February 18th

Israeli elections and the Palestinians
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times
by Faisal Al Rfouh - February 18, 2009 - 1:00am

The swing to the right in the recently held elections in Israel is likely to have an impact on the Middle East peace process in general and Israel-Palestine relations in particular. The past four elections were won by candidates who promised to end Israel’s conflict with the Palestinians, but in the February 10, 2009, elections, some candidates promised to “wage war”. The gain of the right-wing parties is a cause of concern for the Arab world and the Palestinians.

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Israel launches air strikes on Gaza
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
by Nidal Al-Mughrabi - February 18, 2009 - 1:00am

Israeli warplanes struck a number of sites in the southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday, causing some damage but no casualties, Palestinian residents and Hamas security officials said. Residents said one air strike targeted tunnels which run under the Egyptian border at the town of Rafah that militants use to smuggle arms into the Hamas-run Gaza Strip. Another hit an already bombed security compound in the town of Khan Younis. An Israeli army spokesman said the warplanes had hit seven tunnels and one other target in Gaza.

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Shake Up in the PLO
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Asharq Alawsat
by Kifah Zaboun - February 18, 2009 - 1:00am

Ramallah, Asharq Al-Awsat- High-ranking Palestinian sources have revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat that Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas transferred the task of leading the Palestinian negotiating team from Ahmad Quray, alias Abu-Ala, to Saeb Erekat, head of the PLO's negotiations department.

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Israel 'must give up considerable territory in exchange for peace'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Gulf News
February 17, 2009 - 1:00am

Occupied Jerusalem: Tzipi Livni, who hopes to be appointed Israel's prime minister-designate, said on Monday Israel must give up considerable territory in exchange for peace with the Palestinians, drawing a clear distinction with her rival, Benjamin Netanyahu.

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Who can probe Gaza war crimes claims?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News
by Bethany Bell - February 18, 2009 - 1:00am

There have been numerous calls for investigations into whether war crimes were committed during the recent Israeli offensive in Gaza. The Geneva Conventions and additional protocols prohibit the destruction of property, "except when rendered absolutely necessary by military operations" and "indiscriminate attacks" affecting civilians. Concerns about the number of civilian casualties and damage to buildings in Gaza have been raised - among others - by the United Nations, by the Palestinian Authority, the Arab League and by human rights groups.

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Explosives haul missing in Gaza
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News
by Tim Franks - February 17, 2009 - 1:00am

A large stockpile of unexploded weapons has disappeared in Gaza, before United Nations experts were able to dispose of it safely, the BBC has learned. The explosives, including aircraft bombs and white phosphorus shells, were fired by the Israeli military during its recent offensive in the Gaza Strip. UN officials said they were urgently trying to establish where the arms had gone and have called for their return. Israel has accused Hamas of taking the stockpile, which was under Hamas guard. 'Extremely dangerous'

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Israel links Gaza deal to soldier's release
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
by Adam Entous - February 18, 2009 - 1:00am

Israel decided Wednesday against lifting its border blockade of the Gaza Strip until Hamas agreed to the release of a captured Israeli soldier, putting a longer-term ceasefire proposal by Egypt on hold. The unanimous decision by outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's security cabinet raised the stakes in delicate negotiations over Hamas demands that Israel free up to 1,400 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the soldier, Gilad Shalit.

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Hamas Seeking To Come In From Cold
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Middle East Times
by Sana Abdallah - August 28, 2008 - 12:00am

Chances of coming in from the cold are looking better for Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist movement ruling the Gaza Strip, as the world braces itself for crucial changes in political leaderships and power shifts that might also bring strategic policy turns in the Middle East.

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February 17th

One on One: 'I was the resident skeptic'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Ruthie Blum Leibowitz - (Interview) February 12, 2009 - 1:00am

The one thing Elliott Abrams and I do not discuss during our hour-long interview in Jerusalem this week is his imminent career move. More specifically, how someone who has spent the better part of the last three decades vilified by those who consider "neoconservatism" a four-letter word will fare as a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, a key part of the liberal establishment.

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Israel’s seizure of land in the West Bank for a planned settlement expansion draws international criticism and poses an early test for the Obama administration (1) (4). Egypt cracks down on Gaza smuggling tunnels (2). The Washington Institute looks at relations between the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and Iran on issues including Palestine (3). Palestinian factions are invited to Egypt on February 22nd for a dialogue with the goal of creating a transitional government (5). The Jerusalem Post sits down for an interview with former Deputy National Security Advisor Elliot Abrams (7). Haaretz analyzes Israel’s recent actions regarding hostage Gilad Shalit (8). A long-term ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel remains elusive (10) (13).

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