November 3rd

The Mideast’s new game ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post by David Ignatius - (Opinion) November 2, 2011 - 12:00am Diplomatic versions of the three-cushion shot in billiards are perilous, but let’s suppose you could accomplish the following: Lift the stature of Egypt’s fragile transitional government, support Israel’s desire for Arab recognition, reanimate the Palestinian peace process and deal a blow to Iran. » Read more

Israeli doctors 'failing to report torture of Palestinian detainees' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian by Harriet Sherwood - November 3, 2011 - 12:00am Medical professionals in Israel are being accused of failing to document and report injuries caused by the ill-treatment and torture of detainees by security personnel in violation of their ethical code. A report by two Israeli human rights organisations, the Public Committee Against Torture (PCAT) and Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), claims that medical staff are also failing to report suspicion of torture and ill-treatment, returning detainees to their interrogators and passing medical information to interrogators. » Read more

Palestinian win in UNESCO doesn't mean total victory at UN ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Shlomo Shamir - November 3, 2011 - 12:00am The acceptance of the Palestinian Authority as permanent member of UNESCO didn't really cause a stir at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Much like the Geneva-based Human Rights Committee, whose priorities and voting patterns rarely cause a stir among the UN member states in New York, UNESCO, an independent organization, does not get much respect. » Read more

Bitter olive harvest adds to Palestinian animosity ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Crispian Balmer - November 3, 2011 - 12:00am A potent symbol of peace and harmony, the olive has become a source of confrontation and violence in the decades-old conflict that pits Israel against Palestinians. Once a time of happy industry, the autumn harvest season in particular has degenerated into antagonism, with Palestinian farmers accusing extremist Jewish settlers of destroying their crops and trying to seize their land. » Read more

US, peace talks hurt most by Palestinian UNESCO bid ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters November 3, 2011 - 12:00am The Palestinians' success in joining UNESCO and Israel's immediate retaliation has two main casualties: the peace process and the Obama administration. Monday's vote by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization to grant full Palestinian membership despite U.S. and Israeli objections exposed how little leverage Washington has on either side. It forced the Obama administration to withhold $60 million from the agency. » Read more

New flotilla 'headed toward Gaza' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency November 2, 2011 - 12:00am A flotilla carrying medication is bound for the Gaza Strip after quietly departing a Mediterranean port, activists announced on Wednesday as Israel's army said it was "fully prepared" to stop it. The Canadian Tahrir and the Irish Saoirse are carrying 27 people from nine countries, organizers said. The ships are carrying a symbolic cargo of $30,000 in medication. The 27 activists on board the vessels are drawn from Australia, Canada, Ireland and the United States, and included Palestinians. » Read more

Source: Israel to resume tax transfers soon ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency November 3, 2011 - 12:00am Israel has decided to stop transferring tax revenue to the Palestinian Authority in the aftermath of UNESCO's acceptance of Palestine as a full member, at least temporarily. But according to a high-ranking official in the Palestinian government, Israel is facing considerable international pressure and is unlikely to continue the sanctions long past the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Ahda. » Read more

EU deeply concerned by Israeli settlement plans ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters November 3, 2011 - 12:00am The European Union expressed deep concern on Wednesday about Israel's decision to speed up settlement activity in response to the Palestinian accession to the United Nations cultural agency UNESCO. Israel decided on Tuesday to accelerate Jewish settlement building and withhold Palestinian Authority funds, moves likely to further hold up international efforts to revive peace talks. "I am deeply concerned by the latest Israeli decisions," EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said in a statement, adding that settlement building was against international law. » Read more

US 'deeply disappointed' in Israel settlement move ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters November 3, 2011 - 12:00am The United States is "deeply disappointed" with Israel's decision to speed up settlement building following UNESCO's decision to grant full membership to the Palestinians, the White House said on Wednesday. White House spokesman Jay Carney said the move did not advance the goal of bridging long-standing differences between Israelis and the Palestinians. » Read more

November 2nd

Time slipping for Obama Israel trip ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Politico by Carrie Budoff Brown - (Opinion) November 2, 2011 - 12:00am Former President George W. Bush waited until his eighth year in office to touch down in Israel. His father, George H.W. Bush, didn’t go at all. Neither did Ronald Reagan. But for President Barack Obama, the call of Israel has always been more urgent. » Read more