Abbas to bypass US opposition to UN bid ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency July 19, 2011 - 12:00am OSLO, Norway (AFP) -- President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday said he was ready to circumvent opposition from the United States to a bid for statehood by taking the proposal to the United Nations' General Assembly. The plan to seek UN membership for a state on the lines that existed before the 1967 Six Day War is opposed by among others Israel and the United States. It risks being blocked by a US veto at the UN Security Council. » Read more

Encountering Peace: What gives me hope ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Gershon Baskin - (Opinion) July 19, 2011 - 12:00am As a peace activist for more than 30 years, I am frequently interviewed. After getting through the political analysis of the moment, the subject inevitably turns to the personal. One question that repeats itself constantly is “how do you keep doing it?” It is a very good question, since peace seems to be so constantly moving further towards the distant horizon. » Read more

American view(s) on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Natasha Mozgovaya - July 19, 2011 - 12:00am "I don't like to use this word 'settlers,'" says the speaker, who notes he's as Israeli as Israelis who don't live in the territories. No objections from the Jewish Community Center audience in Silver Spring, Maryland. The event, entitled 'Meet Israelis Living in the Heartland of Israel," took place last Sunday. » Read more

Israeli navy takes over Gaza-bound ship ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press by Amy Teibel - July 19, 2011 - 12:00am JERUSALEM — Israeli naval commandos on Tuesday seized control of a French ship attempting to break Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip, reporting no resistance during the takeover in international waters. The navy boarded the ship after the pro-Palestinian activists on board ignored calls to change course. The military had warned it would stop any attempt to break the sea blockade of Gaza, which Israel imposed four years ago in what it says is a measure to prevent arms smuggling to Gaza's ruling Hamas militant group. » Read more

There is a Palestinian partner ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Reuven Pedatzur - (Opinion) July 19, 2011 - 12:00am At a time when politicos are attacking the leadership of the Palestinian Authority, and when over and over again the claim is heard that there is no partner on the other side, it is worthwhile presenting events in the West Bank which, for political reasons, are intentionally ignored. I am referring to the very fruitful and successful cooperation between the Palestinians and the Israeli defense establishment, which developed secretly, and which is one of the reasons why Israeli citizens enjoy such a calm security situation of late. » Read more

Veteran Palestinian negotiator Erekat back after embarrassment of Al Jazeera revelations ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National by Hugh Naylor - July 19, 2011 - 12:00am Saeb Erekat is back. Only a few months ago, the veteran Palestinian negotiator and, thanks to satellite television, a worldwide face of the Palestinian struggle, resigned in embarrassment after documents leaked to Al Jazeera by an apparently disgruntled employee in his office portrayed him in a less-than-flattering light. » Read more

GAZA STRIP: Israeli military warns Gazans in leaflet drop ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times by Rushdi Abu Alouf - July 18, 2011 - 12:00am Israeli aircraft dropped leaflets over the Gaza Strip for the first time since the end of a 22-day assault more than two years ago. The leaflets, dropped late Sunday and early Monday, written in Arabic and signed by the "Israel Defense Forces," warned residents not to come near the border with Israel in the northern part of the territory, witnesses said. The leaflets warned citizens against approaching within 300 yards of the border. "Anyone approaching the buffer zone will put himself in danger," one leaflet read. » Read more

House bill to limit aid to Pakistan, Palestinians ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press by Donna Cassata - July 18, 2011 - 12:00am A House panel unveiled a bill Monday that would block U.S. aid to Pakistan, Egypt, Lebanon and the Palestinian Authority unless the Obama administration reassures Congress that they are cooperating in the worldwide fight against terrorism. » Read more

Yes Mr. Lieberman, I'm a proud Jewish terrorist ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Shlomo Gazit - (Opinion) July 19, 2011 - 12:00am In 1942, as a young boy, a high school student in Tel Aviv, I joined the Haganah (the main pre-state underground Jewish militia). The British Mandatory government considered me, and others who did as I did, to be members of an illegal organization. Two years later I enlisted in the Palmach, the elite strike force of the Haganah, and during my period of activity in the framework of the Jewish resistance movement the British government considered me a "terrorist." Afterwards I fought in the War of Independence and spent another 32 years in the Israel Defense Forces as a career soldier. » Read more

Israel's 'equality under law' doesn't apply to Palestinians ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz (Editorial) July 19, 2011 - 12:00am West Bank Palestinian minors accused of throwing stones do have a chance of being acquitted; the odds are about one in a thousand. According to a B'Tselem report published yesterday, just one juvenile defendant out of 835 was acquitted of stone-throwing over the past six years. The others were convicted, mostly through plea bargains. About 60 percent of the convicted minors served prison terms of four months or more. Among those who served sentences of a few days and up to two months in prison were 19 defendants who were 12 to 13 years old. » Read more