The slapdown that was heard round the world ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National (Editorial) May 19, 2009 - 12:00am In the wake of Benjamin Netanyahu’s first meeting with Barack Obama, his allies were quick to declare victory. When the US president announced something resembling a finite timetable for diplomatic efforts to halt Iran’s nuclear programme, their reading goes, Israel recorded a triumph. Those observers must have been watching a different press conference from the rest of us. What was strikingly apparent is how far apart the two men are in their plans to achieve both Middle East peace and a conclusion to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. » Read more

US to push Israel on Palestinian state ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Nation by Vita Bekker - May 20, 2009 - 12:00am Israel’s relations with the United States, its chief ally and patron, appeared this week to have entered a new era. Israeli commentators yesterday said that Monday’s White House summit between Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, and Barack Obama, the US president, further signalled that the US’s Middle East approach is significantly shifting from its years-long alignment with Israeli interests. » Read more

Hamas, Fatah object as Abbas swears in new cabinet ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency May 19, 2009 - 12:00am Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas swore in a replacement caretaker government on Tuesday evening, with Salam Fayyad to stay on as prime minister. The parliament bloc of Abbas' own Fatah movement said it would refuse to support the new government, though two Fatah-lawmakers were sworn in Tuesday. Two other Fatah-affiliated lawmakers tapped for the new government, Rabiha Diab and Issa Qaraqe refused Abbas offer to join the government. Fatah Deputy Ashraf Jum'a confirmed his party would boycott Fayyad's government because it was “formed in an illegal way,” and without consulting Fatah. » Read more

Prosecutor: Gaza Probe Goes on Without Israeli OK ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press May 20, 2009 - 12:00am Former international prosecutor Richard Goldstone said Wednesday he will go ahead with his U.N. investigation into possible war crimes in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict over Gaza even though Israel has withheld its approval. Goldstone said the U.N. investigators would enter Gaza through Egypt if necessary, but they had wanted to visit Israel first to assess what happened there. » Read more

New leaders face old problems in Mid-East ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News by Jeremy Bowen - May 20, 2009 - 12:00am When you are dealing with a conflict that has gone on for a very long time, it is wise not to infer too much from a single meeting between two men who are new to their jobs. But new leaders usually have a better chance of changing things than they do after they have been bruised and battered by a few years in office, so it does not do to be too cynical either. Before the meeting between US President Barack Obama and Israel's new prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu there were predictions of a rift between them. » Read more

Israel: 'No need to finish' W Bank barrier ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News May 19, 2009 - 12:00am The head of Israel's security service has said there is no security reason for continuing construction of Israel's barrier through the West Bank. Shin Bet chief Yuval Diskin told a parliamentary committee that Israel had enough capabilities to prevent attacks from the Palestinian territory. Since building began years ago, Israel has maintained that it is a security measure to keep out attackers. Palestinians reject this, seeing it as a land grab. » Read more

Upping the Ante on Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post by David Ignatius - (Opinion) May 20, 2009 - 12:00am Binyamin Netanyahu's friends liken him to a good poker player. They explain, for example, that before the Israeli prime minister plays the card marked "Palestinian state," he wants an American commitment that this state will be demilitarized. » Read more

Netanyahu's Broader Stance Earns Early U.S. Favor ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post by Howard Schneider - May 20, 2009 - 12:00am During his first turn as Israeli prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu arrived in Washington in 1996 with a chip on his shoulder and a long list of things he said he would not do -- from slowing the expansion of Israeli settlements to meeting with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. It was the start of a famously testy relationship with President Bill Clinton, characterized by public fights, haggling and ultimately a drop in support for Netanyahu in Israel. » Read more