September 26th

Peace negotiations best for Mideast ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Detroit News by Sharon Lipton - (Editorial) September 26, 2011 - 12:00am The tailwind of the Arab Spring appears to be propelling the Palestinians toward their own political revolution. On Friday, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas presented a resolution requesting the admission of an independent state of Palestine to the United Nations. Many have explored the wisdom of a Palestinian Unilateral Declaration of Independence, a diplomatic end-run that allows them to circumvent the negotiating table. If this is indeed the tactic chosen, there is one thing that must be made clear: both sides will suffer for this decision. » Read more

Study: One-third of Jewish Israelis say Arab citizens aren’t Israeli ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) September 25, 2011 - 12:00am JERUSALEM (JTA) -- One-third of Israel's Jewish population does not consider Arab citizens of the country to be Israelis, according to a newly released survey. The Israeli Democracy Index 2011 survey conducted by the Israel Democracy Institute also found that nearly 78 percent of Israeli Jews believe that a Jewish majority should be required for making critical decisions concerning not just peace and security, but also socio-economic issues and issues of governance. The survey showed that some 52 percent do not believe there is discrimination against Arabs in Israel. » Read more

Pressure on Palestinians will never end ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Gulf News by Manal Alafrangi - (Opinion) September 24, 2011 - 12:00am The level of opposition by the United States and some western states to the Palestinian bid for statehood has been very depressing. There isn't even an attempt by US President Barack Obama to disguise the Israelisation of US foreign policy towards Palestine and Palestinians. » Read more

Steinitz warns of economic measures against PA ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Tovah Lazaroff - September 26, 2011 - 12:00am NEW YORK – Israel will weigh taking economic measures against the Palestinian Authority if it continues to pursue unilateral steps and refuses to return to the negotiating table, Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz told The Jerusalem Post on Sunday. He spoke with the Post from a hotel lobby in New York, where Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has been staying since his arrival last Wednesday. » Read more

Peres: Abbas is the best Palestinian leader for Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz September 26, 2011 - 12:00am President Shimon Peres said Monday that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is the best Palestinian leader Israel could work with toward the goal of resuming the peace process. "I call on my friend, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who I respect and acknowledge as the best leader Israel will work with, to return to the negotiating table," Peres said Monday at a Rosh Hashanah ceremony with foreign diplomats. Peres pressed that peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians is possible. "Let's decide the facts in the Middle East reality that is changing before our eyes," he said. » Read more

Obama: A bankrupt speech ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Asharq Alawsat by Tariq Alhomayed - (Opinion) September 25, 2011 - 12:00am The simplest way to describe Barack Obama’s speech to the United Nations is that it was a bankrupt speech, laden with contradictions easy for the average observer, let alone a political specialist, to clearly identify, whether about the Arab situation or the Palestinian cause. » Read more

U.S., Palestinians race for votes at UN council ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Alertnet by Louis Charbonneau - September 26, 2011 - 12:00am UNITED NATIONS, Sept 26 (Reuters) - The Palestinians' initiative to seek U.N. recognition as a state, which goes to the Security Council on Monday, faces an uphill struggle to secure the nine votes needed for approval. Without those votes in the 15-member body, the United States will be spared the embarrassment of having to veto the application, which would be a further blow to its floundering efforts to secure Middle East peace. » Read more

So what’s your plan, Mr. Prime Minister? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Susan Hattis Rolef - (Opinion) September 25, 2011 - 12:00am Immediately after Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) ended his long and tedious speech at the UN General Assembly last Friday, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman described it in a Channel 10 interview as “extremely harsh incitement.” » Read more

Tensions over Palestinian UN bid spur new patrols in West Bank ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Christian Science Monitor by Rebecca Collard - September 21, 2011 - 12:00am As Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas defends his bid for statehood at the United Nations, his people are defending their land. Amid rising tensions between Palestinians and Israeli settlers in the West Bank, who both lay claim to the land, a coalition of local and foreign activists have begun setting up neighborhood watch patrols to monitor key flashpoints. The project highlights a newfound Palestinian boldness on the ground that mirrors Mr. Abbas's determination at the UN – despite American pressure. » Read more

Bibi won, Israel lost ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Orly Azoulay - (Opinion) September 25, 2011 - 12:00am Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won: He proved that on the American court, in an election year, political trickery and provoking the Jewish street in the US can make a president capitulate. In his speech at the United Nations, President Barack Obama wholly adopted the Israeli narrative and erased the Palestinian people’s hope. Netanyahu, even if he did not intend to do so, proved that the US can no longer serve as an honest broker in the Middle East; at least not during Obama’s current term in office. » Read more