September 19th

Restructuring of PLO Is Key To Palestinian Reconciliation
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from As-Safir
by Hani al-Masri - (Opinion) September 18, 2012 - 12:00am


Following a recent press conference, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that “reconciliation between [Palestinian] factions means holding elections” and that “there will be no further dialogue with Hamas unless the electoral commission resumes voter registration in the Gaza Strip.”


Energy Security a Priority for Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-Hayat
by Walid Khadduri - (Opinion) September 18, 2012 - 12:00am


Israel is currently reviewing the policy on gas it intends to adopt in the future, shortly before natural gas production begins in the Tamar field in the spring of 2013. The ministerial committee set up by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and tasked by the government to draft policies on natural gas consumption at home as well as gas exports, finished drafting its final report on August 29, kicking off discussions over its contents.


Binyamin Netanyahu's Iran strategy erases the Palestinian problem
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian
by Chris McGreal - (Opinion) September 18, 2012 - 12:00am


Binyamin Netanyahu's appearance on Meet the Press this weekend was telling. Interviewer David Gregory called him the "leader of the Jewish people". That's certainly how the Israeli prime minister would like to see himself, and he wouldn't be the first.


Blue and white elephant
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Eytan Gilboa - (Opinion) September 19, 2012 - 12:00am


Ahead of the November presidential elections, it appears that the Democrats and Republicans are in a competition to show which party supports Israel more. The Republicans are attacking the Democrats over Obama's attitude toward Israel, while the Democrats are trying to return fire. On the surface this seems harmless, but actually it is a very negative and worrying development.


Giving Israel a new look at Hamas
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Zvi Barel - (Book Review) September 19, 2012 - 12:00am


“Hamas offers two alternatives: 1. A separate track, dealing only with the release of Gilad Shalit in return for 1,000 Palestinian political prisoners. 2. A release of prisoners will take place in the broader context of a strategic approach ‏(as follows‏), and the number of prisoners released will not be in the hundreds.”


Learning about the Holocaust - in Arabic
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Khaled Diab - (Opinion) September 19, 2012 - 12:00am


"Please excuse my broken Arabic," our guide, Yehuda Yarin, tells the mixed group of Palestinians and Israelis who have come to Yad Vashem to learn more about the Holocaust. It's a three-day joint excursion - a Tiyul-Rihla, the words for "trip" in Hebrew and Arabic - to Acre, Haifa and Jerusalem.


Not just Romney: Many in Middle East are losing faith in a two-state solution, too
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Christian Science Monitor
by Christa Case Bryant - September 18, 2012 - 12:00am


Jerusalem A newly leaked video shows presidential hopeful Mitt Romney questioning the longstanding US road map for peace in the Middle East – and, in fact, if the Palestinians want peace at all.


Middle East Comments Could Vex a Romney Administration
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by David E. Sanger - (Opinion) September 18, 2012 - 12:00am


BOSTON — No one has ever had any illusions about where Mitt Romney stands on the two hottest disputes in the Middle East: the argument over the creation of a Palestinian state, and the debate over what can be done to assure that Iran does not get a nuclear weapon.


NEWS: The World Bank says the Palestinian fiscal crisis is intensifying. Various scenarios face Pres. Abbas in the context of the emerging crisis. The Israeli military holds its largest snap drill in many years. The PA criticizes Egypt for hosting a Hamas leader. Like Mitt Romney, many in the Middle East are losing confidence in the prospect of a two-state solution. Abbas says he will deliver a speech at the UN in September asking for nonmember observer state status for Palestine. A Palestinian militant-turned-theater director detained by PA security forces has resumed a hunger strike. Israeli settlements keep expanding despite the evacuation of a tiny “unauthorized” outpost. An advisor to Pres. Morsy says amending the peace treaty with Israel is "only a matter of time.” COMMENTARY: David Sanger says Romney's recent comments could prove problematic if he is elected president. Khaled Diab describes Palestinians and Israelis jointly visiting Israel's Holocaust Memorial. Zvi Bar'el looks at a new Israeli book about Hamas. Eitan Gilboa says Israel would be wise not to interfere in US politics. Chris McGreal says PM Netanyahu has successfully made Iran the only Middle East issue in the United States. Walid Khadduri says energy security is a priority for Israel. Hani al-Masri says restructuring the PLO is the key to Palestinian unity. David Rothkopf says Netanyahu has exposed the fallacy of an all-powerful “Israel Lobby.” Aaron David Miller asks if Romney can be trusted with Middle East policy. Tony Karon says Palestinians are used to unfair attacks such as those in the recently released Romney video.

Amending treaty with Israel 'a matter of time,' says presidential adviser
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Egypt Independent
by Ashgan Harb - September 19, 2012 - 12:00am


An adviser to President Mohamed Morsy has said that amending the 1979 peace treaty signed with Israel is "a matter of time," adding that such a move is necessary to restore full Egyptian control over Sinai.



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