The Israeli debate on attacking Iran is over ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Foreign Policy by Shai Feldman - (Opinion) August 20, 2012 - 12:00am For all practical purposes this weekend ended the Israeli debate on attacking Iran. What tipped the scales were two developments. The first was the decision of the country's president, Shimon Peres, to make his opposition to a military strike public. The second was an interview given by a former key defense advisor of Defense Minister Ehud Barak, questioning for the first time publically whether his former superior and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are fit to lead Israel in time of war. » Read more

Behind the Barrier: Israel's Fence With Egypt Nears Completion ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Yedioth Ahronoth by Oded Shalom - August 3, 2012 - 12:00am It was ten in the morning and the sun beat down mercilessly. From the place we stood, not far from border stone number 45, the activities taking place on the mountain opposite us seemed like a desert mirage. You clearly view the heavy machinery working and descending on a steep slope; you look at them and wipe the sweat that has rolled into your eyes, unsure if what you see is really happening. This entire situation seems to negate the laws of gravity. » Read more

Gaza tunnel trade squeezed by Egypt 'crackdown' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News by Jon Donnison - August 21, 2012 - 12:00am In the gently rolling dunes around the town of Rafah in southern Gaza, Sagah slopes around with his donkey looking like a man with time on his hands. Fine white dust clings to the sweat on his arms under a hot midday sun. He's glum. "For the last two weeks there has been no work. I am a poor man. I have no money," he shouts, clapping his hands together in exasperation. Sagah's trade is smuggling. He is one of thousands of tunnel workers who have made a living ferrying goods from Egypt into Gaza. » Read more

'Strong W. Bank economy not enough for stability' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post August 21, 2012 - 12:00am A strong Palestinian economy will not be enough to maintain stability in the West Bank, UN special coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Robert Serry said Monday night. Serry was speaking at the closing ceremony of the Israel International Model United Nations at the College of Management Academic Studies (COMAS) in Rishon Lezion. The theme of this year's program was "It's Not All About the Money." » Read more

Arab Israelis 'have nowhere to hide' if war breaks out ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Hassan Shaalan - August 21, 2012 - 12:00am Israel's Arabs are extremely concerned by the mounting tensions between Israel and Iran and claim that the lack of shelters in their cities will leave them exposed in case a war erupts. » Read more

Israeli defense officials consult with Rabbi Ovadia Yosef over Iran strike ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Yair Ettinger, Barak Ravid - August 21, 2012 - 12:00am Senior defense officials have recently been visiting the ultra-Orthodox Shas party's spiritual leader, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, to discuss a possible Israeli attack on Iran. Some want the 91-year-old rabbi to support it, others to oppose it. At least one visit, in which the rabbi was briefed on Iran's nuclear program, came at the behest of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is battling for support in the cabinet to strike Iran. » Read more

Top Iran official: If Israel attacks, it will bring about its own 'annihilation' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz August 21, 2012 - 12:00am An Israeli attack on Iran will lead to Israel's "annihilation," a senior Iranian official told the country's state-run TV station Press TV on Monday, ahead of the Non-Aligned Movement summit due to take place in Tehran later this month. » Read more

Israel overturns appeal, orders eviction of West Bank outpost ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua August 20, 2012 - 12:00am JERUSALEM, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Israel's State Attorney-General' s Office (SAO) on Monday ordered the eviction of an illegal West Bank outpost, in response to an appeal by its residents hoping to prevent its destruction. » Read more

Attacks on Palestinians kindle debate on values ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press by Amy Teibel - August 21, 2012 - 12:00am JERUSALEM — Two vicious attacks on Palestinians, presumed to be the work of Jews, have some Israelis worried that their society is increasingly tolerant of hate crimes. Over the weekend, unknown assailants firebombed a Palestinian taxi in the West Bank. Hours later, a mob of Jewish teens beat a 17-year-old Palestinian unconscious in downtown Jerusalem. Israeli leaders have condemned the violence. On Tuesday, President Shimon Peres said he was "mortified" by the "intolerable" attack on the teen. » Read more

Young Israelis Held in Attack on Arabs ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Isabel Kershner - August 20, 2012 - 12:00am JERUSALEM — Seven Israeli teenagers were in custody on Monday, accused of what a police official and several witnesses described as an attempted lynching of several Palestinian youths, laying bare the undercurrent of tension in this ethnically mixed but politically divided city. A 15-year-old suspect standing outside court said, “For my part he can die, he’s an Arab.” » Read more