UN envoy: All settlements contrary to international law
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
June 8, 2012 - 12:00am


The UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process on Thursday reiterated the international community's view that settlements in occupied Palestinian territory are illegitimate. In a statement, Robert Serry said that Israel's settlements were contrary to international law "whether on private Palestinian land or elsewhere in occupied Palestinian territory."


NEWS: Israel says it's investigating anti-Arab hate graffiti in a “peace village.” Israel's interior minister again vows to expel all African migrants, as an Israeli court rejects a human rights appeal by migrants. The UK and France join the US in condemning new Israeli settlement plans. The UN reiterates that all settlement activity contravenes international law. A former aide to the late Pres. Arafat says his recent corruption conviction in absentia was purely political. A new survey suggests Palestinian citizens of Israel are simultaneously becoming both increasingly pragmatic and alienated. COMMENTARY: Sarah Marusek says the West must recognize the importance of the Palestinian nonviolent protest movement. Gidi Weitz looks at possible indictments facing FM Lieberman. Ha'aretz says the clamor for war with Iran shows many Israelis are addicted to the use of force. Yoel Marcus says Israelis who are celebrating the anniversary of the 1967 war are deeply misguided. Sima Kadmon says PM Netanyahu has shown settlers the limitations of their power. Jay Bushinsky says Israelis need to understand the US interest is in ending the occupation. Hirsh Goodman says the controversy over the tiny Ulpana outpost shows Israeli society has lost a sense of proportion. Amira Hass says the blockade has made it easier for Israelis to demonize and target Palestinians in Gaza. Brad Rothschild says Jewish Americans should shun racist Israeli MKs. Ashraf Khalil says the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty may be revised no matter who wins Egypt's presidential election. Yael Paz-Melamed says Peace Now and its Secretary-General Yariv Oppenheimer are the only ones in Israel still taking a meaningful stance against the settlements. PLO chief of mission to the US Areikat says now is the time for Palestinian statehood, in the interests of all parties, including Israel.

The Time for a Palestinian State Is Now
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Wall Street Journal
by Maen Areikat - (Opinion) June 8, 2012 - 12:00am


This week marks the 45th anniversary of the Arab-Israeli War, when Palestinians living in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip fell under Israel's occupation. Since 1967, the power relationship that ensued has had deep and wide ramifications. What is remarkable is how each side has observed the anniversary.


Facing the Lords of the Land
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'ariv
by Yael Paz-Melamed - (Opinion) June 7, 2012 - 12:00am


A young committed man brimming with public courage stands today almost alone against the settlers, mainly those who reside on private Palestinian lands in illegal settlement outposts. His name is Yariv Oppenheimer, and he drives the settlers mad because he has succeeded time and again in placing a few boundaries for this band of people, who are certain that the entire area beyond the Green Line is their private domain, and they can do with it as they please without interference.


Camp David Pact May Be Revised No Matter Who Wins Egypt Vote
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-Monitor
by Ashraf Khalil - (Opinion) June 6, 2012 - 12:00am


Egyptians are a domestically-obsessed population right now. It’s understandable given the state of the country 15 months after Hosni Mubarak was ousted from power.


Time for American Jews to shun racist Israeli legislators
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA)
by Ben Rothschild - (Opinion) June 6, 2012 - 12:00am


NEW YORK (JTA) -- Avigdor Lieberman, Israel’s foreign minister, is no one’s idea of a soft touch. Hawkish on Israel’s settlement policy and a practitioner of a muscular, even bullying brand of diplomacy, Lieberman has a well-earned reputation as a hard-liner, no mean feat in Israel’s current rightist government. So when Lieberman becomes the voice of moderation on an issue, it’s worth a closer look.


Segregating Gazans has made them easier to demonise
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian
by Amira Hass - (Opinion) June 8, 2012 - 12:00am


A stout sense of humour and self-irony is the least most Israelis expect of Gazans. It is certainly true today, when they are spoken of almost solely through the hyperbole of military commentators who jump frantically from discussing the Iranian threat to the danger that the tiny, overcrowded, impoverished and besieged enclave poses to the state of Israel, a global military power.


Ulpana, shmulpana – get real!
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Hirsh Goodman - (Opinion) June 7, 2012 - 12:00am


This week, 45 years ago, Israel won the Six Day War and with it the territories.


Those who ignore the past are doomed to repeat it
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Jay Bushinsky - (Opinion) June 8, 2012 - 12:00am


Invariably, it seems that Defense Minister Ehud Barak says one thing and the US State Department immediately contradicts him. At the end of his latest visit to Washington, where he conferred with his American counterpart, Leon Panetta, and other senior US officials, the former IDF chief of staff and prime minister raised the possibility of a unilateral withdrawal from the West Bank.


Netanyahu 1, settlers 0
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Sima Kadmon - (Opinion) June 8, 2012 - 12:00am


Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s victory in the vote on the settlement regularization bill is not just a numerical win. It was also a moral win, because he taught the settlers an important lesson on the limits of power.



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