Fetishizing nationalism ATFP World Press Roundup Article from NOW Lebanon by Hussein Ibish - (Opinion) August 16, 2011 - 12:00am For those in the grip of its authority, a clearheaded understanding of how nationalist ideology actually operates seems extremely difficult. All contemporary nationalisms are based on constructed and imagined narratives about history, geography, culture, ethnicity and religion. Such narratives invariably involve a great deal of what can only be described as fiction. In particular, reading the past—whether real or imagined—as a justification for present-day political projects is, by definition, intellectually treacherous territory. » Read more

Divided We Execute ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Inter Press Service (IPS) by Mel Frykberg - (Opinion) August 16, 2011 - 12:00am The execution of a Palestinian father and son by Hamas security forces in Gaza throws up a sharp difference over the death penalty between Gaza and the West Bank. In the West Bank a temporary moratorium is in place. The executions were carried out despite pressure from Palestinian and international human rights organisations for the death penalty in the occupied Palestinian territories to be rescinded. » Read more

How (not) to think about the Arab Spring ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Carlo Strenger - (Blog) August 16, 2011 - 12:00am Both Benjamin Netanyahu and Avigdor Lieberman made up their minds about the Arab world long ago, and no facts will confuse them. » Read more

Mixed Views on Palestinian’s UN Recognition Plans ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Public Radio International (PRI) by Matthew Bell - (Opinion) August 15, 2011 - 12:00am The Palestinians are gearing up for their plan to go to the United Nations in September to seek recognition as a state. No one doubts the Palestinians could win broad support at the UN in a vote to recognize the state of Palestine. In fact, they already have. Back in 1988, the Palestinian Liberation Organization’s chairman, Yasir Arafat proclaimed a Palestinian state. A UN resolution to recognize the move got 104 yes votes. Two countries voted no: Israel and the United States. » Read more

To help Israel, Jews must broaden the tent ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) (Opinion) August 14, 2011 - 12:00am Amid global events of the past few years that are changing the world -- the rising power of the BRICs economies (Brazil, Russia, India and China), the global economic crisis, the rise of social networks and, most recently, the popular uprisings in the Middle East -- Israel and the Jewish world are facing a uniquely difficult challenge with the ongoing assault on Israel’s right to exist. This year, the assault coincides with the Palestinian campaign to secure U.N. recognition of statehood. » Read more

Encouraging Peace: The summer of discontent ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Gershon Baskin - (Opinion) August 15, 2011 - 12:00am One month has passed since the onset of the middle-class uprising of summer 2011. One month from now, the 66th Session of the UN General Assembly will open in New York. At this mid-point, looking back and looking forward one thing is clear – the State of Israel is standing at the crossroads of its most important decision since June 1967. For me and many others, the summer uprising has provided a great sense of hope. Apathy is gone, activism is in. People have taken to the streets to raise their voices in demands for change. All is not well in the State of Israel. » Read more

Obama will not save Netanyahu ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Amir Oren - (Opinion) August 16, 2011 - 12:00am Newly born Israel arose while suffering a surprise blow. On the morning of May 15, 1948, Egypt's air force dared attack Israel's sleepy air force at Sde Dov. Sometimes, however, the surprised is the one that pulls a surprise. During the Six Day War it was one way, during the Yom Kippur War it was another. » Read more

Hamas ignored requests to hand over Arish suspects ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-Masry Al-Youm August 15, 2011 - 12:00am Egyptian authorities on Monday presented an official request to the acting government in Gaza to arrest several armed Palestinians who participated in a recent attack on the Sinai police station in the city of Arish and returned to Gaza by way of tunnels. However, the authorities in Gaza have so far failed to respond to the Egyptian request. » Read more

Line Between Anti-Israel and Anti-Semitic Protests Splits AJC ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward by Rex Weiner - August 16, 2011 - 12:00am Group's Top Ranks Divided Over How To Respond to Campus Demonstrations As campus protests have continued against Israeli policies towards the Palestinians, and sometimes, against Israel itself, Jewish groups have been at odds over how to distinguish legitimate debate about Israel from anti-Semitism, and beyond that, at what point such protests may arguably constitute a violation of Jewish students’ civil rights. » Read more

Knesset Set To Define ‘Jewish State’, Critics See Threat to Democracy and Rights of Arabs ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward August 16, 2011 - 12:00am A proposal likely to pass the Knesset would for the first time clarify what it means that Israel is a Jewish state, sparking controversy over its potential to clash with principles of equality and civil liberties. » Read more