February 11th

Museum Creates New Jerusalem Divide ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Isabel Kershner - February 10, 2010 - 1:00am In a dispute that reflects the religious and political divides in this contested city, representatives of long-established Palestinian families petitioned the United Nations on Wednesday for help in trying to stop Israel and the Simon Wiesenthal Center from constructing a museum on part of a centuries-old Muslim cemetery. » Read more

Poll findings favour Arab moderation ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National (Editorial) February 10, 2010 - 1:00am Arab citizens, we are often told, overwhelmingly support resistance movements and radical leaders because they stand up for the dignity of Arab nations and defend their interests and values. In doing so, the reasoning goes, they look down on moderate leaders because they fail to give paramount priority to Arab causes like Palestine and Iraq. » Read more

Perhaps step backward will move peace forward ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Douglas Bloomfield - (Opinion) February 10, 2010 - 1:00am Israelis and Palestinians are about to take a giant step backward that just might help them move toward peace. » Read more

Counsel-General attends J Street event ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Herb Keinon - February 11, 2010 - 1:00am Three months after Ambassador to the US Michael Oren pointedly turned down an invitation to attend J Street’s first annual convention in Washington, Israel’s consul-general attended one of the group’s functions last week in Boston. The Jerusalem Post has learned that the consul-general, Nadav Tamir, went to the event only after seeking, and getting, a green light from the Foreign Ministry. The Post learned that Tamir was told by the ministry that he could attend the event, but not be one of its speakers. » Read more

PA detains 6 al-Qaeda men ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP) by Ali Waked - February 10, 2010 - 1:00am For the first time, Palestinian security forces have arrested six al-Qaeda supporters in the West Bank, a Palestinian security official said Wednesday. Brigadier General Ibrahim Ramadan said that six people were arrested last week near the town of Jenin in the northern West Bank. He said they were receiving military training but had not yet selected targets to attack. "They consider themselves part of al-Qaeda but had no contact with the leaders of al-Qaeda abroad," he said. » Read more

Israel: Gaza crossing to stay shut as long as Hamas in power ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Amos Harel - February 10, 2010 - 1:00am The Israel Defense Forces has sharply cut back its activity around the Karni border crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip, and defense officials told Haaretz that the crossing, which was closed after Hamas took over the Strip in June 2007, is not slated to reopen in the future. Due to the structure of the crossing, it is at high risk for terror attacks, said an official. This, combined with the inability to coordinate operations with Hamas, led to its abandonment. "The Karni crossing won't resume operating," said one. "At least not as long as Hamas controls the Strip." » Read more

Israel needs Goldstone ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Bradley Burston - (Opinion) February 11, 2010 - 1:00am Shock (noun): a major medical emergency, often seen after serious injury. Among its signs and symptoms are mental changes including a sense of great anxiety and foreboding, confusion and, sometimes, combativeness. This is about fear of the dark. Of the monstrous. In this case, the terror of finally uncovering what we ourselves are really made of. » Read more

February 10th

Abbas waiting for U.S. reply on peace talk offers ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua February 10, 2010 - 1:00am Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas requested clarification from Washington over its offer to restart indirect talks between Israel and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), a Palestinian newspaper said on Tuesday. The questions needed to be clarified include on what basis the U.S. Middle East peace envoy George Mitchell will stand in his mediation mission and when the talks will begin, Abbas told the Ramallah-based al-Ayyam daily. Once the PNA receives the reply, it will invite an Arab League committee to formulate the Arab response to the U.S. proposals, said Abbas. » Read more

Gaza journalists caught up in Hamas-Fatah legitimacy argument ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua by Fares Akram - February 10, 2010 - 1:00am Raed Lafi, a Palestinian journalist, sometimes find himself using terms and expressions unwillingly when referring to feuding Palestinian governments in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. "We deal with terms that are unnecessarily legal," said Raed Lafi, a Gaza-based journalist working for several Arab newspapers, blaming the political split between Gaza and the West Bank "which has forced us" to abide by specific references. » Read more

Israeli warplanes fire on southern Gaza ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency February 10, 2010 - 1:00am The Israeli military confirmed reports from Gaza residents that warplanes struck targets in the southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday morning, causing damage the the already destroyed airport site in Khan Younis but no injuries. An Israeli military spokeswoman said strikes came in retaliation for projectiles launched into the western Negev in recent days. In a separate statement, the army also warned that it would "continue to operate firmly against anyone who uses terror against the State of Israel. Hamas is solely responsible for maintaining peace and quiet in the Gaza Strip." » Read more