August 16th

Mixed Views on Palestinian’s UN Recognition Plans ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Public Radio International (PRI) by Matthew Bell - (Opinion) August 15, 2011 - 12:00am The Palestinians are gearing up for their plan to go to the United Nations in September to seek recognition as a state. No one doubts the Palestinians could win broad support at the UN in a vote to recognize the state of Palestine. In fact, they already have. Back in 1988, the Palestinian Liberation Organization’s chairman, Yasir Arafat proclaimed a Palestinian state. A UN resolution to recognize the move got 104 yes votes. Two countries voted no: Israel and the United States. » Read more

To help Israel, Jews must broaden the tent ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) (Opinion) August 14, 2011 - 12:00am Amid global events of the past few years that are changing the world -- the rising power of the BRICs economies (Brazil, Russia, India and China), the global economic crisis, the rise of social networks and, most recently, the popular uprisings in the Middle East -- Israel and the Jewish world are facing a uniquely difficult challenge with the ongoing assault on Israel’s right to exist. This year, the assault coincides with the Palestinian campaign to secure U.N. recognition of statehood. » Read more

Encouraging Peace: The summer of discontent ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Gershon Baskin - (Opinion) August 15, 2011 - 12:00am One month has passed since the onset of the middle-class uprising of summer 2011. One month from now, the 66th Session of the UN General Assembly will open in New York. At this mid-point, looking back and looking forward one thing is clear – the State of Israel is standing at the crossroads of its most important decision since June 1967. For me and many others, the summer uprising has provided a great sense of hope. Apathy is gone, activism is in. People have taken to the streets to raise their voices in demands for change. All is not well in the State of Israel. » Read more

Obama will not save Netanyahu ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Amir Oren - (Opinion) August 16, 2011 - 12:00am Newly born Israel arose while suffering a surprise blow. On the morning of May 15, 1948, Egypt's air force dared attack Israel's sleepy air force at Sde Dov. Sometimes, however, the surprised is the one that pulls a surprise. During the Six Day War it was one way, during the Yom Kippur War it was another. » Read more

Hamas ignored requests to hand over Arish suspects ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-Masry Al-Youm August 15, 2011 - 12:00am Egyptian authorities on Monday presented an official request to the acting government in Gaza to arrest several armed Palestinians who participated in a recent attack on the Sinai police station in the city of Arish and returned to Gaza by way of tunnels. However, the authorities in Gaza have so far failed to respond to the Egyptian request. » Read more

Line Between Anti-Israel and Anti-Semitic Protests Splits AJC ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward by Rex Weiner - August 16, 2011 - 12:00am Group's Top Ranks Divided Over How To Respond to Campus Demonstrations As campus protests have continued against Israeli policies towards the Palestinians, and sometimes, against Israel itself, Jewish groups have been at odds over how to distinguish legitimate debate about Israel from anti-Semitism, and beyond that, at what point such protests may arguably constitute a violation of Jewish students’ civil rights. » Read more

Knesset Set To Define ‘Jewish State’, Critics See Threat to Democracy and Rights of Arabs ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward August 16, 2011 - 12:00am A proposal likely to pass the Knesset would for the first time clarify what it means that Israel is a Jewish state, sparking controversy over its potential to clash with principles of equality and civil liberties. » Read more

U.S. Senator seeks to cut aid to elite IDF units operating in West Bank and Gaza ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Barak Ravid - August 16, 2011 - 12:00am Senator Patrick Leahy claims Shayetet 13 unit, undercover Duvdevan unit, and the Israel Air Force Shaldag unit are involved in human rights violations in occupied territories. U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy is promoting a bill to suspend U.S. assistance to three elite Israel Defense Forces units, alleging they are involved in human rights violations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Leahy, a Democrat and senior member of the U.S. Senate, wants assistance withheld from the Israel Navy's Shayetet 13 unit, the undercover Duvdevan unit and the Israel Air Force's Shaldag unit. » Read more

Abbas names PNC speaker to form constitution ATFP World Press Roundup Article from August 16, 2011 - 12:00am Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday nominated Salim Za'noon, speaker of the Palestinian National Council (PNC), as the chairman of a committee to form the Palestinian constitution. Nabil Shaath, a member of Fatah's central committee, was nominated as Za'noon's deputy, the state-run Wafa News Agency reported. The Palestinians will approach the United Nations Security Council and the General Assembly in September to gain a recognition of an independent Palestinian state established in the territories occupied by Israel in 1967. » Read more

Abbas makes Arab aid appeal, sees risk to U.N. bid ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Alertnet August 15, 2011 - 12:00am President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday appealed for Arab financial support to help the Palestinians deal with "pressures and threats" from Israel and its allies which he said were a risk to his plan to seek U.N. approval for statehood in September. The Palestinian Authority faces a financial crisis which forced it to cut wages by half in July. Policymakers have identified a shortfall in Arab aid as the main cause. » Read more