Netanyahu can blame himself for decline in Israel's world standing ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz (Editorial) December 22, 2010 - 1:00am Israel has embarked on a vanguard diplomatic effort to foil the Palestinian initiative to gain international recognition for Palestine in the 1967 borders, and to fend off a resolution in the UN Security Council condemning settlements. » Read more

Holy Land Patriarch voices hope for peace ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Statesman by Danielle Cheslow - December 22, 2010 - 1:00am The top Roman Catholic clergyman in the Holy Land lamented the stalemate in Mideast peace efforts on in his annual pre-Christmas address Tuesday but said he still sees reason for hope. In his annual pre-Christmas address, Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal urged his followers not to give up, despite a deadlock in Israeli-Palestinian peace talks that has extended for nearly three months. "We suffer from the failure of direct peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority," Twal said, but added, "This should not lead us to despair." » Read more

Israel sees new anti-tank missile threat from Gaza ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Alertnet by Dan Williams - December 22, 2010 - 1:00am Militants in Gaza used an advanced Russian-designed missile against an Israeli tank this month, Israel's military chief said on Tuesday, underscoring how smuggled weaponry has improved Palestinian combat capabilities. » Read more

PA Cabinet: Setting new date for local elections ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency December 22, 2010 - 1:00am The appointed government cabinet said Monday that it intended to enforce last week's Supreme Court decision which called the decision to postpone municipal elections illegal, and mandated that new elections be held immediately. "In accordance with the law," a statement following the regular Tuesday cabinet meeting said, ministers "discussed the required procedures for setting a new date to hold the elections," and appointed the Minister of Local Government "to provide an integrated visualization to the Cabinet in this regard." » Read more

UN has 'serious concerns' over home demolitions ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency December 22, 2010 - 1:00am The UN's Humanitarian Coordinator in Jerusalem told reporters Wednesday that the displacement of a Jerusalem family whose home was demolished the day before "raises serious concerns with regard to Israel’s obligations under international law.” The UN's Maxwell Gaylard, issued a statement after visiting the family of 13 whose home in the Ras Al Amud neighborhood of East Jerusalem was torn down on Tuesday by order of the municipality of Jerusalem, under the Israeli government. » Read more

Israel Plans Public Appeal to Ask U.S. to Free a Spy ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Isabel Kershner - December 22, 2010 - 1:00am Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel will officially and publicly appeal to President Obama in the coming days for the release of Jonathan Jay Pollard, the American serving a life term in a North Carolina prison for spying for Israel, Mr. Netanyahu’s office announced Tuesday. A public request, as opposed to Israel’s discreet efforts in the past, would constitute a new approach in the campaign for Mr. Pollard’s release and an additional twist in a long and painful chapter in Israeli-American relations. » Read more