NEWS: Egyptian troops are moving to restore order in Sinai, testing a key provision of the peace treaty with Israel: demilitarization of the peninsula. Human rights activists say Israeli forces are entering Egyptian territory in the Sinai Peninsula to intercept would-be African migrants. Hamas says Egypt temporarily lifted its closure of the Gaza crossing point, but only to let people back into Gaza. Residents of an Israeli settlement slated for court-ordered eviction are raising funds in an effort to buy the land from its Palestinian owners. Israel frees a hunger-striking Palestinian prisoner. Israeli occupation authorities in East Jerusalem ordered the demolition of 2 trailers provided to displaced Palestinians by the UN. Pres. Abbas forms a committee to study women's rights. Palestinians say they're going to raise their VAT in September. The PA Finance Minister says most public-sector employees will be paid next Monday. An Israeli military tribunal convicts a Palestinian man in the death of an Israeli soldier in 2000. Israel's largest newspaper says PM Netanyahu and DM Barak are mulling a fall strike against Iran. Palestinian refugees in Syria are fleeing to Lebanon. A report into alleged anti-Semitism on UC campuses draws controversy. COMMENTARY: ATFP Pres. Ziad J. Asali gives his take on Palestinian culture. Zahi Khouri challenges Mitt Romney's account of Palestinian circumstances. Ha'aretz says Israel should cooperate with Egypt in every way it can so as to restore order in Sinai. Hussein Shabokshi says Egypt has to change the way it deals with Sinai altogether. Ofer Shelah says following the Sinai attack, Israel must reprioritize its security concerns. Amir Oren says Israel should be extremely concerned about the consequences of an attack on Iran that is not coordinated with the United States. Brent Sasley says the Israeli left is growing more pragmatic. Kathleen Peratis calls plans for the forced eviction of Palestinian villagers in the occupied West Bank a "human rights calamity.”

Susiya: A Human Rights Calamity
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Beast
by Kathleen Peratis - (Opinion) August 9, 2012 - 12:00am


In 2004, Ha'aretz ran the following story: "Last week, the High Court of Justice postponed for four months the state's request to destroy the structures and tents in Susiya, a village of caves in the southern part of the Hebron Hills.”


The Israeli left’s growing pragmatism
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA)
by Brent Sasley - (Opinion) August 8, 2012 - 12:00am


It’s often said these days that the left in Israel not only is decimated, but it continues to cling to long outdated idealism about how to solve the conflict with the Palestinians and withdraw from the West Bank. Also that it’s out of touch with Israelis’ current preoccupations and the settlers’ successes. Avraham Burg’s latest editorial in The New York Times is taken as illustrative of this.


An Israeli strike on Iran nuclear facilities could endanger Israel's Dimona reactor
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Amir Oren - (Opinion) August 10, 2012 - 12:00am


A foul wind is blowing over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, with weekend gusts toward Caesarea. A wind of pugnacity. Before the eyes of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and in the spirit of the chants of which he is so fond ("They are frightened"; "There's no free lunch" ) - it's as if a new sign has been raised high, bearing the words: "Strike now!"


Since Sinai Attack, Israel Must Re-Prioritize
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'ariv
by Ofer Shelah - (Opinion) August 9, 2012 - 12:00am


The foiled terror attack near the Kerem Shalom border crossing [on the Israel-Egypt-Gaza border] on August 5 is no doubt exceptional in terms of the method of operation implemented, the daring displayed and above all, the target chosen for the attack, which was aimed not only against Israel but also directly against Egyptian forces.


Who killed the Egyptian soldiers?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Asharq Alawsat
by Hussein Shabokshi - (Opinion) August 10, 2012 - 12:00am


The recent terrorist incident that took place in Sinai, and led to the deaths of a large number of Egyptian soldiers, was a huge shock to the people of Egypt. They were stunned by the extent of the attack and the resultant victims, and the sheer aggression of the perpetrators.


A crucial alliance
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
(Editorial) August 10, 2012 - 12:00am


"Peace between the two countries has been, and still is, an interest common to both peoples," read the condolence message from Israel's Foreign Ministry to Egypt after the attack on the border this week. Indeed, we have a key common interest in rooting out terror from the Sinai. This week's tragedy has led to what neither Israel nor Egypt dreamed would happen since the signing of the Camp David Accords in 1978.


The Palestine Romney doesn’t know
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post
by Zahi Khouri - (Opinion) August 9, 2012 - 12:00am


I am a proud American. I am a hardworking businessman and job creator. I am a faithful Christian. And I am Palestinian. Much as my multiple identities might drive Mitt Romney to head scratching, it is he who needs a lesson in, to borrow his recent words, “culture and a few other things.”


Another Look at Palestinian Culture
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Huffington Post
by Ziad Asali - (Blog) August 9, 2012 - 12:00am


Given the current conversation about issue of Palestinian culture and its relationship to politics and economics, I feel it's appropriate for me to add my own Palestinian-American perspective.


UC report on anti-Semitism draws ire
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The San Francisco Chronicle
by Nanette Asimov - August 9, 2012 - 12:00am


Katherine Orr had just started her freshman year at UC Berkeley last August when she was stunned to see five students in military fatigues carrying what looked like rifles and stopping students at Sather Gate.  



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