Israel lets farmers in Gaza send flowers to Europe ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters February 12, 2009 - 1:00am Israel temporarily eased its blockade of the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip Thursday to allow Palestinian flower growers to export 25,000 blooms to Europe ahead of Valentine's Day. The amount of carnations allowed out of the Gaza Strip was only a fraction of what farmers produce. Many farmers say they have no choice but to feed the crop to sheep. Israel tightened its blockade of the Gaza Strip after Hamas Islamists wrested control of the territory from President Mahmoud Abbas's secular Fatah faction in 2007. Israel allows in aid, but exports are banned with few exceptions. » Read more

Arabs Make Gains in New Israeli Parliament ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Media Line February 12, 2009 - 1:00am Arab parties have increased their representation in Israel's newly elected parliament, juxtaposed against a notable increase in support for Jewish right-wing parties. According to the votes counted so far, the new Knesset (Israel's parliament) will have one extra Arab member in the 18th assembly, compared to the previous parliament, and possibly an additional seat on top of that, after all the votes are counted. » Read more

IDF strikes Hamas post in south Gaza, after day of mortar fire ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz February 12, 2009 - 1:00am Israeli warplanes on late Wednesday night struck a Hamas post in the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Younis. An Israel Defense Forces spokesman said that the strike before dawn Thursday came in response to mortar fire Wednesday on the western Negev. There were no reports of casualties in the attack. "As the sole authority in the Gaza Strip, Hamas bears full responsibility for all terror activities originating within its area of control," the IDF said. » Read more

Final count leaves Israel with election headache ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Douglas Hamilton, Jeffrey Heller - February 12, 2009 - 1:00am Final results of Israel's parliamentary election confirmed on Thursday that the centrist party of Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni won the contest by a single seat over right-winger Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud. The end count did nothing to change the confusing political picture that emerged on Tuesday night, or resolve a potentially paralyzing dispute between the two main parties over who should rightfully head the next government. » Read more

Yesha Council revels in Lieberman's success ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Erfat Weiss - February 12, 2009 - 1:00am Yesha Council revels in Lieberman's success 'Elections proved consensus regarding two-state solution nothing more than corrupt spin,' settler leader says, adding Yisrael Beiteinu chairman 'will be one of the strongest supporters of the settlement enterprise' Efrat Weiss Despite the inconclusive results of Tuesday's general elections, it is clear that the political Right will have a majority in the 18th Knesset, leading Yesha Council head Danny Dayan to say that Israeli voters made "an obvious and unequivocal ideological decision." » Read more

Scrambled Electoral Eggs ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward by Aaron David Miller - February 11, 2009 - 1:00am Would-be peacemakers might want to wait before they start popping champagne corks in the wake of Kadima’s election victory. The outcome of the Israeli election has further complicated an already-muddled outlook for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. » Read more

Israeli Uncertainty Buys Obama Time ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward by Nathan Guttman - February 11, 2009 - 1:00am Publicly, the administration of President Obama has pledged to “hit the ground running” in reviving Middle East diplomacy. But the indecisive results of Israel’s elections have provided the White House with breathing room it actually welcomes. » Read more

Today on the Hill Media Mention of Ziad Asali In The Washington Post - February 12, 2009 - 1:00am Today on the Hill Today marks the 200th anniversary of former President Abraham Lincoln's birth and a celebration in Lincon's honor will commence in the Capitol Rotunda this morning. President Obama is expected to join lawmakers around 11:30 a.m. to observe the ceremony. » Read more

ATFP Calls for Urgent Aid to Gaza, Settlement Freeze at Congressional Hearing Press Release - Contact Information: Hussein Ibish - February 12, 2009 - 1:00am Washington, DC, Feb.12 – While urgent humanitarian aid for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip is immediately required, the long-term consequences of the recent Gaza war depend on advancements in the peace process and a settlement freeze, Dr. Ziad J. Asali, President of the American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) told a congressional hearing today. Read more