Daily News Feed
Stream ATFP's Middle East News: World Press Round up and stay up to date with the latest news concerning the Isareli-Palestinian issue.
Browse the World Press Round Up Archives

News:

The PA and Hamas criticize PM Netanyahu’s “united Jerusalem” statement. (Times of Israel/Ha’aretz)

EU Foreign Policy Chief Mogherini says Europe wants a central role in Middle East peace. (AP/Times of Israel/Reuters)

The question of whether Pope Francis called Pres. Abbas an “angel of peace” or actually said “may you be an angel of peace,” causes political discord. (New York Times/AFP/Times of Israel)

A secret meeting was reportedly held between Israeli diplomats and diplomats from Arab countries that do not have open diplomatic relations with Israel in Jordan. (Ma’an)

Jordanian newspaper ad-Dustour reports that Hamas and Israel have been involved in secret talksin recent months. (Ma’an)

Israel’s new interior minister, Silvan Shalom, is appointed chief peace negotiator for any future peace talks with the Palestinians. (JTA/Ha’aretz)

Senior Palestinian officials say without freezing settlement construction and accepting 1967 borders, there is no point in peace talks with Israel. (Ha’aretz/Jerusalem Post)

Netanyahu will meet with FIFA Pres. Blatter. (Jerusalem Post)

Israeli forces demolish three commercial stores belonging to a Palestinian in the Silwan neighborhood in occupied East Jerusalem. (Ma’an)

The Palestinian community in Yemen appeals to the PA for protection and solidarity. (PNN)

Palestinian patients are finding help in Israeli hospitals. (AP)

The UN says nearly 25,000 people fled the Iraqi city of Ramadi after it was attacked by ISIS. (Reuters)

American officials say the use of Shi'ite militias to try to take back the Iraqi city of Ramadi from ISIS risks unleashing more “sectarian bloodletting.” (Reuters)

ISIS fighters seized advantage in Ramadi by striking during a sandstorm. (New York Times)

The fall of Ramadi to ISIS weakens the rule of PM al-Abadi. (New York Times)

ISIS militants look for collaborators after capturing the strategic city of Ramadi. (AP)

The Saudi-led coalition resumes military operations in Yemen after truce expires. (Reuters/Washington Post/The National)

Iran is using its sea power in the Gulf to show it will not be cowed by Washington's newly assertive Arab allies. (Reuters)

The trial of Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian detained in Iran for months will begin next week. (AP/Washington Post)

King Abdullah accepts the resignation of the interior minister and two police chiefs were asked to retire following the handling of tensions in Ma’an. (The National/Jordan Times)

Commentary:

Akiva Eldar asks if the US will endorse a French UN resolution on Palestinian statehood. (Al-Monitor)

Robert Swift looks at the causes for growing poverty in occupied East Jerusalem. (The Media Line)

Abdul Rahman Al Rashed says ISIS is a cancerous state that is expanding and becoming more dangerous in both Iraq and Syria, and threatening Saudi Arabia and Jordan. (Al Arabiya)

The Washington Post says the fall of Ramadi exposes Pres. Obama’s weak ISIS strategy. (Washington Post)

David Kenner interviews two Sunni leaders who explain why locals opposed to ISIS and Iraqi officials in Baghdad have so far failed to unite against their common foe. (Foreign Policy)

The Daily Star says Iraq has become the “militia nation.” (Daily Star)

Paul Krugman says the Iraq war, based on lies, was more than a mistake.  (New York Times)

Jamal Khashoggi explains why Saudi Arabia will not accept another ceasefire in Yemen. (Al Arabiya)

Faisal Al Yafai says the hands-off approach America is pioneering in its last years in the Middle East will also reach Asia – with serious consequences for its Asian allies. (The National)



News:

Pres. Obama says a “big overarching deal” between Israel and Palestinians is not possible in the next year. (Ha’aretz)

Pope Francis praises Pres. Abbas as an “angel of peace” during a meeting at the Vatican. (AP/AFP/JTA)

Pope Francis canonizes two nuns from 19th century Palestine. (AP/New York Times/Washington Post/The Media Line)

Palestinian FM al-Maliki says he asked the ICC to set a date for submitting the case files pertaining to the settlements and war crimes lawsuits against Israel. (PNN)

A Likud source reportedly says the defense minister will decide on settlement construction.(Ha’aretz)

