Rattling the Cage: Tips for information warriors
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Larry Derfner - March 2, 2011 - 1:00am


As you well know, Israel has never been in such peril as it is today. Anti-Semitism has risen to historic levels. Israel’s enemies are arming themselves with weapons that endanger not only its existence, but its very existence. And now, added to these grave existential threats comes the upheaval we’ve seen spreading throughout the Middle East. In these days of uncertainty, a volunteer army of steady, sure, confident voices in Israel’s defense is more critical than ever. Here is a set of talking points for you to use when fighting the information war for Israel’s survival.


Is the administration in retreat on the peace front?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by D. Bloomfield - (Editorial) March 2, 2011 - 1:00am


It wasn’t a white flag of surrender, but it sure seems like the Obama administration is beating a retreat from the Middle East peace process it once embraced with great enthusiasm. Administration officials still talk about working to bring the parties together, but the truth is that neither the Israelis nor the Palestinians seem much interested, and officials here have finally gotten the memo.


Aharonovitch: Settlers threatened security forces
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Roni Sofer - March 2, 2011 - 1:00am


Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch offered his full support on Wednesday to security forces who shot plastic bullets at settlers during the razing of structures in the illegal outpost of Havat Gilad. Responding to MK Yariv Levin's (Likud) question as to the reason plastic bullets were used against protesters – which created an uproar among settlers and led to a series of "price tag" operations – Aharonovitch stated that "during the operation the forces were met with violent resistance that included curses, threats and stone hurling.


PA: 150 states to recognize Palestine by Sept.
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Elior Levy - March 3, 2011 - 1:00am


Palestinians expect broad global support: Some 150 countries will recognize a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders by September of this year, Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said Wednesday. Maliki claimed that 10 more states in the Caribbean region will be declaring their recognition of Palestine this month. In an interview with The Media Line last week, the PA foreign minister said the Palestinians were on track to declaring an independent state by September.


Obama: Israelis must show seriousness on peace
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Yitzhak Benhorin - March 3, 2011 - 1:00am


US President Obama this week called on Jewish leaders to speak to their colleagues in Israel and to “search your souls” over Israel's seriousness about making peace, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported Wednesday. According to participants, Obama told the Jewish leaders that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is eager to secure his legacy by establishing a Palestinian state and would accept a decent offer if one were on the table. “The Palestinians don't feel confident that the Netanyahu government is serious about territorial concessions,” the president reportedly said.


Norway may recognize Palestinian state if peace process remains stalled
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Barak Ravid - March 3, 2011 - 1:00am


Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store told Haaretz Wednesday that his country would reevaluate its position on recognizing a Palestinian state if no progress is made in the peace process by September 2011. Speaking from Jerusalem, where he is on a state visit, Gahr said Israel runs the risk of being seen internationally as a "permanent occupier" if the stalemate in the peace process continues. He said he was worried such a view would lead to a further delegitimization of Israel and would harm its security.


Escalation with Gaza will likely be contained within a few days
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Amos Harel, Avi Issacharoff - February 25, 2011 - 1:00am


The extraordinary tension along the border with the Gaza Strip, which included the unusual launching of a Grad-type Katyusha at Be'er Sheva on Wednesday, appears now to have been a minor incident and not some sort of strategic turning point.


Gaza Strip banks close in protest of Hamas cash seizure
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
March 3, 2011 - 1:00am


Banks in the Gaza Strip closed on Thursday in protest against Hamas's seizure of $250,000 in cash in a dispute between the Islamist movement that runs the enclave and its West Bank rival, the Palestinian Authority. A banking official said Hamas police went to the Palestine Investment Bank on Wednesday and demanded the money from the account of the PA-backed Palestine Investment Fund, which Hamas alleged had been illegally transferring money out of Gaza. The PIF said its withdrawals from the bank were legitimate.


Palestinians reject Israeli interim plans for peace
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
March 2, 2011 - 1:00am


A senior Palestinian official on Wednesday announced rejection of any Israeli proposal for interim or partial solutions to the stalled peace process. The Palestinians only want the end of the Israeli occupation in the areas that were occupied in 1967, including East Jerusalem, and a fair solution to the issue of refugees, said Yasser Abed Rabbo, a member of Palestine Liberation Organization's executive committee.


Mideast turmoil may boost Israeli-Syrian negotiations
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
by Adam Gonn - (Editorial) March 2, 2011 - 1:00am


The prospect of restarting the suspended peace negotiations between Israel and Syria may be advanced by the current unrest in the Middle East. Earlier this week, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said that if Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is willing to reach out to Israel, he will find a willing partner for negotiations. Barak's remarks came a few days after it was revealed that the United States Senator John Kerry had been working with Assad over the last couple of months on a plan to renew the negotiations.



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