June 16th

Palestinian Strategy and the UN ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Miftah by Jerome M. Segal - (Opinion) June 16, 2011 - 12:00am Many questions have arisen about the wisdom of seeking United Nations recognition of the State of Palestine in September. In particular, two issues stand out: 1) Once recognition is obtained from the United Nations General Assembly, then what? Is there a step-2? 2) Is there really any long-term alternative to negotiations, given that without Israeli agreement issues such as Jerusalem and refugees cannot be resolved? Will a UN strategy lead to productive negotiations at some point in the future, or will it make resolution more difficult? » Read more

Benjamin Netanyahu: Why the U.S. Can’t Make Peace in the Middle East ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New Republic by William Galston - (Opinion) June 16, 2011 - 12:00am I’ve spent the past week in Israel listening to as many voices as I could. Based on what I’ve heard, a rough summary of the situation is this: Benjamin Netanyahu offers no viable alternative to the status quo, and the opposition offers no viable alternative to Netanyahu. Until Mahmoud Abbas recognizes Israel as a Jewish state, the prime minister says, serious talks are impossible. And besides, negotiating with a coalition that includes Hamas is unthinkable. » Read more

Abbas Has No Mandate ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Hudson New York by Khaled Abu Toameh - (Opinion) June 14, 2011 - 12:00am It is time that someone in Washington started asking Abbas whether he has a clear mandate from his people to make historic decisions, including signing a peace agreement with Israel. As the Palestinian Authority continues to threaten to ask the United Nations in September to recognize a Palestinian state along the pre-1967 lines, someone needs to ask President Mahmoud Abbas whether he really has a mandate from his people to embark on such a step. » Read more

Opposition: Netanyahu isolated Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews June 15, 2011 - 12:00am The Opposition took aim at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Wednesday during a special hearing on "The Netanyahu government's failure in the political, economic, and social fields". "You have isolated the State of Israel," said MK Dalia Itzik (Kadima). "You and your government sit in shocking idleness while the Arab states conduct a de-legitimization campaign. Your answer to that: They hate us." » Read more

Ex-Mossad man a fit for Sharon's shoes ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Asia Times by Victor Kotsov - (Opinion) June 17, 2011 - 12:00am A new star is about to rise on the Israeli political horizon. Given the widely perceived impasse on all fronts, the time may be just right. Analysts have long lamented what they call a "deadlock" in the Israeli political system. Last year, American think-tank Stratfor described the situation in the following way: » Read more

U.S. official: Cutting U.N. funds harms Israel, U.S. interests ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) June 15, 2011 - 12:00am A top U.S. official outlined U.S.-Israel cooperation at the United Nations and argued that cutting funding to the body would be detrimental to the interests of both countries. » Read more

No Ford in Israel's Future? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Ideas Daily by Elliot Jager - (Analysis) June 16, 2011 - 12:00am With little fanfare, the Ford Foundation has initiated a phased withdrawal from its long, largely behind-the-scenes campaign to influence Israeli politics. News reports have focused mostly on the foundation's 23-year-long patronage of the New Israel Fund (NIF), whose beneficiaries include a number of pressure groups that colluded with the now-discredited Goldstone Commission Report. » Read more

Brutal blockade ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News (Editorial) June 15, 2011 - 12:00am It has been five years since Israel imposed its oppressive and inhuman blockade on the Gaza Strip. Without doubt it has been easily one of the toughest and most trying periods in the eventful history of the Palestinian people. The proud and fiercely independent people, however, have refused to give in to Israeli diktats or allow their fighting spirit to waver under the totally asphyxiating blockade of Gaza by land, air and sea. » Read more

Official: Netanyahu fears third intifada ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Attila Somfalvi - June 16, 2011 - 12:00am Jerusalem officials told Ynet Wednesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fears a third intifada this summer ahead of a planned Palestinian declaration of statehood in September. "Netanyahu fears he will not be able to stop (what will happen in) September," a top official told Ynet. "The prime minister is making an effort to convince European states that if riots begin after the declaration of statehood responsibility will not fall on Israel." » Read more

Gaza - ethnic cleansing by stealth ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times by Michael Jansen - (Opinion) June 16, 2011 - 12:00am It is hardly surprising that the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) should mark the fifth anniversary of Israel’s illegal siege and blockade of Gaza by issuing a report critical of Israel. But it is highly unlikely that the international community, led by the US, will press Israel to lift its punitive blockade or take any steps to relieve Gaza. » Read more