Israel Rejects Hamas Overture, And Presses Housing Construction ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Isabel Kershner - December 28, 2007 - 2:18pm Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel on Sunday rejected overtures by Hamas, the militant Islamic group that rules Gaza, for discussions about a temporary cease-fire. At the same time, Mr. Olmert’s government raised the ire of Palestinian representatives from the West Bank, with whom Israel is embarking on negotiations for a permanent peace, by seeking budget approval to build more housing for Jewish residents in areas that the Palestinians claim for their future state. » Read more

Settlement Dispute Stalls Mideast Talks ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Adam Entous - December 28, 2007 - 2:16pm Israel is considering easing criteria for freeing Palestinian prisoners, a move one Israeli official said on Monday could pave the way for the release of Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouthi. Israel's deputy defense minister, Matan Vilnai, said Barghouthi, a Palestinian uprising leader from Fatah and a possible successor to President Mahmoud Abbas, could be a candidate for release. Also on Monday, a second round of peace talks between Israeli and Palestinian negotiating teams were bogged down in a dispute over settlement building near Jerusalem. » Read more

Bethlehem Basks In Calm And Cheer ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press by Dalia Nammari - December 28, 2007 - 2:15pm Encouraged by renewed peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, Christian pilgrims from around the world converged on Jesus's traditional birthplace Monday to celebrate Christmas -- a palpable contrast to the sparse crowds of recent years. The diverse crowd included festive American tourists, clergymen in brown flowing robes and Palestinian scouts wearing kilts and playing bagpipes. » Read more