August 2nd

Palestinian Police Taking to the Air ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Media Line by Arieh O'Sullivan - August 1, 2011 - 12:00am The idea of turning to the police to hear the news, catch some of the latest tunes and vent some frustration to a talk show host seems a bit odd, but Palestinians will soon be able to do this with a new radio station being set up by the local police force in the West Bank. The Palestinian Civil Police said they plan to model their new station on the popular ones run by the neighboring Israeli and Jordanian armies. With financial support already pledged from Turkey, senior commanders say they hope to be on air by the end of the year. » Read more

Holding on by our fingernails ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons by Daniel Seidemann - (Blog) August 2, 2011 - 12:00am No two-state solution is possible unless an agreement can be implemented that satisfies both Israeli and Palestinian requirements in Jerusalem. Today, such an agreement in Jerusalem is still possible, but barely. » Read more

Israeli housing protests spotlight government priorities, including settlements ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Americans For Peace Now by Lara Friedman - (Blog) August 2, 2011 - 12:00am Thousands of Israelis are in the streets protesting high housing costs. It is an amazing, indeed, stunning development. Israelis from all walks of life are fed up with Israel's wealth gap as it continues to widen. These protests are not about Netanyahu's policies regarding the Palestinians or the settlements. But let no one be confused: these protests shine a bright spotlight on policies of the Netanyahu government regarding settlements. » Read more

Military officials warn of 'arson intifada' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Akiva Novick - August 2, 2011 - 12:00am Residents of various West Bank settlements have found themselves under a new threat recently – arson. According to a report published by Yedioth Ahronoth Tuesday, more than 20 fires have been maliciously set in West Bank settlements and outposts in the past few weeks. Police investigators determined that all of the fires were the result of arson and evidence in all cases led to surrounding Arab villages. The Judea and Samaria District Police have recently arrested six suspects. » Read more

How Israel's left is missing the point ATFP World Press Roundup Article from New Statesman by Ben White - (Blog) July 31, 2011 - 12:00am While Israeli PM Netanyahu's coalition seems steady, recent events like the response to the new anti-boycott law, the march for Palestinian independence, and the housing protests have some claiming a resurgent "peace camp". Yet the rhetoric by Israel's "left" has merely highlighted how much remains to be done to realise equality and basic Palestinian rights. » Read more

Netanyahu's trump card against Israeli protests: Peace ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Bradley Burston - (Blog) August 2, 2011 - 12:00am Early Monday, when the news broke of the IDF trading fire with the Lebanese army, everyone in this house, and undoubtedly many others in Israel, had the same thought: That's it. Netanyahu's decided to solve the protest crisis by going to war. In fact, even before the Lebanon tension began, journalist Yossi Gurvitz outlined exactly such a scenario. In the face of the mushrooming protests over social welfare issues, "Netanyahu's magic hat is emptying quickly," Gurvitz wrote last week, adding that the prime minister might choose a war as the way out of his troubles. » Read more

Palestinians plan mass demonstrations against Israel on eve of UN vote ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz August 1, 2011 - 12:00am Palestinian officials said Monday they plan to begin mass marches against Israel's occupation of the West Bank on September 20, the eve of a largely symbolic UN vote expected to recognize their independence. Palestinian official Yasser Abed Rabbo said leaders hope to attract millions, and the protest will be the first of a prolonged effort. He said the campaign would be called "Palestine 194," since the Palestinians hope to become the 194th member of the United Nations. » Read more

Encountering Peace: I should be a millionaire! ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Gershon Baskin - (Opinion) August 1, 2011 - 12:00am ‘The people demand social justice” – I can hear the rhythm of the chant of the masses along the route from the tent encampment on King George Street in Jerusalem to the prime minister’s house. The beat, the words – “the people demand….” so reminiscent of the sounds of Tahrir square in Cairo or Tunis a few months before. The Arab spring has arrived in Israel – unbelievable! » Read more

Encountering Peace: I should be a millionaire! ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Gershon Baskin - (Opinion) August 1, 2011 - 12:00am ‘The people demand social justice” – I can hear the rhythm of the chant of the masses along the route from the tent encampment on King George Street in Jerusalem to the prime minister’s house. The beat, the words – “the people demand….” so reminiscent of the sounds of Tahrir square in Cairo or Tunis a few months before. The Arab spring has arrived in Israel – unbelievable! » Read more

Encountering Peace: I should be a millionaire! ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Gershon Baskin - (Opinion) August 1, 2011 - 12:00am ‘The people demand social justice” – I can hear the rhythm of the chant of the masses along the route from the tent encampment on King George Street in Jerusalem to the prime minister’s house. The beat, the words – “the people demand….” so reminiscent of the sounds of Tahrir square in Cairo or Tunis a few months before. The Arab spring has arrived in Israel – unbelievable! » Read more