November 29th

How Will the Palestinian UN Move Impact Prospects for Mideast Peace?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from PBS
(Analysis) November 28, 2012 - 1:00am


MARGARET WARNER: For more on the Palestinian bid for greater recognition at the United Nations, I'm joined by David Makovsky of the Washington Institute For Near East Policy, and Ghaith Al-Omari, executive director of the American Task Force on Palestine. Welcome back to both of you.


Palestinians certain to win recognition as a state
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
by Edith M. Lederer - November 29, 2012 - 1:00am


UNITED NATIONS —The Palestinians are certain to win U.N. recognition as a state Thursday but success could exact a high price: Israel and the United States warn it could delay hopes of achieving an independent Palestinian state through peace talks with Israel. The United States, Israel's closest ally, mounted an aggressive campaign to head off the General Assembly vote. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defiantly declared Thursday that the Palestinians would have to back down from long-held positions if they ever hope to gain independence.


U.S. and Israel Look to Limit Impact of U.N. Vote on Palestinian Authority
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Michael R. Gordon - November 28, 2012 - 1:00am


WASHINGTON — After failing to head off a vote in the United Nations on Thursday that would upgrade the Palestinian Authority’s status, the United States and Israel are looking ahead to how they can contain the damage from the approval of a resolution that even some European allies have signaled they will support.


November 28th

NEWS: PLO leaders say they have already submitted their UNGA resolution, and have reportedly reassured member states they will not rush to try to join the ICC. A large group of Palestinian factions in Gaza say they support the initiative. France and Spain reiterate they will vote for the resolution. Palestinians confidently predict victory. The Boston Globe outlines the key players and their positions on the resolution. Israel seems to be backing away from dire threats of retaliation. PM Erdogan says he's still considering a trip to Gaza. Polls show PM Netanyahu well-positioned to win January's Israeli election. Gaza factions thank Iran after the conflict with Israel. The Washington Post outlines a series of Israeli decisions that led to the killing of the Abu Zor family in Gaza. The PA says it will seek legal action if it discovers the late Pres. Arafat was murdered. Cairo says it plans to convene Palestinian factions for more reconciliation talks after the UN initiative this week. An unnamed senior Israeli official reportedly describes Qatar as "a bitter enemy." Efforts are underway off the coast of Israel to raise the wreck of the Altalena, a ship that was sunk in a confrontation between the nascent Israeli military and Jewish militants. COMMENTARY: Jonathan Adelman says Hamas is no winner in the recent Gaza conflict. Chemi Shalev says, despite its tough talk, Israel is unlikely to overreact to the Palestinian UN initiative. Zvi Bar'el says Israel should recognize its interests in the creation of a Palestinian state. The Jerusalem Post says Palestinian leaders are making a mistake with the UN initiative. Abdel Rahman Al-Rashed says he hopes Hezbollah follows through with threats to attack Israel, because that would result in the end of the group's power and be a great boon to Lebanon and the Syrian revolution. Daniel Nisman argues Iran still controls Gaza. Carlo Strenger says Israel is missing another historic opportunity by opposing the Palestinian UN initiative. Elisheva Goldberg lists extremist statements regarding annexation of the occupied Palestinian territories by the newly elected hierarchy of Israel's ruling Likud party. Aaron David Miller says Pres. Obama will probably again engage in Palestinian-Israeli peacemaking and he hopes it will be more successful this time. Michael Lerner says Israel and the US should welcome the Palestinian UN initiative.

Why U.S., Israel should welcome Palestinian move at U.N.
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from CNN
by Rabbi Michael Lerner - (Opinion) November 28, 2012 - 1:00am


(CNN) -- Israel's security can only be assured when its neighbors believe that it is no longer oppressing the Palestinian people but instead living in peace and harmony with them.


The Peace Process Tooth Fairy
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Foreign Policy
by Aaron David Miller - (Opinion) November 27, 2012 - 1:00am


I'd love to believe in the peace process tooth fairy. I really would. In the wake of the Israeli-Hamas ceasefire in Gaza, I'd love to believe:


Why Iran Still Controls Gaza
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-Monitor
by Daniel Nisman - (Opinion) November 27, 2012 - 1:00am


 


Likud: The Party of Annexation
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Beast
by Elisheva Goldberg - (Opinion) November 27, 2012 - 1:00am


Leaders of the organized American Jewish community often claim that across the political spectrum, Israelis have embraced the two-state solution. But as the gates of the Likud primary polls swung shut late last night, the doors to a one-state solution swung open. 


Israel Missed Its Chance—Again
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Beast
by Carlo Strenger - (Opinion) November 27, 2012 - 1:00am


Abbas’s bid for UN recognition of Palestine as a non-member state seems set to succeed. Israel has missed another golden opportunity to capitalize on this move to undermine Islamist extremism and assure Israel’s future as the democratic homeland of the Jews.


We are with Hezbollah, let it fight Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News
by Abdul Rahman Al-Rashed - (Opinion) November 27, 2012 - 1:00am


The leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, has finally threatened that he will initiate an attack against Israel and bombard it with thousands of “Alfajr” bombs.



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