May 26th

Despite Difficulties, Obama Administration to Intensify Role in Peace Process
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Dar Al-Hayat
by Joyce Karam - May 24, 2009 - 12:00am

The Obama administration is planning to intensify its engagement in the Peace Process by taking an active role in resuming negotiations and mobilizing regional support for its efforts.

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Obama and Cautious Optimism
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Asharq Alawsat
by Diana Mukkaled - May 25, 2009 - 12:00am

Since his election, Israel has been keeping a watchful eye on the position and actions of President Barack Obama. Israeli politicians and analysts have often expressed serious concerns about Obama's statements on the peace process based upon the two-state solution, and his demands that Israel abide by this option. Obama's strategy in the Middle East is based upon criticizing his predecessor George Bush, and putting forward a different approach with regards to Iraq and Afghanistan.

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May 22nd

The Los Angeles Times features an interview with bereaved Palestinian doctor and peace activist Izzeldin Abuelaish (1). In the Jewish Daily Forward former Israeli military governor of the West Bank Ephraim Sneh criticizes threats to the peace process (2). Israeli troops kill two Palestinian militants on the Gaza border (3). Raghida Dergham analyzes the possibility of multi-track negotiations (7). Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu vows that all of Jerusalem will always be under Israeli sovereignty, provoking anger from Palestinians (10). Israeli settlers begin immediately rebuilding the West Bank settlement of Maoz Ester following the military evacuation yesterday (12).

When Doves Can’t Flock Together
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward
by Ephraim Sneh - (Opinion) May 20, 2009 - 12:00am

Twenty-four years ago this month, then-defense minister Yitzhak Rabin appointed me military governor of the West Bank. In two years in that post, I learned that reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians is both feasible and necessary. In 1988, after I had retired from military service, Rabin and then-foreign minister Shimon Peres asked me to lead the first secret negotiations between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization. Since then, I have dedicated most of my energies to promoting Israeli-Palestinian peace.

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Mideast 'extremists' have found their best possible ally in Netanyahu
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Star
(Editorial) May 20, 2009 - 12:00am

When it comes to the decades-old Middle East conflict, consensus is exceedingly hard to come by, but one thing upon which all and sundry currently seem to agree is that the region is immersed in a struggle between two opposing camps, who have been labeled by some as "moderates" and "extremists." The latter group might as well start including Benjamin Netanyahu on their payrolls, since the Israeli premier is proving himself to be one of the best allies of their cause.

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Bill to 'fortify Jerusalem' would require 80 MKs to change capital's boundaries
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
May 21, 2009 - 12:00am

On the anniversary of the unification of Jerusalem, MKs from five factions representing both the coalition and the opposition submitted a bill on Thursday that would require a supermajority vote within the Knesset to enact any change to Jerusalem's borders. Coalition chairman MK Ze'ev Elkin (Likud) submitted the amendment to the Basic Law: Jerusalem, Capitol of Israel, Thursday morning. The amendment would require a special majority of 80 MKs to approve any change to the capital's borders.

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Right seeking alternatives to 2-states
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Gil Hoffman - May 21, 2009 - 12:00am

It is not an uncommon occurrence when plans to solve the conflict with the Palestinians are presented in the Knesset, but it is unprecedented when several diplomatic alternatives are raised in one afternoon by the Right. That's what is set to happen on Tuesday in a conference entitled "Alternatives to the Two-State Outlook." The event, organized by Likud MK Tzipi Hotovely, was purposely timed to coincide with the aftermath of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's meeting with US President Barrack Obama.

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Pain and hope
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times
(Opinion) May 22, 2009 - 12:00am

Palestinian doctor Izzeldin Abuelaish Izzeldin Abuelaish came to the world's attention during the recent offensive in the Gaza Strip, when the respected obstetrician, holed up with his family in their home, gave daily interviews from the battle zone on Israeli television and radio.

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Palestinian residents protest Jerusalem Day
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Ronen Medzini - May 22, 2009 - 12:00am

Demonstrators carrying Palestinian flag, signs saying 'wake up from fantasy of unification', say 'city has never been unified… there is no equality in it'. City Council member Meir Margalit calls national holiday 'one big lie' Ronen Medzini

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Settlers begin rebuilding Maoz Ester
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Erfat Weiss - May 21, 2009 - 12:00am

Six hours after security forces evacuate West Bank outpost, youths return vowing to make it larger Just six hours after it was evacuated by security forces, the West Bank outpost of Maoz Ester was being rebuilt Thursday by dozens of settlers who returned to the site of their deconstructed homes. MK Michael Ben Ari (National Union) also arrived at the scene and nailed a mezuzah to the wooden structure being raised by the settlers, explaining: "It's my duty as a legislator".

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