Extremist Jewish settlers uproot hundreds of olive saplings n the Palestinian town of al-Shuyoukh in the occupied West Bank. (Ma’an/PNN)

Israeli nationalists and police clash with Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem as crowds ofJewish hardliners march across the city to mark the 48th anniversary of its capture. (AFP/New York Times/PNN/JTA/Times of Israel/Jerusalem Post)

Jordanian Commerce Minister al-Alion meets with PM Hamdallah to discuss Palestinian-Jordanian economic relations. (Ma’an)

Israeli navy forces open fire at Palestinian fishermen off the coast of Gaza. (Ma’an/PNN)

A historic bathhouse offers Palestinians respite from Gaza’s hardships.(AP)

Shi’ite militias are preparing to deploy en masse to Iraq’s western province of Anbar after ISIS militants take over Ramadi. (Reuters/New York Times/Washington Post)

Oil prices rise after ISIS militants seize control of the key city of Ramadi. (Reuters)

The Saudi-led coalition resumes airstrikes against Yemen’s Houthis in Aden overnight. (Reuters/AP/New York Times)

Sec. Kerry says Houthi movements make a Yemen ceasefire “difficult.”(Reuters)

An Iranian cargo ship carrying aid and activists crosses into the Gulf of Aden. (Reuters/The National)

An Egyptian court sentences former Pres. Morsi to death. (New York Times)

Commentary:

The National says the Vatican’s recognition of a Palestinian state will boost the prospect of a two-state solution. (The National)

Rami Khouri says the lack of resolution on the Palestine issue has contributed to the dire condition of the Arab world today, and wider regional tensions with Israel.  (Daily Star)

Sharif Nashashibi says remembering the Nakba is a collective duty. (Al Arabiya)

Ha’aretz says Israeli opposition must raise its voice and pose alternative to the government's “iron wall” facing the Palestinians. (Ha’aretz)

The Washington Post profiles Palestinian official Nabil Shaath. (Washington Post)

Gideon Levy says Israel’s suspension from FIFA could be a game changer. (Ha’aretz)

Uri Savir interviews Palestinian university students on the occupation and corruption. (Al-Monitor)

Avi Issacharoff and Ziv Koren say residents of Bethlehem care more about making a living than starting an intifada, but some fear rampant unemployment could change that. (Times of Israel)

Mohammed Othman says difficult living conditions and lack of funding or royalties have discouraged Gaza's novelists. (Al-Monitor)

Hussein Ibish says the US-GCC talks at Camp David have been promising but the real progress will occur in the conversation to follow. (The National)

The New York Times says the recent Camp David summit reflects sharp and persistent differences over a deal intended to curb Iran’s nuclear program. (New York Times)

Muath al Wari says the US must clarify its intentions in the region. (The National)

Dov Zakheim says Obama has brought Arabs and Israelis together — out of distrust of the US.  (Foreign Policy)

News:

Pres. Abbas sets preconditions to restarting peace talks with Israel. (Jerusalem Post)

The Israeli ministry of construction issues tenders for the building of 85 new housing units in the Givat Zeev settlement in the occupied West Bank. (AFP)

At least 21 Palestinians are injured after clashes break out in Nablus with Israeli military forces. (Ma’an\JTA\Times of Israel)

Three Palestinians are injured by live fire during a Nakba Day protest in Gaza. (Ma’an\Times of Israel)

An Israeli demolition plan for a Bedouin village sparks outcry. (AP)

The PA security forces uncover and arrest a Hamas cell near Hebron in the West Bank. (Jerusalem Post)

Jewish settlers throw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Nablus. (Ma’an)

Hamas says ISIS has no foothold in Gaza. (Ma’an\Ha’aretz\Reuters)

PM Netanyahu’s new rightist coalition government is sworn in. (Reuters\New York Times\Washington Post\JTA)

The New York Times profiles new Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked. (New York Times)

Israel is reportedly turning to the media and diplomacy to head off an almost inevitable new round of confrontation with Hezbollah. (Ha’aretz)

A renewed joint commitment to build the regional defense system is one of the outcomes of the Camp David summit between the US and the GCC. (Reuters)

Pres. Obama vows to keep Arab allies secure amid Iran deal fears. (AP\New York Times\The National)

At least 10 people are killed in heavy clashes in Yemen despite a five-day humanitarian truce. (Reuters)

