Europe mulls new Mideast peace plan: Palestinian official
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
December 4, 2012 - 1:00am


RAMALLAH, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- European countries are mulling a new plan to revive the peace talks that have been stalled since 2010 between Israel and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), a Palestinian official said Tuesday.


Israel takes a harder line
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Los Angeles Times
(Editorial) December 4, 2012 - 1:00am


When Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas announced that he would seek recognition from the United Nations for a Palestinian state, Israel complained that Abbas should have pursued that objective in face-to-face peace negotiations and warned of grave consequences, threatening to expand


How West Bank Construction Hampers Progress for a Two-State Solution
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from PBS
(Interview) December 3, 2012 - 1:00am


RAY SUAREZ: For more on what the construction of this settlement could mean for the stalled peace process, I'm joined by David Makovsky of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, and Ghaith Al-Omari, executive director of the American Task Force on Palestine. And, David, is this, strictly speaking, in response to the vote on observer status in the U.N., or is this some something that the Israelis have wanted to do anyway? DAVID MAKOVSKY:, Washington Institute For Near East Policy: Well, it's a little of both.


Trouble Lies Ahead For Two-State Solution
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-Monitor
by Alon Pinkas - (Opinion) December 3, 2012 - 1:00am


What are the implications of the Palestinians' achieving non-member observer status at the United Nations, and the Israeli response announcing more settlements, including in areas east of Jerusalem delineated in maps as possibly part of a future Palestinian state? There are two scenarios.  In one word: Nothing. In one acronym: A LOT, meaning A Lot Of Trouble.


How West Bank Construction Hampers Progress for a Two-State Solution
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from PBS
(Transcript) December 3, 2012 - 1:00am


RAY SUAREZ: For more on what the construction of this settlement could mean for the stalled peace process, I'm joined by David Makovsky of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, and Ghaith Al-Omari, executive director of the American Task Force on Palestine. And, David, is this, strictly speaking, in response to the vote on observer status in the U.N., or is this some something that the Israelis have wanted to do anyway? DAVID MAKOVSKY:, Washington Institute For Near East Policy: Well, it's a little of both.


Netanyahu: Gov't okayed E1 planning, not building
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Herb Keinon - December 2, 2012 - 1:00am


The government gave a green light to zoning and planning in the area known as E1 between Jerusalem and Ma’aleh Adumim, but not to actual construction there, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu clarified to his Likud ministers Sunday as condemnations of the move continued to pour into Israel from around the world.


Israel withholds tax revenues from Palestinian Authority
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times
by Edmund Sanders - December 2, 2012 - 1:00am


JERUSALEM -- Israel said Sunday it would withhold more than $100 million in tax revenue this month from the cash-strapped Palestinian Authority, the latest reaction to last week's U.N. vote recognizing the Palestinian territories as a "nonmember observer state."


UN chief: Israel's construction plans 'fatal blow' to two-state solution
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
December 2, 2012 - 1:00am


UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Sunday Israel's plans to build 3,000 new homes in East Jerusalem and West Bank settlements "would represent an almost fatal blow to remaining chances of securing a two-state solution." Ban said in a statement that in the interest of peace, any plans for construction in the "E-1" corridor must be rescinded.


Netanyahu brushes off world condemnation of settlement plans
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
by Maayan Lubell - December 2, 2012 - 1:00am


JERUSALEM, Dec 2 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday brushed off world condemnation of Israel's plans to expand Jewish settlements after the Palestinians won de facto U.N. recognition of statehood.


Amid Euphoria Over U.N. Vote, Palestinians Still Face Familiar Challenges
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Isabel Kershner - December 2, 2012 - 1:00am


RAMALLAH, West Bank — “Now we have become a state!” Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, announced Sunday to a crowd of thousands in the courtyard of his headquarters in this Palestinian city.



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