July 28th

Settlers completing 11 new outposts ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post July 28, 2009 - 12:00am Settlers planned to complete the construction of 11 outposts in the West Bank ahead of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's scheduled meeting with US envoy George Mitchell early Tuesday morning, in response to American pressure to freeze settlement activity. Activists on Sunday announced that they wished to "put an end to the White Papers," and called for assistance in constructing the 11 outposts, an allusion to the 11 settlements established in the Negev during the British Mandate. » Read more

The Reason They Won't Help Abu-Mazen ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Asharq Alawsat by Abdul Rahman Al-Rashed - July 27, 2009 - 12:00am In the Arab world, you must be annoying or a source of troubles to get care and attention. But if you respected the rules, did not cause clamor, or caused deaths and explosions, then no one would care about you. Therefore it is not surprising when the Somalis seek to host Al-Qaeda organization and hijack ships in their search for attention and support. » Read more

Mitchell to Abbas: 'Still a gap' on Israel Settlement Activity ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters July 28, 2009 - 12:00am US Middle East envoy George Mitchell told Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday he was still working on a deal with Israel to halt West Bank settlement activity so peace talks can resume. "We are discussing the issue but we didn't conclude an agreement yet with the Israelis," a senior Palestinian official quoted Mitchell as saying over a working dinner with Abbas in Ramallah. » Read more

The “Usefulness” of the Palestinian Cause ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Dar Al-Hayat by Husam Itani - (Opinion) July 27, 2009 - 12:00am If one were to place side by side Israel’s decisions and stances regarding the conflict with the Palestinians since Benjamin Netanyahu was elected Prime Minister six months ago, the features of an unmistakably organized campaign to do away with what remains of the rights of Palestinians would plainly appear. » Read more

Settlement deal will likely test all sides ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National by Omar Karmi - July 28, 2009 - 12:00am It may well be a “discussion among friends”, in the words of George Mitchell, the US envoy to the Middle East, but Israel’s continued settlement building in occupied territory is shaping up to be a crucial issue that will test the leaderships of all players involved in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. » Read more

Netanyahu Meets Special Envoy Mitchell in Jerusalem ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Atilla Somfalvi - July 28, 2009 - 12:00am Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with US special Mideast envoy George Mitchell in Jerusalem Tuesday. The meeting is part of a round of meetings being held by Mitchell and other top US administration officials in the region this week. The Prime Minister's Office stated that the meeting was positive and that the two discussed various issues concerning the political process and not just the settlements issue. » Read more

Mitchell tells Palestinians no deal yet with Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Mohammed Assadi, Ali Sawafta - July 27, 2009 - 12:00am U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell told Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday he was still working on a deal with Israel to halt West Bank settlement activity so peace talks can resume. "We are discussing the issue but we didn't conclude an agreement yet with the Israelis," a senior Palestinian official quoted Mitchell as saying over a working dinner with Abbas. » Read more

Daughter of Gaza doctor vows to return home ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Daniel Edelson - (Interview) July 28, 2009 - 12:00am The seventeen-year-old daughter of Dr. Ezzeldeen Abu al-Aish, Shadar, who was badly injured after an IDF shell hit her family home and killed her three sisters during Operation Cast Lead, recently moved to Canada with family. In an interview to Ynet she recounted the difficult moments and spoke of her family's loss. "I miss my sisters and there are moments I can't stop the tears and I suddenly start crying," she said. Al-Aish is certain she will return to Gaza, but in the meantime she enjoys the quiet life overseas. » Read more

Obama Gives Unsettling Tough Love to Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bloomberg by Celestine Bohlen - (Opinion) July 28, 2009 - 12:00am President Barack Obama, who vowed to revive the Arab-Israeli peace process at the start of his term, has begun with a direct and public challenge to Israel’s latest plan to build new settlements in East Jerusalem. It’s a risky move, which has already provoked a sharp rebuke from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But it is crucial, and had to be done. » Read more

'IDF has not received orders to evacuate outposts' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Chaim Levinson - July 28, 2009 - 12:00am Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi said Tuesday that the IDF has not received orders to prepare for the evacuation of outposts in the West Bank. "At this point we have not received concrete directives to evacuate any particular outpost, excluding illegal ones," Ashkenazi said. Ashkenazi added that "wherever possible" police officers will be responsible for evacuating civilians from outposts. » Read more