January 19th

'Iran ordered attack on Israeli convoy'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Yaakov Katz, Amir Mizroch - January 19, 2010 - 1:00am

Last week's failed attempt on the lives of Israeli diplomats in Jordan was apparently carried out on instructions from Teheran, sources close to Jordan's General Intelligence Department (GID) revealed on Monday. The sources said the GID was investigating the possibility that the explosives used in the attack had been smuggled into the kingdom by Iranian diplomats. The attack itself was apparently carried out by local al-Qaida supporters who received money and explosives from Iran, the sources said.

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Israel's compassion in Haiti can't hide our ugly face in Gaza
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Akiva Eldar - (Opinion) January 18, 2010 - 1:00am

Who said we are shut up inside our Tel Aviv bubble? How many small nations surrounded by enemies set up field hospitals on the other side of the world? Give us an earthquake in Haiti, a tsunami in Thailand or a terror attack in Kenya, and the IDF Spokesman's Office will triumph. A cargo plane can always be found to fly in military journalists to report on our fine young men from the Home Front Command.

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U.S. must now start twisting Israeli and Palestinian arms
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Yoel Marcus - (Opinion) January 19, 2010 - 1:00am

Every time disaster strikes anywhere in the world, I am filled anew with admiration at how ready and willing we are to assist, and how speedy, effective, organized and wholehearted that assistance is.

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Palestinians host first East Jerusalem meet since 2001
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Avi Issacharoff - January 19, 2010 - 1:00am

The Palestinian Authority on Monday held its official meeting with a foreign diplomat in East Jerusalem since the closing of its headquarters there more than eight years ago. The Palestinian representatives met with Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store at an orphanage near the Mount of Olives, not far from the Orient House, which was closed by Israel in 2001. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas earlier Monday held his own meeting with Store in Ramallah.

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Hamas senior official admits Iran’s financial, political support
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
January 19, 2010 - 1:00am

Gaza – Ma’an – Member of Hamas' parliamentary bloc, Khalil Al-Haya said that the movement is receiving fianacial, political and moral support from Iran, "without paying any political price," and welcomed every Islamic and Arab relation that would support the Palestinians and their resistance, he said on Sunday.

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EU pledges 160 million Euro to PA
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
January 19, 2010 - 1:00am

Bethlehem - Ma'an - Caretaker Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and EU Representative Christian Berger ratified a new financial agreement to support the Palestinian Authority on Tuesday. The Financing Agreement, including a 0.5 million Euro contribution from Austria, was pledged to support to the Palestinain Authority's (PA) recurrent expenditures for 2010. The funds will be channeled to the PA’s payments of salaries and pensions and its social protection program via the EU's PEGASE program.

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Abbas urges US 'endgame' unless Israel halts settlements
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP)
January 17, 2010 - 1:00am

RAMALLAH, West Bank — Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas urged Washington on Sunday to declare an "endgame" to resolve the decades-old Middle East conflict if Israel does not agree to halt settlement growth. Abbas, in a statement carried by the official Wafa wire service, said Arab states and the Palestinians would present a unified position to the United States offering two options.

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US envoy due in Lebanon at start of Mideast tour
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP)
January 19, 2010 - 1:00am

BEIRUT — US Middle East envoy George Mitchell was due in Beirut on Tuesday at the beginning of a new regional tour aimed at restarting Middle East peace talks, a Lebanese foreign ministry official said. The tour will also take Mitchell to Israel, the Palestinian territories and Syria. The peace envoy was set to meet with Lebanese President Michel Sleiman, Prime Minister Saad Hariri, Foreign Minister Ali Shami and a number of other officials before leaving Beirut on Wednesday.

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January 15th

National Security Advisor Jones meets Israeli and Palestinian leaders, as the US and Egypt reiterate their determination to restart negotiations. Israel says it's open to "proximity talks." Jordan arrests a taxi driver on suspicion of placing a roadside bomb that misses an Israeli diplomatic convoy. Palestinian reconciliation talks are stalled. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is stymieing potential marriages. International tourists are flocking to see the West Bank separation barrier and meet Palestinian nonviolent protesters, two of whom have been released from jail by Israel. Turkey reportedly warns Lebanon of a possible Israeli attack. Elections for the Kadima leadership may be held soon. The National describes Israel's handling of relations with Turkey as "immature," but Hassan Haidar says Arab hopes for a major rift are unrealistic. Miko Peled says the US and Israel must move in the direction of Palestinian independence. Abdel-Moneim Said writes a second article denouncing those who are more interested in attacking Egypt than helping the Palestinians.

U.S. Policy Shift Seen As Direct Israeli-Palestinian Talks May Be Near
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Week
by James D. Besser - January 12, 2010 - 1:00am

The Obama administration is set to open a new chapter in Israeli-Palestinian diplomacy with a shift to quiet, below-the-radar negotiations and a new diplomatic juggling act for special envoy George Mitchell.

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