Israeli report says Palestinian violence in September unlikely ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by The Associated Press - August 3, 2011 - 12:00am An internal Israeli parliamentary report shows Israel doesn't anticipate violence around a symbolic UN endorsement of Palestinian independence expected next month, but it proposes reserve soldiers be called up just in case. The report, based on Israeli intelligence assessments, was drafted for parliament's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. It was presented to the committee on Wednesday. An official disclosed main points to reporters. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the material. » Read more

News analysis: Settlement construction can not answer Israeli housing crisis ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua by Adam Gonn - (Analysis) August 4, 2011 - 12:00am As nationwide demonstrations against the costs of living and lack of affordable housing enter the third week, 42 Israeli cabinet ministers and Knesset (parliament) members signed a petition to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to solve the crisis by building in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The petition calls on Netanyahu and the government to "consider all possible solutions, including the immediate housing of tens of thousands of citizens in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank), as well as Jerusalem." » Read more

Lawmakers seek to drop Arabic as one of Israel's official languages ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Jonathan Lis - August 4, 2011 - 12:00am Forty lawmakers from both the coalition and opposition Wednesday submitted a proposal to the Knesset for a new Basic Law that would change the accepted definition of Israel as a "Jewish and democratic state." The bill, initiated by MKs Avi Dichter (Kadima ), Zeev Elkin (Likud ) and David Rotem (Yisrael Beiteinu), and supported by 20 of the 28 Kadima MKs, would make democratic rule subservient to the state's definition as "the national home for the Jewish people." The legislation, a private member's bill, won support from Labor, Atzamaut, Yisrael Beiteinu and National Union lawmakers. » Read more

New US ambassador says Obama might visit Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Statesman by The Associated Press - August 3, 2011 - 12:00am The new U.S. ambassador to Israel says President Barack Obama hopes to visit. Daniel Shapiro presented his credentials to Israeli President Shimon Peres on Wednesday. The 42-year-old Shapiro is Jewish and speaks Hebrew and Arabic. He told Israeli TV stations the U.S. is trying to restart peace talks to head off the Palestinian effort to win recognition from the U.N. He told Channel 2 TV the U.S. is hopeful but that "it's not certain that we will be able to achieve a formula." » Read more

President Peres Accepts Credentials of U.S. Ambassador to Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Embassy of Israel to the United States August 3, 2011 - 12:00am President Shimon Peres accepted the credentials today (August 3) of the incoming Ambassador of the United States to Israel, Daniel Shapiro. » Read more

West Bank murder smashed the lie of 'honor killings' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency August 3, 2011 - 12:00am Aya's remains were found bound, decomposed at the bottom of a well more than a year after she vanished without a trace, leaving her family beside themselves with worry. The university student's disappearance in April 2010 left her relatives increasingly ostracized in their southern West Bank village, an area known for its deeply conservative traditions and morals. Neighbors assumed the worst -- that their daughter had run away with a lover. » Read more