Arabs in Israel | The American Task Force on Palestine

Profile: Nasser al-Kidwa
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Asharq Alawsat
March 6, 2012 - 1:00am

London, Asharq Al-Awsat – Nasser al-Kidwa has been appointed as deputy to Kofi Annan, the joint UN-Arab League special envoy to Syria. For the first time since being entrusted with the post last month, Annan will visit Damascus on 10 March in an effort to promote a political solution to the Syrian crisis, with al-Kidwa expected to accompany him.

Time for uprising number three?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons
by Saleh Abdel Jawad - (Opinion) March 5, 2012 - 1:00am

The question of whether we are on the verge of another uprising is a difficult one that nobody can really answer--not political analysts, not Israel's security services nor the decision makers of the Palestinian factions Fateh and Hamas that appear to have the button at their fingertips. The query raises more questions than answers, in fact.

Volatile, but unpredictable
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons
by Ghassan Khatib - (Opinion) March 5, 2012 - 1:00am

The combination of a complete absence of political prospects for solving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and ending the Israeli occupation, as well as the growing daily difficulties experienced by Palestinians in the occupied territories, has been encouraging many analysts and politicians to warn of a possible resumption of violence or another intifada of some kind. This reflects a consensus view that the current situation is not sustainable.

Growing signs of frustration
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons
by Yossi Alpher - (Opinion) March 5, 2012 - 1:00am

In recent weeks and months, we have confronted a growing number of worrisome possible precursors of a new intifada or some similar round of violence on the West Bank and in East Jerusalem. While the previous two intifadas were seemingly triggered by unintended actions or events (a traffic accident in 1987, a Temple Mount visit in 2000), in retrospect it is clear that they erupted due to the accumulation of frustrations on the Palestinian side, at least some of which could have been prevented by Israel.

Anger and Compassion for Arab Justice Who Stays Silent During Zionist Hymn
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Ethan Bronner - March 4, 2012 - 1:00am

JERUSALEM — It was supposed to be a passing of the torch, yet another solemn state ceremony at the president’s residence in Jerusalem. But the retirement last week of Israel’s chief justice and the swearing in of her successor turned into a kind of Rorschach inkblot test about the nature of Israeli democracy.

Israel should consider altering its anthem to include non-Jews
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
(Editorial) March 2, 2012 - 1:00am

Supreme Court Justice Salim Joubran has the right not to sing the national anthem, "Hatikva." The law doesn't oblige him to do so, and the song's lyrics don't enable him to do so. As a loyal citizen of his country, the justice did not want to betray his conscience during the new Supreme Court president's inauguration by singing a song whose words are alien to every Arab citizen of Israel. And the uproar that erupted following Joubran's refusal damaged the delicate fabric of Israeli democracy far more than his silence did.

Seeking a new horizon for Palestinian prisoners
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons
by Shawqi Issa - (Opinion) March 2, 2012 - 1:00am

The thorny issue of the Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails has numerous angles. First, it is a humanitarian cause. Many of the prisoners have spent decades, some more than 30 years in jail, with all the resulting social and economic ramifications for Palestinian society as a whole. Additionally, Palestinian leaders bear the moral responsibility for the fact that these activists have remained behind bars for periods far longer than logically acceptable. A full 121 of them have languished in prison since before the 1993 signing of the Oslo agreements with Israel.

Israel on a dangerous course
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times
by George S. Hishmeh - (Opinion) March 2, 2012 - 1:00am

President Barack Obama appears likely to win a second term since his Republican competitors seem, if nothing else, hopelessly disjointed. Regrettably, however, he remains treading softly on the Middle East, obviously fearing that any pronouncement on any of the key issues in this region — Iran, Syria, Israel and the Palestinians — might tip the balance against him in the nine months before the presidential election, in November.

Shalabi 'patient, steadfast' until demands met
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
March 2, 2012 - 1:00am

Palestinian hunger striker Hana Shalabi said Thursday from Hasharon prison that she is continuing her open hunger strike and remains patient and steadfast until her demands are met. A Palestinian prisoner society lawyer, Fawaz Shalludy who visited Shalabi, said the prisoner had suffered as the Israeli prison administration put her in an open area in the cold in Ofer detention center. Shalludy pointed out that the prisoner’s spirits are high although there are signs of fatigue and weakness on her because of the strike. She thanked everyone who is supporting her, he said.

Arab justice's 'Hatikva' silence was a song of protest
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Gideon Levy - (Opinion) March 1, 2012 - 1:00am

It was so moving on Tuesday at the President's Residence and so stately; another celebration of Israeli democracy, which so loves to effusively praise itself. The honorable Supreme Court justices posing for a group photo; the retiring court president taking leave with tears in her eyes; the incoming court president making an emotional speech - everyone complimenting one another, praising one another and lauding our exalted democracy.

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