The Background on Jerusalem in International Relations
Policy Focus by ATFP - April 1, 2010 - 12:00am

Numerous recent developments have reconfirmed the centrality of Jerusalem to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

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Gary Bass looks at the gradual deterioration of Israeli-French relations. Israeli officials refuse to comment on an American proposal for a 4 months settlement freeze in occupied East Jerusalem. Palestinians say settlers have established yet another outpost. Palestinian Christians are barred from Jerusalem. Israel ends an investigation into the death of a Palestinian. Palestinians accuse Israel of planning to encircle Jerusalem with settlements. Gaza militants say they are preparing for an Israeli attack. Palestinians and Europeans form a committee to aid West Bank projects. Hamas organizes a rally to celebrate Pres. Mubarak's reported recovery. Ahmed Tibi says Land Day is about justice. Ephraim Sneh examines the complexity of Israel's present situation. PA officials arrive in the US for security consultations. A YNet commentary says Iran should be attacked with tactical nuclear weapons and the occupied territories annexed with no political rights for the Palestinians. Settlers plan a new outpost near the first plan Palestinian in the occupied territories. Daoud Kuttab says leaders must be held to their commitments. George Hishmeh says PM Netanyahu's days in office may be numbered. Michael Young critiques the idea that Lebanese and Palestinians can rely on armed struggle.

Hizbollah, Hamas and the false promise of resistance
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National
by Michael Young - (Opinion) March 31, 2010 - 12:00am

In a recent interview with Hizbollah’s Al Manar television station, Bashar al Assad, the president of Syria, was asked about the state of Syria’s relationship with Lebanon after years of tension following the assassination of the former prime minister, Rafiq al Hariri, in 2005. “Damascus cannot be neutral when one side is engaged in resistance and another is against the resistance,” he responded.

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Netanyahu's days may be numbered
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Gulf News
by George S. Hishmeh - (Opinion) April 1, 2010 - 12:00am

Believe it or not, Benjamin Netanyahu may return to Washington next weekend. The Israeli prime minister has apparently overcome the embarrassment of his stressful encounter with President Barack Obama last month on ending illegal Israeli colony construction on occupied Palestinian land, especially in occupied East Jerusalem, where the Palestinians hope to establish their capital. But whether he will have his tail tucked between his legs remains to be seen.

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What accountability?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Daoud Kuttab - (Opinion) April 1, 2010 - 12:00am

The US is the only world power that can help Israelis and Palestinians achieve peace. Few dispute the unique American standing. For the US to be able to help shepherd a serious peace process, the trust of both parties to the conflict is critical. The absence of trust, more than settlement announcements, seems to be the real reason behind the current anger of the Obama administration toward its most important Middle East ally.

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Settler activists claim area near Rawabi
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Tovah Lazaroff - April 1, 2010 - 12:00am

Some 60 right-wing activists took a stand at dawn Wednesday to stake a claim to a partially developed area close to the new Palestinian city of Rawabi, which is now under construction in the Binyamin Region. According to one of the group leaders, Elad Meir, they went to an area close to Rawabi, which has structures that were partially built years ago and then abandoned. The Palestinian Authority had hoped to use the structures to house policemen. These buildings are well-suited to help settlers begin a new community, which they will call Bear Zeit, Meir said.

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Leverage the crisis
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Steven M. Goldberg - (Opinion) April 1, 2010 - 12:00am

Rahm Emanuel famously proclaimed, "You never let a serious crisis go to waste. And what I mean by that is it's an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before." Ironically, although the president's chief of staff has proven to be a false friend of Israel, the leadership of the Jewish state would do well to heed his advice.

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When friends are mad at you
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Ephraim Sneh - (Opinion) April 1, 2010 - 12:00am

The current crisis between Israel and the United States is fundamental and serious. Even if a nominal solution is found, it will be temporary, until the next one, which won't be far off. These crises are harmful to our national interests, and a true, enduring solution must be implemented. To achieve this, there are 10 assumptions that must be taken into account: 1. Israel cannot keep up a confrontation with its friends for long while its legitimacy is being eroded. This will soon begin to adversely affect the economy, based as it is on exports.

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EU draft document on division of Jerusalem
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Barak Ravid - December 2, 2009 - 1:00am

The current holder of the rotating European Union presidency, Sweden, has put together a draft document calling for the division of Jerusalem between Israel and a future Palestinian state and implying that the EU would recognize a unilateral Palestinian declaration of statehood. Haaretz has obtained a copy of the document (below) that has sparked criticism by Israel, which claims that such a move would further harm the chances of renewing the Mideast peace process.

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For Israel's Arabs, Land Day is our narrative and our justice
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Ahmad Tibi - (Opinion) April 1, 2010 - 12:00am

I remember the events of Land Day 1976 in particular detail. I was taking part in the demonstration in the center of Taibeh, just opposite the taxi station, when police began dispersing us with clubs, then shot and killed one of the demonstrators, Rafat Zohiri, in cold blood. As on all such days marked by the Arab population of Israel, discussions on Land Day revolve around the question of Arab citizens' place in Israeli society and also on our insistence on commemorating Nakba Day, Land Day and the riots of October 2000 every year.

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