Hamas in Gaza says it's learning from Arab Spring ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press by Mohammed Daraghmeh - December 12, 2011 - 1:00am GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Bans on women smoking water pipes in public and male coiffeurs styling women's hair are no longer being strictly enforced in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, apparent signs of greater tolerance as the Islamic militant group acknowledges mistakes in seeking to impose a religious lifestyle. » Read more

Hundreds of settlers attack Nablus village ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency December 12, 2011 - 1:00am Hundreds of settlers stormed the Nablus village of Asira al-Qibliya overnight Sunday, causing damage to Palestinian property. Witnesses told Ma'an that around midnight more than 200 settlers from the notorious Yitzhar settlement entered the village and threw rocks at Palestinian homes. Local resident Ibrahim Makhlouf said that the settlers smashed the windows of a bus and tried to set it on fire. “They were armed and wearing black uniform as if it was an organized militia,” he told Ma'an. » Read more

Why Israelis may not be thrilled by sweet nothings from Gingrich, GOP ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Christian Science Monitor by Joshua Mitnick - December 11, 2011 - 1:00am Israelis have grown accustomed to being the object of affection by US politicians and a stop on the campaigns of aspiring candidates over the past decade. But the recent one-upmanship in the Republican primary on Israel has taken the debate into new territory. Newt Gingrich’s declaration that the Palestinians are an "invented" people potentially put him further to the right of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, whom Mitt Romney then name dropped in promising to stay on the same page with the government. An embarrassment of diplomatic riches for Israel? Not necessarily. » Read more

Citing public safety, Israel orders closure of controversial walkway in Jerusalem’s Old City ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press December 12, 2011 - 1:00am Israeli authorities have ordered the closure of a pedestrian walkway in Jerusalem’s Old City that has become a flashpoint for competing religious and political claims. Jerusalem municipality spokesman Stephan Miller said Monday the temporary ramp is dangerous and the city engineer ordered it closed. The walkway leads up to the sacred enclosure known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary. It is used by Jews and tourists, while Muslims use other entrances. » Read more

A dangerous ignorance leads US Republican politics astray ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National by Afshin Molavi - (Opinion) December 12, 2011 - 1:00am The half-educated man is dangerous because, as the adage goes: "Knowing a few things, he thinks he knows everything." There is bizarrely something of the half-educated man in the Republican presidential candidate and front-runner Newt Gingrich. A PhD "historian", Mr Gingrich certainly "knows" a few things. In fact, he has impressed audiences in debates with sweeping historical references and a seemingly assured command of policy details. This has partly contributed to the Gingrich surge, catapulting him into first place in many Republican polls. » Read more

Arabs Should Take Cue From Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward (Opinion) December 12, 2011 - 1:00am As the countries and peoples of the Middle East seek to forge their political futures, they, or at least some of them, are searching for models of democracy that they can follow. » Read more

The moment of truth ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Saeb Erakat - (Opinion) December 11, 2011 - 1:00am The two-state solution on the 1967 borders has been the official Palestinian position for the past 23 years. Since then, we have engaged Israel and the international community and exerted sincere efforts to achieve our inalienable right to self-determination through the establishment of a viable and sovereign Palestinian state on the territory occupied by Israel in 1967, including East Jerusalem, and a just solution to the Palestinian refugee issue in accordance with UN General Assembly Resolution 194. » Read more

Israel Turning Into Theocracy ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward by Eric Alterman - (Opinion) December 12, 2011 - 1:00am It is becoming increasingly obvious that a break between Israel and Diaspora Jewry, particularly its American variety, is fast approaching. The reason for this is that Israel is slowly but inexorably turning into a conservative theocracy while the Diaspora is largely dedicated to liberal democracy. » Read more

Fighting democracy's erosion ATFP World Press Roundup Article from by Sami Michael - (Opinion) December 11, 2011 - 1:00am There is a special atmosphere marking this year's Human Rights Day. On the one hand, we're witnessing an awakening and a determined fight for freedom and against corruption, from Morocco, through Yemen and Syria to Israel. » Read more

The stench of occupation hovers over the Palestinian bereaved ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Gideon Levy - (Opinion) December 12, 2011 - 1:00am The face of Mustafa Tamimi was a frightful yellow. A piece of cotton covered his crushed eye, where the gas grenade fired at him from only a few meters away hit him in the skull; the other eye was closed forever. He was carried to his grave by his friends, his body wrapped in the Palestinian national flag, with only his unshaven face visible. » Read more