April 26th

White House says Schumer attacks unfounded ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) April 25, 2010 - 12:00am Sen. Charles Schumer's criticism of the Obama administration's Israeli policy drew a rebuke from the White House. In a radio interview last week on the "Nachum Segal Show" in New Jersey, Schumer (D-N.Y.) called the administration's Israeli-Palestinian policy "counterproductive." » Read more

Israel-Palestine conflict: Imposing solutions ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian (Editorial) April 26, 2010 - 12:00am Peace talks in the Middle East could be about to resume this week after a gap of 16 months. The optimism, if such a concept applies to this moribund lifeform, is contained in hints last week that Palestinian negotiators were considering inducements to start talking: the release of 1,000 prisoners, the lifting of some roadblocks, the easing of the Gaza blockade. » Read more

Foxman: US shift in Israel policy "deeply distressing" ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Rebecca Anna Stoil - April 26, 2010 - 12:00am The Anti-Defamation League’s National Director Abe Foxman over the weekend joined the growing tide of American Jewish leaders criticizing US President Barack Obama’s policy toward Israel. In a statement, Foxman described as “deeply distressing,” the “significant shift in US policy toward Israel and the peace process, which has been evident in comments from various members of the Obama Administration and has now been confirmed by the president himself in his press conference at the Nuclear Security Summit.” » Read more

Erekat: Abbas to meet with Obama soon ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press April 25, 2010 - 12:00am Aides to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas say the Palestinian leader could meet with US President Barack Obama soon. Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat told Al-Sharq Al-Awsat that the Palestinians requested such a meeting and were told by Obama's envoy that the US leader would see Abbas in the near future. Erekat said Sunday that no date was set. Another aide, Yasser Abed Rabbo, told Palestinian radio that "there is talk about an invitation for President Abbas to visit Washington," possibly next month. » Read more

Netanyahu must stop East Jerusalem construction if he wants peace ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz (Editorial) April 25, 2010 - 12:00am After the latest round of talks with Special U.S. Envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell, a cautious hope is emerging that indirect talks between Israel and the Palestinians, with American mediation, will begin in the first half of May. As reported by Haaretz on Sunday, U.S. President Barack Obama has invited Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to the talks, although he has not been able to secure from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a public and explicit commitment to a total freeze on construction for Jews in East Jerusalem for the duration of the negotiations. » Read more

News Analysis: U.S. ups Mideast diplomatic activity ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua by David Harris - April 26, 2010 - 12:00am U.S. special envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell was making his way back to Washington on Sunday after three days of meetings with Palestinian and Israeli leaders. The veteran American diplomat is expected back in the region next week as part of a serious American push to reboot the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Meeting Mitchell on Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel's face was turned towards peace. » Read more

Hamas uses new technique in psychological war with Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua by David Harris - April 26, 2010 - 12:00am A superbly-made futuristic animated cartoon broadcast by the Islamist Hamas movement on Sunday is creating waves in Israel. It is thought to be the first of its kind from the military wing of Hamas that does not depend on the traditional images of brave Hamas warriors fighting against Israel. The film wants to send the message that unless there is a real change in thinking on the part of the Israeli government, captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit will be returned to his family in a coffin rather than standing on his own feet. » Read more

Hamas releases animated Shalit video on web ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency April 26, 2010 - 12:00am A video produced by Hamas' armed wing the Al-Qassam Brigades, will broadcast a 3D animated video of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit on Sunday, over the movement's Al-Aqsa satellite TV station. » Read more

Hamas fighter killed by Israeli forces ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency April 26, 2010 - 12:00am Israeli forces besieged the home of a prominent Hamas fighter on Monday morning in Beit Awwa, southern Hebron, and later killed him, witnesses said. Eyewitnesses told Ma'an that Israeli soldiers were seen taking Ali Sweiti's body after demolishing the home of his wife's sister, where he was believed to be hiding. » Read more

Gaza Strip moves to preserve its abundant ancient treasure ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Christian Science Monitor by Erin Cunningham - April 26, 2010 - 12:00am Better known for its long-running conflict, the Gaza Strip also has a reputation as an archaeological treasure-trove. When laborers stumbled on an ancient hoard of 1,300 silver coins and the walls of a 3,300-year-old city in the southern town of Rafah in January, it was a fresh reminder that the tiny territory maintains a rich past. At least a dozen major empires have conquered this tiny territory – including the Egyptians, Persians, Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans, and British. They left behind everything from walled fortresses to alabaster jewelry to bronze weaponry. » Read more