Is Obama believable? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times by Rami Khouri - June 18, 2010 - 12:00am A few days ago, during a meeting at the White House with visiting Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, US President Barack Obama made an important statement, calling for a new approach to allowing Gazans to trade freely with the world while protecting Israel’s legitimate security needs. It sounded to many, including myself, like a serious and sensible shift in policy, and a long-needed one. Why, then, does it generate mainly yawns and disbelief? » Read more

Settlers 'building in West Bank despite freeze' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Google News June 18, 2010 - 12:00am Israeli settlers are continuing to build in the occupied West Bank despite a partial moratorium on new projects that expires later this year, the Peace Now settlement watchdog said Thursday. Authorities do not appear to have issued any new construction permits since the start of the year, but the group said it had documented dozens of instances in which settlers have begun building new structures in violation of the ban. "Peace Now in the past few months has recorded a significant slowdown in building starts, but not a complete cessation," it said in a statement. » Read more

Settlers 'building in West Bank despite freeze' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Google News June 18, 2010 - 12:00am Israeli settlers are continuing to build in the occupied West Bank despite a partial moratorium on new projects that expires later this year, the Peace Now settlement watchdog said Thursday. Authorities do not appear to have issued any new construction permits since the start of the year, but the group said it had documented dozens of instances in which settlers have begun building new structures in violation of the ban. "Peace Now in the past few months has recorded a significant slowdown in building starts, but not a complete cessation," it said in a statement. » Read more

Palestinians divided on blockade changes ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency June 18, 2010 - 12:00am Palestinian analysts disagreed with officials on Thursday, over the issue of Israel's cabinet decision to change the methods by which the siege on Gaza was implemented, apparently to allow in a greater number of goods including construction materials. While officials in the PA, the Quartet and the UN all welcomed the announcement described by one analyst as an "announcement that the siege will continue," and neither side saw the move as a real solution. » Read more

Israeli political reform has become a life or death matter ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Star by Adi Mintz - (Opinion) June 18, 2010 - 12:00am What is wrong with Israel? In the last few years, the country seems to have done more than all of its combined enemies to delegitimize itself in the eyes of the world. The apparent inability of its leaders to think in strategic terms, and their indifference to the tribunal of global public opinion, is resulting in growing frustration among its citizens. And what may be more dangerous in this, such behavior is also deepening Israel’s international isolation. » Read more

Israel partially lifts its blockade of Gaza - and lifts hope for peace ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Christian Science Monitor (Editorial) June 18, 2010 - 12:00am An inkling of hope for Middle East peace may be one result of Thursday’s decision by Israel to ease its three-year-old blockade of basic goods for the Palestinian enclave of Gaza. The hope lies not so much in a slightly better life for the poor Gazans – who are nearly totally dependent on aid. Rather, the world can note that this decision was forced upon the Israeli government after its botched May 31 raid on an aid ship bound for the tiny strip of Palestinian land between Egypt and Israel. » Read more

Beyond the Gaza blockade: What drives Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Christian Science Monitor by Ilene Prusher - June 18, 2010 - 12:00am It was one of those moments in Israeli politics – any nation's politics – in which the numbers just don't add up. Lawmakers had been toiling all night trying to fashion a budget. Now night had turned into dawn and debate into occasional tempestuousness when, at 7 a.m., Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strode into the Knesset in his trademark crisp white shirt, designer tie, and dark suit. » Read more

Zionist Congress calls for settlement freeze ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) June 18, 2010 - 12:00am (JTA) -- The World Zionist Congress passed a resolution endorsing a two-state solution and a West Bank settlement freeze. The vote in Jerusalem came a day after some opponents of the resolution walked out of a meeting of the 36th Congress’ settlement committee. Following the walkout, the remainder of the meeting was chaired by Hadar Susskind, the vice president of policy and strategy at J Street, which favors U.S. pressure on Israel toward a two-state solution. » Read more