July 6th

Israel's new friend: Why Greece is thwarting Gaza flotilla ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Christian Science Monitor by Joshua Mitnick - July 5, 2011 - 12:00am An unexpected player has come to Israel's aid in thwarting this year's Gaza-bound flotilla: Greece. It's a country Israel has been courting since a raid on last year's flotilla ended in the death of nine Turkish citizens, severely damaging relations between the Jewish state and one of its most important Mediterranean allies. Desperate for new friends in the region, Israel reached out to Greece, offering generous military assistance to the debt-ridden state. » Read more

A decision-making fiasco ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Eitan Haber - (Opinion) July 6, 2011 - 12:00am A normal Israeli citizen, characterized by the media as “the man on the street,” reads newspapers, listens to the radio, watches television and asks himself and those around him: What’s going on up there? If this is how they manage a minor, rather insignificant matter like handing over terrorist bodies, how are truly important issues – matters of life and death – being handled? And here’s the answer: This time, Israel’s leadership is not the only culprit – but… » Read more

Israeli FM threatens tough response to planned Palestinian declaration of independence at UN ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post by Associated Press - July 6, 2011 - 12:00am Israel’s hardline foreign minister says there will be a tough response if the Palestinians follow through on a plan to declare independence at the United Nations this fall. Avigdor Lieberman told reporters on Wednesday that “unilateral steps will force us to take unilateral steps.” He says Israel is considering a variety of responses but declined to elaborate. Lieberman has earlier suggested that Israel could annul past peace agreements or annex parts of the West Bank. » Read more

We must stop Israel from becoming a theocracy ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Shaul Arieli - (Opinion) July 6, 2011 - 12:00am Those of us who believe that the internal debate in the Jewish community in Israel is still focused on defense needs or the number of settlements that should be evacuated, were proven wrong by the followers of Kiryat Arba's Rabbi Dov Lior. The real controversy focuses on the image of Israeli society and the nature of the country's governance. The conflict with the Palestinians is only a platform for shaping positions on this issue. » Read more

July 5th

Borderline Views: Preserving human rights of 'the other' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by David Newman - (Opinion) July 5, 2011 - 12:00am The real challenge facing human rights groups is respecting and upholding the civil rights of those with whom we often disagree. How appropriate that in the week the Knesset launched a new attack on human rights movements, especially those funded by the European Union, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) received the Gruber International Justice Prize. » Read more

Six years on, lessons of Gaza withdrawal resonate for West Bank ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) by Linda Gradstein - (Opinion) July 4, 2011 - 12:00am SHILOH, West Bank (JTA) -- Yisrael Medad remembers when just eight families lived in the red-roofed homes in this Jewish settlement deep in the hills of the West Bank. Now some 2,500 Israelis live here, and Shiloh has playgrounds, schools and a yeshiva. The red-roofed homes sprawl over several hills, and new homes continue to be built. At the bottom of the hill is the archaeological excavation of the biblical Shiloh, where the tabernacle is believed to have been built. » Read more

If... then... ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Gershon Baskin - (Opinion) July 5, 2011 - 12:00am The Palestinian media are reporting that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has responded to President Barack Obama’s request for an answer on whether or not Israel agrees to the president’s parameters for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. According to the reports, Netanyahu demanded a letter of commitment from the US, patterned on the letter from former president George W. » Read more

The U.S. may be heading toward talks with Hamas ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Zvi Barel - (Opinion) July 3, 2011 - 12:00am How would Israel respond if a "senior American official" were to declare that the United States was prepared to speak with Hamas leadership? » Read more

The blockade is the problem ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz (Editorial) July 4, 2011 - 12:00am All signs indicate that the government of Israel has taken steps to receive the present Gaza flotilla in a manner much more systematic than last year's actions. Instead of relying entirely on the use of force, diplomatic measures were taken this time, and friendly states, first and foremost Greece, mobilized to help Israel and hampered the flotilla's departure. This diplomatic action proved that there are alternatives less violent than Israel's predilection for discharging armed soldiers to suppress civilian protests. » Read more

Siege of Gaza has become a moral blockade of Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Yitzhak Laor - (Opinion) July 5, 2011 - 12:00am Israel is indeed connected to the centers of power in the world. The predictions of a tsunami at present seem to be exaggerated, but nevertheless, before the victory ball, it is worth remembering - the Israeli occupation is the longest military occupation of modern times. » Read more