August 3rd

Israeli strike would only delay Iran's nuclear program by two years
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Amos Harel - August 3, 2012 - 12:00am


An Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear facilities would delay its manufacture of nuclear weapons by no more than two years, according to the prevailing assessment. This assessment holds that Iran's nuclear program would technically be set back by only a year. But it would likely take Iran another year on top of that to overcome side effects of the strike that would cause additional delays.


Don't attack Iran now, warns ex-IDF intel chief
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Yaakov Katz - August 3, 2012 - 12:00am


Maj.-Gen. (res.) Aharon Ze’evi Farkash is worried. So worried that he decided this week to break his longstanding silence on Iran and to share his concerns with the world.


Missiles on Tel Aviv will unleash unprecedented response: Israeli former intelligence chief
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
August 3, 2012 - 12:00am


Israel's former army intelligence chief said Thursday that a missile attack by foes against Greater Tel Aviv would mean that "Israel's legitimacy to take action will drastically increase." Speaking at a conference on "Israel's Home Front Preparedness," retired Maj.-Gen. Amos Yadlin sought to quell concerns over recent assessments that Iran, Syria, Hezbollah and Hamas could wield unprecedented 200,000 missiles and rockets in any future conflict. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has repeated threat to target Tel Aviv.


Israel warns citizens to return from Sinai
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
August 2, 2012 - 12:00am


Israel is urging its citizens traveling in Egypt's Sinai peninsula to return immediately amid warnings of an attack. The travel warning was based on information alleging militant groups from the Gaza Strip are operating in the area and plan to attack or kidnap Israeli tourists. Thursday's travel warning was issued by the Israeli Prime Minister's Office.


Mortars kill at least 20 in Damascus refugee camp
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
by Paul Schemm - August 3, 2012 - 12:00am


Mortars rained down on a crowded marketplace in a Palestinian refugee camp in the Syrian capital, killing at least 20 people as regime forces and rebels fought nearby, activists said. The attack on Yarmouk camp may well have been connected to a two-day long skirmish in the nearby Tadamon neighborhood, which has been repeatedly shelled by government troops. On Friday smoke could be seen pouring from the neighborhood.


August 2nd

NEWS: The US and Israel are intensifying talks about Iran. Ephraim Halevy says Iran should be worried about possible military action in the coming weeks. Palestinians are preparing to deal with negative consequences from Israel and the United States in the event of another UN bid. Palestinian women express outrage at the murder of a battered wife by her husband. Hamas condemns the visit of a senior advisor to Pres. Abbas to Auschwitz. Interpol is circulating an image of the man thought responsible for the terrorist attack on Israeli tourists in Bulgaria. Palestinians say there are now more than half a million Israeli settlers in the occupied Palestinian territories. A Hamas official downplays expectations from the new Egyptian government. Palestinian officials denounce Israel's closure of Orient House in occupied East Jerusalem. The University of California is considering banning political “hate speech.” COMMENTARY: Fareed Zakaria says Mitt Romney's view of the relationship between culture and economics is profoundly unsound. Ron Pundak says PM Netanyahu's apparent plans for the occupied West Bank would be a catastrophe for everyone. Noam Dvir looks at the architectural style of Palestinian villas in northern Israel. Zafrir Rinat says Israeli settlers yearn for an environment without borders or Palestinians. Douglas Bloomfield wonders if Romney's Israel trip suggests he's "not ready for prime time.” Ron Kampeas says Jewish Americans are among those alarmed by Islamlophobic attacks on an aide to Sec. Clinton. The National says Iran is a threat, but Israeli and American hints about possible military action are unhelpful. Hani al-Masri says Palestinian political divisions are becoming more apparent. Mustafa Barghouthi says American and Israeli policies are pushing Palestinians, including himself, away from a two-state solution to a one-state aspiration.

U. of Calif. Weighs Banning 'Hate' Speech
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward
by Naomi Zeveloff - August 2, 2012 - 12:00am


The University of California, birthplace of the 1960s campus Free Speech Movement, is now considering a proposal that would ban certain forms of speech as a result of a report on Jews and the Israel debate at its schools. The July 9 report, issued by an advisory panel to UC President Mark Yudof, concluded that Jewish students sometimes face a hostile environment at UC schools in the form of anti-Israel protests. It recommends that UC “seek opportunities to prohibit hate speech on campus.”


Renewal of Orient House closure 'an act of piracy'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
August 2, 2012 - 12:00am


Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said Wednesday that Israel's decision to renew a closure of the former PLO office in Jerusalem was "an act of piracy." He wrote in a letter to foreign officials in Jerusalem that "such illegal Israeli measures are considered null and void by the international community." Erekat said Israel was violating international law and UN resolutions by continuing to close Palestinian institutions in east Jerusalem, which was occupied by Israel in 1967.


Palestinian freedom counts for nothing - or so it seems
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Hill
by Mustafa Barghouthi - (Blog) August 2, 2012 - 12:00am


Gov. Romney’s visit to Israel – and occupied East Jerusalem – very nearly succeeded in erasing Palestine from the agenda. Save for a short visit with Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, Palestine was largely a non-matter. And Romney did not publicly raise Palestinian rights a single time. 


Palestinian Divisions Displayed During Romney, Haniyeh Visits
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-Ayyam
by Hani al-Masri - (Opinion) August 1, 2012 - 12:00am


As is customary for American presidential candidates, Republican candidate Mitt Romney visited Israel. The aim of the visit was to show that he was the “closer friend” to Israel [compared to President Barack Obama].



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