March 12th

Israel's Challenege to the U.S. ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times March 10, 2010 - 1:00am Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. was unpleasantly surprised in Israel on Tuesday when the country’s Interior Ministry declared that it would expand housing units for Jews in East Jerusalem. Mr. Biden, who earlier that day had expressed American support on Israel’s security needs, condemned the announcement, which had been made without the knowledge of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. What did the incident reflect about the state of the Obama administration’s relations with Israel and the future of talks with the Palestinians? Aaron David Miller - » Read more

Washington is the indispensible partner for a settlement ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Star by Ziad Asali - (Analysis) March 12, 2010 - 1:00am The situation facing Israel, the Palestinians and all other interested parties, especially the United States, is difficult, but it also presents important new opportunities. Negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians may resume soon, although continued disagreements over Israeli settlement building may yet derail this. » Read more

Breaking down the Biden speech ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) by Ron Kampeas - March 11, 2010 - 1:00am WASHINGTON (JTA) -- U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's attempt to reassure Israel of American steadfastness survived a steadfast Middle East tradition of self-sabotage. Biden's intended message in a much ballyhooed speech Thursday -- that the United States would stand by Israel in thick and thin -- was unequivocal. Yet it was clear that he and his speechwriters tweaked the text to encompass references to the Israeli settlement building and Palestinian incitement that almost marred his trip. » Read more

How Bibi lost a best friend ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian by Aluf Benn - (Opinion) March 12, 2010 - 1:00am

UN humanitarian chief criticises Israel over Gaza ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC World News March 12, 2010 - 1:00am The UN's top humanitarian official, John Holmes, has criticised Israel for linking the 2006 capture of an Israeli soldier to its blockade of Gaza. Mr Holmes also said Israeli actions in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, including expanding settlements, was counter to the peace process. He urged a relaxation of the blockade, warning Gaza was "de-developing". It came as Israel ordered the army to seal off the West Bank for 48 hours until midnight on Saturday. An army spokesman said the move had been made because of heightened tensions in Jerusalem. » Read more

The peace movement's new leader ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Larry Derfner - (Editorial) March 11, 2010 - 1:00am As a believer in the cause of the two-state solution, which would preserve Israel as a Jewish and democratic state by ending the occupation, I ask myself: Who is our leader? Until recently, I said: Barack Obama. But he caved in to the Netanyahu government and its supporters in the US. As a Mideast peacemaker, Obama has become a joke, and nobody takes his envoys or these “proximity talks” seriously. » Read more

PA fears East Jerusalem building will make it look weak ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Avi Issacharoff - March 12, 2010 - 1:00am The Palestinian Authority will not begin indirect talks with Israel unless construction in the settlements, including in East Jerusalem, is completely frozen, PA President Mahmoud Abbas told the Arab League on Thursday. Abbas' statement was reported by both chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat and Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa. » Read more

Abbas seeks U.S. pledge for East Jerusalem construction freeze ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz March 12, 2010 - 1:00am Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday sought guarantees from Washington that it would pressure Israel to cancel its plan for 1,600 new housing units in East Jerusalem, Palestinian media outlets reported. U.S. Mideast envoy George Mitchell spoke with Abbas late Thursday and urged him not to walk away from indirect peace negotiations with Israel, a senior Palestinian official quoted in the reports said. » Read more

U.S. gave Israel green light for East Jerusalem construction ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Akiva Eldar - (Opinion) March 12, 2010 - 1:00am The apology offered by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Interior Minister Eli Yishai recalls the joke about the servant who pinched the king's bottom. En route to the gallows, the servant apologized: He thought it was the queen's bottom. » Read more

1000th day of Israeli blockade on Gaza Strip marked ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua March 12, 2010 - 1:00am Palestinians light candles forming the number 1000 during a rally marking 1000 days of the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip, in Gaza City on March 11, 2010. (Xinhua/Wissam Nassar)