ATFP Senior Fellow Speaks at Carnegie Institute
Press Release - Contact Information: Ghaith al-Omari - March 6, 2009 - 1:00am

On Thursday, March 5th, ATFP Advocacy Director Ghaith Al-Omari participated in a discussion of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace's Policy Brief on "Palestine and Israel: Time for Plan B". The paper's author, Prof. Nathan Brown presented the paper, and Mr. Al-Omari and Robert Malley, Middle East and North Africa program director at the International Crisis Group, responded.


Newly elected Jerusalem mayor Nir Barakat dismisses Secretary of State Clinton’s criticism of Palestinian home demolitions to make way for a tourist park in the city (1) (6). The Christian Science Monitor looks at how Secretary Clinton’s recent visit has been received by the Arab world (3). More reports are emerging about the ‘wanton’ destruction of Gaza homes by Israeli forces during the war (4) (15). The British Embassy in Israel cancels plans to relocate to new offices because one of the owners is believed to be involved in settlement building (5). Following his recent trip to the region Senator John Kerry outlines his proposed strategy for U.S. involvement in the Middle East (7). Hamas has reportedly demanded that Islamic Jihad stop firing rockets from Gaza (11).

Pots of urine, feces on the walls - how IDF troops vandalized Gaza homes
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from
by Amira Hass - March 6, 2009 - 1:00am

We had already visited this house, belonging to the Abu Eida family. It is the only one of the family's nine large houses that remained standing at the eastern edge of the city of Jabalya following Operation Cast Lead. The demolition of the family's houses and its four cement factories spells the loss of 40 years of hard work.

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Putting hope on the horizon
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
March 6, 2009 - 1:00am

On a recent visit to a Cairo hospital to meet children wounded in the recent Israeli operation in Gaza, I talked with 10-year-old Riad, who was recovering from serious injuries caused by an Israeli missile. Replying to my question about what he plans to do after he recovers and returns to Gaza, he said his goal is to study telecom engineering, in order to work in telecommunications. In addition to his own injuries, Riad lost several family members. Nonetheless, what he dreams of is a job and peace - not revenge.

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Congressmen try to restrict Gaza funds
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Allison Hoffman - March 5, 2009 - 1:00am

US lawmakers are seeking restrictions on US funding for $900 million in proposed reconstruction and humanitarian aid for the Palestinians over concerns that the money might wind up in the hands of terrorist groups. Sources on Capitol Hill told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday that negotiations over restrictions could complicate the process and potentially delay getting aid to organizations on the ground.

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Lieberman demanding 'full autonomy' as foreign minister
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Mazal Mualem - March 6, 2009 - 1:00am

Avigdor Lieberman, who Thursday emerged as the most likely candidate to replace Tzipi Livni as Israel's foreign minister, intends to demand that Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu grants him "full autonomy" in the new post, Haaretz has learned. Lieberman, who heads the country's third largest party, Yisrael Beiteinu, met with prime minister-designate Netanyahu Thursday at the Knesset. Neither party leader divulged information about the meeting or the issues discussed.

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Report: Hamas demands Islamic Jihad stop launching
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from World Peace Herald
by Ali Waked - March 5, 2009 - 1:00am

Hamas has asked Islamic Jihad operatives to stop firing rockets at Israel, Palestinian sources told Ynet on Thursday. Five rockets were fired on the western Negev from Gaza, following an IDF aerial strike that killed three Palestinian terrorists near Kissufim. According to reports, Hamas is trying to convince the Islamic Jihad to cease rocket fire, on the grounds that doing so while ceasefire negotiations are in progress gives Israel an excuse to escalate military operations and undermine the relative quiet of the past several days.

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PA official: Time to impose 2-state solution
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Ali Waked - March 6, 2009 - 1:00am

Senior Palestinian Authority officials believe that now is the time to exert massive international pressure on Israel, following US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit to the region and ahead of the establishment of a new Israeli government led by Benjamin Netanyahu.  

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A Palestinian unity government is best for Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Star
by Zvi Barel - (Opinion) March 6, 2009 - 1:00am

It is almost impossible to count the number of failed attempts made by Egypt, the Arab League, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and the Palestinians themselves to resolve the strife between Fatah and Hamas. However, the current round of negotiations held in Egypt appears to be different: more appeasing, less strained.

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‘Abbas: Iran Widening Palestinian Rift
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Media Line
March 5, 2009 - 1:00am

In a rare expression of direct criticism, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud ‘Abbas slammed Iran, accusing Tehran of negatively interfering with internal Palestinian issues. Iran aims to deepen the rift among Palestinians, and this serves neither national interests nor Arab interests, ‘Abbas said on Wednesday. “Iran should address its own issues, take care of its matters, and avoid interfering with Palestinian matters,” ‘Abbas said at a news conference with United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Ramallah.

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