NEWS: Municipal elections are planned in the West Bank for October 22. The UN says there is a clear link between Palestinian displacement and settlement expansion. A Palestinian man is convicted of murdering a settler family. The US and Israel are working on a formula to avoid a Palestinian statehood initiative at the UN in September. Analysts doubt PM Netanyahu's latest proposals will produce any results. 42 MKs say the answer to Israel's cost-of-living crisis is more settlement activity. A new poll shows overwhelming Jewish and Muslim American support for a two-state solution. A Knesset committee says Palestinian efforts at the UN will harm Israel diplomatically. Israel's public security minister claims “a large-scale military operation is needed in Gaza.” COMMENTARY: Ha'aretz says Israeli courts must end discrimination against Palestinians. Gilad Stern, Einav Yogev and Yoram Schweitzer say the border region between Israel, Egypt and Gaza remains very volatile. The Arab News says only Palestinians should decide what to do at the UN. Osama Al Sharif says Israeli and American opposition to Palestinian statehood initiatives is incomprehensible to the rest of the world. Yossi Alpher says a deal on Jerusalem has to be part of a broader agreement. Ghassan Khatib says the international community must do more on Jerusalem. David Myers says hope for peace can still be found in the actions of ordinary people. Marwan Muasher says Pres. Obama must act now to avoid an Israeli-Palestinian crisis.

Something's Got to Give
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Foreign Policy
by Marwan Muasher - (Opinion) July 27, 2011 - 12:00am


Something -- or someone -- has got to give. With international momentum building for a U.N. resolution recognizing Palestinian statehood, Washington is finally coming to the realization that the Israeli-Palestinian status quo is unsustainable.


Where hope Is to be found
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Journal
by David Myers - (Opinion) August 2, 2011 - 12:00am


Recent events have cast a dark pall over Israel. The total collapse of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) has led the latter to pursue the course of unilateral action, as reflected in the drive for United Nations affirmation of Palestinian statehood in September. Meanwhile, a wave of parliamentary activity, instigated by Avigdor Lieberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu Party, threatens to undermine key foundations of Israel’s democratic tradition by seeking to stifle dissent and free expression.


A PALESTINIAN VIEW Sabotage or arrogance?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons
by Ghassan Khatib - (Opinion) August 1, 2011 - 12:00am


The illegal changes that the Israeli occupier is undertaking in East Jerusalem have far-reaching consequences, not only for the day-to-day life of the Palestinian people, but also for the possibility of peace between the two sides.


AN ISRAELI VIEW Only by prioritizing the issues
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons
by Yossi Alpher - (Opinion) August 1, 2011 - 12:00am


It is not too late to create a Palestinian capital in Jerusalem alongside Israel's capital--unless this arrangement has to be part of a comprehensive, end-of-claims settlement between Israelis and Palestinians. In that case it is, and probably always has been, impossible.


Showdown over statehood bid
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News
by Osama Al-Sharif - (Opinion) August 2, 2011 - 12:00am


Compared to East Timor, the first state to be welcomed into the UN community in the 21st century, or South Sudan, the latest newcomer into the 193-member organization, Palestine may fare much better as a state in terms of political, economic and social indicators. It certainly qualifies, in the view of many, in relation to the four accepted elements that are needed to be recognized as one. The elements are permanent population, a defined territory, a government and the capacity to enter into relations with others.


Editorial: A conjurer’s trick
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News
(Editorial) August 2, 2011 - 12:00am


It is reported that, as a result of pressure from Washington, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is now willing to negotiate the border that will separate Israel and the future Palestinian state. It is being said that this represents both a breakthrough and a climb down by him.


Egypt-Sinai-Gaza: The triangular threat to Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Yoram Schweitzer, Gilad Stern, Einav Yogev - (Opinion) August 2, 2011 - 12:00am


Last week’s attack on the gas pipeline in the El- Arish area in northern Sinai was the fifth such attack in the past six months. According to reports in the Egyptian press, four armed, masked men infiltrated the gas terminal, blew it up and escaped without disclosing their identities. The explosion caused serious damage to the pipeline, even more extensive than the damage caused in the attack of the previous week.


Israeli courts must end anti-Arab discrimination
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
(Editorial) August 3, 2011 - 12:00am


Israeli courts discriminate against Israeli Arabs. If there had been any doubt left about this, a comprehensive, first-of-its-kind study commissioned by Israel's Courts Administration and the Israel Bar Association just determined it decisively.


'Large-scale military operation needed in Gaza'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Jpost.com Staff - August 2, 2011 - 12:00am


Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch on Monday called on Israel to undertake a large-scale military operation in the Gaza Strip in response to continued rocket fire from the territory into southern Israel, Israel Radio reported. During a tour of Beersheba, Aharonovitch said that the constant flow of rockets from Gaza cannot be allowed to continue, giving specific reference to an attack on Monday, in which a woman in the Ashkelon Coast Regional Council was injured by shrapnel.



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