Finding a safe space for Palestinian queer activism ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency August 17, 2012 - 12:00am In 2008, Laila was a recent college graduate and committed anti-occupation activist in her hometown of Nablus. But there was one issue her groups could not adequately address: her sexuality. “I started testing the waters, looking at what organizations are out there, what’s the discourse,” said Laila last month in Nablus. She researched the Haifa-based lesbian group Aswat, but that organization is more attentive to Palestinians within Israel and inaccessible to West Bank residents like Laila. » Read more

Israel: Firebomb attack wounds 6 Palestinians ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press August 17, 2012 - 12:00am The Israeli military says six Palestinians have been wounded in a suspected firebomb attack in the West Bank. The six were traveling in a taxi Thursday night when the firebomb was allegedly thrown into the car. The military suspects Jewish extremist to be behind the attack. Extremist settlers often attack Palestinians and their property in a campaign they call "price tag." It's meant to retaliate for either army action against settlers or Palestinian attacks. Several more firebombs were hurled earlier Thursday toward settler vehicles in the West Bank. » Read more

In Israel, debate rages over Netanyahu's threats to attack Iran ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times by Edmund Sanders - August 16, 2012 - 12:00am Whether serious or a bluff, Israel'spublic threats to attackIran'snuclear development program are widely credited for bringing U.S. pressure and international sanctions against Tehran this year. » Read more

Obama's Last Chance Before Israel Bombs Iran ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Beast by Benny Morris - (Opinion) August 16, 2012 - 12:00am There is only one thing that can prevent an Israeli assault on Iran’s nuclear installations before the US presidential elections—and that, short of an attack by America itself, which is seen as extremely unlikely, is an iron-clad guarantee by President Obama that he will destroy the Iranian installations soon after his prospective re-election if the Iranian do not desist under the impact of the ongoing economic sanctions » Read more

Israeli defense minister: Only government to decide Iranian issue ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua August 16, 2012 - 12:00am Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak lashed out at his critics on Thursday, saying that the decision on how to counter the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran lies within the exclusive domain of the government. "The prime minister, defense minister and foreign minister hold responsibility. A decision (to attack Iran), once one is needed, will be made by the government of Israel, not by groups of citizens or editorials," Barak said at a Knesset (parliament) session to swear-in a new home front defense minister. » Read more

Dennis Ross: Israel's Iran Threats Aimed at Spurring Global Action ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-Monitor by Laura Rozen - (Opinion) August 15, 2012 - 12:00am Israel’s intentions on Iran are ambiguous, veteran United States-Middle East trouble shooter Dennis Ross says. “Part of the motivation for being as public as they have been is to motivate the rest of world," Ross, who served as the top Obama White House Iran strategist from 2009 to the end of 2011, told Al-Monitor in an interview Tuesday. “The second reason is to condition the rest of the world not to be surprised if or when they are going to act militarily,” Ross said. “And to get the Israeli public ready as well.” » Read more

Israeli Leaders Could Be Dissuaded From Striking Iran ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Jodi Rudoren - August 15, 2012 - 12:00am A former Israeli national security adviser said Wednesday that the prime minister and the defense minister told him this week they had not yet decided to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities and could be dissuaded from a strike if President Obama approved stricter sanctions and publicly confirmed his willingness to use military force. » Read more

In suspected Jerusalem lynch, dozens of Jewish youths attack 3 Palestinians ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Nir Hasson - (Analysis) August 17, 2012 - 12:00am Dozens of Jewish youths attacked three young Palestinians in Jerusalem's Zion Square early on Friday morning, in what one witness described as "a lynch" on Facebook. One of the Palestinians was seriously wounded and hospitalized in intensive care in Hadassah University Hospital, Ein Karem. Acting Jerusalem police chief, General Menachem Yitzhaki, gas set up a special team to investigate the incident and detain the suspects. » Read more

Israel’s President Criticizes Talk of Unilateral Strike on Iran ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Isabel Kershner - August 16, 2012 - 12:00am Shimon Peres, Israel’s president and elder statesman, spoke out Thursday against the prospect of a lone Israeli military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, a message that contradicts the hawkish, go-it-alone line emanating from the offices of Israel’s prime minister and defense minister. » Read more

Self-inflicted information war ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Yoel Marcus - (Opinion) August 16, 2012 - 12:00am These days, with the country’s leaders straining our nerves, it’s hard not to recall the immortal words of Eli Wallach in “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”: “If you have to shoot, shoot, don’t talk.” » Read more