Israeli gov't orders demolition of illegal West Bank outposts by year end ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua March 8, 2011 - 1:00am The Israeli government is committed to removing illegal outposts on private Palestinian land in the West Bank by the end of 2011, a government official told Xinhua on Monday. The decision by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet followed a petition filed by the Israeli left-wing NGO Peace Now to the High Court, demanding the razing of six controversial outposts, including locales known as Givat Asaf, Mitzpe Yitzhar and Mitzpeh Lachish. » Read more

Hamas leader says to reshuffle government ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua March 8, 2011 - 1:00am Prime Minister of the deposed Hamas government in Gaza Ismail Haneya said on Monday that he will reshuffle his deposed government soon. He told a gathering of his government's representatives in Gaza that the move aims at pumping new blood to the government. "The activities of the government are not linked with this minister or that one, the ministers come and go, and we are going to reshuffle the government soon," said Haneya. He noted that his government had held consultations "with everyone without exception, adding that there are some people who refused to join the government. » Read more

Palestinian official says Israeli government responsible for settlers assaults ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua March 8, 2011 - 1:00am A senior Palestinian official on Monday held the Israeli government fully responsible for the ongoing attacks of the Jewish settlers against the Palestinians in the West Bank. Tayseer Khaled, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) executive committee, told Xinhua that the PLO condemns the recent settlers' attacks on Monday during which eight Palestinians were wounded. "What happened on Monday in the village of Qasrra near Nablus is not far away from the atmosphere that the Israeli government is encouraging and its silence towards the acts of the settlers," said Khaled. » Read more

Israeli PM: Military must remain in West Bank ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press by Daniel Estrin - March 7, 2011 - 1:00am Israel's prime minister declared Tuesday that his country must retain a strategic section of the West Bank under any future peace deal — a position unlikely to win Palestinians over to his reported plan to offer them a temporary state. In a rare visit to the occupied territory, Benjamin Netanyahu told reporters that Israel's security depends on maintaining a military presence in the Jordan Valley — a strip of West Bank land along the border with Jordan. Without troops there, Israel fears militants could smuggle weapons into the West Bank. » Read more

For Better or for Worse ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Foreign Policy by Aaron David Miller - (Editorial) March 7, 2011 - 1:00am Israelis, like most Jews, worry for a living. The dark side of Jewish history and the security challenges of their national life compel them to. And these days there's plenty to worry about. Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, and turbulent changes in the Arab world unleashed by the revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia are shifting the power balance against Israel. Indeed, its position in the neighborhood -- in part as a consequence of its own policies -- is growing increasingly precarious. » Read more

Palestinians make risky gambit for statehood ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times by Edmund Sanders - March 8, 2011 - 1:00am Palestinian leaders are embarking on a risky statehood strategy that will seek to isolate Israel's hawkish government in the international community and rely less on U.S. backing, a move that reflects growing disappointment here with the Obama administration. The campaign will include U.N. resolutions such as one proposed last month on Israeli settlement building, boycotts against Israeli products, complaints in international courts and attempts to win formal recognition from as many countries as possible, Palestinian officials say. » Read more

West Bank: Clash Over Olive Trees Leaves 8 Wounded ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Isabel Kershner - March 7, 2011 - 1:00am At least seven Palestinians were wounded by gunfire and rubber bullets in clashes with Israeli settlers and soldiers in the northern West Bank on Monday, according to a Palestinian official and the Israeli military. One settler was reported wounded after being hit by a rock. Palestinians accused the settlers of having uprooted olive trees in the area. A military spokeswoman said that settlers and soldiers opened fire after being attacked by Palestinian stone throwers. » Read more