Bad Borders, Good Neighbors ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Ephraim Sneh - (Opinion) July 10, 2011 - 12:00am TODAY, as American, European, Russian and United Nations officials meet in Washington to discuss the future of the Middle East peace process, Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, remains adamant that a peace deal premised on returning to Israel’s pre-1967 borders poses an unacceptable risk to its security. » Read more

End Gaza blockade ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News (Editorial) July 10, 2011 - 12:00am THE collective punishment Israel is inflicting on Palestinian citizens continues. Tel Aviv is currently preventing a gathering of foreigners invited by Palestinian activists to fly into Israel's Ben-Gurion International Airport and then travel to the West Bank for a week in a “Welcome to Palestine” initiative. It is doing so by blocking, deterring and preventing mainly European activists from boarding flights to Israel on foreign airlines. » Read more

Israel is out to thwart foreign Gaza activists ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Gulf News (Editorial) July 11, 2011 - 12:00am There is no end to the arrogance of Israel. Authorities in the Jewish state have arrested more than 100 citizens of foreign countries at its airport simply because those foreigners hold beliefs which are contrary to those prevailing in Israel. Some 124 foreign citizens holding passports from France, the United States, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Netherlands and Spain were arrested as they tried to land at Tel Aviv airport off different flights. All are ready to participate, the Israelis believe, in pro-Palestinian campaigns coinciding with the second international flotilla to Gaza. » Read more

Israeli-instilled memory replaces the real ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News by Uri Avnery - (Opinion) July 10, 2011 - 12:00am For several weeks now, our army and navy have been in a state of high alert, bravely facing a deadly threat to our very existence: 10 little boats trying to reach Gaza. These vessels are carrying a dangerous gang of vicious terrorists, in the form of elderly veterans of peace campaigns. Benjamin Netanyahu has affirmed our unshakable determination to defend our country: We shall not let anyone break the blockade to smuggle rockets to the terrorists in Gaza, who will then launch them to kill our innocent children. » Read more

The “Syrian Spring” an Israeli Spring ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Dar Al-Hayat by Mostafa Zein - (Opinion) July 9, 2011 - 12:00am The band of the Likud and its philosophers were the stars of the carnival staged by part of the Syrian opposition in Paris. Calling for the festivities was Bernard-Henri Lévy, who is – for those who do not know him – one of those who used to be called the “New Philosophers” in France, a group that also include his colleague André Glucksmann. Both abandoned philosophy a long time ago. » Read more

Israel 1967 Borders Are Central in Mideast Talks Restart Effort ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bloomberg by Nicole Gaouette, Bill Varner - July 11, 2011 - 12:00am President Barack Obama’s proposal to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by starting with the 1967 borders will likely be adopted by the international group trying to find a peace agreement. The meeting today in Washington by the “Quartet” -- the U.S., European Union, United Nations and Russia -- has taken on added urgency as Palestinians plan to ask the UN to recognize their state in a September vote. Israel and the U.S. oppose the move, which would raise political and legal questions. » Read more

UNRWA changes spark fear refugees will be abandoned ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Khaled Abu Toameh - July 9, 2011 - 12:00am The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees has officially changed its logo and name, omitting the words “relief” and “works.” Palestinians fear the decision is an indication the UN agency is planning to stop providing refugees with many services. A spokesman for the agency denied the change had any significance, and it was just updating its website on the occasion of its 60th anniversary. Changing the agency’s mandate can be done only through a UN resolution, the spokesman explained. » Read more

Settlers' campaign forces the question ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National (Editorial) July 11, 2011 - 12:00am As the clock ticks down towards an expected United Nations vote on an independent Palestinian state, Israeli settlers are intent on changing the facts on the ground. » Read more

Israel Scores Rare Victory in Media, Diplomatic War ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Media Line by David Rosenberg - July 10, 2011 - 12:00am Pro-Palestinians activists fail in efforts to break Gaza blockade, reach Ben-Gurion Israel has scored a rare victory over the past several days in its media battle with pro-Palestinian activists, but experts said it was less the result of a savvy media strategy and more a function of a changing Middle East. » Read more

News Analysis: Palestinians awaiting eagerly outcomes of Quartet, AL meetings ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua by Emad Drimly, Osama Radi - July 11, 2011 - 12:00am RAMALLAH, July 10 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinians are eagerly waiting for the outcomes of two decisive meetings, the international Quartet meeting due to be held soon in Washington and the meeting of the Arab League Committee to follow up the Middle East peace process. » Read more