Israeli pyromaniacs are setting the Mideast on fire ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Gideon Levy - (Editorial) September 8, 2011 - 12:00am It's as if summer 2011 never happened, as if there had never been a protest here: Israel is being led with dreadful blindness by a handful of irresponsible politicians, dangerous pyromaniacs without equal, yet the public remains apathetic. The government is pregnant with danger, conducting a scandalous policy, yet there is no protest. » Read more

Netanyahu is biting off the U.S. hand that feeds him ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz (Editorial) September 8, 2011 - 12:00am Robert (Bob ) Gates was one of the most experienced and sophisticated figures in the U.S. administration. Through his skills and connections he became head of the CIA, won the confidence of presidents and members of their inner circles as far back as the Carter administration and was appointed the second secretary of defense in the George W. Bush administration. Gates was the only top Bush aide who was asked, and agreed, to remain in his post in the Obama administration as a Republican among Democrats. » Read more

Islamic Jihad operative killed in Gaza blast ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency September 7, 2011 - 12:00am A member of Islamic Jihad's military wing was killed late Wednesday in an explosion west of Deir Al-Balah, medics said, in what militants described as an airstrike but Israel's army denied. Al-Quds Brigades spokesman Abu Ahmad said an airstrike on a car west of Deir Al-Balah killed Remah Fayez Al-Husseni, 28, a member of the group from Shati refugee camp. Abu Ahmad said Israel was trying to "incite the resistance" to respond. But Israeli military officials denied any involvement in the militant's death. » Read more

As Tel Aviv tent city folds, Israel activists debate next step ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times by Batsheva Sobelman - September 7, 2011 - 12:00am The tent camp along one of Tel Aviv's trendiest streets that symbolized a large-scale social protest movement is coming down, leaving some to wonder if it was all just a summer fling. As more sections of the Rothschild Boulevard camp were dismantled Wednesday, protesters tried to keep spirits up, saying the tents may be folding but their efforts are not. The time has come, they said, to move to the next phase of their social justice movement. » Read more

Israel faces growing isolation with key UN vote on Palestinian statehood looming ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post September 7, 2011 - 12:00am Rising tensions with some of its closest and most important allies have left Israel increasingly isolated ahead of a momentous vote on Palestinian independence at the United Nations. Troubles with Turkey, Egypt and even the U.S. are adding to Israel’s headaches ahead of the vote, which is shaping up to be a global expression of discontent against the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. » Read more

Away from UN debate, Palestinian camp is on edge ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Alertnet September 7, 2011 - 12:00am Once again, it can be easier to find a rifle than a job in the West Bank refugee camp of Jenin. Residents say occasional bursts of gunfire in its narrow streets are an economic indicator as telling as any. Many see the renewed disorder as a consequence of despair. The scene of heavy fighting in 2002 during the last Intifada, or uprising, Jenin camp today challenges the picture of a West Bank prospering under the Palestinian Authority (PA), the Western-backed and internationally-funded government. » Read more

Ex-White House Scientist Pleads Guilty in Spy Case Tied to Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Scott Shane - September 7, 2011 - 12:00am A former senior government scientist who held the highest security clearances pleaded guilty to espionage on Wednesday and agreed to a 13-year prison term for selling top-secret information on military satellites and other technology to an F.B.I. agent posing as an Israeli spy. The scientist, Stewart D. Nozette, 54, who worked at the White House in 1989-90 and helped lead the search for water on the moon, was not charged with spying for Israel. » Read more

US and Israel step up efforts to block Palestinian statehood bid ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National by Vita Bekker - September 8, 2011 - 12:00am Israel and the US are drawing on every weapon in their diplomatic armoury to prevent Palestinians taking their statehood bid to the United Nations this month. Their efforts to stop the Palestinians from pursuing UN recognition include dispatching a US diplomatic team to hold talks with Palestinian leaders, peppering the media with Israeli pledges of a renewal of talks and issuing warnings that UN recognition would be a blow to peace. Nevertheless, there is a gathering sense that the Palestinian bid may go forward despite the odds it has faced from the start. » Read more

Palestinians: Differences with US on UN bid 'still wide' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency September 8, 2011 - 12:00am The differences with Washington over the UN bid are "still wide," a senior Palestinian official said on Wednesday after talks with US envoys in the West Bank city of Ramallah. "The gap between the Palestinian and US positions is still wide after the meeting," presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina told AFP. "There are efforts being made and an agreement to continue communication with the US administration and the (Middle East) Quartet envoy," he said. » Read more

Palestinians Seeking Statehood at UN May Get Same Rights as Pope ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bloomberg by Flavia Krause-Jackson - September 8, 2011 - 12:00am Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas won’t walk away from the United Nations General Assembly this month with the sought-after statehood. More likely, he’ll get parity with the world’s smallest state led by Pope Benedict XVI. Support for the upgrade in Palestinian status at the UN from “entity” to “non-member state” is likely if the matter is brought to a vote in the 193-member assembly, where a two- thirds majority, or 129 votes, is required. » Read more