Defying the occupation with a camcorder ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Amira Hass - (Opinion) July 23, 2012 - 12:00am Eight or nine of those who "carry the burden," to use the jargon of the recent public discourse on military service in Israel, burst into the house in the middle of the night. Their weapons pointed, they wear camouflage helmets, backpacks with walkie-talkies, and streaks of paint on their faces. In the house: parents, four children (two boys, two girls ), a grandmother (paralyzed after a stroke ), and two friends. » Read more

Egypt allowing Palestinians freer entry ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press by Sarah El Deeb - July 23, 2012 - 12:00am Egyptian and Palestinian officials say Egypt is allowing freer entry for Palestinians into the country, in an unprecedented move that eases long held travel restrictions particularly on Gazans but caused confusion among security agencies here. Airport officials said seven Gazans were allowed into Egypt Monday without the usual restrictions under which transiting Gazans under 40 years old were "deported" — taken in security escorts from the airport directly to Gaza, often after long detentions at the airport. » Read more

Israel, When the Lights Go Down ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Jodi Rudoren - (Film Review) July 21, 2012 - 12:00am Sitting in a darkened movie theater one recent morning, I had to suppress the urge to clap along as a dozen young male adherents of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov — well, actors playing Breslovers — danced around their black-hatted rabbi to an improvised ditty, “Ani lo yodea klum,” Hebrew for “I don’t know anything.” The rabbi had started the romp with that simple statement, trying to explain that wisdom was in the text for the taking. » Read more

Netanyahu attempt to split Kadima falters ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press by Amy Teibel - July 23, 2012 - 12:00am Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched a botched attempt to fragment Israel's main opposition party on Monday by wooing some of its lawmakers to rejoin his governing coalition just days after the bloc bolted his coalition. But the maneuver failed after he managed to win over only four Kadima Party lawmakers, leaving him with a relatively fragile majority that could be hard-pressed to survive challenges like a contentious court-ordered reform of the military draft and the 2013 budget. » Read more