Memories and maps keep alive Palestinian hopes of return ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian by Ian Black - November 26, 2010 - 1:00am Refugees remain the most intractable issue of the Middle East conflict, as two new books show A Palestinian girl at a refugee camp in Jordan. 1948 is a key date in Palestinian collective memory. Memories and maps feature prominently in the experience of Palestinians – a people scarred by dispossession, dispersion, occupation and profound uncertainty about their future. So amid the latest wrangling over the stalled peace talks with Israel come two sharp reminders of the depth of the conflict and how difficult it will be to resolve. » Read more

'Jews now a minority between the River and the Sea' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Gil Shefler - November 26, 2010 - 1:00am Jews no longer constitute a majority in the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, according to an expert on Jewish demographics. Prof. Sergio DellaPergola of the Hebrew University told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday that Jews – as defined by the government – now number less than half of the total population in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. » Read more

How the EU could entice Israel to seek peace ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian by Khaled Diab - November 26, 2010 - 1:00am Making Europe's cosiness with Israel dependent on commitment to fair peace would be more effective than a blunt boycott In Israel, the European Union is often regarded as too pro-Palestinian. But it would be a mistake to see the occasional criticisms of Israel delivered by European politicians as a sign of anti-Israeli sentiment. It may come as a surprise, for instance, to learn that the EU – not the United States – is Israel's main trading partner, with a relationship worth a handsome €20bn (£17bn) per year. » Read more

Settlers to teach school kids about 'evils' of moratorium ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Akiva Novick - November 25, 2010 - 1:00am A new Yesha Council initiative will bring the movement opposing the West Bank construction moratorium into the classroom: Elementary and high schools in Judea and Samaria will hold a special lesson next week on the "damage and consequences of the construction freeze." Tens of thousands of students attending 60 Judea and Samaria schools are set to take part in the project. Schools in the Ariel and Ma'aleh Adumim settlements and in haredi towns will not participate. Homeroom teachers in charge of the lesson will independently convey to the students their own opinions on the moratorium. » Read more

Zionism is not an ideology ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by A.B. Yehoshua - November 26, 2010 - 1:00am Recently there has been exaggerated, misleading and perhaps even harmful use of the concept of "Zionism." The problem is prevalent both in Israel and outside the country; in the nationalist camp, the religious camp and the Labor movement; among liberals and ultra-nationalists; among Diaspora Jews as well as non-Jews; and mainly among Arabs. » Read more

A Dangerous Link ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Forward (Editorial) November 24, 2010 - 1:00am The Obama administration’s offer of a package of advanced weaponry and military assistance worth billions of dollars in return for an Israeli commitment to freeze settlement construction for just three months marks a troubling development in the relationship between the two allies. There’s a reason that this deal has drawn criticism from an unusual chorus on both the left and the right among Americans who care about Israel’s security. It’s not beneficial to either nation. » Read more

Left standing: Signs of life in Israel's peace camp ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Shay Fogelman - November 26, 2010 - 1:00am The road to the settlement of Kedumim passes through the center of the village of Al-Funduq. There's hardly any traffic there; the few cars that have to pass through the village drive very fast. It's only 8 P.M., but there's not a soul to be seen. The road that cuts through the village provides a livelihood for those who own or work in shops along it, but once darkness falls, it becomes dangerous for locals, too. A person could get run over, or stopped for inspection by a military patrol, and in the past there have also been violent raids by settlers there. It's best to stay home. » Read more

Awaiting the final step ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times by George S. Hishmeh - November 26, 2010 - 1:00am The longer the standstill in the peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority the further both are from a fair settlement and the more complex the terms will be in the future, especially now that Israel manages to up the ante almost daily. In the meantime, a war of words has emerged, among former US officials, some known to be sympathetic to Israel, and well-known commentators who regularly echo the Zionist position. » Read more

Israel allows Gaza flowers, strawberries export ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua November 25, 2010 - 1:00am Palestinian farmers in the Gaza Strip could ship flowers and strawberries to Europe though Israel starting from Sunday, Palestinian officials said Thursday. Gazans would be allowed to export their produce, by far only flowers and strawberries, through a commercial crossing between the Hamas-controlled territory and Israel, said Mahmoud Khalil, a representative of the farmers. It is the second year that Israel allows Gaza flowers and strawberries to be sold overseas since it imposed a nearly total blockade on Gaza in June 2007. » Read more

Israeli defense minister mulls unity government ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua November 25, 2010 - 1:00am Israel's Labor Party chairman and Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Thursday suggested that the current Israeli government should be widened so as to move forward the peace process. "If this government can't move towards peace talks, we must consider widening it and making a national unity coalition," Barak said in a speech before the Pensioners' Union in Tel Aviv. "We joined the government so it would go in this direction, but we still haven't reached the goal," he added. » Read more