February 10th

We must catch up ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons by Yusef Harb - (Interview) February 6, 2012 - 1:00am bitterlemons: How do you think the "Arab spring" is affecting the average Palestinian? Harb: The Arab spring has its causes and is a natural response to the political and social regimes that have been in power in the Arab states for the last 50 years. Palestinian society, however, has a clear distinction from the regimes in the Arab world. It is led by a new, modern regime, one created in 1994 through the Oslo agreement and one that protects the capabilities of the Palestinian people. » Read more

The real domino effect ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons by Zvi Barel - (Opinion) February 6, 2012 - 1:00am Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal has been full of surprises in the last couple of months. First came his announcement that the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations should be given a chance. Then came the reconciliation agreement between Fateh and Hamas, which was followed by Meshaal's confirmation that he would not run for another term as director of Hamas' political bureau. And last but not least, he and his family left Syria and now he is looking for a new shelter for Hamas' headquarters. » Read more

Rock Musician Cat Power Cancels Israel Show, Citing Israeli-Palestinian Conflict ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press February 10, 2012 - 1:00am JERUSALEM — American musician Cat Power has canceled her show in Israel, joining a list of artists shunning the country over its conflict with the Palestinians. Charlyn Marie Marshall, better known by her stage name Cat Power, was to perform in Tel Aviv on Sunday. But she tweeted on Friday that due to “much confusion” she felt she could not play for her Israeli fans and that she felt “sick in her spirit.” She had faced calls to boycott the Jewish state. » Read more

Palestinian unity accord ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News (Editorial) February 9, 2012 - 1:00am The new deal signed in Qatar on Tuesday follows on from last May’s agreement in Cairo, where both sides seemed on the brink of coming together. That process foundered because Hamas rejected Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ choice of Salam Fayyad as prime minister in the new coalition administration. Fayyad, who has very effectively restructured the security forces on the West Bank, has now been dropped from the ticket. » Read more

Barak Approves New Settler Homes in Gevoat ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Tovah Lazaroff - February 10, 2012 - 1:00am Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Thursday authorized construction of homes and educational facilities in a small, isolated area of Gush Etzion known as Gevaot. This marks the first time that permanent housing has been authorized in Gevaot, which is made up of caravan homes. Hagit Ofran of Peace Now charged that the approvals were tantamount to the creation of a new settlement – an allegation the Defense Ministry rejected. Officially, on the map, Gevaot is located within the Alon Shvut settlement. » Read more

It’s all about the money ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Gulf News by George S. Hishmeh - (Opinion) February 9, 2012 - 1:00am Political money and foreign interference have cast a pall of gloom on the US primaries this year, overshadowing the Republican party’s divisive efforts to elect a presidential nominee who would try and deny President Barack Obama a second term in the November election. » Read more

Israel to Mull Tax Exemptions on Donations ‘Zionist Settlement’ ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Jonathan Lis - February 9, 2012 - 1:00am The Ministerial Committee on Legislation will discuss on Sunday a bill recognizing donations to "Zionist settlement" for tax purposes. The bill would confer a tax exemption of up to thirty-five percent on such donations. The bill did not specify whether "Zionist settlement" referred to settlement in the West Bank or anywhere in Israel, although in practice it most likely means giving assistance to organizations that promote settlement beyond the Green Line. » Read more

Veto vs. Veto ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Dar Al-Hayat by Ziad al-Drees - (Opinion) February 10, 2012 - 1:00am The U.S. Secretary of State called the Russian-Chinese double veto against the draft resolution condemning the Syrian regime ‘Shameful’. In truth, this American description is inaccurate, because what is shameful instead is not the Russian or Chinese veto. It is the concept of the veto itself! If we consider the issue through this wider perspective, we will find that the comment made by the U.S. ambassador to the UN is atrocious, when she spoke with the tone of a tame wolf as she expressed her disgust with the Sino-Russian veto, and said, “The United States is disgusted » Read more

Palestinian Minister Faces Trial on Corruption Charges ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua February 9, 2012 - 1:00am RAMALLAH, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian minister was referred to court for trial on Thursday after an inquiry proved that he was involved in corruption, the Anti-Corruption Commission said. Minister of Economy Hassan Abu Libdeh and one of his aides were accused of corruption and mismanagement, a statement said. The commission said in its statement that it informed Prime Minister Salam Fayyad of the findings. In November, Abu Libdeh suspended his job as minister so as to be free to "defend" himself during the inquiry. » Read more

Hamas Drifting Away From Longtime Patron Iran ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Statesman by Karin Laub - February 9, 2012 - 1:00am GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Hamas appears to be drifting away from its longtime patron Iran — part of a shift that began with last year's Arab Spring and accelerated over Tehran's backing of the pariah regime in Syria. The movement's top leader in exile, Khaled Mashaal, wants Hamas to be part of the broader Islamist political rise triggered by the popular uprisings sweeping across the Arab world. For this, Hamas needs new friends like the wealthy Gulf states that are at odds with Iran. » Read more