Abbas and Mashaal can unite ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency by Nasser Laham - (Analysis) November 22, 2011 - 1:00am All the elements of success are in place for the upcoming meeting between Fatah leader and President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas chief in exile Khalid Mashaal. Both leaders have realized after five years of bloody infighting and rivalry that unity and reconciliation are inevitable, while sailing further into disagreement would be a mistake. » Read more

Israel’s effort to muffle speech ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post (Editorial) November 22, 2011 - 1:00am For years repressive governments in the Middle East have sought to curb scrutiny of their human rights records and prevent the development of organized opposition by banning civil society groups from receiving funding from foreign governments. As the Arab Spring spreads across the region, some of those controls are easing. So it is shocking to see Israel’s democratic government propose measures that could silence its own critics. » Read more

Israel to seek closure of UN refugee aid agency ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Israel Hayom November 22, 2011 - 1:00am Israel intends to ask the U.N. to close down the aid agency that assists Palestinian refugees living in Judea and Samaria, Gaza and Jerusalem, saying the organization poses an obstacle to any future peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians because of its distorted definition of the term "refugee." » Read more

King Abdullah's visit fuels rumour that Abbas will step down ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National by Hugh Naylor - November 22, 2011 - 1:00am Jordan's King Abdullah made a surprise visit to the Palestinian Authority's president yesterday amid rumours that Mahmoud Abbas may soon step down. » Read more

Jordan: Our relations are with PA, not Hamas ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post November 22, 2011 - 1:00am Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh said Tuesday that Jordan has no intention of establishing bilateral relations with Hamas, and that any upcoming visit by Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal's to Amman would be "a quick one," according to Dubai-based news website Al Moheet. Judeh's comments came after the Jordanian officials said Monday the Foreign Ministry had set no date for Mashaal to visit Jordan in the near future. » Read more

Study: Palestinians invest twice as much in Israel as they do in West Bank ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Amira Hass - November 22, 2011 - 1:00am Private Palestinian investment in Israel, as of 2010, amounted to $2.5 billion in a conservative estimate, and according to a more optimistic estimate this investment possibly even amounts to $5.8 billion. For purposes of comparison, private Palestinian investment within the West Bank, as of 2011, was only $1.5 billion. » Read more

Prominent Israeli rabbi faces criminal probe over anti-Arab remarks ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Tomer Zarchin - November 22, 2011 - 1:00am Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein decided Tuesday to open a criminal investigation against Safed Chief Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, for alleged incitement to racism. The decision to investigate Eliyahu came after he was quoted making several anti-Arab comments in interviews with the media. Eliyahu was one of 18 rabbis who signed a petition in October 2010, urging Jews to refrain from renting or selling apartments to non-Jews – a move seen as being directed against Arab students enrolled in Safed’s college. Some 50 rabbis eventually endorsed the so-called "rabbis' letter." » Read more

Netanyahu backing controversial libel law amendment ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) November 22, 2011 - 1:00am Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has come out in support of a libel law amendment a day after Israeli journalists gathered to protest the bill. The libel law amendment has passed a first reading in the Knesset, and was scheduled for its second and third readings Monday night. The measure relaxes the criteria for slander and libel, and more than triples the maximum damages for such infractions. » Read more

Israel's 'defamation bill' passes 1st reading ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press November 22, 2011 - 1:00am Israel's parliament has passed the first reading of a bill that critics say could muzzle the country's media if it becomes law. The "defamation bill" passed 42-31 late Monday after a heated debate in parliament. It would need to pass another two readings to become law. The bill would make it much easier for journalists to be sued. It significantly increases the amount that reporters can be demanded to pay in fines, without proof of damages. Supporters of the bill say it encourages accountability in the media. » Read more

'Hebrew Labor' aims to stop public buying from Arabs ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency November 21, 2011 - 1:00am A group of young settlers is working on a project to "warn the public" against buying from businesses that employ Arabs, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported Monday. Around 20 people, many of whom are from the notorious Yitzhar settlement in the northern West Bank, have been touring Jerusalem neighborhoods and making a list of businesses with Arab employees, Haaretz reported. Meir Ettinger, 19, told police he was working for "Hebrew Labor" after a merchant reported his suspicious behavior. Police have since questioned four other men working on the same project, the report said. » Read more