February 8th

A search for common ground, against the odds ATFP World Press Roundup Article from NOW Lebanon by Hussein Ibish - (Blog) February 8, 2011 - 1:00am Since its inception in 2003, the American Task Force on Palestine, where I am a senior research fellow, has been trying to help lay the groundwork for an American alliance for a two-state solution. Such an alliance would bring Jewish-American supporters of Israel and their allies, and Arab-American supporters of Palestine and their allies, together to pursue the mutual interests of both peoples – and of course of the United States itself – in a stable peace agreement. » Read more

Hamas rejects holding local elections under division ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua February 8, 2011 - 1:00am The Islamic Hamas movement Tuesday rejected the Palestinian government's decision to hold municipal elections in the territories in July. "Hamas rejects any decision from the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) to hold the elections under the current circumstances," Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman, told Xinhua, referring to political split between Gaza and the West Bank. On Tuesday, the Palestinian government led by Salam Fayyad announced the decision to hold municipal elections in the Palestinian territories in July, including the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. » Read more

Spanish FM visits Palestinian construction project in Hebron ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua February 8, 2011 - 1:00am Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Trinidad Jimenez visited Hebron on Tuesday as part of a two-day tour of Israel and the Palestinian territories. In Hebron, Jimenez met with representatives of the divided city 's Palestinian and Israeli residents. It is Jimenez' first visit to Israel and Palestinian territories since taking office two months ago. Spain and Germany are backing a housing project for Palestinians being constructed near the Tomb of the Patriarchs. » Read more

Israeli prime minister says peace can come apart ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press February 7, 2011 - 1:00am Israel's prime minister is warning that peace treaties can be canceled, hinting at his concern over the turmoil in Egypt over anti-government protests. Benjamin Netanyahu said peace is not necessarily permanent. He said, "It can be unraveled from without; it can be unraveled from within." He did not mention Egypt by name in a speech Monday before European Parliament members, but he has expressed concern about a takeover by Islamic radicals who might cancel the Israel-Egypt peace treaty signed in 1979. » Read more

The real 'realism' on Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times by Jonah Goldberg - (Editorial) February 8, 2011 - 1:00am Finally, I can put the rumors to rest: The land of Zion isn't merely an abstraction, it's an actual country. I am in Israel — my first time — to cover the Herzliya Conference, the country's premier national security forum. (Full disclosure: My trip, as well as that of several journalists, was underwritten by the Emergency Committee for Israel, which seeks "to educate the public about the serious challenges to Israel's security." But the views here are my own.) » Read more

A Plan for Peace That Still Could Be ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Bernard Avishai - (Editorial) February 7, 2011 - 1:00am The street demonstrations roiling the Arab world have riveted and moved many Americans, who have visions of democracy sweeping through northern Africa and the Middle East. As I write this, Hosni Mubarak, Egypt’s president, has announced he will not stand for re-election, as has Yemen’s longtime ruler, Ali Abdullah Saleh. Tunisia’s ruler fled, and the nation has a new government; King Abdullah of Jordan replaced his own cabinet and now has a prime minister who promises reform. There are even stirrings in Syria. » Read more

A Plan for Peace That Still Could Be ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Bernard Avishai - (Editorial) February 7, 2011 - 1:00am The street demonstrations roiling the Arab world have riveted and moved many Americans, who have visions of democracy sweeping through northern Africa and the Middle East. As I write this, Hosni Mubarak, Egypt’s president, has announced he will not stand for re-election, as has Yemen’s longtime ruler, Ali Abdullah Saleh. Tunisia’s ruler fled, and the nation has a new government; King Abdullah of Jordan replaced his own cabinet and now has a prime minister who promises reform. There are even stirrings in Syria. » Read more

A Plan for Peace That Still Could Be ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Bernard Avishai - (Editorial) February 7, 2011 - 1:00am The street demonstrations roiling the Arab world have riveted and moved many Americans, who have visions of democracy sweeping through northern Africa and the Middle East. As I write this, Hosni Mubarak, Egypt’s president, has announced he will not stand for re-election, as has Yemen’s longtime ruler, Ali Abdullah Saleh. Tunisia’s ruler fled, and the nation has a new government; King Abdullah of Jordan replaced his own cabinet and now has a prime minister who promises reform. There are even stirrings in Syria. » Read more

Hebron pushes for UNESCO World Heritage status ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency February 6, 2011 - 1:00am As one of several sites identified by Palestinian officials for protection and preservation, Hebron's Old City residents - via the municipality - have put together a proposal to UNESCO to have the city recognized as a World Heritage site. The move was announced a week after an initiative from PA officials and Bethlehem groups petitioning for the same status for the Old City there. Municipal officials said the recognition of the Old City as a heritage site would strengthen residents, "against the Judiazation" of the city by settler groups and "the Israeli expansion policy." » Read more

Fayyad demands intervention to stop settler violence ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency February 8, 2011 - 1:00am International pressure must be brought to bear on Israeli settlers in the West Bank to halt their use of violence and constant harassment of Palestinians, premier Salam Fayyad said Monday. Speaking with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Navi Pillary, who is on an official visit to Palestine, Fayyad blamed the Israeli government for "terrorist acts" committed by settlers, and cited the shooting deaths of two teens in January. » Read more