June 11th

Outpost Nation: Why Bibi Won’t Break With Israel’s Settlers ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Beast by Dan Ephron - (Opinion) June 8, 2012 - 12:00am A battle over several homes in the West Bank has opened a rift between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a constituency he usually counts on for support: the hundreds of thousands of Jews who live in settlements across the Israeli-occupied area. » Read more

Palestinian President Abbas 'would accept' UN upgrade ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC World News June 8, 2012 - 12:00am Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas says he is ready to accept "non-member state" status at the United Nations, if Israel does not resume peace talks. He made the comments as French President Francois Hollande lent his support to Palestinian aims for UN state recognition. Last September the Palestinian bid for full member status fell apart when the United States said it would veto it. Security Council backing is required for bids for full UN membership. » Read more

Processing Delay ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Foreign Policy by Elliott Abrams - (Opinion) June 8, 2012 - 12:00am Summer 2012. Israel's elections have been delayed until late next year by the formation of a new coalition government. The "Arab Spring" is producing Muslim Brotherhood victories, Salafi gains, chaos in Syria, disorder in Egypt, tremors in Jordan. Iran's nuclear program moves steadily forward despite tougher sanctions and ongoing negotiations between Iran and the world's major powers. In the United States, » Read more

Israel's settlement policy could trigger a third intifada, experts warn Netanyahu ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Amir Oren - June 10, 2012 - 12:00am Mideast experts warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week that construction policies in the settlements or the burning of a major mosque by extremists could help trigger a violent uprising in the West Bank. The meeting with Netanyahu, which lasted about 90 minutes, took place Tuesday evening. » Read more

Imagining a Palestinian Economy ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Beast (Opinion) June 8, 2012 - 12:00am      At the last meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee for Aid to Palestine, the Israeli delegation argued that the Palestinian economy was not ready to sustain an independent state. But this argument is frustrating. It is Israel’s very denial of independence that most impedes Palestinian economic prosperity.  As a board member of the Palestinian Business Women’s Forum, I was appalled by this conclusion. » Read more

Imagining a Palestinian Economy ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Beast by Amal Daraghmeh Masri - (Opinion) June 8, 2012 - 12:00am At the last meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee for Aid to Palestine, the Israeli delegation argued that the Palestinian economy was not ready to sustain an independent state. But this argument is frustrating. It is Israel’s very denial of independence that most impedes Palestinian economic prosperity.  As a board member of the Palestinian Business Women’s Forum, I was appalled by this conclusion. » Read more

Monetary chief: PA bank borrowing reaches limit ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency June 11, 2012 - 12:00am The head of the Palestine Monetary Authority said Sunday that the Palestinian Authority government has reached the maximum limit of borrowing from Palestinian banks. Jihad Al-Wazir said in a statement that banks in Palestine increased lending to the government by over $300 million in the last two months, and cannot lend more unless repayments from donor countries come through. The Authority has set supervisory measures to bolster the banking sector in the face of any political or economic shocks, al-Wazir added. » Read more

Sabra and Shatila: Israel’s war of lies ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News by Uri Avnery - (Opinion) June 10, 2012 - 12:00am Thirty years ago this week, the Israeli Army crossed into Lebanon and started the most stupid war in Israel’s history. It lasted for 18 years. About 1,500 Israeli soldiers and untold numbers of Lebanese and Palestinians were killed. Almost all wars are based on lies. Lies are considered legitimate instruments of war. Lebanon War I (as it was later called) was a shining example. From beginning to end (if it has ended yet) it was a war of deceit and deception, falsehoods and fabrications. » Read more

Senior Hamas leader says Israel could be isolated by Egypt vote ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Los Angeles Times by Edmund Sanders - June 8, 2012 - 12:00am A presidential victory for the Muslim Brotherhood candidate in Egypt would leave Israel isolated and vulnerable in the Middle East, according to senior Hamas leader Ghazi Hamad, who serves as the Palestinian militant group's deputy foreign minister. » Read more

Strong and Stronger ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Beast by Hussein Ibish - (Opinion) June 8, 2012 - 12:00am At a recent informal meeting with Jewish Americans at the White House, President Barack Obama apparently expressed concerns about “domestic political constraints” holding back Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on the peace process with Israel. This has led a number of observers, including Peter Beinart, to conclude that Abbas is politically "weak," or at least that Obama thinks so. » Read more