March 3rd

The Path of Realism or the Path of Failure ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Weekly Standard by Elliott Abrams - March 2, 2009 - 1:00am Repetition of failed experiments is not a sign of mental health or a path to scientific progress, nor is it a formula for Israeli-Palestinian peace. Yet that is the road we may again take, unless the lessons of the Bush years are learned. » Read more

Abbas: Palestinian unity government must support two-state solution ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post February 28, 2009 - 1:00am Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday said that a Palestinian unity government with Hamas must support a two-state solution. In a Ramallah speech, Abbas went on to say progress was being made toward establishing a Palestinian unity government "that will be committed to our values and will respect agreements previously signed by the Palestinian Authority," Israel Radio reported. » Read more

Netanyahu faces moment of truth ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) by Leslie Susser - March 2, 2009 - 1:00am Pressed to take a firm stand on the two-state solution, Benjamin Netanyahu’s moment of truth may have come sooner than he wanted. Despite strong international and domestic pressure, Israel's prime minister-designate is refusing to come out in support of the idea of two states for two peoples, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace. Ever since President Bush outlined his vision of two states in June 2002, the two-state solution has been consensus international policy and the basis for Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. » Read more

Could Netanyahu be an Israeli Maverick? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Middle East Times by Mel Frykberg - March 3, 2009 - 1:00am Kadima chairwoman and Israeli foreign minister, Tzipi Livni, has lashed out at prime minister-designate and leader of the hawkish Likud party, Benjamin Netanyahu, for being an extremist and unwilling to compromise with the Palestinians. "Netanyahu is more extreme than Lieberman, who doesn't rule out a two-state solution. Netanyahu isn't even willing to discuss it," said Livni on Friday after meeting with him to discuss the possibility of Likud and Kadima joining forces in a unity government. » Read more

For Gaza’s sake this can’t be just another summit ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National (Editorial) March 3, 2009 - 1:00am Another summit in Sharm el Sheikh to deal with the fallout of another violent episode in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. That is one way to understand yesterday’s meeting between heads of state, foreign ministers and officials at the Egyptian resort. But given the magnitude of the human suffering in Gaza, this cannot be just another meeting. » Read more

PA official warns peace process at risk of crumbling ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Ali Waked - March 3, 2009 - 1:00am Should rightist government being formed in Israel abandon notion of two-state solution, Palestinian moderates will likely lose public's support while Islamic forces gain in strength, senior PA official says Ali Waked Should the two-state solution fail to become viable in the near future," the entire notion of the two states and the diplomatic process in general will collapse," a senior Palestinian official told Ynet Tuesday. Peace Process Clinton reiterates need for two-state solution / Roni Sofer » Read more

Netanyahu's naysaying ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz March 3, 2009 - 1:00am United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's debut trip to the Middle East will be depicted - as usual - as a "familiarization tour," aimed at meeting with regional leaders and listening to their ideas. However, there should be no mistake about Clinton's message: President Barack Obama's administration expects the negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians to continue, with the aim of advancing a two-state solution and establishing an "independent and viable" Palestinian state in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. » Read more

Netanyahu: Clinton and I found common ground ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Barak Ravid - March 3, 2009 - 1:00am Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu met with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Jerusalem on Tuesday, saying following their meeting that he had "found common ground with Clinton in attaining the common goals of our two countries." "We need to think creatively in order to move forward and create a different reality, both in terms of security and politically, and this is a common goal for both sides," Netanyahu added. » Read more

Clinton: US to 'vigorously' promote peace efforts ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press by Matti Friedman - March 3, 2009 - 1:00am U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton promised Tuesday to work with the incoming Israeli government, but delivered a clear message that could put her at odds with the country's next leader: Movement toward the establishment of a Palestinian state is "inescapable." At the same time, Clinton said she would not dictate orders to Israel, saying the Jewish state would determine its interests. In her first visit to the region as secretary of state, she also pledged "unrelenting" support for Israel's security. » Read more

Mrs Clinton's task ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Telegraph March 2, 2009 - 1:00am The visit this week to the Middle East by Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, will offer the first opportunity to assess the Obama administration's policy in the region. It comes at an unpropitious time, with sensibilities in the region still raw after Israel's three-week invasion of Gaza, which resulted in such terrible loss of life. Mrs Clinton's first task, at a donors' conference in Sharm el Sheikh yesterday, was to offer a $900 million (£642 million) aid package to Gaza and the West Bank. » Read more