Bethlehem a step too far for Palin's Israel visit ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Independent by Catrina Stewart - March 22, 2011 - 12:00am Sarah Palin, the US former vice presidential candidate, yesterday appeared to make an aborted trip to Bethlehem, the traditional birthplace of Jesus, when her vehicle approached an Israeli checkpoint before turning back. » Read more

WEST BANK: Palestinian who went missing in Ukraine describes abduction by Mossad ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times by Maher Abukhater - (Blog) March 21, 2011 - 12:00am A Palestinian who went missing last month in Ukraine after boarding a train in Kharko headed to Kiev, was kidnapped by agents of Mossad, the Israeli spy agency and brought to Israel against his will, according to a report published Monday by the Gaza-based Palestinian Center for Human Rights. The report says one of its lawyers was able to visit Derar abu Sisi, 42, in his Israeli prison cell, and learn the truth behind the Gaza resident's sudden disappearance. » Read more

Israel US woo Latin America after neglect leads to tilt away ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) by Ron Kampeas - March 21, 2011 - 12:00am The United States and Israel appear to be heading toward increasing their focus on the area following years of neglect that has resulted in closer ties between Latin America and Iran -- and gains for the Palestinians. The shift comes amid Iran’s deepening influence in the region, as well as the successes of a Palestinian diplomatic offensive that has seen eight Latin American nations agree to recognize a Palestinian “state” in recent months. » Read more

WEST BANK: Palestinians ask for international protection citing rise in attacks by Israeli settlers ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times by Maher Abukhater - (Blog) March 21, 2011 - 12:00am The Palestinian Authority asked for international protection Monday citing a sharp rise in Israeli settler violence against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank. The call came after three Israelis from the Havat Maon settlement allegedly stabbed and seriously injured 33-year-old Mahmud Ibrahim Awad of Khirbat Tuba, a tiny village south of the West Bank city of Hebron, as he was walking home Monday morning. Awad was stabbed in the head, chest and arm. » Read more