February 22nd

Israel Watches Syria, Hopefully, but Warily ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Ethan Bronner - February 21, 2012 - 1:00am JERUSALEM — As Israelis watch the bloody confrontation between the Syrian people and the government of President Bashar al-Assad, they are torn by two sentiments: The downfall of Mr. Assad would deal a major blow to Iran and so would be welcome. But without a central authority, Syria could descend into being a land of chaos and terrorist bases on Israel’s northeast border. Enlarge This Image Uriel Sinai/Getty Images In the Golan Heights town of Majdel Shams, Druse men took part last week in a protest against Israel's control of the region. » Read more

Writing on the Wall: Israel and Its Christians ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Media Line by David Rosenberg - (Opinion) February 21, 2012 - 1:00am Graffiti on Jerusalem church points to negative attitudes among many Jews A day after it was discovered on the exterior walls of a Jerusalem Baptist church this week, graffiti declaring “Death to Christianity” had been cleaned up and a host of officials from the Israeli government had visited with apologies and expressions of concern. But for the Christian community in Israel, the environment remains inhospitable. » Read more

Peaceful Protest Can Free Palestine ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Mustafa Barghouthi - (Opinion) February 21, 2012 - 1:00am OVER the past 64 years, Palestinians have tried armed struggle; we have tried negotiations; and we have tried peace conferences. Yet all we have seen is more Israeli settlements, more loss of lives and resources, and the emergence of a horrifying system of segregation. » Read more

Palestinian On Hunger Strike to Be Freed Without Court Ruling ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Isabel Kershner - February 21, 2012 - 1:00am JERUSALEM — A Palestinian who fasted for 66 days to protest his detention without charge ended his hunger strike on Tuesday after the Israeli authorities agreed to release him in mid-April, if no major new evidence is brought against him. » Read more

February 21st

Between two hells ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons by Issa Samander - (Opinion) February 20, 2012 - 1:00am One can't help but be astonished by the behavior of the United States and European governments over the vast changes occurring in Arab countries, especially their reactions towards the killing spree in Syria. They have been swift--their politicians rarely vague--in their condemnations of the Syrian regime and calls for actions by the international community. » Read more

Beating a dead horse ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons by Chuck Freilich - (Opinion) February 20, 2012 - 1:00am How long can you beat a dead horse? The peace process died some years ago and the only humane thing to do may be to allow it to rest in peace. Indeed, it is questionable whether this is an opportune time to consider revival, when the future of peace with Egypt and Jordan hangs in doubt, Palestinian elections portend a possible Hamas takeover in the West Bank, and Hamas' radical mini-state in Gaza is the embodiment of every Israeli nightmare. » Read more

Rapidly dwindling avenues to peace ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons by Ghassan Khatib - (Opinion) February 20, 2012 - 1:00am The regional and international environments appear increasingly less conducive to a peaceful solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, especially in the short term. The United States is preparing for coming presidential and congressional elections, and the Arab world is increasingly involved in internal revolutions that are naturally emphasizing local agendas. These factors are limiting available options and eliminating opportunities to make progress in ending our conflict peacefully. » Read more

Obama's options are important, too ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons by Yossi Alpher - (Opinion) February 20, 2012 - 1:00am For Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, as for Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, the primary objective of 2012 with regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is to get through the year without a peace process failure, without major violence, and perhaps with some marginal achievement in the context of regional developments like the "Arab spring" that position each of them better for 2013. A genuine peace process is most definitely not anybody's realistic objective. It is in this context that we can address President Barack Obama's objectives as well. » Read more

We are committed to reconciliation agreement - Hamas official ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Asharq Alawsat by Ali El-saleh - (Interview) February 17, 2012 - 1:00am London, Asharq Al-Awsat –Senior Hamas figure Khalil al-Hayya informed Asharq Al-Awsat that the Hamas movement is committed to the Doha Declaration, although he acknowledged that there are some “legal” issues that must be dealt with before this can be implemented. Al-Hayya, who is a member of the Hamas Political Bureau for the Gaza Strip spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat about the Doha Declaration in the wake of inflammatory comments issued by another senior Hamas figure, Mahmoud al-Zahar. » Read more

Palestinian journalists under pressure ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian by Roy Greenslade - (Blog) February 21, 2012 - 1:00am The International Press Institute (IPI) has registered its concern over the treatment of Palestinian journalists by both Israeli forces and Palestinian security services. The press freedom watchdog says that since the beginning of 2012, at least five journalists working in the Palestinian territories have been subjected to arbitrary arrest. Two more have had their detention periods extended. Three of those who were arrested recently were allegedly interrogated for several hours about their writing before being released. The other two remain in custody. » Read more