The UN urges the Saudi-led coalition to speed up imports of vital goods in Yemen. (Reuters)

ISIS militants raise their black flag over the local government compound in the Iraqi city of Ramadi. (Reuters\AP)

ISIS releases an audio recording that it said was from the leader al-Baghdadi. (New York Times\Washington Post) 

UNESCO Chief Bokova says she is alarmed by developments in Syria, where clashes with ISIS militants are getting closer to the ancient city of Palmyra. (AP\New York Times\The National)

Commentary:

Jimmy Carter and Gro Harlem Brundtland say a lasting settlement in the Holy Land is still possible but Israel must end the siege on Gaza first. (Foreign Policy)

The New York Times says the Vatican’s decision to formally recognize Palestine as a state comes at an especially bleak moment for peace efforts with Israel. (New York Times)

Hazem Balousha says the Hamas-Fatah divide is crippling Palestine’s judiciary. (Al-Monitor)

Ha’aretz says ending the occupation must be a top priority for the new Israeli government. (Ha’aretz)

Israel Harel says no real effort was made to promote construction and societal plans so that Jews and Arabs could live in a truly unified Jerusalem. (Ha’aretz)

Raphael Ahren says while Netanyahu fantasizes about a détente with the Arab world, the US and EU are ready to turn up the heat on his new government. (Times of Israel)

Ben Caspit says Israel and Saudi Arabia feel that the US is playing a bad hand in its negotiating with Iran. (Al-Monitor)

David Laitin and Marc Jahr say Syrian refugees can revitalize Detroit. (New York Times)

Abdul Rahman Al Rashed says Iranian threats against Gulf countries are a direct message to the White House. (Al Arabiya)

News:

The Vatican officially recognizes the State of Palestine in a new treaty.(AP\Ma’an\Ha’aretz\Times of Israel\Ynet\Jerusalem Post\Foreign Policy\JTA\New York Times\Washington Post)

The PLO says the Vatican’s agreement is a “genuine contribution to peace and justice.” (Ma’an\PNN)

Strategic consultations between Israel and France last week end in discord over French initiative for UN resolution on talks with Palestinians. (Ha’aretz\Ma’an)

EU Foreign Policy Chief Mogherini will visit Israel and the PA next week. (Times of Israel)

A Palestinian official says the documentation necessary for Palestine to bring Israel to the ICC will be approved before the end of 2015. (Ma’an)

PM Netanyahu says he wants to achieve peace with the Palestinians and other Arab states. (AFP)

Three Israeli teenagers are wounded in a suspected terror attack outside of a settlement in theoccupied West Bank. (Ha’aretz\Times of Israel\Ynet\Jerusalem Post\AFP)

Sen. Rubio backs Netanyahu and says conditions for a two-state solution “do not exist today.” (Ha’aretz)

Germany announces a $41 million contribution to the UNRWA shelter assistance program in Gaza. (Ma’an)

Egypt continues to crack down on Gaza tunnels, but faces setbacks in Sinai. (Times of Israel)

Israel will demolish an electricity grid near the Qasra village in southern Nablus. (Ma’an)

The US issues a warning urging citizens to exercise caution ahead of Nakba day. (Ha’aretz\Times of Israel\JTA) 

The Canadian government denies a report that its considering criminalizing boycotts of Israel. (JTA)

A report indicates 75% of occupied East Jerusalem residents live below the poverty line. (Jerusalem Post)

Pres. Obama discusses American efforts to forge an international nuclear deal with Iran with Saudi leaders. (Reuters\The National)

Obama convenes Camp David summit with Gulf state leaders. (AP)

Saudi Arabia promises to match Iran in nuclear capabilities. (New York Times\Times of Israel)

A senior Iranian official says King Salman is a "traitor to Islam" and equates Saudi Arabia's military assault in Yemen with Israeli actions against Palestinians. (Reuters)

Syrian armed groups opposed to Pres. Assad reject an invitation to UN consultations in Geneva. (Reuters)

Hezbollah and the Syrian army make big advances against insurgents in mountains north of Damascus. (Reuters)

King Abdullah meets with Chancellor Merkel. (Jordan Times)

Commentary:

Michael Young says Israel's swing to the right in the last election reinforces commonly held attitudes about the country in the region. (The National)

Gideon Levy says the more Israel represses the Nakba, the stronger the memories. (Ha’aretz)

