a steadfast Middle East tradition of self-sabotage. Biden's intended message in a much ballyhooed speech Thursday -- that the United States would stand by Israel in thick and thin -- was unequivocal. Yet it was clear that he and his speechwriters tweaked the text to encompass references to the Israeli settlement building and Palestinian incitement that almost marred his trip.

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How Bibi lost a best friend
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian
by Aluf Benn - (Opinion) March 12, 2010 - 1:00am




UN humanitarian chief criticises Israel over Gaza
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC World News
March 12, 2010 - 1:00am

The UN's top humanitarian official, John Holmes, has criticised Israel for linking the 2006 capture of an Israeli soldier to its blockade of Gaza. Mr Holmes also said Israeli actions in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, including expanding settlements, was counter to the peace process. He urged a relaxation of the blockade, warning Gaza was "de-developing". It came as Israel ordered the army to seal off the West Bank for 48 hours until midnight on Saturday. An army spokesman said the move had been made because of heightened tensions in Jerusalem.

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