August 3rd

Diplomacy: Accord short on fanfare, but not meaning ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Herb Keinon - (Opinion) August 2, 2012 - 12:00am It was a small news item during an active news week dominated in Israel by tax increases, Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney’s visit, US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta’s statements on Iran, and – of course – the Olympics. But Tuesday night’s signing in Jerusalem of an economic agreement on behalf of Israel and the Palestinian Authority by Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad is not without significance. » Read more

Palestinian women's killings spark outcry over lax laws ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times by Maher Abukhater - August 3, 2012 - 12:00am Four recent cases of Palestinian women slain allegedly at the hand of relatives have prompted women and human rights groups to demand tougher laws against domestic violence and more stringent enforcement. Several female activists marched Thursday through the streets of Bethlehem in the West Bank demanding justice for women in this patriarchal and traditional society. They also demanded severe punishment for men who kill or batter a female family member. » Read more

Israeli strike would only delay Iran's nuclear program by two years ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Amos Harel - August 3, 2012 - 12:00am An Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear facilities would delay its manufacture of nuclear weapons by no more than two years, according to the prevailing assessment. This assessment holds that Iran's nuclear program would technically be set back by only a year. But it would likely take Iran another year on top of that to overcome side effects of the strike that would cause additional delays. » Read more

Don't attack Iran now, warns ex-IDF intel chief ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Yaakov Katz - August 3, 2012 - 12:00am Maj.-Gen. (res.) Aharon Ze’evi Farkash is worried. So worried that he decided this week to break his longstanding silence on Iran and to share his concerns with the world. » Read more

Missiles on Tel Aviv will unleash unprecedented response: Israeli former intelligence chief ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua August 3, 2012 - 12:00am Israel's former army intelligence chief said Thursday that a missile attack by foes against Greater Tel Aviv would mean that "Israel's legitimacy to take action will drastically increase." Speaking at a conference on "Israel's Home Front Preparedness," retired Maj.-Gen. Amos Yadlin sought to quell concerns over recent assessments that Iran, Syria, Hezbollah and Hamas could wield unprecedented 200,000 missiles and rockets in any future conflict. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has repeated threat to target Tel Aviv. » Read more

Israel warns citizens to return from Sinai ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press August 2, 2012 - 12:00am Israel is urging its citizens traveling in Egypt's Sinai peninsula to return immediately amid warnings of an attack. The travel warning was based on information alleging militant groups from the Gaza Strip are operating in the area and plan to attack or kidnap Israeli tourists. Thursday's travel warning was issued by the Israeli Prime Minister's Office. » Read more

Mortars kill at least 20 in Damascus refugee camp ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press by Paul Schemm - August 3, 2012 - 12:00am Mortars rained down on a crowded marketplace in a Palestinian refugee camp in the Syrian capital, killing at least 20 people as regime forces and rebels fought nearby, activists said. The attack on Yarmouk camp may well have been connected to a two-day long skirmish in the nearby Tadamon neighborhood, which has been repeatedly shelled by government troops. On Friday smoke could be seen pouring from the neighborhood. » Read more

August 2nd

U. of Calif. Weighs Banning 'Hate' Speech ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward by Naomi Zeveloff - August 2, 2012 - 12:00am The University of California, birthplace of the 1960s campus Free Speech Movement, is now considering a proposal that would ban certain forms of speech as a result of a report on Jews and the Israel debate at its schools. The July 9 report, issued by an advisory panel to UC President Mark Yudof, concluded that Jewish students sometimes face a hostile environment at UC schools in the form of anti-Israel protests. It recommends that UC “seek opportunities to prohibit hate speech on campus.” » Read more

Renewal of Orient House closure 'an act of piracy' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency August 2, 2012 - 12:00am Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said Wednesday that Israel's decision to renew a closure of the former PLO office in Jerusalem was "an act of piracy." He wrote in a letter to foreign officials in Jerusalem that "such illegal Israeli measures are considered null and void by the international community." Erekat said Israel was violating international law and UN resolutions by continuing to close Palestinian institutions in east Jerusalem, which was occupied by Israel in 1967. » Read more

Palestinian freedom counts for nothing - or so it seems ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Hill by Mustafa Barghouthi - (Blog) August 2, 2012 - 12:00am Gov. Romney’s visit to Israel – and occupied East Jerusalem – very nearly succeeded in erasing Palestine from the agenda. Save for a short visit with Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, Palestine was largely a non-matter. And Romney did not publicly raise Palestinian rights a single time.  » Read more