NEWS: Palestinian officials say they will consult the Arab League on the future of talks with Israel. Fatah and the PLO support Pres. Abbas' deal with Hamas. PA security forces arrest 56 people in Israeli-controlled areas of occupied Hebron. Many Palestinian towns in “Area C” have no electricity. Extremist settlers raid a Palestinian village near Nablus. Hamas' ties with Iran are continuing to fray. Suspended PA Economy Minister Abu Libdeh and one of his aides face corruption charges. A Likud-sponsored bill in the Knesset would provide 35% tax breaks for funding "Zionist settlement," although it does not specify where. DM Barak approves more new settlement homes, which activists say amounts to a new settlement. American musician Cat Power cancels an appearance in Israel, citing Israel's policies. Anonymous hackers threaten cyber attacks against Israeli websites. COMMENTARY: The Washington Post says unless Hamas changes its policies, Palestinian national unity will do more harm than good. Yossi Sarid says Shin Bet is looking for extremists on West Bank hilltops but can find them in the Likud Central Committee. Yoel Marcus says the Herzliya Conference turned into a forum for empty “babbling” about Iran. Guy Bechor says the Arab uprisings mean the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is no longer central to Middle Eastern realities. Ziad al-Drees says the Russian and Chinese vetoes on Syria, along with continued US vetoes on Israel, show that the veto system at the UNSC is dysfunctional. George Hishmeh says money from large donors like corporations or individuals such as Sheldon Adelson show that cash still drives American elections. The Arab News welcomes the Palestinian agreement, but says moving forward will not be easy. Zvi Bar'el says the Palestinian agreement should prompt the Quartet to adopt policies designed to push Hamas towards accepting a two-state solution. Yusef Harb says Palestinian political factions must catch up with the movement of the public. Alon Ben-Meir says psychology is key to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Psychological Dimension of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Huffington Post
by Alon Ben-Meir - (Opinion) February 9, 2012 - 1:00am

On the surface, the lack of progress in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process seems illogical and unsettling.

»

‘Anonymous’ Hacker Group Threatens ‘Reign of Terror’ Against Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Oded Yaron - February 10, 2012 - 1:00am

The hacker group “Anonymous” released a video Friday threatening to begin a ‘reign of terror’ against Israel, in the latest round of cyber warfare between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli hackers. The video, which was posted on YouTube in the early hours of the morning, blamed Israel for committing 'crimes against humanity,' and criticizing it for its treatment of Palestinians. Anonymous hackers

»

We must catch up
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons
by Yusef Harb - (Interview) February 6, 2012 - 1:00am

bitterlemons: How do you think the "Arab spring" is affecting the average Palestinian? Harb: The Arab spring has its causes and is a natural response to the political and social regimes that have been in power in the Arab states for the last 50 years. Palestinian society, however, has a clear distinction from the regimes in the Arab world. It is led by a new, modern regime, one created in 1994 through the Oslo agreement and one that protects the capabilities of the Palestinian people.

»

The real domino effect
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons
by Zvi Barel - (Opinion) February 6, 2012 - 1:00am

Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal has been full of surprises in the last couple of months. First came his announcement that the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations should be given a chance. Then came the reconciliation agreement between Fateh and Hamas, which was followed by Meshaal's confirmation that he would not run for another term as director of Hamas' political bureau. And last but not least, he and his family left Syria and now he is looking for a new shelter for Hamas' headquarters.

»

Rock Musician Cat Power Cancels Israel Show, Citing Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
February 10, 2012 - 1:00am

JERUSALEM — American musician Cat Power has canceled her show in Israel, joining a list of artists shunning the country over its conflict with the Palestinians. Charlyn Marie Marshall, better known by her stage name Cat Power, was to perform in Tel Aviv on Sunday. But she tweeted on Friday that due to “much confusion” she felt she could not play for her Israeli fans and that she felt “sick in her spirit.” She had faced calls to boycott the Jewish state.

»

Palestinian unity accord
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News
(Editorial) February 9, 2012 - 1:00am

The new deal signed in Qatar on Tuesday follows on from last May’s agreement in Cairo, where both sides seemed on the brink of coming together. That process foundered because Hamas rejected Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ choice of Salam Fayyad as prime minister in the new coalition administration. Fayyad, who has very effectively restructured the security forces on the West Bank, has now been dropped from the ticket.

»

Barak Approves New Settler Homes in Gevoat
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Tovah Lazaroff - February 10, 2012 - 1:00am

Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Thursday authorized construction of homes and educational facilities in a small, isolated area of Gush Etzion known as Gevaot. This marks the first time that permanent housing has been authorized in Gevaot, which is made up of caravan homes. Hagit Ofran of Peace Now charged that the approvals were tantamount to the creation of a new settlement – an allegation the Defense Ministry rejected. Officially, on the map, Gevaot is located within the Alon Shvut settlement.

»

It’s all about the money
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Gulf News
by George S. Hishmeh - (Opinion) February 9, 2012 - 1:00am

Political money and foreign interference have cast a pall of gloom on the US primaries this year, overshadowing the Republican party’s divisive efforts to elect a presidential nominee who would try and deny President Barack Obama a second term in the November election.

»

Israel to Mull Tax Exemptions on Donations ‘Zionist Settlement’
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Jonathan Lis - February 9, 2012 - 1:00am

The Ministerial Committee on Legislation will discuss on Sunday a bill recognizing donations to "Zionist settlement" for tax purposes. The bill would confer a tax exemption of up to thirty-five percent on such donations. The bill did not specify whether "Zionist settlement" referred to settlement in the West Bank or anywhere in Israel, although in practice it most likely means giving assistance to organizations that promote settlement beyond the Green Line.

»


American Task Force on Palestine - 1634 Eye St. NW, Suite 725, Washington DC 20006 - Telephone: 202-262-0017