Middle East peace talks, and the problem of land
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times
by Todd Gitlin, Liel Leibowitz - (Opinion) September 5, 2010 - 12:00am

The latest round of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, which began this week in Washington, leaves even the most loquacious Middle East experts without much to say. No bold offers have emerged from either side, and President Obama has yet to show the blend of grit, gregariousness and ingenuity that made Bill Clinton an effective mediator. All we can expect with certainty are more bouts of brinksmanship.

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Peace this time? Even a lapsed optimist must hope
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Star
by Shlomo Avineri - (Opinion) September 3, 2010 - 12:00am

The resumption in Washington of direct Israeli-Palestinian peace talks is good news. But whether these talks will lead to an agreement, let alone within one year as US President Barack Obama hopes, is another matter. When Obama, two days into his presidency, appointed former Senator George Mitchell as his special envoy to the Middle East, many hoped that within two years his efforts would lead to an agreement between Israel and the Palestinians – and to a comprehensive peace between Israel and all its Arab neighbors.

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Palestinian strategy towards independence
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times
by Daoud Kuttab - (Analysis) September 3, 2010 - 12:00am

There is a chance that the Israeli occupation that began in 1967 will soon end and an independent Palestinian state will emerge. The direct peace talks taking place in Washington are a necessary step towards that goal, but this is not the only option the Palestinians have.

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Pressing Netanyahu is the key to success in Mideast peace talks
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times
by Ahmad Tibi - (Opinion) September 3, 2010 - 12:00am

It is unfortunate that the direct Palestinian-Israeli peace talks that got underway this week are saddled with an Israeli prime minister who has made clear his unwillingness to reach an equitable two-state solution.

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Clinton: only you two can achieve peace
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National
by Matt Bradley, Sharmila Devi - (Analysis) September 3, 2010 - 12:00am

WASHINGTON // Mahmoud Abbas and Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday declared their commitment to arriving at a sustainable peace as they entered their first direct negotiations in 20 months. Both sides have set the deadline of one year to reach a deal, and flanked by the Palestinian and Israeli leaders, Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, reminded both sides that the main responsibility for achieving it would fall on them.

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Settlers reveal deep disdain for events in Washington
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Independent
by Donald MacIntyre - (Analysis) September 3, 2010 - 12:00am

Yaniv Mor, 30-year-old father of a one-month-old baby girl, and a settler was blunt: "We don't care about Washington. Nothing will come out of it, like always. This is a war of religions – we want everything, they want everything. There is no way there will ever be agreement. That is the reality."

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Palestinian source: U.S. pressuring Abbas to continue talks even if settlements expand
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Avi Issacharoff - (Analysis) September 3, 2010 - 12:00am

A senior Palestinian source told Haaretz that the American administration renewed its pressure on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to stay in direct negotiations with Israel, even if some construction in the settlements resumes after the end of the current moratorium. The source warned that Abbas would not be able to agree to a renewal of construction and will be forced to withdraw from the talks.

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Camp David Redux: A Look Back At Lessons Learned
Media Mention of ATFP In National Public Radio (NPR) - September 3, 2010 - 12:00am

MELISSA BLOCK, host: From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. Im Melissa Block. ROBERT SIEGEL, host: And Im Robert Siegel. The resumption of peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians in Washington this week, reminded us of the last time the parties aimed at settling their differences with an American president as mediator. Ten summers ago, there were two weeks of talks at Camp David. President Bill Clinton hoped to settle the conflict once and for all.

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Israeli-Palestinian talks: How to keep saboteurs at bay
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Christian Science Monitor
by Clayton Jones - (Blog) September 3, 2010 - 12:00am

In coming weeks, if all goes well, the spotlight in the Middle East will be on direct talks that started Thursday between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA). The two sides promise to meet every two weeks. But beware. Sabotage of the talks began even before they were launched in Washington. The likely aim? The derailing of any peace deal that creates a Palestinian state, a result known as the two-state solution.

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Clinton: only you two can achieve peace
Media Mention of Hussein Ibish In The National - September 3, 2010 - 12:00am

WASHINGTON // Mahmoud Abbas and Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday declared their commitment to arriving at a sustainable peace as they entered their first direct negotiations in 20 months. Both sides have set the deadline of one year to reach a deal, and flanked by the Palestinian and Israeli leaders, Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, reminded both sides that the main responsibility for achieving it would fall on them.

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