August 30th

Netanyahu's show of 'restraint' is meaningless ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Amir Oren - (Opinion) August 30, 2011 - 12:00am The government of Benjamin Netanyahu excels at presenting what is self-evident as the peak of wisdom. The decision to make do with a series of air strikes on the Gaza Strip following the terror attack north of Eilat a week and a half ago, was celebrated as tremendous brilliance. By extension of this logic, a minister who will suddenly announce that two and two equals four would expect the Nobel Prize in Mathematics ?(and being turned down will be explained as anti-Semitism?). » Read more

Calls to raise Israel-Egypt treaty troop limits ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Statesman by Amy Teibel - August 29, 2011 - 12:00am A deadly attack on Israel from Egypt's Sinai Peninsula has sparked calls to raise the number of Egyptian troops allowed in the area under the historic peace treaty with Israel, to counter a surge in Islamist militant activity. But some in Israel, afraid the recent revolt in Egypt might lead to the collapse of the pact, are wary of altering it in any way. Israel says Palestinian militants crossed from Gaza into Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, made their way along the Israel-Egypt border, crossed back into Israel, attacked Israeli vehicles and killed eight people on Aug. 18. » Read more

Israeli army trains West Bank settlers ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency August 30, 2011 - 12:00am The Israeli army is training settlers in the West Bank to repel any violent protests in the territories when the Palestinians try to secure UN membership next month, the military said. Asked to confirm a story first reported in Haaretz newspaper, the army issued a written statement saying it was in the process of training settlement response teams, "to deal with any possible scenario." But it declined to give details on "operational preparedness." » Read more

August 29th

EU's Ashton: Mideast changes give momentum to Israeli-Palestinian peace process ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by DPA - (Analysis) August 29, 2011 - 12:00am Changes in the Middle East have given "even more momentum" to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said Monday. Summing up a visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories, she said the recent changes which have overtaken the region have provided the impetus to "the need to try and find a solution that will enable the people of Israel and the people of Palestine to live in peace and security together." EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and President Shimon Peres, August 28, 2011. Photo by: GPO » Read more

Amid renewed unrest, political players discuss Sinai development ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-Masry Al-Youm by Nadine Marroushi - August 29, 2011 - 12:00am In the wake of renewed unrest in Sinai, talk about the dire need to develop the eastern peninsula is resurfacing. Political parties have been quick to make proposals. » Read more

Barak: Gaza groups planning new major terror attack on Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Anshel Pfeffer - (Analysis) August 29, 2011 - 12:00am Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned Monday that Palestinian organizations in Gaza are preparing to carry out an attack similar to the one in southern Israel on August 18, in which eight civilians were killed. Barak, who visited the plant of Israel Aerospace Industries subsidiary Elta in Ashdod on Monday morning, said that “even this morning we are on high alert in the south in the face of the possible attack, which is similar in set-up to the one that happened ten days ago.” » Read more

Analysis: Protecting Palestinians after we join the UN ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency by Francis Boyle - August 29, 2011 - 12:00am In the Nov. 15 1988 Palestinian Declaration of Independence that was approved by the Palestinian National Council, representing all Palestinians all over the world, the executive committee of the PLO was set up as the Provisional Government for the State of Palestine --pursuant to my advice. » Read more

Gazans forced to cancel habits of Muslim feast ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua by Ahmed Fayoomi, Hamada Hattab - (Analysis) August 29, 2011 - 12:00am GAZA, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Various types of Turkish delights and chocolates piled up on stalls in a popular market in Gaza City, but only few people seemed to be interested. This was two days ahead of a Muslim's feast that marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. Buying sweets to serve visiting relatives is a regular habit to mark this occasion. The scenes of frustration have been visible on the face of the 40-year-old Abu Rashid Abu Assi, as he kept promoting his sweets and almost begging people to buy from him. » Read more

Arab Spring spells uncertainty for Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News by Jeremy Bowen - August 27, 2011 - 12:00am The extraordinary developments in the Middle East and North Africa this year have not been entirely welcomed by the authorities in Israel, who now have a range of new problems to add to some more familiar ones. My passports say it all. Like most foreign correspondents in the Middle East I have two - one for Israel, the other for Arab countries. That's because some Arab states will not let you in if you have an Israeli visa. » Read more

Palestinians see progress in EU stance on UN bid ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency (Analysis) August 29, 2011 - 12:00am RAMALLAH (AFP) -- The Palestinian leadership sees "progress" in the European Union's position on its plan to seek UN membership next month, a senior PLO official told AFP on Sunday. "There is progress in the European stance and a willingness to coordinate with the Palestinian leadership over the type of resolution we are looking for," said PLO secretary general Yasser Abed Rabbo a day after president Mahmoud Abbas met in Ramallah with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton. » Read more