Israeli Defense Sources: Hamas Wants To Maintain Gaza Quiet
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Amoss Harel - March 25, 2008 - 6:09pm

Hamas is interested at this stage in maintaining the lull in fighting against the Israel Defense Forces along the Gaza Strip border, defense officials suggested Monday. Likewise, Egypt is keeping up heavy pressure on Hamas leaders in Gaza not to deviate from the understandings reached with it regarding the suspension of fighting.

»

Cheney Accuses Iran And Syria Of Sabotaging Peace Process
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Star
March 25, 2008 - 5:58pm

US Vice President Dick Cheney on Monday hit out at Iran and Syria as he wrapped up a Middle East peace push, saying the two countries were undermining the renewed but faltering Israeli-Palestinian talks. Iran and Syria "are doing everything they can to torpedo the peace process," Cheney told reporters in Occupied Jerusalem as he wrapped up a visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories before heading to Turkey.

»

Israelis Oppose Withdrawal From West Bank
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Angus Reid Global Monitor
March 25, 2008 - 5:55pm

The majority of people in Israel are against continuing a process of dismantling Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory, according to a poll by the Mutagim Institute published in the Jerusalem Post. 64.9 per cent of respondents oppose withdrawing from Judea and Samaria, also known as the West Bank.

»

‘painful Concessions’ Needed, Says Cheney
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News
by Mohammed Mar’i - March 24, 2008 - 5:55pm

US Vice President Dick Cheney said yesterday that a Mideast peace agreement will require “painful concessions” by Israelis and Palestinians who must work together to defeat those “committed to violence.” After meeting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Cheney stressed the US commitment to the creation of an independent Palestinian state, saying it was “long overdue.”

»

Germany Backs Israel All The Way
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Inter Press Service (IPS)
by Peter Hirschberg - March 24, 2008 - 5:52pm

German Chancellor Angela Merkel vowed that her country would always stand by Israel, that she was committed to halting Iran's nuclear ambitions, and that rocket attacks by Palestinian militants in Gaza on Israeli towns and cities were a criminal act.

»

Cheney Says A Palestinian State Is 'long Overdue'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times
by Ashraf Khalil - March 24, 2008 - 5:50pm

Declaring that an independent Palestinian state was "long overdue," Vice President Dick Cheney said on Sunday that the success of the U.S.-sponsored peace negotiations depends on the Palestinian ability to rein in militant groups that favor armed resistance over negotiations.

»

Erakat Warns Pa Could Fall Apart If Peace Fails To Break Out This Year
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP)
March 20, 2008 - 6:23pm

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: Senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat warned Wednesday that failure to reach a peace deal with Israel this year could lead to a collapse of the Palestinian Authority. "If we fail to produce an agreement in 2008 ... we may disappear," Erakat said. "The impact will not be limited to Israel and the Palestinians," he warned. "Watch the region."

»

Mccain Backs Israeli Reprisals In Gaza
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
by Ian Deitch - March 20, 2008 - 6:19pm

Touring a war-battered town, Sen. John McCain said Wednesday he understands Israel's tough response to Palestinian rocket fire, adding that there is no point in negotiating with the Gaza Strip's Islamic Hamas regime. The Republican presidential nominee-in-waiting also praised the moderate Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, saying he is committed to reaching a peace deal with Israel — though McCain is not meeting Palestinians this time.

»

Israeli Offensive Boosts Hamas In Gaza
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Financial Times
by Tobias Buck - (Opinion) March 20, 2008 - 6:14pm

Hamas, the Islamist Palestinian group, has emerged from the recent Israeli offensive against its stronghold in the Gaza Strip more deeply entrenched and with broader public backing than before, according to independent analysts and a poll published this week.

»

Mccain Supports Israeli Response
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bbc News
March 19, 2008 - 7:26pm

US presidential hopeful John McCain says he understands Israel's response to rocket attacks by Palestinian militant groups. Mr McCain was speaking in the Israeli town of Sderot, which has often been hit by rocket fire from the Gaza Strip. "No nation in the world can be attacked without responding," he told reporters. Mr McCain, a Republican senator who looks set to become the party's presidential candidate this autumn, also called for progress towards peace.

»


American Task Force on Palestine - 1634 Eye St. NW, Suite 725, Washington DC 20006 - Telephone: 202-262-0017