Does “pro-israel” Mean Anything? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Israel Policy Forum by M.J. Rosenberg - July 28, 2008 - 4:23pm Watching Barack Obama in Israel it became clear that he knows the Arab-Israeli issue well. Those who hoped he would make some gaffe that would hurt his candidacy were disappointed. He knows the ins and outs of the issue the way President Bill Clinton did. He feels no need to rely on sound bites about “our democratic ally” or Israel’s obvious “right to defend itself.” Maybe it’s because he is so close to the Chicago Jewish community, which has backed him since the start of his career, but he can talk about Israel with fluency and comfort. » Read more

Arab Aid To Palestinians Often Doesn't Fulfill Pledges ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post by Glenn Kessler - July 28, 2008 - 4:21pm In 2002, when oil prices were hovering around $21 a barrel, nearly two dozen Arab nations joined to pledge yearly contributions of $660 million to support the Palestinian Authority's annual budget. Now, even with oil prices more than six times higher and the Palestinian Authority bordering on financial ruin, only a handful of Arab countries are sending even a small portion of the money they promised, according to data examined by The Washington Post. » Read more