NEWS:
PLO leaders say they have already submitted their UNGA resolution, and
have reportedly reassured member states they will not rush to try to
join the ICC. A large group of Palestinian factions in Gaza say they
support the initiative. France and Spain reiterate they will vote for
the resolution. Palestinians confidently predict victory. The Boston
Globe outlines the key players and their positions on the resolution.
Israel seems to be backing away from dire threats of retaliation. PM
Erdogan says he's still considering a trip to Gaza. Polls show PM
Netanyahu well-positioned to win January's Israeli election. Gaza
factions thank Iran after the conflict with Israel. The Washington
Post outlines a series of Israeli decisions that led to the killing of
the Abu Zor family in Gaza. The PA says it will seek legal action if
it discovers the late Pres. Arafat was murdered. Cairo says it plans
to convene Palestinian factions for more reconciliation talks after
the UN initiative this week. An unnamed senior Israeli official
reportedly describes Qatar as "a bitter enemy." Efforts are underway
off the coast of Israel to raise the wreck of the Altalena, a ship
that was sunk in a confrontation between the nascent Israeli military
and Jewish militants.
COMMENTARY:
Jonathan Adelman says Hamas is no winner in the recent Gaza conflict.
Chemi Shalev says, despite its tough talk, Israel is unlikely to
overreact to the Palestinian UN initiative. Zvi Bar'el says Israel
should recognize its interests in the creation of a Palestinian state.
The Jerusalem Post says Palestinian leaders are making a mistake with
the UN initiative. Abdel Rahman Al-Rashed says he hopes Hezbollah
follows through with threats to attack Israel, because that would
result in the end of the group's power and be a great boon to Lebanon
and the Syrian revolution. Daniel Nisman argues Iran still controls
Gaza. Carlo Strenger says Israel is missing another historic
opportunity by opposing the Palestinian UN initiative. Elisheva
Goldberg lists extremist statements regarding annexation of the
occupied Palestinian territories by the newly elected hierarchy of
Israel's ruling Likud party. Aaron David Miller says Pres. Obama will probably again engage in Palestinian-Israeli peacemaking and he hopes it will be more successful this time. Michael Lerner says Israel and the US should welcome the Palestinian UN initiative.
American Task Force on Palestine - 1634 Eye St. NW, Suite 725, Washington DC 20006 - Telephone: 202-262-0017