Memories of Six Day War see violence return to Golan Heights
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News
by Kevin Connolly - (Analysis) June 9, 2011 - 12:00am


When the early sun burns away the last of the misty night in Majdal Shams it leaves a landscape that looks a little like model railway scenery - all evenly-shaped pale hillsides and symmetrical thickets of darker green trees and patches of grey rock. When the noise of gunfire dies away in such a place, the silence that follows has an air of unreality. It feels too still and too deep. It must have felt this way in 1967 when the guns fell silent at the end of the Six Day War leaving Israel in possession of the rich farmland and spectacular mountains of the Golan Heights.


How about an Arab lobby?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Gulf News
by Aijaz Zaka Syed - (Opinion) June 10, 2011 - 12:00am


Pundits are still debating Benjamin Netanyahu's little circus in US Congress. And it seems it's not just us, distant observers and sympathisers of the Palestinians who were appalled by the US lawmakers repeatedly throwing themselves at the Israeli premier's feet. Many a US commentator has been troubled by the craven subservience and sycophancy of their politicians. The lawmakers cheered even when the ‘guest' standing in the highest body in the land continually derided their president and rubbed his nose in.


Haaretz exclusive: Secret cables show Israel's battle plan over Palestinian UN bid
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Barak Ravid - June 10, 2011 - 12:00am


Israel has started mobilizing its embassies for the battle against UN recognition of a Palestinian state in September, ordering its diplomats to convey that this would delegitimize Israel and foil any chance for future peace talks. Envoys are being asked to lobby the highest possible officials in their countries of service, muster support from local Jewish communities, ply the media with articles arguing against recognition and even ask for a call or quick visit from a top Israeli official if they think it would help.


Hamas says not to accept Fayyad as PM
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
June 9, 2011 - 12:00am


The Islamic Hamas movement, which controls Gaza, said on Thursday that it cannot accept Salam Fayyad, the West Bank-based prime minister, to lead the upcoming Palestinian unity government. Appointing Fayyad for the new government "is unacceptable and it cannot theoretically or practically lead to achieving reconciliation," said Mousa Abu Marzouk, the deputy chief of Hamas ' politburo.


1967 borders are key to peace in Middle East
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Gulf News
(Editorial) June 10, 2011 - 12:00am


There is no way of bringing an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict except through a peace agreement that is just and equal, and gives Palestinians their rights. Hence, the 1967 borders are central to any peace talks for the establishment of a Palestinian state. Israel has repeatedly stated that it would not accept the 1967 borders as the basis of negotiations for a Palestinian state, and this was made very clear by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.


Palestinians grapple with opposition to UN plan
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Statesman
by Mohammed Daraghmeh - June 9, 2011 - 12:00am


Faced with opposition from the United States, a number of top Palestinian officials are quietly advising President Mahmoud Abbas to drop plans to seek recognition for a state of Palestine at the United Nations this fall. Top officials say Abbas remains committed to his plan — a result of the widespread sense among Palestinians that two decades of on-and-off negotiations with Israel have run their course, and that the current Israeli leadership is not a partner for peace.


Israel, the masses are coming
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Alex Fishman - (Opinion) June 8, 2011 - 12:00am


There were days when we mocked the “Hatzatzit,” the stone-throwing vehicle developed by the IDF to respond to the first Intifada’s mass demonstrations. How could it be, we wondered, that the great, wise IDF goes back to the Stone Age and confronts civilians so primitively?


Israel rocket victims fail in bid to sue Al Jazeera
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Alertnet
by Basil Katz - June 9, 2011 - 12:00am


Victims of 2006 rocket strikes on Israel cannot sue Al Jazeera on grounds the broadcaster intentionally helped Hezbollah attack civilians by reporting the sites of explosions, a U.S. judge ruled this week. The Israeli plaintiffs, who were asking for $1.2 billion in damages from Al Jazeera, said the Qatar-based news network helped Hezbollah militants target their rockets more accurately during the 34-day war with Israel. Their lawsuit, filed a year ago, argued that a Manhattan court had jurisdiction over the case because U.S. citizens had been harmed.


Israel's rightists are living in a colonial past
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Carlo Strenger - (Blog) June 10, 2011 - 12:00am


Benjamin Netanyahu has one great upside and one great downside: the upside is that he is predictable. The downside is that, when it comes to foreign policy, he is utterly one-sided, uncreative and devoid of initiative, as Meir Dagan has recently pointed out.


Medics: Gaza hospitals at crisis point
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
June 10, 2011 - 12:00am


Hospitals in Gaza are at crisis point due to shortages of supplies, medical services spokesman Adham Abu Salmiya said Thursday. Warehouses have run out of over 178 types of medicine, the spokesman said, adding that over 190 types of medical equipment needed for surgery had either run out or were in short supply. Abu Salmiya said doctors in Gaza had been forced to postpone surgeries due to the shortages, and working hours were reduced in many hospitals. The official urged countries in the region to intervene urgently to avert the crisis in Gaza.



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