August 21st

Netanyahu on the balcony of war ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Sefi Rachlevsky - (Opinion) August 21, 2012 - 12:00am In the summer of 1995, the heads of the security establishment once again warned then-opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu against involvement in the campaign of incitement against Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, under the slogan "With blood and fire, we'll expel Rabin." Netanyahu was warned that he was playing with fire. That it would end in catastrophe. But he covered his ears. » Read more

How Iran strengthened Israeli democracy ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Aluf Benn - (Opinion) August 20, 2012 - 12:00am Benjamin Netanyahu and Ehud Barak deserve a medal for their contribution to strengthening Israeli democracy. For the first time a broad and noisy public debate is taking place over whether to go to war, with the encouragement and participation of the prime minister and the defense minister. When Israel does attack Iran it will not be a war of deception: The pros and cons have been discussed ad nauseam in the public arena. One can argue about the wisdom of Barak and Netanyahu's policy, but they did not act covertly. » Read more

Fear is not a deterrent, Bibi ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Reuven Pedatzur - (Opinion) August 21, 2012 - 12:00am It is possible to argue about the estimates of the results and implications of a decision to attack Iran. However, it is clear that the prime minister, by his remarks on the Iranian issue, is severely undermining one of the basic tenets of the state's future strategy. » Read more

KABOOM ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Foreign Policy by Aaron David Miller - (Opinion) August 20, 2012 - 12:00am Worried about a war with Iran, regional instability, more terrorism, rising oil prices or plunging markets? Don't be -- at least not yet. Think 2013. If Israel can't get assurances that the U.S. is prepared to use force, then Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak will act later this year or early next. But for now, there will be no war and certainly no deal over the nuclear issue. And the reason for that is pretty compelling: the mullahs, the Israelis, and the Americans all don't want one right now -- and here's why. » Read more

The Israeli debate on attacking Iran is over ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Foreign Policy by Shai Feldman - (Opinion) August 20, 2012 - 12:00am For all practical purposes this weekend ended the Israeli debate on attacking Iran. What tipped the scales were two developments. The first was the decision of the country's president, Shimon Peres, to make his opposition to a military strike public. The second was an interview given by a former key defense advisor of Defense Minister Ehud Barak, questioning for the first time publically whether his former superior and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are fit to lead Israel in time of war. » Read more

Behind the Barrier: Israel's Fence With Egypt Nears Completion ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Yedioth Ahronoth by Oded Shalom - August 3, 2012 - 12:00am It was ten in the morning and the sun beat down mercilessly. From the place we stood, not far from border stone number 45, the activities taking place on the mountain opposite us seemed like a desert mirage. You clearly view the heavy machinery working and descending on a steep slope; you look at them and wipe the sweat that has rolled into your eyes, unsure if what you see is really happening. This entire situation seems to negate the laws of gravity. » Read more

Gaza tunnel trade squeezed by Egypt 'crackdown' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News by Jon Donnison - August 21, 2012 - 12:00am In the gently rolling dunes around the town of Rafah in southern Gaza, Sagah slopes around with his donkey looking like a man with time on his hands. Fine white dust clings to the sweat on his arms under a hot midday sun. He's glum. "For the last two weeks there has been no work. I am a poor man. I have no money," he shouts, clapping his hands together in exasperation. Sagah's trade is smuggling. He is one of thousands of tunnel workers who have made a living ferrying goods from Egypt into Gaza. » Read more

'Strong W. Bank economy not enough for stability' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post August 21, 2012 - 12:00am A strong Palestinian economy will not be enough to maintain stability in the West Bank, UN special coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Robert Serry said Monday night. Serry was speaking at the closing ceremony of the Israel International Model United Nations at the College of Management Academic Studies (COMAS) in Rishon Lezion. The theme of this year's program was "It's Not All About the Money." » Read more

Arab Israelis 'have nowhere to hide' if war breaks out ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Hassan Shaalan - August 21, 2012 - 12:00am Israel's Arabs are extremely concerned by the mounting tensions between Israel and Iran and claim that the lack of shelters in their cities will leave them exposed in case a war erupts. » Read more

Israeli defense officials consult with Rabbi Ovadia Yosef over Iran strike ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Yair Ettinger, Barak Ravid - August 21, 2012 - 12:00am Senior defense officials have recently been visiting the ultra-Orthodox Shas party's spiritual leader, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, to discuss a possible Israeli attack on Iran. Some want the 91-year-old rabbi to support it, others to oppose it. At least one visit, in which the rabbi was briefed on Iran's nuclear program, came at the behest of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is battling for support in the cabinet to strike Iran. » Read more