Israel in a Showdown with West Bank Settlers
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Time
by Tim McGirk - November 2, 2008 - 8:00pm


The hill named Oush Grab lies a stone's throw from the Shepherd's Field, near Bethlehem. Christian pilgrims flock to the place where the Bible says an angel tipped off a shepherd that Jesus Christ had been born, but most visitors are unaware of the battle raging over this obscure hilltop. Oush Grab is an undistinguished rocky outcrop of limestone, dotted with thorny shrubs. And it has no political, strategic or Old Testament significance.


Barak holds meeting with Mubarak in Egypt on talks to free Shalit
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Amos Harel - August 25, 2008 - 8:00pm


Defense Minister Ehud Barak told Egyptian President Husni Mubarak on Tuesday that Israel views Egypt as a central factor in the return of kidnapped Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit. Shalit was abducted by Gaza militants in a cross-border raid in 2006. Egyptian-mediated talks with Hamas for his release have apparently reached a standstill.


Amnesty for dozens of wanted Palestinians
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Ali Waked - August 25, 2008 - 8:00pm


Less than 24 hours after the release of 198 Palestinian prisoners as a gesture to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in the region to further the diplomatic negotiations – Israel on Tuesday has granted 'amnesty' to dozens of wanted Palestinians. A senior Palestinian source told Ynet that 45 wanted men would receive full amnesty, allowing them complete freedom of movement in the Territories and even beyond their borders. Other will be restricted to the 'A' Territories.


Mohammed Deif back in spotlight
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Ali Waked - August 25, 2008 - 8:00pm


The notorious leader of Hamas' military wing, Mohammad Deif, is alive and kicking. And, apparently, writing as well. The shadowy leader has broken his two-year silence in the forward to a new book issued by Hamas in honor of group members killed in Gaza. Deif vowed Hamas would continue it fight.


Two State Solution is Best For Israelis
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Angus Reid Global Monitor
August 25, 2008 - 8:00pm


The vast majority of people in Israel think that the best solution to the ongoing conflict with the Palestinians is to establish a separate Palestinian state alongside Israel, according to a poll by Market Watch. 74 per cent of respondents share this view, while 14 per cent think the best way to solve the problem is by creating a bi-national state including both Israelis and Palestinians. However, 62 per cent of respondents do not believe it will be possible to reach a final agreement with the Palestinians.


Israel Shuts Gaza Crossings After Rocket Attack
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
by Allyn Fisher-Ilan - August 25, 2008 - 8:00pm


Israel shut its border crossings with the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, a day after two rockets were fired into the Jewish state, an Israeli official said. The official said Defence Minister Ehud Barak had "ordered the closure of crossings with Gaza" without saying for how long. The Israeli military said two rockets were fired from Gaza at Israel on Monday, causing no damage or casualties. The measure came as U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visited the region to press ahead with efforts to achieve an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal in the coming months.


Israel settlement surge draws Rice criticism
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
by Arshad Mohammed - August 25, 2008 - 8:00pm


Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called on Israel on Tuesday not to undermine peace talks with the Palestinians after a report found it had nearly doubled Jewish settlement construction. On her seventh visit this year in a long-shot push for a peace deal by January, Rice said the two sides were "somewhat closer" in their talks despite deep public skepticism about the chances of ending the six-decade conflict. Rice offered no further details, but said: "God willing, and with the goodwill of the parties and the tireless work of the parties, we have a good chance to succeed."


Rice: 'A lot of work ahead' to reach Mideast peace deal
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP)
August 25, 2008 - 8:00pm


US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice admitted on Monday that the Israelis and Palestinians have a lot of work to do if they are to strike a peace deal by the end of the year. At the start of her 18th visit to Israel and the Palestine in the past two years, Rice welcomed Israel's release of 198 Palestinian prisoners.


Abbas greets liberated prisoners with hero's welcome in Occupied West Bank
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP)
August 25, 2008 - 8:00pm


Israel freed 198 Palestinian prisoners on Monday in a gesture to President Mahmoud Abbas as US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived in the region to spur US-backed peace talks. The prisoners were welcomed by thousands of cheering supporters at an outdoor celebration at Abbas' headquarters in the Occupied.


Bush Struggles with Legacy on Mideast Peace
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Christian Science Monitor
by Danna Harman - August 25, 2008 - 8:00pm


Nine months since President Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice hosted the much touted Annapolis Conference on Middle East peace – at which all sides pledged to work toward a settlement by the end of 2008 – Ms. Rice is once more pushing in person for some kind of deal before the administration leaves office. Her arrival here Sunday marks the 22nd time she's shown up to shuttle between the sides. Yet the main thing Israelis and Palestinians seem to have come any closer on is a shared sense of disappointment.



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