Weakening the chances for peace ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons by Ephraim Sneh - (Blog) June 6, 2011 - 12:00am Applying the term "blockade" to the Gaza Strip involves not a little hypocrisy. It ignores both the nature of the regime there and what that regime has done in Gaza in its four years in power. » Read more

A radicalizing factor ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons by Ghassan Khatib - (Blog) June 6, 2011 - 12:00am The recent developments in Egypt that led to changes in the Egyptian regime, together with the reconciliation of Fateh and Hamas, have once again brought to the surface the Israeli blockade of Gaza and possible ways of lifting it. The most recent illustration of this was Egypt's decision to open the Rafah crossing with Gaza to travelers, which seemed to be an incentive for Gaza's rulers, Hamas, to proceed with the reconciliation pact. » Read more

Israel bears responsibility ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons by Issam Younis - (Blog) June 6, 2011 - 12:00am Since 1967, Israel has controlled the movement of individuals and goods in the Gaza Strip through force, military orders, and executive measures and policies. This "over-control" has only served the interests of Israel, connecting the Israeli economy to the Gaza Strip through its six crossings. » Read more

Non-violence activist addresses Israeli military court ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency June 7, 2011 - 12:00am Non-violence activist Bassem Tamimi's address to Israel's Ofer military court during his trial for organizing protests in the West Bank village of Nabi Saleh. A military judge refused to allow Tamimi to read his full statement in court. Your Honor, I hold this speech out of belief in peace, justice, freedom, the right to live in dignity, and out of respect for free thought in the absence of Just Laws. » Read more

The No-Longer Temporary Occupation ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward by Joseph Dana - (Opinion) June 5, 2011 - 12:00am One particular success of Israel’s 44-year control of the West Bank and Gaza Strip has been the government’s ability to convince the Israeli population of the temporary nature of the occupation. Every sector of Israeli society, except religious settlers and the military establishment, understand the occupation to be an ephemeral security measure necessary only in the absence of a peace agreement with the Palestinians. » Read more

Aggressive, again ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times (Editorial) June 7, 2011 - 12:00am Israel’s killing on Sunday of scores of Syrian demonstrators approaching the armistice line on occupied Golan Heights is proof, again, of Tel Aviv’s thirst for Arab blood. Hundreds of unarmed Syrian protesters held a peaceful demonstration to express their rejection of the more than four-decades-long Israeli occupation of Syrian territory. Trying to cross the ceasefire line through the barbed wire, to enter the Golan Heights, in a repeat of last month’s demonstrations in observance of the Nakbeh, the protesters were met with fire from the Israeli troops. » Read more

Palestinian Statehood Drive Fraught With Obstacles ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Media Line by David Rosenberg - (Analysis) June 6, 2011 - 12:00am The Palestinian drive to win United Nation recognition of statehood faces immense political and legal obstacles, scholars said at a conference on Monday. But they said that even if they succeed, the practical impact will be minimal. “The world already sees us as an occupier of Palestinian territory. What would be the big the change?” said Robbie Sabel, who teaches international law and the Hebrew University and advised the Israeli Foreign Ministry. “Since the world is going to accept a Palestinian state, I suggest to Israel that since we can’t beat them, we should join them.” » Read more

Israel has shown its true colours again ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Gulf News (Editorial) June 7, 2011 - 12:00am The 44th anniversary of Al Naksa, or the Six-Day War, was marred by Israeli atrocities when at least 20 Palestinian and Syrian protesters were shot dead by the Israeli army near the occupied Golan Heights. The reasoning? Israel was "left with no choice but to open fire" at the protesters who simply wished to draw attention to an ongoing tragedy. Once again, protesters whose sole aim from this exercise was to create awareness of Israel's unjust occupation not just of Palestinian territories but also of Golan Heights have had to pay the price. » Read more

Israelis, Palestinians holding separate covert talks with Washington ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Natasha Mozgovaya, Barak Ravid - June 6, 2011 - 12:00am Israeli and Palestinian delegates are separately holding covert talks with White House officials in Washington in an effort to reignite peace talks. The U.S. hopes the talks will hamper the Palestinian effort to gain United Nations recognition in a vote in September. The Palestinians plan to unilaterally seek UN recognition of statehood in September -- a step Israel strongly opposes fearing it could end up isolated internationally. » Read more

Encountering Peace: September mania ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Gershon Baskin - (Opinion) June 6, 2011 - 12:00am Many people, including Israelis and Palestinians, are asking me what will happen after September. The most accurate answer I can think of is “October.” The idea that whatever happens in September will produce immediate changes on the ground is irresponsible because it raises expectations to dangerous levels. The most important thing that should not happen after September is a new round of violence. That should be avoided at all costs, and both sides must take responsibility so that it does not occur. » Read more