NEWS: Israel celebrates its 64th Independence Day in a mix of pessimism and enthusiasm. IDF chief Gantz says Israel and “other nations” are prepared to attack Iran, if necessary. The deadline for a court-ordered destruction of a settlement outpost in the occupied West Bank threatens the unity of Israel's cabinet. Pres. Abbas calls on Arabs and Muslims around the world to visit Jerusalem. Israeli settlers attack a village and block a road near Nablus. The US says it is concerned by the PAs blocking of certain websites, and PalTel officials say they have no choice but to comply with censorship orders. Up to 2000 Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel are now on hunger strike. Hamas officials deny reports that Ismail Hanniyeh was elected to head its Gaza politburo in a secret vote earlier this month. Many Palestinians fear Ramallah's apparent boom of prosperity could soon turn into an economic bust. Jordan's Prime Minister Awn Khasawneh resigns after 6 months in office on an anti-corruption platform. COMMENTARY: Gideon Levy says Israel's government is providing “unauthorized” settlement outposts with every convenience and service. Oudeh Basharat demands to know whether Israel is going to attack Iran or not. Carlo Strenger says on its 64th birthday Israel should look for alternatives to mindless fear mongering or self-righteous utopianism. Kasim Hafeez says he's proud to be a British Muslim Zionist. Rep. Howard Berman says Israel's “Iron Dome” antimissile system is an investment in stability. The National says Hamas' leadership crisis couldn't come at a worse time for Palestinians. Calcalist asks why Egypt canceled its natural gas deal with Israel. Ali Matash says his human rights organization was shut down by the PA to prevent them from exposing corruption scandals. Gershon Baskin says Hamas should be seen as “hard-line pragmatists.” Meir Javedanfar says PM Netanyahu's policies towards Iran are proving increasingly unpopular with the Israeli public.

Netayahu Iran Policies Rejected By Increasing Numbers in Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-Monitor
by Meir Javendanfar - (Opinion) April 24, 2012 - 12:00am

After winning the Kadima primaries on March 27, Shaul Mofaz gave his first television interview as head of the party. He immediately started attacking Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, especially his policies and statements regarding Iran. “[Netanyahu] wants to create an image that he is the protector of Israel,” stated the Iranian-born Mofaz. He then went on to describe Netanyahu’s Iran policy as not just "spin," but worse. Mofaz warned against an early attack on Iran, which he said could be “disastrous” and bring “limited results” in terms of curbing Iran’s nuclear program.

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Hardline Pragmatists
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Beast
by Gershon Baskin - (Opinion) April 25, 2012 - 12:00am

I was pleased when, several weeks ago, Larry Cohler-Esses called me and asked my advice about his Cairo interview with Hamas leader Dr. Mousa Abu Marzook. I told him that, over the six years that I have been dealing with Hamas, I’ve learned that, contrary to what I’d been taught, Hamas is first and foremost a Palestinian national movement, and only secondly an Islamic religious movement. Were they first a religious movement guided by the word of God, change and reform would be nearly impossible.

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Shuttered Palestinian Human Rights Group Cries Foul
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from An-Nahar
by Ali Matash - April 26, 2012 - 12:00am

Without warning, Palestinian Interior Minister Said Abu-Ali decided to close the Palestinian Human Rights Foundation (Monitor) offices in the West Bank. He claimed that his decision was based on the Law of Charitable Associations and Community Organizations, Law No.1.

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Why Did Egypt Terminate Its Gas Deal with Israel?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Calcalist
by Zvi Mazael - (Opinion) April 24, 2012 - 12:00am

The termination of the gas agreement between Israel and Egypt deviates from the rules of normal commerce and from normal disagreements between supplier and purchaser.

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Hamas's crisis of leadership is terrible timing
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National
(Editorial) April 27, 2012 - 12:00am

Palestinian politics continue to be shrouded in secrecy. The reconciliation deal between Hamas and Fatah signed in Cairo last May is in danger of collapsing; elections are nowhere in sight; and reports of internal conflicts in both camps continue to emerge.

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Iron Dome is an investment in Mideast stability
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA)
by Howard Berman - (Opinion) April 25, 2012 - 12:00am

This is a unique time in the Jewish calendar, a period when bitterness and sweetness are mixed together. The just concluded Passover holiday marks the journey of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Holy Land. Holocaust Remembrance Day commemorates the murder of 6 million innocent Jewish martyrs and heroes. Israeli Memorial Day is observed with solemnity as Israelis gather by the gravesides of their fallen soldiers, and is followed immediately by Israeli Independence Day, a joyous and celebratory occasion.

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Muslim, Zionist and proud
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Kasim Hafeez - (Opinion) April 25, 2012 - 12:00am

I am a Zionist, a proud Muslim Zionist, and I love Israel, but this was not always the case. In fact, for many years I was quite the extreme opposite. I experienced the high levels of anti-Semitism and anti-Israel activity taking place on British university campuses, because I was the anti-Semitic, anti-Israel activist.

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When I’m 64: Farewell to hysteria - Welcome to pragmatism
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Carlo Strenger - (Opinion) April 25, 2012 - 12:00am

First of all Mazal Tov to us all: Israel will be celebrating its 64th Independence Day tomorrow. We will all go to parties, see friends, and probably eat too much at tomorrow’s barbecues.

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Dear Mr. Netanyahu: Will Israel attack Iran?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Oudeh Basharat - (Opinion) April 26, 2012 - 12:00am

On my list of things to leave out - after the prime minister's "leaving-out interview" on the country's economy ("if we leave out the Arabs and the ultra-Orthodox, our situation is excellent" ) - are the threats against Iran this past winter. At least so I can sleep better.

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