Abbas: Building freeze needed prior to peace talks ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Ali Waked - (Analysis) January 4, 2010 - 1:00am Palestinians President Mahmoud Abbas met in Sharm a-Sheikh with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Following the meeting, Abbas said that a complete cessation of settlement building is needed before peace talks can be taken up again. Abbas also said, "We are not opposed to renewing the peace process and the meetings with the Israelis. We are not putting up conditions, but at the same time, we believe that in order to return to the (peace) process, there needs to be a cessation of settlement building and recognition of the principles of the peace process."

Fayyad envisions 'state free of settlements' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Ali Waked - (Analysis) January 3, 2010 - 1:00am As Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas embarks on his round of talks in Egypt in hopes of finding a basis for the renewal of peace negotiations with Israel, his Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said on Sunday that the future Palestinian state will be "free of fences and of settlements." In a conference held near Ramallah, Fayyad urged the international community to intervene in order to "force Israel to stop ignoring international law and the Palestinians' rights." » Read more

Are Israel and apartheid South Africa really different? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Akiva Eldar - (Opinion) January 4, 2010 - 1:00am The day after the murder of the settler Meir Hai about 10 days ago, Major General (res.) Amos Gilad was asked to comment on the claim by settlers that the attack was able to take place because roadblocks had been lifted on West Bank roads. The security-political coordinator at the Defense Ministry told his radio interviewer that the policy of thinning out internal roadblocks has greatly contributed to the West Bank's impressive economic growth. » Read more

Settlers, tell us, what do you think will happen? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Gideon Levy - (Opinion) January 3, 2010 - 1:00am What constitutes the life of a settler? A house on the cheap; a standard of living above the national average; a job usually subsidized by the government; a fierce religious, nationalist, uncompromising conviction on the justness of his cause; a supportive, heavy-handed social environment; a highway system; transportation arrangements; socially enriching activities; and, at times, a life that comes with the risk of danger. » Read more

Netanyahu: Change in the air over Israel-Palestinian peace talks ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Mazal Mualem, Barak Ravid - (Analysis) January 4, 2010 - 1:00am Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday added weight to recent speculation that peace talks could soon resume between Israel and the Palestinians, telling lawmakers from his Likud party that he sensed "a change in the air." "In recent weeks I have felt that there is a certain change in the air, and I hope that this will mature, allowing the start of the diplomatic process," Netanyahu told the Likud Knesset faction. » Read more

Interview With Tzipi Livni ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Wall Street Journal by Charles Levinson, Joshua Mitnick - (Interview) January 3, 2010 - 1:00am Late last month, Tzipi Livni was back in the news. Despite finishing first early last year in parliamentary elections, Ms. Livni declined to join a right-wing dominated coalition led by Benjamin Netanyahu and instead went into the opposition. Then, just before Christmas, Mr. Netanyahu courted her, inviting her into his government. She ultimately refused. The Wall Street Journal's Joshua Mitnick and Charles Levinson caught up with Ms. Livni days before Mr. Netanyahu's offer. Below is an edited transcript of the interview. » Read more

In Israel, a highway that divides ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Foreign Exchange by Edmund Sanders - (Opinion) January 4, 2010 - 1:00am Highway 443 cuts through Palestinian territory but has been closed to Palestinians since 2002, after several Israeli drivers were fatally attacked. Now it's reopening, and so are some national wounds. Reporting from Highway 443, West Bank - Cruising down this disputed four-lane highway, with all its twists and turns, is like taking a road trip through the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. You pass the walls and barriers that keep Palestinians from accessing Highway 443 as it slices through their land. Then there are the hazardous corridors where Israeli drivers have been shot and killed. » Read more

Palestinians End Torture of Hamas Prisoners ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press January 3, 2010 - 1:00am NABLUS, West Bank (AP) — Palestinian security forces in the West Bank have stopped torturing Hamas prisoners, ending two years of systematic abuse, Hamas inmates said in jailhouse interviews. The change in practice, said to have taken effect in October, was confirmed by a West Bank Hamas leader, human rights activists and the Palestinian prime minister. Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said the decision to halt any abuse was part of an effort to make sure a future state is built on the right foundations. » Read more

Two states are the way out ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Times by Michael M. Honda - (Opinion) January 1, 2010 - 1:00am As Jews wrapped up their Hanukkah celebrations and Muslims celebrated their ongoing holiday of Muharram, I was reminded of the human element behind the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Many ordinary Israelis and Palestinians are no different than you and me. They want to celebrate life, peace and a world free of conflict. Unfortunately, peace is far from reality in the region. What is the underlying problem in this excruciating conflict? Two peoples claiming their rights and history to a piece of land smaller than the state of New Jersey. » Read more