Ahmad Tibi calls for more attention to the Palestinian minority in Israel (1). President Obama reiterates his commitment to a two-state solution (2)(5)(6)(8). A Palestinian motorist is shot dead by Israeli police (3). Police question Israeli Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman for the 3rd time since he took office (4). George Mitchell, announces his plans to return to the region next week (7). Jordan's King Abdullah II urges Israel to join an Arab peace initiative (9). Ghassan Rubeiz responds to both Arab and Israeli critics in discussing the Arab-Israeli conflict (10). Donald Macintyre emphasizes the need for the US to press for a two state solution (11). Stuart Reigeluth opines that despite American and European support for a two-state solution, the current conditions make it nearly impossible (12). The appointment of Lieberman is a reflection of Israeli distrust of its Palestinian minority (13).

A Harsh Reality for Palestinians
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Ahmad Tibi - (Opinion) April 7, 2009 - 12:00am

JERUSALEM — The right-wing coalition of the new Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, does not bode well for Palestinians in Israel. With the appointment of Avigdor Lieberman as foreign minister, the extremists are going after the indigenous population and threatening us with loyalty tests and the possibility of “transfer” into an area nominally controlled by the Palestinian Authority.

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Grappling with the ‘Problem of Lieberman’
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National
by Omar Karmi - April 7, 2009 - 12:00am

RAMALLAH, WEST BANK // While the new right-wing Israeli government undoubtedly poses a challenge to the international community, with its continued refusal to commit to the two-state solution, it is the presence of Avigdor Lieberman, the new foreign minister, that poses the most interesting questions.

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Tackling the Gaza maze
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Gulf News
by Stuart Reigeluth - (Opinion) April 7, 2009 - 12:00am

With both the Israeli and Palestinian political systems in shambles, the 1967 peace plan pursued by the West seems a distant dream. In whatever remains of Palestine, it is no longer surprising to see the two-state solution fading further out of reach. What is surprising is that the US and the Europeans still want to pursue the peace process to adjacent nation-states.

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Steering Israel to peace
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Independent
by Donald MacIntyre - (Opinion) April 7, 2009 - 12:00am

ANY lingering hopes abroad — and there were some — that Avigdor Lieberman, who replaced Tzipi Livni as Israel’s foreign minister last week, was suddenly going to be transformed from nationalist demagogue to peace-seeking statesman were cruelly dispelled when he spoke on Wednesday, brutally rejecting the Israeli-Palestinian negotiating process that started at Annapolis well over a year ago.

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Reaching People on Both Sides of the Arab-Israeli Divide
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Middle East Times
by Ghassan Rubeiz - (Opinion) April 7, 2009 - 12:00am

Writing fairly about the Arab-Israeli conflict often feels like walking on thin ice. Arab readers advise me to be "bold" in reporting on Palestinian suffering. In contrast, pro-Israeli readers advise me to be more sensitive to the "Jewish perspective," I try, and often fail, but I continue to try.

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Israel can embrace peace plan 'or risk further conflict'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
April 7, 2009 - 12:00am

BUCHAREST, Romania: Jordan's King Abdullah II said Monday an Arab peace initiative offers a solution for peace in the region, adding that Israel should use the opportunity or risk ongoing conflict in the region. "Israel must decide whether they want to observe this opportunity and become integrated in the region or whether they want to remain a fortress ... and keep the Middle East hostage in conflict," Abdullah said in Bucharest, during an official visit. The king met Romanian President Traian Basescu Monday and discussed bilateral issues and the urgent need for peace in the Middle East.

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Palestinians, Israel hail Obama’s commitment to peace
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP)
April 7, 2009 - 12:00am

The Palestinian Authority on Monday welcomed US President Barack Obama's renewed support for the Annapolis agreement and the stalled roadmap plan for Israeli-Palestinian peace. At the same time, the Israeli government hailed what it said was Obama's commitment to Israel's security.

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US envoy to return to region next week
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times
April 7, 2009 - 12:00am

US special envoy George Mitchell will return to the Middle East next week on his first trip since Israel's new conservative government took office, the State Department said on Monday. Mitchell will travel to the region starting April 13 and meet officials from Israel, the Palestinian territories, Egypt, the Gulf and North Africa. The former US senator and veteran negotiator aims "to advance the goal of the two-state solution and comprehensive peace in the region", State Department spokesman Robert Wood said.

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Israel fears US pressure to continue Annapolis process
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Roni Sofer, Ali Waked - April 7, 2009 - 12:00am

In the wake of US President Barack Obama's speech before the Turkish parliament, Jerusalem is preparing for the possibility of increased tensions with the American administration ahead of special envoy George Mitchell's visit to the region next week and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's scheduled trip to Washington in about a month.

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