Open-door policy ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times (Editorial) January 31, 2012 - 1:00am His Majesty King Abdullah’s talks with Hamas politburo chief, Khaled Mishaal, in Amman came to reinforce Jordan’s commitment to help achieve Palestinian reconciliation and unity of ranks for the purpose of arriving at the two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli crisis. The King also confirmed his unequivocal support for the Palestinian Authority under the leadership of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and invited Hamas to forge a united front with the PA, important if the Palestinians wish to acquire clout in facing Israel. » Read more

The Adelson Factor ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward (Editorial) January 31, 2012 - 1:00am Any discussion of Sheldon Adelson’s dominant role in both American and Israeli politics must begin with a fundamental ackowledgement: Everything about it is legal and transparent. But that is what makes it even more troubling. » Read more

Israeli PM answers questions from Arab Internet surfers ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua January 31, 2012 - 1:00am JERUSALEM, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday answered questions on Facebook from Arab Internet users regarding issues, including the ongoing turmoil in Arab nations and the peace process with the Palestinians. For the first time, the Prime Minister's Office, through their Facebook page in Arabic, allowed users to pose questions that were answered via a translator from Hebrew to Arabic. » Read more

Rethinking Israel’s border policy ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by David Newman - (Opinion) January 30, 2012 - 1:00am Speedily, and with a minimum of headlines, the government has constructed a new physical barrier between Israel and Egypt along almost the entire length of the border, from the Gaza Strip to Eilat. The barrier consists of parallel swathes of electrified barbed wire fence. Sophisticated surveillance ensures that any attempt to cross the border, cut the fence or tunnel underneath can be detected and an immediate response force dispatched. » Read more

Israeli PM answers questions from Arab Internet surfers ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua January 31, 2012 - 1:00am JERUSALEM, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday answered questions on Facebook from Arab Internet users regarding issues, including the ongoing turmoil in Arab nations and the peace process with the Palestinians. For the first time, the Prime Minister's Office, through their Facebook page in Arabic, allowed users to pose questions that were answered via a translator from Hebrew to Arabic. » Read more

A victory for our side? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Gershon Baskin - (Opinion) January 31, 2012 - 1:00am The Palestinian and Arab media reports that the Jordanian-sponsored Israeli-Palestinian talks have failed. Palestinian politicians and factions are recommending to the PLO leadership to put an end to what they call a farce. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will ask the Arab League to support the Palestinian decision to suspend the talks until Israel accepts a full settlement building freeze and agrees that negotiations on the borders must be based on the June 4, 1967, lines. » Read more

Israeli government offers concessions to settlers ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press by Amy Teibel - January 31, 2012 - 1:00am JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has made two overtures to West Bank settlers in the run-up to his party's leadership race on Tuesday: It's offering financial incentives to encourage people to move to settlements and opening the door to legalizing rogue settler outposts. » Read more

Newt Gingrich's flip-flopping on the Middle East ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Akiva Eldar - (Opinion) January 31, 2012 - 1:00am According to opinion polls, Republican hopeful Newt Gingrich will be receiving consolation calls from at least two of his friends tomorrow when the results of the Florida primaries are announced. He will hear from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and from billionaire Sheldon Adelson, the conservative U.S. politician's main backer and the publicist for Israel's conservative prime minister. » Read more

Hamas Gaza leader heads for Iran ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Nidal al-Mughrabi - January 30, 2012 - 1:00am GAZA, Jan 30 (Reuters) - The leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Ismail Haniyeh, left on Monday for a tour of Iran and Gulf states, continuing a diplomatic drive to realign the Palestinian Islamist movement after a year of political change in the Arab world. Non-Arab Iran, along with its Arab ally Syria, have been principal backers of Hamas. Iran has supplied funds and - according to Israel - weapons to use against the Jewish state. » Read more

Educating Israel's children in right-wing politics ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Avirama Golan - (Opinion) January 31, 2012 - 1:00am Education Minister Gideon Sa'ar has made a mockery of Breaking the Silence. For a year the organization has been pestering him to allow its members to lead junior high school pupils on a tour of Hebron, just like the right-wing non-profit organizations do - and finally he agreed. But before the first student had boarded the first bus the police arrived and cancelled the tour. How surprising. » Read more