November 3rd

The Mideast’s new game
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post
by David Ignatius - (Opinion) November 2, 2011 - 12:00am

Diplomatic versions of the three-cushion shot in billiards are perilous, but let’s suppose you could accomplish the following: Lift the stature of Egypt’s fragile transitional government, support Israel’s desire for Arab recognition, reanimate the Palestinian peace process and deal a blow to Iran.

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Israeli doctors 'failing to report torture of Palestinian detainees'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian
by Harriet Sherwood - November 3, 2011 - 12:00am

Medical professionals in Israel are being accused of failing to document and report injuries caused by the ill-treatment and torture of detainees by security personnel in violation of their ethical code. A report by two Israeli human rights organisations, the Public Committee Against Torture (PCAT) and Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), claims that medical staff are also failing to report suspicion of torture and ill-treatment, returning detainees to their interrogators and passing medical information to interrogators.

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Palestinian win in UNESCO doesn't mean total victory at UN
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Shlomo Shamir - November 3, 2011 - 12:00am

The acceptance of the Palestinian Authority as permanent member of UNESCO didn't really cause a stir at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Much like the Geneva-based Human Rights Committee, whose priorities and voting patterns rarely cause a stir among the UN member states in New York, UNESCO, an independent organization, does not get much respect.

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Bitter olive harvest adds to Palestinian animosity
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
by Crispian Balmer - November 3, 2011 - 12:00am

A potent symbol of peace and harmony, the olive has become a source of confrontation and violence in the decades-old conflict that pits Israel against Palestinians. Once a time of happy industry, the autumn harvest season in particular has degenerated into antagonism, with Palestinian farmers accusing extremist Jewish settlers of destroying their crops and trying to seize their land.

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US, peace talks hurt most by Palestinian UNESCO bid
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
November 3, 2011 - 12:00am

The Palestinians' success in joining UNESCO and Israel's immediate retaliation has two main casualties: the peace process and the Obama administration. Monday's vote by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization to grant full Palestinian membership despite U.S. and Israeli objections exposed how little leverage Washington has on either side. It forced the Obama administration to withhold $60 million from the agency.

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New flotilla 'headed toward Gaza'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
November 2, 2011 - 12:00am

A flotilla carrying medication is bound for the Gaza Strip after quietly departing a Mediterranean port, activists announced on Wednesday as Israel's army said it was "fully prepared" to stop it. The Canadian Tahrir and the Irish Saoirse are carrying 27 people from nine countries, organizers said. The ships are carrying a symbolic cargo of $30,000 in medication. The 27 activists on board the vessels are drawn from Australia, Canada, Ireland and the United States, and included Palestinians.

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Source: Israel to resume tax transfers soon
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
November 3, 2011 - 12:00am

Israel has decided to stop transferring tax revenue to the Palestinian Authority in the aftermath of UNESCO's acceptance of Palestine as a full member, at least temporarily. But according to a high-ranking official in the Palestinian government, Israel is facing considerable international pressure and is unlikely to continue the sanctions long past the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Ahda.

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EU deeply concerned by Israeli settlement plans
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
November 3, 2011 - 12:00am

The European Union expressed deep concern on Wednesday about Israel's decision to speed up settlement activity in response to the Palestinian accession to the United Nations cultural agency UNESCO. Israel decided on Tuesday to accelerate Jewish settlement building and withhold Palestinian Authority funds, moves likely to further hold up international efforts to revive peace talks. "I am deeply concerned by the latest Israeli decisions," EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said in a statement, adding that settlement building was against international law.

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US 'deeply disappointed' in Israel settlement move
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
November 3, 2011 - 12:00am

The United States is "deeply disappointed" with Israel's decision to speed up settlement building following UNESCO's decision to grant full membership to the Palestinians, the White House said on Wednesday. White House spokesman Jay Carney said the move did not advance the goal of bridging long-standing differences between Israelis and the Palestinians.

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November 2nd

NEWS: Israel is speeding up settlement activity in the occupied territories. The PLO accuses Israel of “blackmail.” Israel says it has successfully tested a new long-range missile. Hackers attack all cable-based services, including Internet, in the West Bank. Israel closes an extremist seminary in a settlement. US law enforcement chiefs are visiting Israel. The Guardian provides a full breakdown of the UNESCO vote. UN teachers in Gaza go on strike for a third time this year.Yasser Arafat's widow denies Tunisian corruption allegations. Former Sec. Rice says prospects for peace have worsened under Pres. Obama. COMMENTARY: The LA Times says the UNESCO vote shows how isolated the US and Israel have become, and that anti-Palestinian laws should be repealed by Congress. Amira Hass says Palestinians should pursue “popular resistance” and not negotiations with Israel. Zvi Bar'el says the Israeli government prefers trading rocket fire with Islamic Jihad to negotiating with the PLO. The Jerusalem Post denounces UNESCO's admission of Palestine. Ian Williams says Obama has shown a lack of principle on the UNESCO issue. The National says Palestinians have scored a symbolic but important victory. The Gulf News agrees. Robert Danin says the UNESCO vote has done harm. The Chicago Tribune agrees UNESCO made the wrong decision. Carrie Budoff Brown says if Obama was planning a trip to Israel, the time for it is slipping away.

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