September 7th

Hamas attacks show group is still strong in West Bank ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post by Janine Zacharia - September 3, 2010 - 12:00am Deadly drive-by shootings by Hamas gunmen this week proved that the Palestinian militant group can still operate in the West Bank when its leadership demands, despite a sustained crackdown by Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Hamas has pledged to follow up on the attacks, which appeared timed to the re-launch in Washington of direct peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. » Read more

Palestinian Authority upset over Ahmadinejad's criticism of Mideast peace talks ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times by Maher Abukhater - (Blog) September 5, 2010 - 12:00am WEST BANK For a long time, statements by Iranian leaders about the Palestinian conflict have upset the Palestinian Authority and drew harsh criticism. This was evident again on Saturday, as the Palestinian Authority reacted to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's criticism of its participation in last week's Washington meeting with Israel to reopen peace talks. Ahmadinejad lambasted Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas for meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He said Abbas was a hostage of Israel and that the talks were doomed. » Read more

Even if peace talks fail, Palestine's independence is inevitable ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post by Daoud Kuttab - (Opinion) September 7, 2010 - 12:00am RAMALLAH, WEST BANK A Palestinian state is coming -- it's just not clear whether it will result from the current peace talks. It is easy to be pessimistic, or even apathetic, about the latest round of Palestinian-Israeli peace talks. History is a witness to the lack of Palestinian accomplishments in incremental negotiations. All successful efforts to date have stemmed from secret talks made public only once a package agreement was reached. » Read more

Mideast Leaders Hopeful After Opening of Talks ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Ethan Bronner - (Analysis) September 5, 2010 - 12:00am JERUSALEM — Palestinian  and Israeli leaders expressed satisfaction and hope on Sunday in their first public utterances after the opening round of Middle East peace talks in Washington last week. » Read more

September 3rd

Israel, Palestinians agree to more peace talks Media Mention of ATFP In - September 3, 2010 - 12:00am Israeli and Palestinian leaders agreed to a series of direct talks Thursday, seeking to forge the framework for a U.S.-backed peace deal within a year and end a conflict that has boiled for six decades. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who hosted the first session of talks between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, expressed confidence that this effort could succeed where so many others have failed. » Read more

Q+A-Settlements loom as Middle East talks resume Media Mention of ATFP In Reuters - September 3, 2010 - 12:00am Israeli and Palestinian leaders held their first direct peace talks in 20 months on Thursday and agreed to meet every two weeks to try to settle the six-decade conflict within a year. Among the many obstacles are the deep divisions among the Palestinians and the Israelis themselves and the possibility of violence by hardliners who may wish to disrupt the effort. Here are some questions and answers about the talks. WHAT HAPPENED? The only tangible result was an agreement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud » Read more

President Obama flexes muscles Media Mention of ATFP In Politico - September 3, 2010 - 12:00am The launch of new direct talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders Thursday was the result of a rare flexing of U.S. muscle by President Barack Obama, whose extended hand has left him fewer opportunities for foreign policy chest thumping than his predecessor had. The Obama administration was able to force two reluctant adversaries to put tricky domestic politics aside and agree to show up for an unpredictable, unscripted series of meetings every two weeks, the next to be held in Egypt on September 14-15. » Read more

Contested Settlement Media Mention of ATFP In Foreign Policy - September 3, 2010 - 12:00am Israeli settlement construction in the occupied Palestinian territories has proved to be among the most serious irritants in the U.S.-Israel relationship. It is also one of the most significant obstacles to a negotiated settlement. But with direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations kicking off this week and Israel's partial settlement freeze set to expire in a few weeks, the issue is once again poised to come to the forefront of the Middle East peace process. COMMENTS (7) SHARE: Twitter Reddit Buzz Bookmark and Share More... » Read more

Clinton: only you two can achieve peace Media Mention of Hussein Ibish In The National - September 3, 2010 - 12:00am WASHINGTON // Mahmoud Abbas and Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday declared their commitment to arriving at a sustainable peace as they entered their first direct negotiations in 20 months. Both sides have set the deadline of one year to reach a deal, and flanked by the Palestinian and Israeli leaders, Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, reminded both sides that the main responsibility for achieving it would fall on them. » Read more

Camp David Redux: A Look Back At Lessons Learned Media Mention of ATFP In National Public Radio (NPR) - September 3, 2010 - 12:00am MELISSA BLOCK, host: From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. Im Melissa Block. ROBERT SIEGEL, host: And Im Robert Siegel. The resumption of peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians in Washington this week, reminded us of the last time the parties aimed at settling their differences with an American president as mediator. Ten summers ago, there were two weeks of talks at Camp David. President Bill Clinton hoped to settle the conflict once and for all. » Read more