Palestinian security forces must aspire to serving the state ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons by Mohammed Najib - (Opinion) May 18, 2009 - 12:00am Hamas' military takeover of the Gaza Strip in mid-June 2007 was a significant turning point in the job, role, views and priorities of the Palestinian Authority's security apparatuses in the West Bank. For the first time since their creation in 1994, they found themselves fighting to defend the Palestinian regime from an internal threat. » Read more

Israel PM 'may back two states' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News May 16, 2009 - 12:00am Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may be prepared to endorse a peace process leading to an independent Palestinian state, his defence minister has said. Ehud Barak, a long-time rival now part of Israel's governing coalition, spoke ahead of Mr Netanyahu's first meeting with US President Obama in Washington. He told Israeli TV a regional deal could be struck within three years. Mr Netanyahu has so far been unwilling to discuss a two-state solution, saying only he wants a "fresh approach". » Read more

Saving Israel From Itself ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The American Conservative by John Mearsheimer - (Opinion) May 18, 2009 - 12:00am The United States and Israel fundamentally disagree about the need to establish a Palestinian state living side by side with Israel. President Obama is committed to a two-state solution, while Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu is opposed and has been for many years. To avoid a direct confrontation with Washington, Netanyahu will probably change his rhetoric and talk favorably about two states. But that will not affect Israel’s actions. » Read more

Endgame diplomacy for Mideast ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Boston Globe by Sam Bahour, Geoffrey Lewis - May 16, 2009 - 12:00am PRESIDENT OBAMA has acknowledged that "we can't talk forever" about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "At some point," he said recently, "steps have to be taken so that people can see progress on the ground." This attitude sheds a cautious ray of hope that the United States may be finally considering a policy shift gauged by facts on the ground instead of the number of meetings held to discuss a peace process. This is a wise starting point. » Read more

On Fiery Birth of Israel, Memories of 2 Sides Speak ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Dina Kraft - May 18, 2009 - 12:00am In a high-rise apartment with a Mediterranean Sea view, the cameraman checks his frame and the interviewer makes sure the slight, silver-haired man is relaxed enough to tell his story. Then Peleg Tamir, 81, starts recounting his days as a teenage recruit for an underground militia fighting for the Jewish state. Arrested by the ruling British authorities in 1947, he smuggled himself out of a detention center in a suitcase. “Everyone was shocked when I climbed out,” he said. » Read more

Netanyahu Arrives in Washington for First Meeting With Obama ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post by Amy Teibel - May 18, 2009 - 12:00am Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, worried by U.S. overtures to Iran and Syria and under pressure to support a Palestinian state, arrived in Washington yesterday for his first visit with President Obama. The two leaders, set to meet today at the White House, bring divergent policies on how to approach the Middle East conflict. The Obama administration is trying to promote dialogue with Iran and Syria, Israel's arch foes. Israel fears such efforts could lead to tolerance for Iran's nuclear ambitions, which Netanyahu regards as the greatest threat to his country. » Read more

ATFP Strongly Welcomes President Obama’s Remarks and Commitment to a Palestinian State Press Release - Contact Information: Hussein Ibish - May 18, 2009 - 12:00am Washington, DC, May 18 -- The American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) today expressed strong support for comments made by President Barack Obama following his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Read more