June 9th

On Settlements and Violence
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ibishblog
by Hussein Ibish - (Opinion) June 8, 2009 - 12:00am

Most observers welcomed President Obama’s speech in Cairo last week, but some pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian commentators have taken issue with the President’s emphasis on ending Israeli settlement activity and Palestinian violence, respectively, as crucial measures in laying the groundwork for a successful peace agreement. These choices were not arbitrary. They reflect the principal commitments and obligations of both parties under Phase One of the Roadmap.

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UN: Prosecutions Unlikely in Gaza Investigation
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
June 9, 2009 - 12:00am

A veteran UN war crimes investigator acknowledged his probe of possible war crimes by Israel and Hamas - which included interviewing dozens of victims and poring through the files of human rights groups - is unlikely to lead to prosecutions. Israel has refused to cooperate, depriving his team access to military sources and victims of Hamas rockets. And Hamas security often accompanied his team during their five-day trip to Gaza last week, raising questions about the ability of witnesses to freely describe the group's actions.

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West Bank Palestinian Police force boosted
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from United Press International (UPI)
June 8, 2009 - 12:00am

A U.S. general training Palestinian police in the West Bank said more officers are needed to prevent Hamas from gaining strength. Lt.Gen. Keith Dayton plans to increase the number of Palestinian police battalions operating in West Bank cities from three to 10, media reports said Monday. Israel, satisfied with the way the Palestinian police force operates in Palestinian villages and cities, has already approved sending additional recruits to undergo training in Jordan.

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June 8th

Secretary of State Clinton rejects Israeli claims that the Bush administration secretly agreed to the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank (1) (7), as tension continues over U.S. insistence on a full settlement freeze (2) (8) (13). Four Palestinian militants are killed in a clash with Israeli forces near the Gaza-Israel border (5). Special Mideast Envoy George Mitchell says President Obama wants 'immediate' peace talks between Israel and Palestine (6). Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu plans to deliver a 'major diplomatic speech' soon (10) (14). On Ibishblog.com, Hussein Ibish argues that now is the time for a real, effective and mainstream coalition for peace in the Middle East (11).

US Envoy Calls for 'Immediate' Talks
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Khaled Abu Toameh - June 7, 2009 - 12:00am

US President Barack Obama wants "immediate" talks between the Palestinians and Israel to forge a comprehensive Middle East peace agreement, US envoy George Mitchell was quoted by Reuters as saying on Monday. En route to the Middle East, Mitchell said such talks were aimed at reaching "a comprehensive peace and normalization of relations" between Israel and its neighbors, which would also serve "the security interests of the United States."

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Poll: Obama's Policies Bad for Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Gil Hoffman - (Analysis) June 8, 2009 - 12:00am

A majority of Israelis believe that the Middle East policies of US President Barack Obama are not good for the Jewish state, according to a Dahaf Institute poll taken ahead of Obama's speech to the Muslim world. The poll of 501 Israelis, sponsored by Yediot Aharonot and representing a statistical sample of the population, found that 53 percent believed Obama's policies were not good for Israel and just 26% said they were good. The rest did not respond.

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Netanyahu 'determined to show world he is not against peace'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Roni Sofer - June 8, 2009 - 12:00am

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will lay out his political stance on peace with the Palestinians in a speech at Bar Ilan University next week. The speech comes as a response to the historic address delivered by US President Barack Obama in Egypt last week, officials close to the prime minister said on Sunday.

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ANALYSIS-Settlements row with U.S. may cloud Israeli economy
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
(Analysis) June 7, 2009 - 12:00am

Israel's economy, unscathed by costly wars in Lebanon and Gaza, faces a new challenge, this time from an ally -- the United States. Differences with U.S. President Barack Obama over Jewish settlement of occupied West Bank land that Palestinians want for a state has some experts predicting a price in terms of U.S. fiscal support and investment for Israel. Some diplomats say Washington could eventually reconsider Israel's receipt of hefty U.S. loan guarantees or $3 billion in annual defence aid. That would scare off foreign investors seeking a buffer against Middle East instability.

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Israel Ministry Wages Settlement War Against U.S.
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Mazal Mualem - June 8, 2009 - 12:00am

Interior Minister Eli Yishai has begun to make good on a pledge to exploit all the resources of his ministry, "its branches and its influences over local government" to expand settlements in the territories. Yishai, who is also chairman of Shas, made the promise last Thursday to the heads of the Yesha Council of settlements. His party is concerned by the freeze on construction that has been in effect since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took office, which Yishai said is "drying out" the settlements.

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Clinton: No proof Bush administration approved settlement growth
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
June 6, 2009 - 12:00am

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton dismissed on Friday reports that administration of former U.S. President George W. Bush had an understanding under which Israel could keep expanding settlements on the West Bank. Dov Weisglass, chief of staff to former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, wrote in an op-ed piece published this week in the Yedioth Ahronoth daily that the Bush administration had secretly agreed to expanding Jewish settlements on the West Bank within their existing boundaries.

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