June 23rd

More Goods Entering Gaza Under Israel-hamas Truce ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Boston Globe by Ibrahim Barzak - June 23, 2008 - 2:51pm Israel allowed dozens of trucks to deliver food, diapers and clothes to the Gaza Strip on Sunday, boosting the flow of basic goods as part of a four-day-old truce with Hamas militants. Further increases are expected if the quiet continues, offering the prospect of relief for Gazans after a year of Israeli sanctions against the Hamas regime. The six-month deal is meant to end attacks that have killed more than 400 Palestinians and seven Israelis since the Islamic Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip a year ago, and pave the way toward wider-reaching agreements. » Read more

In Need Of ‘wins On The Ground’ ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Newsweek by Lally Weymouth - June 23, 2008 - 2:49pm King Abdullah of Jordan sat down at Petra with NEWSWEEK's Lally Weymouth last week and reflected on the state of affairs in his part of the world. He emphasized the need for a settlement of the Palestinian issue and claimed that Iran was no longer such a big problem for his country. Indeed, he sounded a bit like Barack Obama in arguing for the need for dialogue with Iran—a country he has in the past described as a major threat. Excerpts: » Read more

The Jenin Model And The Gaza Model ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-ayyam by Hassan Al-battal - June 23, 2008 - 2:42pm Some of you may follow Super Star, or Law and Order, both of which are very exciting television programs. As television, the Berlin Conference episode, supporting the security and law programs of the Palestinians, was less exciting than the Paris Economic Conference show, which followed the Annapolis Political Conference program.   As we all know, the Annapolis Conference fell short of expectations, while the Paris Conference exceeded expectations, and the Bethlehem Conference, which achieved tangible results, was an actual success.   » Read more

June 20th

Quest For Peace ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Philadelphia Inquirer June 20, 2008 - 3:35pm Quest for peace Former Republican Sen. Rick Santorum tries to frighten supporters of Israel away from supporting Democratic nominee Barack Obama in part by citing my observation that Obama appears interested in ending the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip ("In addressing Israel policy, Obama displays duality," June 19). » Read more

Give Truce A Chance ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Uri Misgav - June 20, 2008 - 3:34pm It appears that Israel’s public opinion has given a chilly reception to two significant security-diplomatic moves that have been formulated here in recent weeks. A dour mood has taken over the country, and this dourness is misplaced. » Read more

3 Injured In West Bank Shooting Attack ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Erfat Weiss - June 20, 2008 - 3:32pm A Syrian source affiliated with the indirect talks between Damascus and Jerusalem says Friday that Syria was in no rush to find a solution to the Shebaa Farms sovereignty issue. The source was quoted by the London-based Arabic-language al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper, following reports that the US and France support the transferal of the area at the foot of Mount Dov to the United Nations' control. Later on, the area is to be divided between Syria and Lebanon. » Read more

Syrian Source: We Won't Opt For Immediate Solution To Shebaa Farms ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Roee Nahmias - June 20, 2008 - 3:30pm  Fadlallah reiterated before the Iranian news Agency (IRNA) that if Israel pulling out of the farms will not change Hizbullah’s policy towards it: “Returning Shebba Farms will not change the existing equation regarding Lebanon’s need of a resistance organization. It will only prove the logic behind the resistance and validate its existence as the only way of restoring land.” » Read more

The Brewing Storm ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post June 20, 2008 - 3:23pm On a cold and drizzly December morning the Israeli cabinet meets to approve a renewal of the cease-fire in Gaza, which has proven so successful. There have been no rocket, mortar or shooting attacks into Israel since the tahadiyeh was proclaimed by Hamas six months ago. » Read more

Hamas: Trick Or Truce? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Asharq Alawsat by Tariq Alhomayed - (Opinion) June 20, 2008 - 3:22pm The Hamas leadership delivered good news to the Palestinians, and to the people of Gaza specifically, as it announced that a happy ending was in sight with respect to Israel since a six-month truce between Hamas and Israel had been reached. There is an obvious euphoria within the Hamas leadership. It is as if these leaders have declared the establishment of the Palestinian state whilst in reality the matter relates to a truce that may not last. » Read more

Whatever Palestinians Discuss, The Real Issue Is Iran ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Star by Saul Singer - (Opinion) June 20, 2008 - 3:17pm It is not clear whether Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' recent call for "national and comprehensive dialogue" with Hamas is a significant change of position. Some PA leaders claim that the Hamas coup in Gaza must be reversed before talks can begin; others that such "political conditions" have been dropped. » Read more