Obama emerged in Cairo as a true friend of Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Gideon Levy - (Analysis) June 5, 2009 - 12:00am Neither Tel Aviv nor Ramallah held their breaths Thursday as the American president gave a speech in Cairo; the traffic in both crowded cities continued normally. Tel Aviv was indifferent, Ramallah sunk in desperation: Both cities have already had their fill of nice, historic speeches. » Read more

Netanyahu now faces fight with either Obama or his coalition ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Yossi Verter - (Analysis) June 5, 2009 - 12:00am During long, personal conversations with his inner circle over the past week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted that he had no idea what U.S. President Barack Obama would say in his speech in Cairo. "We have no information," he said. He does now. » Read more

UN hearings to be held on Gaza war crimes ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News June 5, 2009 - 12:00am A UN team investigating possible war crimes in Gaza says it will hold public hearings with victims of the conflict in Gaza and Geneva later this month. The team has spent the week interviewing witnesses and visiting sites damaged in Israel's three-week offensive, which ended on 18 January. Richard Goldstone, who is heading the team, said it had hoped to hold hearings in Israel and the West Bank. But Israel has refused to co-operate in the inquiry, accusing it of bias. » Read more

Obama and Merkel vow peace push ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News June 5, 2009 - 12:00am One day after making a keynote speech in Cairo, Mr Obama said his government would seek a resumption of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. "The moment is now, to act on what both sides know to be truth," he said. Mr Obama is visiting the Nazi concentration camp in Buchenwald and afterwards a US Army hospital. His visit to Buchenwald has a personal significance. His maternal great-uncle, Charles Payne, had been one of the US servicemen present at the liberation of Ohrdruf, a satellite camp of Buchenwald. » Read more

US president and Middle East peace ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times by Ahmad Majdoubeh - (Opinion) June 5, 2009 - 12:00am By appointing an envoy to push for Middle East peace, by recognising the two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli problem, by receiving Arab and Israeli leaders at the White House and by coming to the region to meet with more Arab leaders, US President Barack Obama is already taking significant steps to activate peace efforts. Some analysts have argued that Obama will give his utmost attention to the current economic crisis and that Middle East peace will occupy a back seat. Obama is proving these analysts wrong. » Read more

Obama’s speech - warm and honest ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times by Daoud Kuttab - (Opinion) June 5, 2009 - 12:00am President Barack Obama spoke to Arabs and Muslims from his own experiences and from his heart. Without conceding much but being honest with his audience, he clearly won over the hearts and minds of many people that have so far rejected America. By speaking honestly, even on issues that are not pleasing to hear, he succeeded in erasing the biggest blemish on all US administrations, hypocrisy when it comes to the Middle East conflict. By speaking of the need to recognise the right of Israel to exist, he highlighted the similar need to recognise the rights of a Palestinian state to exist. » Read more

‘Preparing to put pressure on’ ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National by Vita Bekker - June 4, 2009 - 12:00am While Palestinians expressed cautious optimism yesterday towards the reaffirmed commitment of Barack Obama to Palestinian statehood and his rejection of Jewish settlement expansion, Israel’s new Right-wing government reacted coolly to the US president’s pledge. » Read more

Obama must match his words with actions ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Gulf News (Editorial) June 4, 2009 - 12:00am The United States is aiming to take a "new way forward" in its relationship with the Muslim world. Of this there is no question. Its President Barack Obama succeeded in delivering a message of respect to Muslims across the world through his historic speech in Cairo yesterday. His familiarity with Islam and his ability to quote comfortably from the Quran (he did it four times) is bound to resonate in this part of the world. » Read more

Eliminating the US “Scapegoat” ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Dar Al-Hayat by Hassan Haidar - (Analysis) June 5, 2009 - 12:00am Obama’s historical visit to the Middle East that he started in Saudi Arabia yesterday is of concern to all extremists, even those who are supposed to be staunch enemies – in theory at least. Israeli Minister of Transportation, Katz, who is close to Netanyahu, hastened to criticize the US endeavor to “win the hearts” of Iran and Al Qaeda and publicly criticize the Israeli settlement policy. » Read more