November 20th

Hamas’s Illegitimacy ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times (Editorial) November 19, 2012 - 1:00am The death of more than 100 Palestinians and the wounding of hundreds of others in the six-day-old Gaza war were not enough for the top leader of Hamas, Khaled Meshal. Speaking in Cairo on Monday, he taunted Israel to begin a ground invasion, saying “if you wanted to launch it, you would have done it.” He ignored the fact that an invasion would kill many more Palestinians and further devastate the Gaza Strip, which, in August, before the current fighting, the United Nations predicted would be unlivable by 2020. » Read more

Israel's Arab, Jewish population divided on military operation in Gaza ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua (Analysis) November 20, 2012 - 1:00am   As rocket barrages continue to hit Israel and Gaza and the "Operation Pillar of Defense," launched by Israel against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, enters its sixth day, Israeli and Arab residents in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv have different take on Israel's offensive in the coastal enclave. » Read more

Israel prefers diplomacy solution: Netanyahu ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua (Analysis) November 20, 2012 - 1:00am   Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday said he preferred a diplomacy solution to end the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza Strip. » Read more

Strategic Overreach ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Foreign Policy by Jonathan Spyer - (Opinion) November 20, 2012 - 1:00am JERUSALEM — The current conflict between Hamas and Israel is the result of the Palestinian Islamist movement overplaying its hand in an attempt to rewrite the rules of engagement between itself and Israel. Hamas's miscalculation of the balance of forces between itself and Israel has now brought the Israel Defense Forces to the brink of a renewed ground operation in the Gaza Strip. If this is to be avoided, much depends on Western pressure on Hamas's allies, above all Egypt, so that they in turn may press the movement to accept a renewed ceasefire. » Read more

Arab League delegation arrives in Gaza for solidarity visit ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua (Analysis) November 20, 2012 - 1:00am   A delegation of regional foreign ministers arrived in the Gaza Strip for a solidarity visit Tuesday, as Israeli aerial offensive enters its seventh day. Nabil Al-Arabi, chief of the Arab League (AL), headed the delegation, which comprised 13 Arab foreign ministers and their Turkish counterpart. » Read more

Israeli forces kill Palestinian in Hebron clashes ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency (Analysis) November 19, 2012 - 1:00am A 22-year-old man was shot dead by Israeli soldiers in the West Bank city of Hebron on Monday, the second Palestinian casualty of West Bank protests in support of Gaza. » Read more

Gunmen kill six alleged collaborators in Gaza ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters (Analysis) November 20, 2012 - 1:00am    Palestinian gunmen shot dead six alleged collaborators in the Gaza Strip who "were caught red-handed", according to a security source quoted by the Hamas Aqsa radio on Tuesday. » Read more

Lost in Ramallah ATFP World Press Roundup Article from NOW Lebanon by Hussein Ibish - (Opinion) November 20, 2012 - 1:00am Who can fail to weep for the long-suffering people of Gaza, who again find themselves under Israeli attack? Over 100 have already been killed, at least half civilians and many children. Spare a thought, too, for Israelis with legitimate concerns they might be among the extremely unfortunate few to be struck by an unguided rocket from Gaza not intercepted by "Iron Dome." » Read more

Talk Like An Egyptian ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Beast by Hussein Ibish - (Opinion) November 19, 2012 - 1:00am As the conflict between Israel and militants in Gaza drags on, there are growing signs both sides need to look for a face-saving way out. The best solution for almost all concerned would probably be a cease-fire brokered by, or credited to, Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, which could secure many of the most important aims of the main parties. Both Israel and Hamas have their reasons for wanting to extricate themselves sooner rather than later from the current conflagration. » Read more

Israeli offensive in Gaza was years in the making ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press by Josef Federman - (Analysis) November 19, 2012 - 1:00am   With little notice, Israel has launched a blistering air offensive against the Gaza Strip's ruling Hamas militant group. Here's a look at why the violence erupted, the goals of the warring sides and how it may end: » Read more