One Last Chance for Peace in the Middle East ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Middle East Times by Claude Salhani - March 27, 2009 - 12:00am Here we go. This is the last chance for a peaceful resolution of the Middle East crisis before the region takes a turn for disaster. All the ingredients for peace as well as for greater conflict are in place. How it all turns out is now up to the players on the ground. At this point it's a 50-50 gamble. Examining the peace dividends, they are many. First, regarding the Palestinian issue, everyone knows the final outcome. There are no surprises; the issues have been addressed ad nauseam: » Read more

Israel army punishes Gaza soldier ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News March 27, 2009 - 12:00am An Israeli soldier was removed from the combat area after he shot a Gazan woman in the leg "by mistake" during the recent offensive, military sources say. The soldiers were firing in the air and urging a group of Palestinians who looked "suspicious" at the time, the military said. It appears to be the first officially confirmed case of disciplinary action over troops' actions in the conflict. The Israeli forces' conduct has been heavily criticised. » Read more

The ball is in Obama’s court ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times by George S. Hishmeh - March 27, 2009 - 12:00am While cruising in South America last month, I happened to pick on board the ship’s minuscule edition of The New York Times and, much to my surprise, it had the news about the ordeal of Ambassador Chas W. Freeman, Jr., who felt duty bound to withdraw his nomination as chairman of the National Intelligence Council in the wake of a brutal and unjustified attack by the pro-Israel lobby. » Read more

Israel suspected in Sudan airstrikes ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times March 27, 2009 - 12:00am Reporting from Khartoum, Sudan, and Jerusalem — A Sudanese official said Thursday that hundreds of people were killed early this year when foreign warplanes bombed three convoys smuggling African migrants through Sudan along with weapons that apparently were destined for the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert hinted at his air force's possible involvement in the attacks. They came after Israel ended a 22-day assault on Gaza without fully achieving one of its aims: to choke off Hamas' weapons supply. » Read more

Being a Partner for Peace ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times (Editorial) March 26, 2009 - 12:00am As he prepares to take office as Israel’s next prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu is offering what sounds like a tantalizing commitment. He said that his government will be a “partner for peace.” “I will negotiate with the Palestinian Authority for peace,” he said. » Read more

Israeli Use of Phosphorus Against Gazans Disputed ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post by Howard Schneider - December 31, 1969 - 8:00pm Israel's use of white phosphorus artillery shells led to the deaths of at least 12 Palestinian civilians and destroyed millions of dollars in property during the recent three-week war in the Gaza Strip, the organization Human Rights Watch says in a report released Wednesday. Israeli military officials called the claim "baseless" and said the shells, designed to produce a smoke screen, were used in accordance with accepted rules. » Read more

Troubled Palestinian Health System Heads for Overhaul ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Media Line by Felice Friedson, Rachelle Kliger - March 26, 2009 - 12:00am Two-year-old Rafiq lays his head peacefully on his mother’s shoulder, sticks a thumb in his mouth and buries his face in her black veil. Up until a short while ago Rafiq, whose family lives in Gaza, was at death’s door with a deadly kidney condition. But last September he was given a new lease of life when he was admitted to Barzilai hospital in Israel and nursed back to health. » Read more

A Play-by-Play of Coalition Building: What it Means ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Middle East Progress (Blog) March 26, 2009 - 12:00am What is the current status of the coalition formation efforts? Benjamin Netanyahu now has agreements with Yisrael Beiteinu, Shas, Habayit Hayehudi [the Jewish Home] and Labor. He already has more than 60 members of Knesset [MKs]. In my opinion the National Union party won’t be in the government. Yahadut Hatorah [United Torah Judaism] also seems to have been left out. » Read more

Gaza war crimes accusations start to haunt Israel Media Mention of Hussein Ibish In The National - March 26, 2009 - 12:00am NEW YORK // Accused of firing white phosphorous shells over densely packed communities and using a child as a human shield, Israeli troops are increasingly fielding allegations of war crimes committed during the Gaza onslaught. » Read more