The Assault on Israel's Vibrant Democracy ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Huffington Post by Abraham H. Foxman - (Opinion) December 1, 2011 - 1:00am There are many reasons why the recent spate of domestic legislation in Israel -- regarding non-governmental organizations, the media, Israel as a Jewish State, the Supreme Court -- is disturbing. In many of these cases, the Knesset is addressing real and challenging problems. But it is doing so in the wrong way. The truth is that a number of foreign governments and non-governmental organizations have been funding activities in Israel that go beyond representing a diversity of viewpoints about Israel's political and security situation. » Read more

German sub deal sealed ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) December 1, 2011 - 1:00am Germany authorized the subsidized sale of a sixth naval submarine to Israel. Berlin officials said Wednesday that the Merkel government had decided to defray approximately a third of the cost of a new Dolphin submarine for Israel, clearing the way for the sale. Israel has three of the Dolphins, which are worth about $500 million each, with another two on order and awaiting delivery by 2013. » Read more

German sub deal sealed ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) December 1, 2011 - 1:00am Germany authorized the subsidized sale of a sixth naval submarine to Israel. Berlin officials said Wednesday that the Merkel government had decided to defray approximately a third of the cost of a new Dolphin submarine for Israel, clearing the way for the sale. Israel has three of the Dolphins, which are worth about $500 million each, with another two on order and awaiting delivery by 2013. » Read more

Hamas supporters still targeted by Fatah ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Khaled Abu Toameh - December 1, 2011 - 1:00am One week after Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal announced they had agreed to “open a new page” in their relations, Hamas and Fatah complained Wednesday that their supporters were still being targeted in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Following the Cairo summit between Abbas and Mashaal, representatives of the two rival parties said that the two men agreed to release all “political detainees” held by the PA in the West Bank and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. » Read more

Netanyahu scolds Livni over meeting with Abbas ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Gil Hoffman - December 1, 2011 - 1:00am Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Thursday scolded opposition leader Tzipi Livni in a telephone call about her meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday. Netanyahu called Livni, telling her that "if the Palestinians want to negotiate, the only way to do so is with the elected government of Israel," the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement. » Read more

Obama to N.Y. Jews: No ally is more important than Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters December 1, 2011 - 1:00am President Barack Obama defended his policy toward Israel at a political fundraiser on Wednesday, saying that Israel was the U.S.'s most important ally. Obama, who has been criticized by some of Israel's U.S. supporters for being tough on a close ally and has had strained ties with Israeli Prime Benjamin Netanyahu, offered strong assurances of his commitment to Israel's security. » Read more

Israel arrests 22 Palestinians in West Bank ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua December 1, 2011 - 1:00am The Israeli army arrested 22 Palestinians Thursday in West Bank raids that targeted key members of a leftist Palestinian faction, Palestinian sources said. The raids took place in Nablus, Bethlehem and Jenin city, where 10 members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine ( PFLP) were detained, the sources said. Among the detainees was Nasser Abu Aziz, a member of the PFLP's Central Committee. "This campaign against the PFLP elements has been going on for days," said Khaleda Jarrar, a PFLP leader. » Read more

Released Palestinians build houses, marry, study ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press by Daniella Cheslow - December 1, 2011 - 1:00am Palestinian prisoners released in a swap for an Israeli soldier last month are racing to make up for lost time: Many of the 477 former inmates are already getting married, building homes or enrolling in college, even as Israel keeps a close eye on them in fear they could return to violence. Most had spent long years behind bars, and even expected to die in prison for their roles in bloody attacks that killed hundreds of Israelis. » Read more

Lieberman denounces 'mistaken decision' to hand over Palestinian tax money ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Barak Ravid - December 1, 2011 - 1:00am Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman denounced on Wednesday the decision to handover $100 million in tax money to the Palestinian Authority. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's top cabinet ministers approved the handover of the funds despite the vocal opposition of Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman. Lieberman, who voted against the transfer in a forum of eight meeting on Wednesday, said “Israel should have explained the decision clearly to the international community, instead of allowing pressure to lead to a mistaken decision.” » Read more

Resumption of Israeli transfers averts PA crisis ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press by Karin Laub - November 30, 2011 - 1:00am Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' government narrowly dodged a full-blown cash crisis after Israel agreed Wednesday — under intense international pressure — to resume the transfer of $100 million a month in frozen tax funds. » Read more