June 1st

Now that Netanyahu is surrounded by veteran unilateral withdrawers, is a surprise in store? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Yossi Verter - (Opinion) June 1, 2012 - 12:00am For many long minutes on Wednesday, Defense Minister Ehud Barak stood at the podium at Tel Aviv's Institute for National Security Studies. He spoke lucidly about everything - Iran, the Palestinians, Syria, the budget, the Tal Law, party primaries. His main message related to the Iranian threat. "You can't sleep quietly at night with a sword hanging over your neck," he declared.

Israeli gov't unimpressed by defense minister's unilateral withdrawal pitch ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua by Adam Gonn - (Opinion) June 1, 2012 - 12:00am Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Wednesday said that while it is important that Israel tries to reach an agreement with the Palestinians, should these attempts fail Israel might have to act on its own. "If it turns out not to be possible, we need to think about an interim agreement, or even unilateral steps. Israel does not have the luxury to remain in a stalemate," said Barak, according to The Jerusalem Post. » Read more

What You Need to Know About Unilateralism ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Beast by Emily L. Hauser - (Opinion) May 31, 2012 - 12:00am In a speech at Tel Aviv University’s Institute for National Security Studies on Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak floated the idea, as if it were a new one, that if two-state negotiations with the Palestinians fail, Israel “must consider an interim arrangement or even a unilateral move." » Read more

Why Unilateralism Won't Work ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Beast by Hussein Ibish - (Opinion) May 31, 2012 - 12:00am Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak recently warned that if negotiations with the Palestinians do not yield results soon, Israel might consider "unilateral measures" in the occupied West Bank. He didn't specify what those might be, but several others have suggested that Israel create “temporary” or “provisional” unilaterally-imposed new borders in the territory. This idea is simple, superficially appealing and profoundly dangerous.  » Read more

Palestinians condemn Israeli unilateral plan to withdraw from some parts of West Bank ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National by Vita Bekker - June 1, 2012 - 12:00am Palestinians yesterday blasted a plan raised by the Israeli defence minister that called for Israel to unilaterally withdraw from parts of the West Bank if peace talks remain stalled. On Wednesday, Ehud Barak told a security conference in Tel Aviv that Israel "cannot afford to tread water" and has to "consider an interim arrangement or even unilateral steps". » Read more

Australia giving $90 million to Palestinian refugees ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) May 30, 2012 - 12:00am Australia is donating $90 million over five years to aid the health and education of Palestinian refugees. Foreign Minister Bob Carr announced the aid package earlier this week, saying he is "very proud" that since 2007 Australia has helped 470,000 Palestinian children attend school. » Read more

Australia giving $90 million to Palestinian refugees ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) May 30, 2012 - 12:00am Australia is donating $90 million over five years to aid the health and education of Palestinian refugees. Foreign Minister Bob Carr announced the aid package earlier this week, saying he is "very proud" that since 2007 Australia has helped 470,000 Palestinian children attend school. » Read more

Peres calls for stop to racism and incitement ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Greer Fay Cashman - May 31, 2012 - 12:00am Racism has no place in Judaism, President Shimon Peres declared on Thursday at a swearing-in ceremony at the Supreme Court, and said that, as president and as a citizen of Israel, he was appalled by revelations of incitement and racism. » Read more

Clinton: There's no substitute for direct talks ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Yitzhak Benhorin - May 31, 2012 - 12:00am Only negotiations will bring about peace, said US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday, rejecting Defense Minister Ehud Barak's statements on a unilateral step in the West Bank. "The United States believes there is no substitute for direct talks between the parties," Clinton told a press conference in Denmark. "It is the only route to achieving what has long been not only a Palestinian goal and an American goal, but an Israeli goal, which are two states living side by side in peace and security." » Read more

PA ministry approves new Tawjihi exam system ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency May 27, 2012 - 12:00am The Palestinian Authority Ministry of Education has approved a new high school exam system, an official told Ma'an on Friday. Basri Salih, undersecretary for planning and development, said that a simplified system for "Tawjihi" exams has been developed after months of consultations and discussions. The new system was prepared by a commission headed by Salih and submitted to the PA education ministry on April 28. As part of the changes, tenth and eleventh graders will be tested on 12 subjects over a two year period. » Read more