August 29th

Former Israeli commandos dominate politics
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
by Aron Heller - August 29, 2012 - 12:00am

When Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had to fill a sensitive Cabinet post recently, he turned to an old army buddy from his days in an elite commando unit. His choice for minister of civil defense, Avi Dichter, replaced another graduate of the legendary Sayeret Matkal unit. Netanyahu's defense minister and vice premier, as well as Israel's opposition leader, also served there.

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Witness to Rachel Corrie’s Death Responds to Israeli Court Ruling Absolving Soldier
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Robert Mackey - August 28, 2012 - 12:00am

As my colleagues Jodi Rudoren and Danielle Ziri report, an Israeli judge ruled on Tuesday that the state bore no responsibility for the death of Rachel Corrie, an American activist who was crushed to death by a military bulldozer in 2003 as she tried to block the demolition of a Palestinian home in Gaza. Ms. Corrie, who was a student at the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Wash., joined the pro-Palestinian International Solidarity Movement in January 2003, and was killed two months later in the Gazan town of Rafah, which straddles the border with Egypt.

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August 28th

Bibi's own "tree limb"
In Print by Hussein Ibish - NOW Lebanon (Opinion) - August 28, 2012 - 12:00am

Over the past few years it was frequently alleged, not least by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, that the Palestinian leadership had climbed out onto various political “tree limbs.” The implication was that on issues such as the settlement freeze, Palestinian leaders adopted rhetorical positions that were not in keeping with their real strategic options and hadn't allowed themselves sufficient room to climb down. As a consequence, it was suggested, they were stuck with unworkable policies. 

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NEWS: An Israeli court rules that the state has no responsibility in the death of the American activist Rachel Corrie. Israeli schools are trying to address bigotry against Palestinians in the wake of the attempted lynching in Jerusalem. Israeli students in the extreme southern town of Sderot are now attending a rocket-proof school. Israel shells a Gaza compound after a rocket attack. Israelis are preparing gas masks and shelters in anticipation of a possible conflict with Iran. The UN suggests the Gaza Strip will become uninhabitable by 2020 if current trends continue. PM Netanyahu says the Etzion bloc of settlements south of Jerusalem are an integral part of Israel. Netanyahu suspends efforts to reorganize his personal investment portfolio. Human Rights Watch says the PA should investigate two incidents earlier this summer in which police beat protesters. Palestinian officials say Pres. Abbas will seek support for a renewed UN bid at the NAM conference. Israeli diplomats say FM Lieberman's attacks on Abbas are part of a campaign to discourage support for Palestinians at the UN. The PA says it is stopping recruitment and promotion due to its financial crisis. Increasing numbers of Palestinian students from occupied East Jerusalem are seeking degrees from Israeli universities. Pres. Morsy reassures Israel about his country's commitment to the peace treaty and security in Sinai, as Palestinian leaders reportedly express dissatisfaction with his government. Israeli officials are now claiming that the issue of Jewish refugees and migrants to Israel from Arab states is a “core issue” in negotiations with the Palestinians. COMMENTARY: Hussein Ibish argues Netanyahu and DM Barak have left themselves few good options in dealing with Iran's nuclear program. Amira Hass asks what can be learned from the Rachel Corrie case. Chris McGreal says the verdict reveals the Israeli "military mindset." Ha'aretz says Israeli settlement outposts are out of control. Gershon Baskin proposes a letter he thinks Abbas ought to send to the Israelis. Anat Hoffman says Israel must punish rabbis who preach hatred.

Israel must punish rabbis who preach hatred
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA)
by Anat Hoffman - (Opinion) August 27, 2012 - 12:00am

Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin apologized to Jamal Julany, one of the victims of a racist attack in Zion Square, during his visit to the 17-year-old. "We are sorry," said Rivlin, a Likud Party leader. He went on to say, "It is hard to see you hospitalized because of an inconceivable act" and "What happened is the responsibility of every leader and member of Knesset."

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What Abbas should say to Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Gershon Baskin - (Opinion) August 27, 2012 - 12:00am

To the people of Israel, We, the Palestinian people, seek peace with you, the people of Israel. We seek our independence, in a state of our own, just like you, as your neighbors, living side by side, Palestine next to Israel. I bring before you historic proof of our intentions, as we have let it be known to the entire world. Our intentions are real, our desire for peace, genuine, our plans for the future, peaceful. On November 15, 1988, in front of the world, and in front of our people, and in our Arabic language we declared our Declaration of Independence:

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Outposts gone wild
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
(Editorial) August 28, 2012 - 12:00am

After a seemingly endless number of legal hearings and debates among the highest-ranking politicians, as well as a public debate complete with pressure and threats from the interested parties, the Migron affair is due to come to an end this week. The High Court of Justice ruling on whether 17 families living on the outpost will be allowed to stay, because they say they purchased their land legally, is scheduled for 10 A.M. Tuesday morning, the day of the planned evacuation. It is expected to halt the extended frenzy surrounding a handful of infiltrators who made their own law.

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Rachel Corrie verdict exposes Israeli military mindset
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian
by Chris McGreal - (Opinion) August 28, 2012 - 12:00am

Reporters covering Israel are routinely confronted with the question: why not call Hamas a terrorist organisation? It's a fair point. How else to describe blowing up families on buses but terrorism?

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What can we learn from the Rachel Corrie case
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Amira Hass - (Opinion) August 27, 2012 - 12:00am

On a foggy winter morning in early 1967, several young men were strolling through London's Hampstead Heath park. One was carrying a bucket, an odd sight, but it didn't attract any attention. The young men had deliberately picked a time when the park was fairly empty to carry out their intention without being impeded: the first successful trial of a leaflet bomb, a pre-Internet era invention.

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Bibi's own "tree limb"
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from NOW Lebanon
by Hussein Ibish - (Opinion) August 28, 2012 - 12:00am

Over the past few years it was frequently alleged, not least by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, that the Palestinian leadership had climbed out onto various political “tree limbs.” The implication was that on issues such as the settlement freeze, Palestinian leaders adopted rhetorical positions that were not in keeping with their real strategic options and hadn't allowed themselves sufficient room to climb down. As a consequence, it was suggested, they were stuck with unworkable policies. 

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