December 19th

Speaking Truth For Peace ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Michael Felsen - (Opinion) December 19, 2007 - 4:08pm For years, countless synagogues and other Jewish institutions in the United States have flown the banner declaring "We Support Israel in Her Quest for Peace." » Read more

Looking For A Home In Pisgat Ze'ev ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Danny Rubenstein - December 19, 2007 - 4:07pm The separation fence surrounding eastern Jerusalem winds north of the city among the crowded houses of the Dahit al-Barid neighborhood. The wall is not finished and, in a few places, there are openings enabling passage (which confirms the graffiti drawn nearby by an Israeli tagger, "Yoram Arbel was right," i.e., this is not how you build a wall). » Read more

So What Have We Done To Them ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Nehemia Shtrasler - December 19, 2007 - 4:06pm An old Jewish joke tells of a devoted mother who briefs her son before he sets out to battle: "Kill a Turk and rest," she advises. But the son asks: "And what happens if in fact the Turk tries to kill me?" She opens her eyes wide in surprise: "Why would he want to kill you? What have you done to him?" » Read more

A Total Lack Of Confidence In The Annapolis Process Keeps Hamas’s Popularity Stable Despite Worsening Conditions In The Gaza Strip ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Palestinian Center For Policy And Survey Research December 19, 2007 - 4:05pm These are the results of the latest poll conducted by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip during December 11-16, 2007. Total size of the sample is 1270 adults interviewed face to face in 127 randomly selected locations. Margin of error is 3%. This poll release covers Palestinian domestic issues. A separate joint Palestinian-Israeli press release will cover issues related to the peace process and Israeli-Palestinian relations. For further details, contact PSR director, Dr. » Read more

Will Donor Dollars Ensure Future State? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Miftah by Caelum Moffatt - December 19, 2007 - 4:04pm On December 17, the highly anticipated day-long donor’s conference commenced in Paris. The conference, brainchild of Middle East envoy Tony Blair and attended by 70 countries and 20 organizations, aimed at providing a monetary basis to reform and develop the dire economic situation in Palestine as well as to set the conditions for the creation of a secure, stable and sustainable Palestinian state. » Read more

Much European Ado About Nothing In Palestine ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Star by Rami Khouri - (Opinion) December 19, 2007 - 4:02pm I was in Germany talking to Europeans involved in Middle East issues during the run-up to the Paris conference on Palestinian aid, which on Monday pledged $7.4 billion over three years to the Palestinian half-government headed by President Mahmoud Abbas. Europeans seem again to respond to the challenges of engaging in the Arab-Israeli conflict with their usual financial generosity and political wishful thinking. » Read more

'australianist' Sees Barriers To Peace ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Australian by Greg Sheridan - December 19, 2007 - 4:01pm IN so far as you can have one, Isaac Herzog is an Australianist in the Israeli Government. He is the Minister for Labour, and a key Labour Party figure in keeping Ehud Olmert's coalition Government together. He believes Australia's diplomatic and political support for Israel has been important, and he hails Australia as "highly respected, a very important state in world politics because of its worldwide involvement. It's also a donor country to the peace process." » Read more

The Palestinians Need Peace As Well As Aid ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Telegraph by Tim Butcher - (Opinion) December 19, 2007 - 4:00pm There is a children's park not far from my Jerusalem home, which neatly illustrates international aid attempts to deal with the Israel-Palestine question. The playground, really only known to the Palestinian local population, was paid for by an Italian contribution, funded through the EU and constructed by the UN Development Programme, and, at first glance, all looks in order with its see-saw, slides and climbing frame. Then you notice the swings. » Read more

Jerusalem: What's In Your Fridge? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bbc News December 19, 2007 - 3:43pm As part of the BBC's season looking at sustainable food, we take a peek in the fridges of people in cities around the world and ask what motivates their food choices. Khalil Abu Arqub is a 50-year-old Palestinian headmaster who lives in Jerusalem. Contents: tomatoes, peppers, lemon, cucumber, bananas, apples, hummous, labneh (yoghurt), tuna, spam, sugary water (for Arabic desserts), potatoes, pepper sauce (for chicken) and ketchup. In the freezer are 2kg of chicken and 2kg of chicken liver. » Read more

Funding Mideast Hope ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Star (Editorial) December 19, 2007 - 3:42pm Canada and the world have just cast a vote of confidence in the Mideast peace process by pledging $7.4 billion in aid to the Palestinians at a donors conference in Paris. The show of generosity surprised Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who had asked for $2 billion less. » Read more