February 22nd

Palestinians protest U.S. veto of resolution condemning Israel's settlement policy ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post by Joel Greenberg - February 20, 2011 - 1:00am Angry Palestinians staged a protest here Sunday against the United States' veto Friday of a U.N. Security Council resolution condemning Israel's settlement policy, with participants denouncing President Obama and predicting that the move will harm Washington's standing across the roiling Middle East. The gathering, attended by about 300 supporters of the ruling Fatah party of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and government employees, reflected broader public disappointment here with the veto, the first cast by the Obama administration at the United Nations. » Read more

Will Egypt Be a Partner in Peace? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Michael B. Oren - (Editorial) February 19, 2011 - 1:00am FOLLOWING an uprising in Cairo, Israel’s prime minister told the Knesset that he “wishes to see a free, independent and progressive Egypt,” and that “the stormy developments there may contain positive trends for progress.” The prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, spoke on Aug. 18, 1952, shortly after a young and seemingly moderate officer, Gamal Abdel Nasser, came to power. » Read more

February 18th

The refugee issue in the API: contradictory or complementary ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons by Mati Steinberg - February 17, 2011 - 1:00am The Arab Peace Initiative comprises two main references to the Palestinian refugee issue that seem to be mutually contradictory. On the one hand, the API stipulates the need for "a just solution to the Palestinian refugee problem to be agreed upon in accordance with United National General Assembly Resolution 194". On the other, it indicates "the rejection of all forms of Palestinian patriation ["tawtin"] which conflict with the special circumstances of the Arab host countries". » Read more

US rhetoric on settlements tested at the UN ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National February 18, 2011 - 1:00am A good tongue lashing hurts, but it rarely stings. American criticism of Israeli policy offers a case in point. As much of the rest of the world has stood up at the United Nations to ink its displeasure with Israel for decades, one nation has proven the reliable spoiler. All of which makes America’s support for a new Security Council statement condemning Israel’s settlement construction encouraging. The US Ambassador to the UN has reportedly expressed interest in a measure that, in part, “does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlement activity”. » Read more

Top Genocide Scholars Battle Over How To Characterize Israel’s Actions ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward by Gal Beckerman - February 16, 2011 - 1:00am Did Jews commit genocide in 1948? The question is provocative, and the answer for most people is an unequivocal no. But a debate over this idea has formed the crux of a heated argument among the most eminent genocide scholars in the world, and led recently to the censure of an Israeli professor by the field’s leading academic association. It’s also one more reminder of the growing divide between European scholars and their American and Israeli counterparts when it comes to how they view Israel, both historically and in the present moment. » Read more

Jewish Groups Scramble To Adjust to New Mideast Reality ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward by Nathan Guttman - February 16, 2011 - 1:00am The Egyptian revolution has kicked open the door to a vast Arab population that, for the first time, is poised to influence the course of its country’s policies directly. For Israel’s supporters, this could mean a new frontier for public diplomacy and a chance to reach out to Arab masses. » Read more

Obama taps Rudman, Grossman for key diplomatic spots ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) February 17, 2011 - 1:00am The Obama administration has tapped veteran Jewish diplomats Mara Rudman and Marc Grossman for senior posts. President Obama said Wednesday that he is nominating Rudman to the top State Department post administering assistance to the Middle East through the U.S. Agency for International Development. Rudman, who has served in senior posts on both the Clinton and Obama National Security Councils, has been involved in a number of groups promoting peace talks in the Middle East and was a senior official with the International Commission on Holocaust Era Insurance Claims. » Read more

Dutch museum to lend Picasso for display in West Bank ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC World News February 17, 2011 - 1:00am Palestinian art lovers are to get a rare chance to view a Picasso when the painting goes on display in April, on loan from a Dutch museum. Eindhoven's Van Abbe Museum is lending the 1943 canvas Buste de Femme to the Ramallah international art academy, Radio Netherlands Worldwide reports. A film is due to be made of the painting's journey, including the Israeli border and other checkpoints. A special, temperature-controlled room is being prepared to house it. It is believed to be the first time a Picasso masterpiece will go on display in the Palestinian territories. » Read more

Dutch museum to lend Picasso for display in West Bank ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC World News February 17, 2011 - 1:00am Palestinian art lovers are to get a rare chance to view a Picasso when the painting goes on display in April, on loan from a Dutch museum. Eindhoven's Van Abbe Museum is lending the 1943 canvas Buste de Femme to the Ramallah international art academy, Radio Netherlands Worldwide reports. A film is due to be made of the painting's journey, including the Israeli border and other checkpoints. A special, temperature-controlled room is being prepared to house it. It is believed to be the first time a Picasso masterpiece will go on display in the Palestinian territories. » Read more

Israel to World: Don’t Be So Fast to Push Democracy on Middle East ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Media Line by Arieh O'Sullivan - February 17, 2011 - 1:00am While touting its own democratic credentials, Israel has been warning the world not to let experiments in democracy spread across the Middle East, lest Islamic fundamentalists are voted in. “We don’t want to stay the only democracy in the Middle East. We would love to live in a neighborhood where all countries are democratic. But is it feasible now?” Deputy Prime Minister Dan Meridor said in an interview with The Media Line. » Read more