Racist? Us? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Avirama Golan - (Opinion) March 19, 2008 - 7:32pm The television interview conducted by Orly Vilnai Federbush on Monday with Dmitri Bogotich - the head of a local "neo-Nazi gang," who later fled to Moscow - constituted good journalism under conditions of real risk. But more than the conversation revealed a violent criminal, it revealed the authorities' weakness in dealing with the case. » Read more

Stalemate Is Increasing Hamas' Popularity ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Star by Rami Khouri - (Opinion) March 19, 2008 - 7:31pm The likelihood of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks making real progress this year is very slim, but that does not keep the parties from meeting and making hopeful statements. US President George W. Bush's planned trip to Israel in May looms for many as a critical moment when any progress toward a permanent peace accord will have to be clear. » Read more

Caught In A Vicious Cycle Of Violence ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Middle East Times by Alon Ben-meir - March 19, 2008 - 7:28pm The killing by Israeli undercover troops of four Palestinian militants in Bethlehem on March 12, raises questions not as much about Israel's right to self-defense but about the context and the circumstances under which this right is exercised. Even the right to self-defense and matters of national security must be balanced against the prevailing conditions. » Read more

Mccain Supports Israeli Response ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bbc News March 19, 2008 - 7:26pm US presidential hopeful John McCain says he understands Israel's response to rocket attacks by Palestinian militant groups. Mr McCain was speaking in the Israeli town of Sderot, which has often been hit by rocket fire from the Gaza Strip. "No nation in the world can be attacked without responding," he told reporters. Mr McCain, a Republican senator who looks set to become the party's presidential candidate this autumn, also called for progress towards peace. » Read more

Jailed Palestinian Barghouthi Eyes P.a. Leadership ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Media Line by Media Line Staff - March 19, 2008 - 7:24pm Jailed Fatah leader Marwan Al-Barghouthi is not ruling out his candidacy in the Palestinian Authority elections for chairmanship, he told an Italian news agency.   "When a date is agreed upon for the presidential elections, I'll make the appropriate decision," he said through his lawyers.   Barghouthi is serving five consecutive life sentences in an Israeli jail for his involvement in terror attacks against Israelis.   According to a recent poll conducted by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PCPSR,), Barghouthi has a better chance of beatin » Read more

Hamas Refuses Fatah Demand It Cede Gaza Control For Reconciliation ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters March 19, 2008 - 7:23pm Hamas voiced willingness on Wednesday to talk to Fatah as part of a Yemeni reconciliation initiative but said the secular faction must drop its demand the Islamist group first give up control of the Gaza Strip. "We do not accept it as a condition to restore dialogue," Hamas spokesmanAyman Taha said. "[The Gaza Strip] is only an item that can be discussed within the agenda of the talks." » Read more

Mubarak: 'no Occupation Lasts Forever' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press March 19, 2008 - 7:21pm Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak warned Israel on Tuesday that history shows no occupation lasts forever. "Your people's security cannot be attained by exercising a policy of collective punishment, aggression, siege, walls and building settlements," he said in comments broadcast live on state television. Mubarak added that for their part, the Palestinians needed to unify their ranks and consider their actions for the sake of their suffering children. » Read more

Israel Bars Access From W. Bank, Gaza ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press March 19, 2008 - 7:19pm Israel declared a heightened security alert on Wednesday and barred Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza Strip from entering the country, fearing Hezbollah guerrillas may try to carry out a major attack during holiday celebrations this week. The Purim holiday coincides with the end of a 40-day mourning period for Hezbollah commander Imad Mughniyeh, who was killed in a car bombing in Syria last month. Israel has denied involvement, but the Lebanese guerrilla group has blamed Israel and vowed revenge. » Read more

U.s. To Transfer $150 Million In Aid To The Palestinians ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press March 19, 2008 - 7:07pm The U.S. is transferring $150 million in aid to the Palestinian government in coming days, the Palestinian Prime Minister announced Wednesday. The payment is part of a total of $550 million the U.S. pledged to pay to the Palestinians over three years, part of a total of $7.7 billion in pledges from international donors made at a conference in Paris in December. » Read more

Jerusalem's First Palestinian Latin Patriarch To Retire This Year ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press March 19, 2008 - 7:03pm Michel Sabbah, the Holy Land's top Roman Catholic clergyman, is to retire this year. The Latin Patriach is turning 75 on Wednesday - the traditional retirement age of church officials. Sabbah is the first Palestinian to hold his position. Throughout his tenure, he has been a vocal advocate for the Palestinian cause. At the same time, he has been an outspoken critic of violence. » Read more