May 11th

Broad coalition in Israel shows Netanyahu's centrist colors ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Christian Science Monitor by Niv Elis - (Opinion) May 10, 2012 - 12:00am Israel woke up to an astounding new political reality Tuesday morning, one in which religious and far-right parties had lost considerable influence. » Read more

What an Israeli attack on Iran will mean for the Muslims ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Ahmed Rashid - (Opinion) May 11, 2012 - 12:00am Iran's nuclear program, which could have the capacity to produce weapons-grade nuclear material sooner rather than later, remains a principal focus of international attention, despite a vast international policy crisis vis-a-vis the Middle East, due to the developments engendered by the so-called Arab Spring. » Read more

Israel's Spy Revolt ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Foreign Policy by Natan Sachs - (Opinion) May 10, 2012 - 12:00am Something has gone very wrong with Israel's posture on Iran's nuclear program. While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak lead a confrontational approach -- including dramatic interviews and speeches to U.S. » Read more

Is Israel Bluffing? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'ariv by Nadav Eyal - (Opinion) May 4, 2012 - 12:00am In the capitals of the world, from Washington eastward to Europe and Asia, everyone is asking the same simple question: Have the Israelis been bluffing all along? The effects of the confrontation between Dagan and Erdogan in New York were also felt in Tehran. » Read more

Echoes of ‘67: Israel unites ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post by Charles Krauthammer - (Opinion) May 11, 2012 - 12:00am In May 1967, in brazen violation of previous truce agreements, Egypt ordered U.N. peacekeepers out of the Sinai, marched 120,000 troops to the Israeli border, blockaded the Straits of Tiran (Israel’s southern outlet to the world’s oceans), abruptly signed a military pact with Jordan and, together with Syria, pledged war for the final destruction of Israel. » Read more

Hamas says it will not go to war for Iran ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Samia Nakhoul, Michael Stott - (Interview) May 10, 2012 - 12:00am GAZA, May 10 (Reuters) - The Islamist movement Hamas will not let itself be dragged into a war against Israel if it attacks the nuclear facilities of Hamas ally Iran, Gaza leader Ismail Haniyeh said on Thursday. "Hamas is a Palestinian movement that acts within the Palestinian arena and it carries out its political and field actions in a way that suits the interests of the Palestinian people," he said at his headquarters in the enclave. » Read more

Ramallah’s Ashtar Theater perform Richard II in London ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Asharq Alawsat by Sheyma Buali - (Theater Review) May 11, 2012 - 12:00am London, Asharq Al-Awsat- Shakespeare has been translated into every major language, interpreted via every art and theater movement, has been the basis of discussions about language on multiple levels – including the formation of words and grammar. His plays and poetry have changed the way people think of romance, tragedy, comedy, fantasy and even the bizarre. His impression on lyrical works and drama has not waned in the 400 years that people of all ages have been studying and receiving his works, whether in classrooms or theaters. » Read more

Can good come of it? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Economist (Analysis) May 12, 2012 - 12:00am NO SOONER had news broken of the sudden alliance in Israel between Binyamin Netanyahu, the prime minister, and Shaul Mofaz, hitherto the leader of the main opposition, than the Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, called yet again for “substantive” talks to achieve a Palestinian state. Palestinian negotiators dusted off a plan Mr Mofaz first proposed in 2009 and has reiterated several times, wondering whether he might repackage it. » Read more

Clinton to Netanyahu: Use unity cabinet to advance Mideast peace ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Barak Ravid - May 11, 2012 - 12:00am Washington hopes the new, expanded coalition will enable Israel to take steps to advance peace talks with the Palestinians, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a phone call to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday. Over the past few years, Netanyahu has repeatedly claimed that he couldn't make certain gestures toward the Palestinians for fear that it would topple his government, which relied on smaller parties to his right. » Read more

Israeli city bans girls from singing at conference ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press May 10, 2012 - 12:00am JERUSALEM — An Israeli newspaper says a central city has agreed to a request by an Orthodox religious group to ban girls from singing at a youth conference next week. The Haaretz daily reported Thursday that the Kfar Sava town council imposed the ban to respect the wishes of the Bnei Akiva religious youth group. Various youth movements are set to participate in the conference. Strictly Orthodox Jewish men do not listen to women singing for reasons of religious modesty. » Read more