August 17th

U.S. impotent in face of Middle East events ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Zvi Barel - (Opinion) August 17, 2011 - 12:00am What is the critical mass of people who must be killed for the 'international community' to act? How long will the Syrian protesters wait until the United States and its allies deign to intervene in their slow massacre? What is the critical mass of people who must be killed for the "international community" to act? When there's an earthquake, countries jostle each other to be visibly first in line with rescue forces for the victims; when thousands were killed in Darfur, the "community" went into deep hibernation until roused to assist. » Read more

Sleiman tells Abbas Lebanon will back Palestinian statehood ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Star August 17, 2011 - 12:00am President Michel Sleiman promised Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Tuesday that Lebanon will back their bid for U.N. recognition of a Palestinian state. Abbas, meanwhile, declared that the Palestinians in Lebanon’s 12 refugee camps do not need arms to defend themselves because the Lebanese people and government can protect them. Abbas’ remarks amounted to lifting legitimacy over arms in and outside the Palestinian refugee camps throughout the country. » Read more

Israel-Palestinian conflict writ large on road signs ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News by Yolande Knell - August 16, 2011 - 12:00am The increasingly heated dispute over place names in Israel underlies a much greater political struggle, the BBC's Yolande Knell explains from Jerusalem. "Where are you going?" asked the friendly, but slightly over-familiar, Jewish-Israeli boy sitting next to me on the plane from London. "I work in Jerusalem," I replied. His smile instantly turned to a scowl. "It's not Jerusalem," he said. "It's Yerushalayim". » Read more

Netanyahu to Clinton: No apology to Turkey ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Attila Somfalvi - August 17, 2011 - 12:00am Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Wednesday that Israel will not apologize to Turkey over the 2010 flotilla incident, despite an earlier demand by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to do so. Clinton spoke with Netanyahu, asking Israel to apologize to Turkey for killing nine of its citizens aboard the Gaza-bound Mavi Marmara ship in May 2010. However, Netanyahu made it clear that given the current situation in the Middle East, Israel will not issue an apology. » Read more

Israel stockpiling crowd-control weapons ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National by Hugh Naylor - August 15, 2011 - 12:00am Israel is stockpiling crowd-control weapons and preparing security forces for Palestinian protests planned to coincide with a push for statehood at the United Nations. Israel's police and military have reportedly gone on a spending spree in the past month importing everything from extra tear-gas launchers to Belgian-born stallions in anticipation of the Palestinian bid to win recognition at the United Nations. » Read more

Israeli army mulls letting Palestinians get more guns by September ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua August 17, 2011 - 12:00am Senior Israel military officials are considering what one termed "confidence-building measures," to convince Palestinian leaders not to continue with their planned statehood bid at the UN General Assembly next month, including allowing the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) security services in the West Bank to procure more weapons. The arms would be brought in via Jordan, according to the recommendations, which were listed in a brief that has been forwarded to the government, the Ynet news reported Wednesday. » Read more

Palestinian leadership studies where to go for UN vote ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua August 17, 2011 - 12:00am The Palestinian leadership has not yet decided to which body of the United Nations it should submit a request to recognize the Palestinian as an independent state, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Al-Maliki said Wednesday. "The decision to go to the Security Council first or the General Assembly would be made soon," Al-Maliki told the Voice of Palestine radio, adding discussions with the Arab states are needed before making the decision. » Read more

Mideast Quartet alarmed by Israel settlement plans ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Alertnet by Louis Charbonneau - August 16, 2011 - 12:00am The so-called Middle East Quartet which has been attempting to revive peace talks between the Palesinians and Israel said on Tuesday they were alarmed by Israel's latest announcements about new settlement plans. Israel announced on Monday approval for building 277 homes in a West Bank settlement, despite U.S. and international pressure to curb expansion on occupied land and as Palestinians prepare for a statehood bid at the United Nations. » Read more

PA takes satirical TV series off air ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency August 17, 2011 - 12:00am A Ramadan TV series that became notorious for its criticism of Palestinian Authority officials has been discontinued on the PA-run Palestine TV, Attorney General Ahmad Al-Mughni said Tuesday evening. Al-Mughni told Ma'an that the decision had been made to stop broadcasts of Watan Ala Watar [Homeland on a Thread] after Tuesday's episode because "it is full of mistakes, is meaningless and is a waste of time for people to watch." » Read more

Medics: Gaza teenager shot dead ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency August 16, 2011 - 12:00am Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian teenager near the central Gaza Strip city of Deir Al-Balah late Tuesday, medical officials reported. Medics said the Palestinian, who was not identified, suffered "more than 10" gunshots to the head and upper body after soldiers east of the Al-Masdar area opened fire. Gaza health ministry official Adham Abu Salmiya told Ma’an that an ambulance crew transferred the teenager's body to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in central Gaza. » Read more