'We are running out of time for a two-state solution'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Akiva Eldar - August 15, 2008 - 8:00pm

At the end of my conversation with Sari Nusseibeh at the American Colony Hotel in Jerusalem, the highly respected president of Al-Quds University - and cosignatory of "The People's Choice," a peace plan that he formulated with former Shin Bet chief Ami Ayalon - told me he wouldn't be surprised if one of the Palestinian residents of the city ran for mayor in the municipal elections in November. The candidate would not run as a representative of Jerusalem per se, Nusseibeh stressed. Rather, he would be running on behalf of all Palestinians in the occupied territories.

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Palestinian PM: Israel should free more than just 200 prisoners
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from
by Shahar Ilan, Barak Ravid - August 17, 2008 - 8:00pm

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad on Sunday welcomed Israel's decision to release close to 200 Palestinian prisoners as a gesture to the Palestinian Authority, but said Israel should release even larger numbers of prisoners. The cabinet approved the release of the Palestinian prisoners, including two prisoners "with blood on their hands," meaning they were directly involved in the killing of Israelis, during the weekly cabinet meeting Sunday morning.

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Olmert: Barak blocking cabinet debate on defense issues
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Tal Levy - August 16, 2008 - 8:00pm

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Sunday accused Defense Minister Ehud Barak of blocking cabinet debate on issues of security. "Because of you, it is impossible to conduct a serious discussion on the defense establishment," Olmert told Barak during the cabinet's weekly meeting in Jerusalem. The criticism came amid debate on the 2009 defense budget, which according to Olmert, was never even raised for cabinet discussion, after National Infrastructure Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer attacked the Treasury's proposal the cabinet decides whether to invest in defense or welfare.

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Hamas may try Fatah general in absentia
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Khaled Abu Toameh - August 15, 2008 - 8:00pm

In the first case of its kind, a Hamas "security court" in the Gaza Strip has issued a warrant for the arrest of Gen. Rashid Abu Shabak, the former commander of the Palestinian Authority's Preventive Security Service. The warrant gives Abu Shabak 10 days to hand himself over to the Hamas security forces in Gaza City or face being tried in absentia. The court ruled that Abu Shabak should be arrested for misusing public funds and abusing his powers.

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What happened to the "vision" of a two-state solution?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons
by Yisrael Harel - August 17, 2008 - 8:00pm

A few years ago, at a dialogue meeting between Israelis and Palestinians, the Palestinians were asked what they thought of the idea voiced by Ariel Sharon that Jordan, with more than two-thirds of its population Palestinian, is in fact a Palestinian state. And if that is not today the case, then when Jordan becomes a constitutional monarchy or enjoys some other form of regime that expresses the will of the majority, it will indeed become Palestinian.

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Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice makes an historic visit to the West Bank town of Jenin during what will likely be her last official trip to the Palestinian territories (1) (2). In an interview with Der Spiegel Syrian Foreign Minister calls on the US to play a central role in Middle East politics (3). Israel has closed Gaza to outside fuel, food, and journalists (4). More Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem have reportedly been demolished by Israel (5). Outgoing Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert warns that time is running out for a two-state solution (7). Prime Ministerial candidates Livni and Netanyahu make pledges for the continuation of the peace process under their respective administrations (8) (11).Rice

Livni, after Quartet meet: I’m not repeating mistakes of Camp David
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Barak Ravid - November 9, 2008 - 8:00pm

Israel and the Palestinian Authority presented the Quartet for Mideast peace with several agreements on Sunday on the way negotiations will proceed next year on the conflict's core issues. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who updated the Quartet at Sharm el-Sheikh with PA President Mahmoud Abbas, said she was convinced she has not repeated the mistakes of Camp David in 2000. She said although no deal was reached this year, both sides are determined to continue talks. Livni and Abbas stressed "the need for continuous, uninterrupted, direct bilateral negotiations."

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IDF: Army may need to respond to fresh terror alerts from Gaza
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Amos Harel - November 9, 2008 - 8:00pm

Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip may be planning to execute terror attacks against Israel which would require responsive military operations like the one carried out last week, Israeli defense officials said on Sunday. Over the next two days, Defense Minister Ehud Barak will determine whether to reopen the border crossings with Gaza, which were shut down last Wednesday after Gaza militants resumed rocket fire on the western Negev.

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Hamas and the Art of Time-Wasting
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Asharq Alawsat
by Tariq Alhomayed - November 9, 2008 - 8:00pm

An official Egyptian statement released the day before yesterday expressed regret over Hamas's decision to boycott the reconciliation talks with Fatah in Cairo and in the process wasting an opportunity for national unity, despite the strenuous efforts exerted by the Egyptians the statement said. But the question here is; what's new about that?

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Netanyahu: Peace Talks Will Continue if Elected
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
November 9, 2008 - 8:00pm

Israeli opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday pledged to continue negotiations with the Palestinians if he wins February elections, backing away from earlier hints he would abandon U.S.-backed peace talks. But Netanyahu gave no indication he would make significant concessions.

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