November 8th

Hamas MP says Abbas not welcome in Gaza
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
November 8, 2012 - 1:00am


GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Hamas-affiliated MP Yahia Mousa said Wednesday he would not welcome Mahmoud Abbas to the Gaza Strip, after the president was reported to have considered a joint visit with the Turkish premier. "No hello, no welcome, no greeting, your visit is refused. Gaza is the house of the revolution and the revolutionary, and we don't welcome anyone who sells our homeland," Mousa posted on his official Facebook account.


Erekat: UN bid aims to preserve two-state solution
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
November 8, 2012 - 1:00am


JERICHO (Ma'an) -- Israel's settlement policy is threatening the two-state solution, not the PLO's bid to upgrade Palestine's status at the UN, PLO negotiator Saeb Erekat said Thursday. Erekat said Palestine's request for non-member statehood of the UN did not contradict the two-state solution, in separate meetings with Quartet envoy Tony Blair, US consul Michael Ratney and French consul Frédéric Desagneaux.


Russia’s Putin hosts Israeli counterpart for talks on economy, international crises
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
November 8, 2012 - 1:00am


MOSCOW — Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has hosted his Israeli counterpart Shimon Peres for talks focusing on economic ties and international crises. Putin said at the start of Thursday’s meeting with Peres that bilateral ties have been developing successfully. The two leaders were expected to discuss the situation in Syria among other international issues.


Israel ready to resume peace talks with Palestinians without preconditions
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
November 7, 2012 - 1:00am


JERUSALEM, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Quartet's (U.S., UN, EU and Russia) middle east envoy Tony Blair that he is ready to resume peace negotiations with the Palestinians without preconditions. Netanyahu met with Blair on Wednesday during the latter's visit to Israel and responded to remarks made by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas recently.


Israeli army, Gaza militants in firefight
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
November 8, 2012 - 1:00am


JERUSALEM, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- A firefight erupted after Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip fired on an Israeli army patrol midday Thursday. "An Israel Defense Forces unit was on a regular patrol along the security fence alongside central Gaza" when militants opened fire and fired a rocket-propelled grenade at the force, an army source told Xinhua, adding that Israeli troops returned fire at " suspicious figures."


Palestinians Show Lukewarm Reaction to Obama’s Reelection
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Media Line
by Diana Atallah - November 7, 2012 - 1:00am


Ramallah - Palestinians reacted lukewarmly to the news of U.S. President Barack Obama’s reelection for a second term, saying they are not hopeful this will improve their situation.


Netanyahu Rushes to Repair Damage With Obama
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Jodi Rudoren - November 7, 2012 - 1:00am


JERUSALEM — Over the past several years, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has on several occasions confronted or even undercut President Obama, taking his message directly to the Israel-friendly United States Congress, challenging Mr. Obama’s appeal to the Arab world, and seeming this fall to support his opponent, Mitt Romney.


November 7th

Shapiro: Direct talks with PA are only solution
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Boaz Fyler - (Analysis) November 7, 2012 - 1:00am


American Ambassador to Dan Shapiro


NEWS: There is widespread relief but not euphoria in the Middle East at Pres. Obama's reelection. Obama's victory may spell trouble for PM Netanyahu who has ordered his officials not to make any public comments. Pres. Abbas congratulates Obama and Palestinians express hope for a change to US policies. A crocodile has been on the loose in Gaza. A stray bullet from fighting in Syria sets off a land mine in the occupied Golan Heights, sparking a fire. Syrian rebels kill 10 more pro-Assad Palestinian militiamen. The UK condemns new Israeli settlement construction plans. A US court throws out a lawsuit linking an Arab bank to a Hamas shooting incident. US Ambassador to Israel Shapiro says direct negotiations between the parties are the only way forward. A Druze citizen of Israel challenges mandatory military service. Palestinian date farmers in the occupied West Bank are struggling. Israel prevents Palestinian students from Gaza from traveling to the West Bank to study. COMMENTARY: Amos Harel says Iran will not have to take center stage on Obama's agenda. Barak Ravid reflects on the significance of the election from Israel's point of view. Aluf Benn says Netanyahu has successfully accustomed the world to the idea that Israel will attack Iran. The Jerusalem Post is convinced that US-Israel relations will remain strong. Tony Michels looks at the complex relationship between left-wing thought and Zionism. The National says Obama has a new mandate on foreign policy but Middle East peace will probably take a backseat to other concerns. Tariq Alhomayed says Syrian military moves in the demilitarized zone with Israel show Pres. Assad's desperation. Hazem Saghieh says Abbas' recent controversial remarks were merely realistic and serious. Osama Al Sharif says Abbas' era is over and wonders what will come next. Talal Awkal says Palestinians need to see the full video of Abbas' interview on Israeli TV. Ben-Dror Yemini says Israel must respond to Abbas' overtures. Natan Sharansky denies Hussein Ibish's charge that he uses rhetoric about human rights and democracy as a cover for Israel's occupation and denial of Palestinian rights.

The Real Hypocrites
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Beast
by Natan Sharansky - (Opinion) November 7, 2012 - 1:00am


 



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