Colony freeze a must for peace
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Gulf News
by George S. Hishmeh - January 12, 2011 - 1:00am


Hillary Rodham Clinton was quick to rebuke Israel for its demolition of part of the historic Shepherd Hotel in occupied Arab East Jerusalem where Jewish colonists are hoping to build 20 housing units.


Exiting the Mideast labyrinth
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times
by Joschka Fischer - January 12, 2011 - 1:00am


Two years have passed since Barack Obama was elected president of the United States. Much to his credit - and in contrast to his immediate predecessor - Obama tried, from his first day in office, to work towards a resolution of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.


Israel's public relations policy: never apologise, always confuse
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National
by Jesse Rosenfeld - (Opinion) January 12, 2011 - 1:00am


Never believe the Israeli army killed an unarmed civilian until it's officially denied. This paraphrasing of Mark Twain's "never believe anything until it has officially been denied," should become a mantra for journalists operating in the Middle East. It is a point reinforced recently by the death of a West Bank Palestinian resident, Jawaher abu Rahmah, who died from tear gas exposure during the recent demonstration against Israel's separation wall and land annexation in the village of Bil'in.


Toward defending Israel, mainstream U.S. Jewish groups critique it
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA)
by Ron Kampeas - January 11, 2011 - 1:00am


Enmeshed in the battle against Israel’s delegitimization, mainstream American Jewish organizations are embracing a strategy of acknowledging what’s wrong about Israel as a way of getting across what’s right about the nation.


Pro-Palestinian Activists Slapped With Subpoenas, Sparking Free Speech Concerns
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward
by Josh Nathan-Kazis - January 11, 2011 - 1:00am


If an American communist website publishes a statement issued by a Palestinian terrorist group, has the communist website committed a crime?


Arab bid for housing at risk from Jewish rivals
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Independent
by Catrina Stewart - January 11, 2011 - 1:00am


A Palestinian businessman bidding to buy a failing Jewish housing estate in East Jerusalem is battling to fend off counter-bids from national religious groups determined to keep the project in Israeli hands. Bashar al-Masri was "outed" by an Israeli newspaper last month as the preferred bidder to buy the debt of troubled Digal real estate. It runs the flagship Nof Zion estate in the heart of an Arab area.


Palestinian holiday ad 'ignored existence of Israel'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian
(Editorial) January 12, 2011 - 1:00am


The Board of Deputies of British Jews today welcomed the launch of an official investigation into a Palestinian holiday advert, after complaining that it ignored the existence of Israel. According to the advert from the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, appearing in this month's edition of National Geographic's Traveller magazine, "Palestine is a land rich in history with a tradition of hospitality. From the famous cities of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Hebron, Jericho, Nablus and Gaza, the Palestinian people welcome you to visit this Holy Land."


West Bank protester has jail term extended
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian
January 12, 2011 - 1:00am


West Bank protester Abdallah Abu Rahmah is facing a further three months in prison after the Israeli military court of appeal today extended his sentence. Abu Rahmah, a leader of protests against Israel's separation barrier in the village of Bil'in, was convicted in August of incitement and organising illegal demonstrations. This was criticised by Cathy Ashton, the EU foreign policy chief, who described him as a "human rights defender committed to non-violent protest against the route of the Israeli separation barrier".


Jewish leader: Palestinian state declaration not a defeat
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Gil Shefler - January 12, 2011 - 1:00am


Gabriel Zaliasnik, president of the Jewish community in Chile, thinks Israel’s Foreign Ministry is making a big mistake. Having spent the last few weeks battling local pro-Palestinian groups in an effort to influence his government not to recognize Palestinian statehood, Zaliasnik believes the statement that eventually emerged from Santiago last Friday accepting Palestinian independence while acknowledging Israel’s right to security was not the diplomatic debacle some made it out to be, but in fact was a victory of sorts.


What is happening to us?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
(Opinion) January 12, 2011 - 1:00am


I believe it was late Tunisian President Habib Bourguiba who once upon a time said something like “let’s make peace with the Jews, because when there’s peace they’ll be killing each other.” His words were of course met with disparagement and laughter back then. After all, we are members of the chosen people; we’re the greatest. How can we destroy the Jewish state when we achieve peace, which is our greatest dream?



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