In Israel, Romney wows crowds but puzzles with grasp of Palestinian relationship ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post by Scott Wilson - July 30, 2012 - 12:00am Touring U.S. allies this week in his first foreign trip as the likely Republican presidential nominee, Mitt Romney often appeared to be visiting just another set of swing states, pleasing audiences with parochial promises, puzzling others with off-the-cuff remarks, and raising loads and loads of money. Only the trip was designed to be more than that for a campaign playing catch-up — a chance to show that a former governor light on foreign policy qualifications could represent the United States abroad. On that, the verdict is still out. » Read more

Romney visit reveals falling visibility of Palestinian issue ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) by Ben Sales - (Opinion) July 30, 2012 - 12:00am Mitt Romney’s policy speech in Israel covered plenty of bases: The presumptive Republican presidential candidate spoke about the status of Jerusalem, the threat of a nuclear Iran, the “tumult” of the Arab Spring and the “enduring shared values” that bedrock the U.S.-Israel relationship. But there was one topic that gained little attention: Israel’s conflict with the Palestinians. The word “Palestinian” did not appear once in the speech on Sunday evening.  » Read more

‘The Hand Of Providence’ And, Oh, The Occupation ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Beast by Bernard Avishai - (Opinion) July 30, 2012 - 12:00am Dear Governor Romney: Today, in Jerusalem, you compared the Israeli economy to Palestine’s and suggested, by implication, that Palestinians lacked everything from a progressive culture to “the hand of Providence.” You and I were management consultants in Boston. Here are some facts: » Read more

Romney Versus the World Bank ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Beast by Hussein Ibish - (Opinion) July 30, 2012 - 12:00am Republican candidate Mitt Romney's visit to Israel was marked by a series of largely boilerplate comments about the special relationship between the United States and Israel. And, like Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he almost entirely avoided the question of peace and the two-state solution, preferring to focus on the threat posed by Iran's nuclear weapons. In his speech in Jerusalem, the word “Palestinian” did not once cross his lips. » Read more

Romney’s visit ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post (Editorial) July 30, 2012 - 12:00am There is no doubt that Mitt Romney is a great friend and supporter of Israel. During his short but significant visit to the country this week, the former Massachusetts governor said all the right things. He backed, inter alia, “any and all measures” to stop Iran from building nuclear weapons, Israel’s right to defend itself (adding “it is right for America to stand by you”) and its claim to Jerusalem as its capital – much to the chagrin of the Palestinians. » Read more

Mr. Romney Stumps in Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times (Editorial) July 30, 2012 - 12:00am Mitt Romney made a point of insisting that he would adhere to an unwritten rule and often violated rule about candidates not criticizing each other or contradicting American foreign policy on foreign soil. About the only effort he made to keep that promise during his stop in Israel was to avoid mentioning President Obama by name. » Read more