Fayyad envisions 'state free of settlements'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Ali Waked - (Analysis) January 3, 2010 - 1:00am


As Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas embarks on his round of talks in Egypt in hopes of finding a basis for the renewal of peace negotiations with Israel, his Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said on Sunday that the future Palestinian state will be "free of fences and of settlements." In a conference held near Ramallah, Fayyad urged the international community to intervene in order to "force Israel to stop ignoring international law and the Palestinians' rights."


Are Israel and apartheid South Africa really different?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Akiva Eldar - (Opinion) January 4, 2010 - 1:00am


The day after the murder of the settler Meir Hai about 10 days ago, Major General (res.) Amos Gilad was asked to comment on the claim by settlers that the attack was able to take place because roadblocks had been lifted on West Bank roads. The security-political coordinator at the Defense Ministry told his radio interviewer that the policy of thinning out internal roadblocks has greatly contributed to the West Bank's impressive economic growth.


Settlers, tell us, what do you think will happen?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Gideon Levy - (Opinion) January 3, 2010 - 1:00am


What constitutes the life of a settler? A house on the cheap; a standard of living above the national average; a job usually subsidized by the government; a fierce religious, nationalist, uncompromising conviction on the justness of his cause; a supportive, heavy-handed social environment; a highway system; transportation arrangements; socially enriching activities; and, at times, a life that comes with the risk of danger.


Netanyahu: Change in the air over Israel-Palestinian peace talks
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Mazal Mualem, Barak Ravid - (Analysis) January 4, 2010 - 1:00am


Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday added weight to recent speculation that peace talks could soon resume between Israel and the Palestinians, telling lawmakers from his Likud party that he sensed "a change in the air." "In recent weeks I have felt that there is a certain change in the air, and I hope that this will mature, allowing the start of the diplomatic process," Netanyahu told the Likud Knesset faction.


Interview With Tzipi Livni
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Wall Street Journal
by Charles Levinson, Joshua Mitnick - (Interview) January 3, 2010 - 1:00am


Late last month, Tzipi Livni was back in the news. Despite finishing first early last year in parliamentary elections, Ms. Livni declined to join a right-wing dominated coalition led by Benjamin Netanyahu and instead went into the opposition. Then, just before Christmas, Mr. Netanyahu courted her, inviting her into his government. She ultimately refused. The Wall Street Journal's Joshua Mitnick and Charles Levinson caught up with Ms. Livni days before Mr. Netanyahu's offer. Below is an edited transcript of the interview.


In Israel, a highway that divides
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Foreign Exchange
by Edmund Sanders - (Opinion) January 4, 2010 - 1:00am


Highway 443 cuts through Palestinian territory but has been closed to Palestinians since 2002, after several Israeli drivers were fatally attacked. Now it's reopening, and so are some national wounds. Reporting from Highway 443, West Bank - Cruising down this disputed four-lane highway, with all its twists and turns, is like taking a road trip through the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. You pass the walls and barriers that keep Palestinians from accessing Highway 443 as it slices through their land. Then there are the hazardous corridors where Israeli drivers have been shot and killed.


Palestinians End Torture of Hamas Prisoners
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
January 3, 2010 - 1:00am


NABLUS, West Bank (AP) — Palestinian security forces in the West Bank have stopped torturing Hamas prisoners, ending two years of systematic abuse, Hamas inmates said in jailhouse interviews. The change in practice, said to have taken effect in October, was confirmed by a West Bank Hamas leader, human rights activists and the Palestinian prime minister. Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said the decision to halt any abuse was part of an effort to make sure a future state is built on the right foundations.


Two states are the way out
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Times
by Michael M. Honda - (Opinion) January 1, 2010 - 1:00am


As Jews wrapped up their Hanukkah celebrations and Muslims celebrated their ongoing holiday of Muharram, I was reminded of the human element behind the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Many ordinary Israelis and Palestinians are no different than you and me. They want to celebrate life, peace and a world free of conflict. Unfortunately, peace is far from reality in the region. What is the underlying problem in this excruciating conflict? Two peoples claiming their rights and history to a piece of land smaller than the state of New Jersey.



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