Is Palestine a state? That may depend on the Palestinians ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Times of Israel by Raphael Ahren - (Opinion) December 12, 2012 - 1:00am On the morning after the vote that upgraded Palestine to a nonmember observer state, United Nations officials were perplexed when they looked at the Palestinian delegation’s bench in the General Assembly Hall. A sign that used to say “Palestine” had been replaced with a sign reading “State of Palestine” — even though the special machine that usually produces these signs at the UN was temporarily out of order. » Read more

Talk about Reconciliation Following Meshaal’s Visit ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-Hayat by Elias Harfoush - (Opinion) December 11, 2012 - 1:00am If this is the road to the Palestinian reconciliation, as promised by the head of Hamas’ politburo Khaled Meshaal, then this will most certainly be a difficult road ridden with conflicting positions and campaigns. » Read more

We're losing America's Jews ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Yitzhak Benhorin - (Opinion) December 12, 2012 - 1:00am WASHINGTON - As we deal with our daily existential war in Israel and find it difficult to focus on processes that are more long term, America's Jews are gradually abandoning us. They are not doing it by shouting and threatening, so it is hard to measure the leak in the dam. They simply move aside and go about their business. It's not a PR issue. » Read more

Almost the last call ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Amira Hass - (Opinion) December 12, 2012 - 1:00am It is difficult to compete with the phallus that the Hamas movement displayed publicly during its celebrations in Gaza at the end of last week, especially when those dragged into the competition were nondescript functionaries in ties, the remnants of the fatigued Palestine Liberation Organization's leadership. In this competition, European countries waver between the role of observer from the sidelines and that of the functionary's prompter. » Read more

Feiglin and his donkeys ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Sefi Rachlevsky - (Opinion) December 12, 2012 - 1:00am Where were you on January 22? That question will be asked long after this election, which may be the last one in Israel. As we sit at the edge of the volcano, small personal details are being covered as if they were the main issues. Perhaps repression is natural in the face of such a dramatic revolution. » Read more

Distortion of 'defensive democracy' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz (Editorial) December 12, 2012 - 1:00am It's a recurring pre-election ritual: The Central Elections Committee invalidates the candidacies of Arab parties and candidates, and the Supreme Court voids the disqualifications. Since 1965, not a single Arab party has been disqualified from running for the Knesset. » Read more

Making Israeli settlements 'hasbarable' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Natasha Mozgovaya - (Opinion) December 12, 2012 - 1:00am Last week, at the Friends of the IDF event in Los Angeles (yes yes, the same one that Stevie Wonder decided to bow out from), guests enjoyed the event, but some activists complained to reporters that it wasn't easy to get people out to it. Many were busy, and others just simply find excuses to skip any possible controversy. Some things are just not "hasbarable". » Read more

Gaza: 'My child was killed and nothing has changed' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian by Harriet Sherwood - (Opinion) December 11, 2012 - 1:00am The morning ritual goes like this: three-year-old Ali Misharawi wakes up and reaches for his father's mobile phone. He kisses and strokes the face of his baby brother, Omar, on its small screen. Then he starts asking questions. Why is Omar in paradise? Why did you put my brother into the ground? Why can't I play with him any more? » Read more

IDF Prepares for More West Bank Violence ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-Monitor by Amir Rappaport - December 11, 2012 - 1:00am The attack of the masses on a Nahal Brigade infantry patrol in Hebron ahead of last weekend is not just another warning sign of the possibility that Judea and Samaria will soon start to burn: It is another manifestation of the fact that years of almost total quiet are reaching their end. » Read more

Palestinians to consider ICC if Israel pursues settlements ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Foreign Press December 11, 2012 - 1:00am ANKARA/OCCUPIED JERUSALEM — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Tuesday that Palestine could pursue Israel at the International Criminal Court (ICC) if it pushes ahead with plans to build thousands of new settler housing units in East Jerusalem. » Read more