June 22nd

The silent expulsion ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz (Editorial) June 22, 2010 - 12:00am Dr. Immad Hammada and Dr. Murad Abu-Khalaf are both lecturers in electrical engineering born in East Jerusalem. Their families have lived in the city for generations. They both left years ago, each one separately, to study in the United States, and after graduating and consolidating their careers they want to return to live in their home town. » Read more

Palestinian politicians reject Israeli deportation order ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post by Samuel Sockol - June 21, 2010 - 12:00am Four Palestinian politicians affiliated with the Islamist Hamas party on Monday rejected an Israeli order that they relocate to the West Bank. Israel revoked the Jerusalem residency status of the three members of the defunct Palestinian parliament and a former cabinet minister after they refused to resign from their positions and were deemed "disloyal" to the state. The move stripped them of their ability to live in the city legally. » Read more

U.S.: East Jerusalem demolitions undermine trust vital for Israel-PA talks ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press by Nir Hasson - June 22, 2010 - 12:00am U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said Israel's decision on Monday to raze 22 Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem is the kind of step that undermines trust fundamental to progress in the proximity talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Senior U.S. officials have asked Netanyahu's office to explain why the plan was authorized, saying that Washington will issue an official condemnation of the demolitions. » Read more

Mayor defends plan to raze Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz June 22, 2010 - 12:00am The office of Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat on Tuesday defended plans to demolish Palestinian houses in the city's eastern sector to make way for a tourist center, after Defense Minister Ehud Barak lashed out at authorities over the project. Barak, who is in the United States for a series of meetings with top officials, faced criticism and demands for explanations after the Jerusalem municipal planning committee decided to destroy 22 houses in the Arab neighborhood of Silwan, which it says were built illegally. » Read more

Abbas appeals to US over Silwan construction plan ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP) June 22, 2010 - 12:00am While Washington has already stated that the construction plan that entails the demolition of 22 Arab homes in Silwan damages trust between Israel and the Palestinians, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is not making do with statements, and is looking for action. Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat told AFP on Tuesday that Abbas asked the United States to take action to cancel the King's Garden project in east Jerusalem, part of which includes the demolition of Arab homes. » Read more

Israel's feeling of isolation is becoming more pronounced ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post by Janine Zacharia - June 22, 2010 - 12:00am An Elton John concert ordinarily isn't front-page news. But in Israel, where many feel more shunned than they have in decades, the legendary pop icon's decision to perform in Tel Aviv last Thursday was cause for celebration. After weeks of dreary reports about artists caving to calls to boycott Israel, Israeli diplomats being expelled by friendly allies, and even pressure from the United States to change course in Gaza, John allowed Israel an opportunity "for three hours," as one music reviewer put it, "to be a normal country." » Read more

The way forward ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Gershon Baskin - (Opinion) June 22, 2010 - 12:00am Under the public radar and due to extreme amounts of skepticism, George Mitchell’s mediation efforts continue without public debate or concern. The silence is because almost no one believes they will be constructive, and the media blackout imposed by Mitchell. Four rounds of talks have taken place. The parameters have been set, the process has begun, and now it is time to get serious. The proximity talks can produce agreements; this is how I think they should proceed: » Read more

East Jerusalem Building Plan Advances ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Isabel Kershner - June 21, 2010 - 12:00am Jerusalem’s city hall advanced rezoning and development plans on Monday for a hotly contested area of East Jerusalem, another example of an awkwardly timed, seemingly bureaucratic Israeli maneuver that could upset fragile peace efforts. » Read more

Creative ideas threatened by continued settlement building ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons by Ghassan Khatib - (Opinion) June 22, 2010 - 12:00am The Israeli settlement project in occupied Palestinian territory, which started from the beginning of the Israeli occupation in 1967, has always been one of the most contentious aspects of the conflict. From the beginning, these illegal settlements, including in East Jerusalem, were responsible for provoking fierce confrontations. And when the peace process started, this same Israeli policy proved the major obstacle to reaching a solution. » Read more

Asali addresses The Israel Project ATFP World Press Roundup Article from by Jihan Abdalla - June 22, 2010 - 12:00am On June 22, 2010, Asali addressed The Israel Project and called for a broad national alliance in support of a two-state solution. Full transcript of his speech follows. Dear Jennifer, Thank you and the board and staff of The Israel Project for inviting me to address this distinguished audience. » Read more