Ari Shavit says Israel has abandoned young Jewish Americans in its fight against BDS. (Ha’aretz)

Joyce Karam asks if Obama and the GCC can strike a balance at the Camp David summit. (Al Arabiya)

John Duke Anthony says the Camp David summit is an opportunity for strategic reassurance. (Al Arabiya)

Robert Manning says as the Gulf countries contemplate the US's commitment to the region, Taiwan's experience could be instructive. (The National)

Roger Cohen says Iran these days is a greater focus of Arab ire and disquiet than Israel. (New York Times)

Michael Young looks at Pres. Assad’s “perilous dance with Iran.” (Daily Star)

Elizabeth Dickinson asks if Saudis will be celebrating when the Kingdom turns up the heat against ISIS. (Foreign Policy)

News:

Pres. Obama says Palestinians deserve an end to the occupation. (Ma’an\Ynet\Asharq al Awsat)

Despite Obama’s demand, PM Netanyahu’s coalition guidelines makes no commitment to a Palestinian state. (Ha’aretz)

ICC prosecutor Bensouda says without cooperation, the Gaza war probe will rely on evidence from just one side. (Ha’aretz\Times of Israel\AP)

A prominent group of EU diplomats says US policy with regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has failed and a new EU led approach is needed. (Jerusalem Post)

The occupied West Bank’s electricity grid will be connected to Jordan. (Ma’an)

The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics says it has recorded a population of 12.1 millionpeople worldwide, the majority of whom live outside of the territories. (AFP\Times of Israel\Ynet)

An Israeli court sentences a Palestinian man for incitement and for supporting a terroristorganization based on his Facebook posts. (New York Times\JTA)

Armed men open fire at the Palestinian president's guards while in their vehicle near Balata refugee camp. (Ma’an)

Israel is stepping up its diplomatic initiatives as fears grow over FIFA suspension. (Ha’aretz)

Obama will meet with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayeh today. (Reuters)

Obama tells an Arab newspaper that he will remain tough on Iran. (New York Times)

Saudi-led air strikes hit the rebel-held Yemeni capital Sanaa hours before a five-day humanitarian truce takes effect. (Reuters\AP\New York Times\Washington Post\The National)

Iran warns the Saudi-led coalition targeting Yemeni rebels that blocking an Iranian aid ship bound for Yemen will "spark a fire." (AP)

ISIS extremists have dug trenches around natural gas and hydrogen tanks at Iraq's largest refinery, raising the stakes in a battle. (Reuters)

Israel says Hezbollah positions put Lebanese at risk. (New York Times)

ICC prosecutor Bensouda says she can investigate alleged crimes by ISIS in Libya. (Reuters)

Commentary:

Adnan Abu Amer says Hamas is seeking a rapprochement with Saudi Arabia to improve its leverage in Palestinian reconciliation talks. (Al-Monitor)

Ahmad Melhem says Hamas and Fatah are focusing on trivial issues instead of taking advantage of former Pres. Carter’s reconciliation efforts. (Al-Monitor)

Joseph Dana says football is the latest theatre of struggle between Israel and Palestinians. (The National)

Ron Kampeas says the mistrust between Netanyahu and Obama is “personal and cynical.” (JTA)

Ben Sales looks at how a women’s party is challenging the status quo in an Arab-Israeli city. (JTA)

Aaron David Miller says Israel watchers have been expecting icy relations between Obama and Bibi to worsen -- but the post-election period may offer an unexpected thaw.  (Foreign Policy)

Eric Yoffie explains what Jewish Americans want from Netanyahu. (Ha’aretz)

The Washington Post says the absence of King Salman at the US-GCC summit is an unmistakable signal of dissatisfaction with the US. (Washington Post)

The National says at the upcoming Camp David summit Gulf leaders will make their views known to Obama. (The National)

Jeremy Shapiro and Richard Sokolsky says the Camp David summit is an opportunity for Washington to send the Gulf a tough message. (Foreign Policy)

Andrew Bowen says Obama underestimates the challenge Iran poses to the security of the region and the GCC. (Al Arabiya)

David Ignatius says Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey are now cooperating on Syria. (Washington Post)

David Ignatius says the US must fight ISIS’ “brand appeal.” (Washington Post)

Abdul Rahman Al Rashed says an Iranian nuclear deal will empower hardliners. (Al Arabiya)

Browse the World Press Round Up Archives

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