December 16th

IRS: No ‘special’ policy for pro-Israel groups ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) December 15, 2010 - 1:00am In affidavits, Internal Revenue Service officials denied telling a pro-Israel group that they checked whether such groups applying for tax-exempt status oppose the administration. “Z Street's application was not referred to the TAG group because of an ‘Israel Special Policy’ as alleged in Z Street's complaint,” Jon Waddell, the manager of the Exempt Organizations Determinations Group, said. TAG is an acronym for Touch and Go, the informal name for the Exempt Organizations Determinations Group, according to a report Tuesday by Politico. » Read more

The problem with Israel's Jewish 'refugee' initiative ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian by Rachel Shabi - (Opinion) December 16, 2010 - 1:00am While the US has given up pressing for a freeze on illegal settlement building, one Israeli minister has been cranking up the volume on an issue he apparently considers more pressing. The deputy foreign minister, Danny Ayalon, recently launched a new initiative to demand that Palestinians "recognise Jews who exiled from Arab lands as refugees". Ayalon's initiative is in alliance with Justice for Jews from Arab Countries (JJAC), whose mission is to put this issue on the international agenda. » Read more

Bethlehem Is Booked for Christmas ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Media Line by Arieh O'Sullivan - December 16, 2010 - 1:00am Amid unseasonably sunny December days in Bethlehem, it appears history is about to repeat itself. During the week of Christmas all the city’s hotels are fully booked for the first time in decades, which will leave some of the estimated 90,000 expected visitors without any room at the inn. Merchants in shops along its fabled cobblestone streets leading to Manger Square were busy preparing souvenirs for the flood of pilgrims converging on this West Bank town over the next month as Catholics, Greek Orthodox and Armenians celebrate the birth of their savior Jesus Christ. » Read more

Israel never really wanted peace ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Elie Podeh - (Opinion) December 16, 2010 - 1:00am Peace may be a dream - but it is not our dream. The time has come to recognize the fact that Israel uses the rhetoric of peace, but does very little on the practical level toward achieving it. Anyone still clinging to the axiom that "we'll leave no stone unturned" needs to take a good look in the mirror. Is Israel truly laboring with determination and persistence to reach peace? » Read more

The Palestinians must not repeat their mistake of 1947 ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Carlo Strenger - (Opinion) December 15, 2010 - 1:00am For the time being, the United States has mercifully stopped the embarrassing haggling about the settlement freeze. While Obama’s administration officially says that it will continue to look for ways of reviving the peace process, it is probably realizing what has been fairly clear since Benjamin Netanyahu chose to form a coalition with his "natural" partners, Avigdor Lieberman and Shas: this government is unable and unwilling to deliver an agreement with the Palestinians. » Read more

Israeli towns continue to rewrite bylaws to keep Arabs out ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Jack Khoury, Jonathan Lis - December 16, 2010 - 1:00am While the Knesset may not be in a rush to pass a bill on the powers of cooperative communities' admission committees, fearing criticism and a battle in the High Court of Justice, some of these communities are still rewriting admission regulations in order to "preserve their Jewish and Zionist character." Community members who oppose such changes to the regulations say they are designed to keep Arabs from joining. » Read more

PLO condemns U.S. congress resolution against Palestinian state recognition ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua December 16, 2010 - 1:00am The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Thursday condemned a United States congress resolution opposing the Palestinian quest to gain international recognition of their future state. The resolution of the U.S. house of representatives "is unjustified and doesn't help the U.S. administration's role as a sponsor of the peace process in the Middle East," said Ahmed Majdalani, a member of the PLO's Executive Committee. » Read more

Bethlehem mayor complains about Israeli limits ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Statesman December 15, 2010 - 1:00am Bethlehem's mayor has lit up his town's main Christmas tree while complaining that Israel's limitations on access to his West Bank town are weighing heavily on holiday cheer. Mayor Victor Batarseh and a Palestinian official threw a switch to light white bulbs strung around a tall, star-topped fir tree in front of the Church of the Nativity, marking the traditional birthplace of Jesus. Part of Israel's West Bank separation barrier cuts through southern Bethlehem, blocking the road to Jerusalem, 3 miles (5 kilometers) away. » Read more

Arabs against peace talks without clear borders ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Statesman by Sarah El Deeb - December 15, 2010 - 1:00am The Palestinians have asked European countries to recognize an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip — a new step in the campaign to pursue statehood outside the framework of a peace deal with Israel. Peace talks with Israel have been deadlocked since September, leaving Palestinians to start exploring alternative ways forward. The campaign by President Mahmoud Abbas and his West Bank government aims to pressure Israel, though it will likely change nothing on the ground as long as Israel remains opposed. » Read more

Palestinians ask Europe to recognize a state ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Statesman by Ben Hubbard - December 16, 2010 - 1:00am The Palestinians have asked European countries to recognize an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip — a new step in the campaign to pursue statehood outside the framework of a peace deal with Israel. Peace talks with Israel have been deadlocked since September, leaving Palestinians to start exploring alternative ways forward. The campaign by President Mahmoud Abbas and his West Bank government aims to pressure Israel, though it will likely change nothing on the ground as long as Israel remains opposed. » Read more