April 22nd

Egyptian government to ease siege on Gaza
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
April 22, 2011 - 12:00am

The Egyptian government will apply new procedures at the Rafah crossing on the Egypt-Gaza border to ease travel for residents of the besieged coastal enclave, officials said Thursday. During a meeting in Cairo, Baha Ad-Dusuqi, head of Palestinian affairs in the Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, informed Gaza government spokesman Taher An-Nunu that new measures would be in place at the terminal soon. An-Nunu appealed to the Egyptian government to open the Rafah crossing swiftly.

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Europe pressures US over Mideast peace
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP)
April 22, 2011 - 12:00am

France said Thursday that European nations are considering recognizing a Palestinian state, heightening pressure on the United States and Israel to relaunch the Middle East peace process. European ambassadors at the UN Security Council joined the Palestinian envoy in calling for "bold" US leadership to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "Recognition of the state of Palestine is one of the options which France is considering, with its European partners" in a bid to relaunch the peace process," French ambassador Gerard Araud told a Security Council debate on the Middle East.

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Europe pressures US over Mideast peace
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP)
April 22, 2011 - 12:00am

France said Thursday that European nations are considering recognizing a Palestinian state, heightening pressure on the United States and Israel to relaunch the Middle East peace process. European ambassadors at the UN Security Council joined the Palestinian envoy in calling for "bold" US leadership to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "Recognition of the state of Palestine is one of the options which France is considering, with its European partners" in a bid to relaunch the peace process," French ambassador Gerard Araud told a Security Council debate on the Middle East.

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When in Doubt, Give a Middle East Speech
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Foreign Policy
by Aaron David Miller - (Opinion) April 21, 2011 - 12:00am

The looming U.S.-Israeli tensions over who says what first about Israeli-Palestinian peace obscures the broader question on which any successful American initiative depends: Are Israelis and Palestinians ready for a conflict-ending agreement? And if not, is there anything Washington can do about it?

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For Arab and Jew, a new beginning
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Christian Science Monitor
by Sandy Tolan - (Opinion) April 21, 2011 - 12:00am

With each child shot down with a stone in his hand, or on her way home from the bakery; with each cafe turned to carnage when a young man explodes himself upon the innocent; with each shot and countershot, crude rocket launch, or barrage of missiles sent in retribution – with each terrible burst of anger and pain, something beautiful is lost. Life, of course; that's what's been sacrificed, more than 100,000 times by some estimates, since the tragedy unfolded six decades ago.

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The Geneva Accord: a breakthrough model
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Christian Science Monitor
by Yossi Beilin - April 21, 2011 - 12:00am

Just over a decade ago, Israelis and Palestinians met at Camp David. The weeks leading to the summit were full of expectation. There was a sense that an agreement was within reach. It was the last summer of the Clinton administration, and everyone thought that the president of the United States would not convene a summit that would lead to anything short of a historic triumph. So determined, it seemed, was everyone to succeed, that success almost seemed predetermined. And indeed, some even believed that an agreement had already been secretly reached – that it was a done deal.

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A holy city's peaceful purpose
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Christian Science Monitor
by George Moffett - (Opinion) April 21, 2011 - 12:00am

To the Gospel writer John, it was "the great" and "holy" city. To the writer of Hebrews, it was "the city of the living God." To the poet Dante, it was "the city where God dwells and reigns."

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Tel Aviv Protests Show Divide Over Palestinian State
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Isabel Kershner - April 21, 2011 - 12:00am

Dozens of prominent Israeli artists and intellectuals declared their support for a Palestinian state on the streets of Tel Aviv on Thursday and quickly found themselves confronted by rightist opponents calling them “traitors” and, according to one report, “Jewish Nazis.”

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Tel Aviv Protests Show Divide Over Palestinian State
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Isabel Kershner - April 21, 2011 - 12:00am

Dozens of prominent Israeli artists and intellectuals declared their support for a Palestinian state on the streets of Tel Aviv on Thursday and quickly found themselves confronted by rightist opponents calling them “traitors” and, according to one report, “Jewish Nazis.”

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April 21st

Pres. Gul of Turkey says Israeli-Palestinian peace will determine the outcome of changes in the Middle East political landscape. Speculation grows as to whether PM Netanyahu or Pres. Obama will be the first to introduce new peace ideas. The new PA development plan looks beyond independence towards building the new state. A new outpost is founded by settlers and immediately dismantled by occupation forces. Israeli tanks enter an industrial zone in Gaza. Sec. Clinton says there is an urgent need to return to negotiations, and Jordan’s King says an EU role is vital. Pres. Abbas reaffirms his opposition to another armed intifada, and PM Fayyad supports nonviolent protests. Ari Shavit says Israel is facing a last chance to make peace and establish its right to exist. Abbas seeks “advice” from France about Palestinian statehood. Gideon Levy says Netanyahu must explain his vision for the future. The family of a captured Israeli soldier accuses Netanyahu of exploiting them. Former Amb. Indyk says the UN may vote to recognize Palestine in September. Larry Derfner says the murder of settlers is unacceptable, but doesn’t justify building more settlements. The US tax-exempt status of the Jewish National Fund is being legally challenged because of its discrimination against non-Jews. JJ Goldberg says Israel is refusing to take yes for an answer from the Palestinians on peace. Daoud Kuttab asks when Palestinians will form new political parties. Basem Ezbidi says both Fatah and Hamas are exploiting the election issue for political purposes.

American Task Force on Palestine - 1634 Eye St. NW, Suite 725, Washington DC 20006 - Telephone: 202-262-0017