October 15th

In praise of Netanyahu ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Ari Shavit - (Opinion) October 15, 2012 - 12:00am Yedioth Ahronoth and diplomatic correspondent Shimon Shiffer deserve all possible praise for their sensational story on Friday. Israel and Syria conducted peace negotiations in 2010 and 2011. » Read more

World powers will soon support our cause, says top Palestinian official ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Amira Hass - (Opinion) October 15, 2012 - 12:00am Twice during an hour-long interview, Dr. Hanan Ashrawi let out a laugh that sounded embarrassed. The first time was when she explained what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did in his UN General Assembly address: a speech she deemed patronizing, cut off from reality, stuck in an outdated Manichean perception. The doctor of comparative literature suggests that he did not convince his audience. » Read more

The Lessons of Novembers Past ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Beast by Hussein Ibish, Saliba Sarsar - (Opinion) October 15, 2012 - 12:00am Historically, November often signifies numerous crucial turning points in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The lessons of Novembers past demand close attention. Palestinians and Israelis can learn from them to address their differences and common future, and American leaders to be more balanced. » Read more

Why Binyamin Netanyahu is on the right track for victory ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian by Harriet Sherwood - (Opinion) October 13, 2012 - 12:00am One end is a Jewish settlement across the Green Line, the other is close to Israel's haunting memorial to the victims of the Holocaust, Yad Vashem. » Read more

As Israeli elections near, Palestinians feel nothing but despair ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Barak Ravid - (Analysis) October 15, 2012 - 12:00am RAMALLAH - On Monday, Yossi Beilin sat alongside Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas  in a convention hall in Mukataa, and waxed nostalgic. “We used to work without the Americans,” he said. “Clinton heard about Oslo two weeks before the White House ceremony." Abbas, a bitter smile on his face, corrected him. “A week before,” he said. » Read more

Romney Campaign Announces “Arab-Americans for Romney” ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Arab American Institute (Press Release) October 15, 2012 - 12:00am Washington, DC – On Friday, October 12, 2012, the Romney campaign announced “Arab Americans for Romney,” a national coalition of Arab American supporters of Gov. Mitt Romney’s bid for the presidency of the United States. » Read more

Palestinians plan protest to halt Shadma development ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Tovah Lazaroff - October 15, 2012 - 12:00am Palestinians on Sunday held the first of what they hope will be weekly protests meant to halt any attempt by settlers to develop a small Gush Etzion hilltop, known to Israeli as Shadma and to Palestinians as Oush Ghrab. Several dozen Palestinians holding flags and signs stood in the parking lot behind the hill, which is sandwiched between the Palestinian village of Beit Sahur and the Nokdim road. » Read more

Analysis: Israel's Netanyahu faces wild cards ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press by Dan Perry - October 14, 2012 - 12:00am TEL AVIV, Israel — The Israeli government has called a general election for Jan. 22, and polls suggest Benjamin Netanyahu's rightist-religious coalition is likely to win a renewed majority — but an array of wild cards make the outcome of this campaign unpredictable nonetheless. » Read more

Diplomacy Ministry seeks to boost settlers' global image ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Itamar Fleishman - October 15, 2012 - 12:00am Against the backdrop of the upcoming Knesset elections, the Ministry of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs is set to launch a campaign aiming to boost the West Bank settlements' global image. » Read more

Arafat aide: Israel reaching out to Abbas successors ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency October 15, 2012 - 12:00am RAMALLAH (Ma’an) -- A former adviser to President Yasser Arafat on Saturday accused Israel of working to replace the current president behind the scenes. Bassam Abu Sharif said Israeli officials were making calls to Palestinian figures in Israeli jail to scope out a successor to President Mahmoud Abbas, as well as to people close to the president. » Read more