UN Showdown Ushers in Critical a Period for U.S. Middle East Peace Efforts ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bloomberg by Indira A.R. Lakshmanan - (Analysis) September 27, 2011 - 12:00am The Palestinians’ bid for statehood at the United Nations has shaken up Mideast peace efforts, fueling a sense of crisis among Israeli and Palestinian allies that the U.S. says can drive a return to direct peace talks. “We know that there’s a trust deficit that needs to be overcome,” Michael Hammer, acting assistant secretary of state for public affairs, said yesterday. The two sides “have an opportunity here that we hope they will seize.” » Read more

One Gaza family celebrates Palestinian statehood bid despite Hamas ban ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Christian Science Monitor by Kristen Chick - September 25, 2011 - 12:00am When Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas went to the United Nations to ask for recognition of a Palestinian state Friday, Gaza residents weren’t allowed to celebrate in the streets like Palestinians in the West Bank. » Read more

Palestinians’ Security Council Application Goes to a Committee ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Neil MacFarquhar - September 26, 2011 - 12:00am The Security Council decided to meet on Wednesday morning to refer the Palestinian membership application to the Council’s membership committee. All 15 Council members have a representative on the committee. Given the sensitivity and interest of the issue, it will be heavy with ambassadors this time around, diplomats said. Even as the review is proceeding, both the United States and the Palestinians have been lobbying over the eventual vote in the Council, which is still weeks if not months away. » Read more