June 28th

A Tel Aviv day-trip shouldn't be a crime
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian
by Seth Freedman - (Opinion) June 28, 2010 - 12:00am

Despite government claims to the contrary, Israel's borders are far from impenetrable to residents of the occupied Palestinian territories. The separation wall is only 60% complete, numerous ways to circumnavigate checkpoints exist throughout the West Bank, and poorly patrolled perimeters provide any would-be terrorist with ample opportunity for security breaches.

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Leader of the Opposition
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Deborah Solomon - June 22, 2010 - 12:00am

The Israeli security cabinet just voted to ease the three-year blockade on Gaza, in the wake of the tragic naval attack on the Mavi Marmara by Israeli commandos. What does that mean in practical terms?

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Palestinian refugees demand dignity in Lebanon
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National
by Abigail Fielding-Smith - June 28, 2010 - 12:00am

Kamal Suleiman, an electrician from one of Lebanon’s poorest and most violent refugee camps, gestured towards the 5-year-old boy by his side. “I am here for him,” said. “Because of my son.” Mr Suleiman and his little boy were among the thousands who gathered across Lebanon yesterday to demand greater social and economic rights for Palestinians in the country. Organisers estimated that 6,000 attended yesterday’s demonstration in Beirut, and thousands more protested in Tripoli, Tyre and the Chouf mountain region.

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Narrow Israeli agendas trump peace prospects
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National
(Opinion) June 28, 2010 - 12:00am

Likud wants its West Bank settlements: that was the message that Israel’s ruling party sent to their leader Benjamin Netanyahu when its central committee voted last week to resume settlement construction in September. Now, only the most wild-eyed optimist can hope for a breakthrough in the peace process.

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The Freedom Flotilla or Other Something Else?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Asharq Alawsat
by Diana Mukkaled - (Opinion) June 28, 2010 - 12:00am

Initially I believed that the mechanisms used to publicize the Freedom Flotilla in support of the Palestinians in Gaza were justified because of the nobility of the cause of breaking the blockade. The cause deserves our efforts to be creative in mobilizing public opinion. However, I could not help but fall into the trap of comparing between the eye-catching advertisements run by travel agencies at the beginning of every summer and the propaganda campaigns launched by the sponsors of new voyages.

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Something to hide
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News
(Editorial) June 28, 2010 - 12:00am

Why else is it asking the UN to suspend attempts to organize an international inquiry into the deadly raid on the Mavi Marmara that sought to break the blockade of Gaza? UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has been trying to organize an international inquiry as called for by the Security Council. Israel won’t let him.

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Family of Captured Israeli Soldier Press for Deal
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Dina Kraft - June 27, 2010 - 12:00am

The family of Staff Sgt. Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier who has been held captive by Hamas in Gaza for four years, began a march to Jerusalem on Sunday aimed at pressing the government to make a deal for the soldier’s release. “We won’t wait any longer in our home,” said Noam Shalit, the soldier’s father, as the march began. He said Israel’s leaders “have to put an end to this sad saga.” The march began two days after the fourth anniversary of Sergeant Shalit’s capture and a week after Israel relaxed a blockade against Gaza that had been imposed in part to press for his release.

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Jerusalem master plan: Expansion of Jewish enclaves across the city
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Akiva Eldar, Nir Hasson - June 28, 2010 - 12:00am

The Jerusalem District Planning and Building Committee is set to approve an unprecedented master plan that calls for the expansion of Jewish neighborhoods in East Jerusalem, a move largely based on construction on privately owned Arab property. The committee's proposal would codify the municipality's planning policy for the entire city. In essence, Jerusalem would uniformly apply its zoning and construction procedures to both halves of the city.

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June 25th

Pres. Peres says the US should engage Hamas on peace. Israel bombs 4 sites in Gaza. Israel offers to let EU officials visit Gaza. On the fourth anniversary of the capture of Gilad Shalit, rights groups criticize Hamas' treatment of Israeli prisoners. Israeli soldiers often kill Palestinians with impunity. Aluf Benn describes the four stages of US-Israel policy disputes. Yitzhak Laor says the spirit of Kahane is alive in Israel's universities. Gideon Levy asks when the Israelis will hold PM Netanyahu to account for his policies. Israelis accuse Palestinians of “stealing” water in the occupied West Bank. Israel plans to increase trucks into Gaza by 200%. Ray Hanania praises the first planned Palestinian city in the West Bank. Antony Lerman says a lively debate has emerged about the nature of Israeli society. The Economist says Hamas is gaining ground following the flotilla debacle, and the US calls further flotillas irresponsible. Patrick Seale says that, alarmed by regional developments, Israel may be reconsidering peace with Syria.

Palestinians : look forward, not backward
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Ray Hanania - June 25, 2010 - 12:00am

Qatar is unlike many of the other Arab countries that support the Palestinians. Instead of donating lip-service and writing checks to be used in conflict, it has invested heavily in a project with a Palestinian construction company to build a new city in the West Bank called Rawabi. The Palestinians should be focused on doing more of this; building Palestine, and switching gears from the confrontation-style politics of Hamas, Hizbullah, Iran and a lot of other losers who love to exploit Palestinian suffering. Even Turkey might consider putting a cork in its rhetoric.

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