March 1st

Israel’s Last Chance to Strike Iran ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Amos Yadlin - (Opinion) February 29, 2012 - 1:00am Tel Aviv ON July 7, 1981, I was one of eight Israeli fighter pilots who bombed the Iraqi nuclear reactor at Osirak. As we sat in the briefing room listening to the army chief of staff, Rafael Eitan, before starting our planes’ engines, I recalled a conversation a week earlier when he’d asked us to voice any concerns about our mission. » Read more

Democrats Will Not Cede Israel to Republicans ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward by Gal Beckerman - February 29, 2012 - 1:00am The Democratic National Committee has a new commercial, called “The Facts,” that seems targeted at pro-Israel voters (I didn’t say “Jewish voters” for a reason). It reminds them that they shouldn’t listen to the mud being slung at Obama for supposedly abandoning the Jewish State. » Read more

Jordan’s Lukewarm Welcome for Gazan Job Seekers ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Media Line by Abdullah Omar - February 29, 2012 - 1:00am AMMAN -- Jordan is reportedly taking steps toward easing restrictions on Palestinians from the Gaza Strip looking for work in the kingdom, but progress has been slow amid controversy over its impact on the unemployment rate and the country’s sensitive demographics. But even as progress has been slow, Gazans living in the kingdom like Ahmed Abdel Munim, who lives in a refugee camp near the Roman-era city of Jerash and is one of the beneficiaries, say they are already feeling the change. » Read more

PA not planning new intifada, says official ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Khaled Abu Toameh - March 1, 2012 - 1:00am The Palestinian Authority is not planning a new intifada, but Israeli “provocations” and the ongoing stalemate in the peace process could trigger widespread protests in the Palestinian territories, a senior PA official in Ramallah said Wednesday. The official’s comments came in response to a Haaretz report earlier this week to the effect that the Palestinians could launch a third intifada during 2012. » Read more

Judge Rubinstein: Arabs don’t have to sing anthem ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Aviad Glickman - March 1, 2012 - 1:00am Supreme Court Justice Elyakim Rubinstein expressed his unwavering support for Justice Salim Joubran's decision not to sing Israel's national anthem, Hatikva, at chief Justice Asher Grunis' induction ceremony. The anthem was sung at the end of the ceremony by all judges present, who then posed for the traditional group photo. Joubran, who is the highest-ranking Israeli-Arab on the Bench, chose to stand silently beside them. The decision was harshly criticized, but Ynet learned Thursday that Rubinstein sent a letter to all presiding judges defending the decision. » Read more

U.S. has military plan should Iran conflict erupt, says air force chief ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz March 1, 2012 - 1:00am U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz said Wednesday that Washington has prepared military options to strike Iran's nuclear sites should conflict erupt, Bloomberg reported. Just four days before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's scheduled meeting with President Barack Obama in Washington, Schwartz told reporters that military options are being prepared in the event of a conflict. “What we can do, you wouldn’t want to be in the area,” Bloomberg quoted Schwartz as telling reporters in Washington on Wednesday. » Read more

Israeli: Syrian rebels want peace with Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press February 29, 2012 - 1:00am JERUSALEM — An Israeli lawmaker says Syrian opposition leaders have told him they want peace with Israel after Syrian President Bashar Assad falls. Israel and Syria are bitter enemies. They have fought several major wars, and Syria backs violent anti-Israel groups. Isaac Herzog said Wednesday that the Syrian opposition want to "be friends" with Israel. He refused to name his sources because he said they fear retribution by Assad. He said they are aligned with the main rebel factions. There was no confirmation from the Syrian opposition figures. » Read more

Israeli leader to US to talk about Iran tensions ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press by Amy Teibel - February 29, 2012 - 1:00am JERUSALEM — Israel's prime minister sets off this week on a U.S. visit clouded by a deepening rift with Washington, which is pressing Israel to hold off on any attack against Iran's suspect nuclear program. Although Israel says it hasn't decided whether to strike, it has signaled readiness to do so — a move that would have deep worldwide implications. » Read more

PA controlled office in Gaza ransacked ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency March 1, 2012 - 1:00am GAZA CITY (Ma’an) -- Unidentified assailants raided the headquarters of the Palestinian Authority-controlled Civil Administration building in the northern Gaza Strip overnight Wednesday. Headquarters chief Maher Abu al-Quf told Ma'an that the Israeli side of the office alerted them to an attempted robbery at 11.30 p.m. on Wednesday evening. Personnel rushed to the site but the suspects had left the scene after damaging the offices and ransacking its contents. It is the 11th time such an incident has taken place, Abu al-Quf said. Hamas police have opened an investigation. » Read more

Israel deepens hold in West Bank heartland, quietly legalizes unsanctioned settler enclave ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press March 1, 2012 - 1:00am SHVUT RACHEL, West Bank — Israel has legalized one of the oldest and largest of the unsanctioned settler enclaves dotting the West Bank, a step denounced by the Palestinians and Israeli activists as a show of bad faith ahead of talks next week between the Israeli leader and President Barack Obama. » Read more