March 16th

From crisis to crisis ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons by Gershon Baskin - (Opinion) March 15, 2012 - 12:00am A few weeks ago, when the "attack Iran chatter" in Israel took an upgrading shift in quality (of the people doing the chatter) and in quantity (the amount of times the chatter focused on operational options), I was convinced that a decision had been taken to hit Iran. In thinking about the consequences of that attack, I immediately pondered the unintended consequences as well. » Read more

Israel’s Military Chief Leaves for U.S., Canada ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) March 15, 2012 - 12:00am JERUSALEM (JTA) -- IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benjamin Gantz left for his first official visit to the United States and Canada. Gantz, who left Thursday on a trip that was delayed several days due to the violence on Israel's southern border, will meet with his counterparts in both countries, as well as security, government and military officials. They are scheduled to discuss joint military cooperation and mutual security challenges, as well as participate in briefings on the region. » Read more

Don't Prove Walt and Mearsheimer Right ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Beast by Lara Friedman - (Opinion) March 15, 2012 - 12:00am A recent Saturday Night Live episode opened with a sketch that said a lot about America’s views on war with Iran. In the sketch, Andy Samberg, playing Rick Santorum, tells the audience that the coming presidential campaign is about two things: “One, making the family once again the center of our nation’s public policy, and two, starting a war with Iran, as a favor to Israel, whether Israel asks us to or not.” Samberg forgot to add: “and whether or not it’s actually good for the U.S., Israel or the Jews.” » Read more

Arafat’s Widow Considers Role in Politics to ‘Continue Legacy’ ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Independent by Catrina Stewart - March 16, 2012 - 12:00am The widow of the late Yasser Arafat has said the resistance leader sacrificed their marriage and a relationship with the couple's only daughter for the Palestinian cause. In a rare interview with CNN, Suha Arafat shed light on the difficulties of being married to a man she described as the "Nelson Mandela of the Arab world", and said he pushed her away to focus on achieving an independent state. » Read more

Gilad Shalit’s Father: I Would Kidnap Israelis if I were Palestinian ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian by Phoebe Greenwood - March 15, 2012 - 12:00am The father of an Israeli soldier held in captivity for more than five years by Hamas has said he would kidnap Israeli soldiers if he were a Palestinian. Noam Shalit, who announced earlier this year that he would be standing for the opposition Labour party in the next Israeli elections, has provoked outrage among the Israeli right with the comments. His son, Gilad, was released in a prisoner swap in October 2011. » Read more

A Leftist's Critique of BDS ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Beast by Naomi Paiss - (Opinion) March 15, 2012 - 12:00am What do you call a movement that polarizes and even penalizes the progressive community, increases the intransigence of ordinary Israelis, and provides political cover for the most extreme right-wing ultra-nationalists? These days, progressives should call that movement Global BDS. » Read more

PNA Urges Int’l Pressure on Israel to Save Economy ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua March 15, 2012 - 12:00am RAMALLAH, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) on Thursday called on the international community to pile pressure on Israel to prevent measures blocking the implementation of Palestinian development projects. The call came as the World Bank issued a report warning that a severe fiscal crisis engulfing the PNA will deepen if the recent decline in donor assistance continues. It also warned that this situation "jeopardize gains" made in recent years in building strong institutions. » Read more

Root of Israeli paranoia ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Gulf News by George S. Hishmeh - (Opinion) March 15, 2012 - 12:00am After failing to arm-twist Barack Obama over Iran’s nuclear programme, Benjamin Netanyahu thought he could take his frustration out on Palestinians, especially those in the Gaza Strip. But, if anything, Israel’s four-day aerial bombardment has once again underlined that the number-one issue in the Middle East remains Israel’s failure to negotiate a peaceful settlement with the Palestinians, most of whom lost 78 per cent of their homeland since 1948. » Read more

Israel Stops Infiltration From Egypt, 1 Killed ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press March 15, 2012 - 12:00am JERUSALEM — The Israeli military says soldiers have stopped an infiltration attempt along the Israel-Egypt border. One infiltrator was killed and three wounded. A military statement said the incident occurred late Thursday. It said soldiers saw the infiltrators and ordered them to stop. When they ignored the order, the soldiers opened fire. The statement said there was also gunfire from the Egyptian side of the border. The statement did not say if the infiltrators were armed. Often, migrants from Africa try to sneak into Israel, seeking refuge or work. » Read more

Syrian Security Forces ‘Warn Palestinian Camp’ ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency March 16, 2012 - 12:00am BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) -- Sources in Damascus say Syrian security forces threatened to raid the Yarmuk refugee camp due to Fatah's alleged support of demonstrations against Syrian leader Bashar Assad. “Yarmuk is not more precious than (Homs neighborhood) Baba Amro, and it will be raided if the demonstrations which Fatah movement organizes” continue, a security agent was quoted as saying. Syrian security forces have detained a number of Fatah members: Ayman Juda Abu Ala, public action official in Yarmuk, Jihad Abu Yousef, Abdul Wahed Kherma, Firas Tahmaz, and Amjad Sadya. » Read more