NEWS: The fallout from the Israeli election, especially for PM Netanyahu, is being assessed. Many believe Netanyahu will be forced to try to form a centrist coalition, and some reports indicate he may have offered political newcomer Lapid a choice between the ministries of foreign affairs or finance. The election again demonstrates the alienation of Palestinian citizens of Israel from its political system, although their 56% turnout was bigger than expected. Israel says it will boycott a meeting of the UN Human Rights Council on its own record. Secretary of State-designate Kerry says it would be "disastrous" to fail to reach a two-state peace agreement. Jordan's King Abdullah says, if no progress is made, a two-state solution will only be viable for the duration of Pres. Obama second term. Hamas organizes paramilitary training for teenagers in Gaza. Palestinian protesters reconstruct a protest tent city in northwest Jerusalem. PA finance minister Qassis says the government's fiscal crisis is "structural." Israeli security services report that in 2012, for the first time since 1973, no Israeli was killed in any "terror attack" in the occupied West Bank. COMMENTARY: Alon Idan explains how, through a process of radicalization, extreme Zionists actually become anti-Zionists. Gideon Levy and Alex Levac trace the details of the killing of a Palestinian youth by occupation soldiers. Ben Caspit says, at least in terms of image, Lapid seems to be "the perfect Israeli." Michael Cohen says the Israeli election leaves Obama little to work with on pursuing a two-state solution. J.J. Goldberg says Lapid faces as many political challenges as Netanyahu. George Hishmeh says if Obama doesn't prioritize it, a two-state solution may become impossible. David Gardner says the annexationist right in Israel has been strengthened. Hassan Barari says Netanyahu is weakened and left with a precarious balancing act. Meir Javedanfar says the election won't affect Israel's Iran policies. Murat Yetkin says a new, more centrist, Israeli government could repair relations with Turkey.

A correction for Israeli politics
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-Arabiya
(Opinion) January 25, 2013 - 1:00am


 


Elections Unlikely to Change Israel’s Iran Strategy
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-Monitor
by Meir Javendanfar - (Opinion) January 25, 2013 - 1:00am


  The results of the recent Israeli elections are unlikely to bring much change to Israel’s current Iran strategy.


Elections weaken Netanyahu
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News
by Hassan Barari - (Opinion) January 25, 2013 - 1:00am


The outcome of the most recent Israeli general elections of Tuesday has not only weakened the incumbent Benjamin Netanyahu but also made it difficult for him to do a balancing act. The results came as a worse case scenario to Netanyahu who hoped for a clear victory and a new mandate from the Israeli public. Although the list headed by Netanyahu and contested election remained the largest in the Knesset, the ascendance of the newly formed political party — Yesh Atid (there is a future) — will complicate Netanyahu’s calculations with regard to forming a new government.


Israel election outcome still not conducive for peace
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Gulf News
by David Gardner - (Opinion) January 25, 2013 - 1:00am


 


Obama’s foreign policy
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times
by George S. Hishmeh - (Opinion) January 25, 2013 - 1:00am


To the disappointment of many, President Barack Obama seemed to downplay foreign affairs in his inaugural address, as compared to the otherwise attractive progressive plank he underlined on domestic issues during his second inaugural address on Monday.


Yair Lapid, Telegenic Kingmaker, Has Rough Road Ahead
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward
by J.J. Goldberg - (Opinion) January 25, 2013 - 1:00am


  Moments after exit polls confirmed his surprise second-place showing in Israel’s January 22 parliamentary elections, political neophyte Yair Lapid faced his giddy supporters and declared: “A serious responsibility has been placed on our shoulders tonight.”


Israel's election leaves slim opportunity for Obama to push two-state solution
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian
by Michael Cohen - (Opinion) January 25, 2013 - 1:00am


 


The perfect Israeli
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Ben Caspit - (Opinion) January 25, 2013 - 1:00am


The day after the election, I was reminded of that TV moment in which the interviewer, Yair Lapid, asked the interviewee, his father Yosef “Tommy” Lapid, “What is an ‘Israeli,’ in your eyes?” Dear old Tommy smiled for a second, his eyes sparkled, and he said: “You.”


An infiltration thwarted, a Palestinian youth left to die
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Gideon Levy - (Opinion) January 25, 2013 - 1:00am


The semester’s final exam in sciences was finished, and Samir Awad was feeling pleased when he left the classroom. This was his last exam. Looking, perhaps, for some relief from the pressures of the exam, he headed out with some of his friends to the path that leads down from the school in his village, Budrus, in the Ramallah region; the group headed toward the separation barrier, located about 200 meters away. There were six of them: Monir, Hosni, Mohammed, Sahar, Musa and Samir.



American Task Force on Palestine - 1634 Eye St. NW, Suite 725, Washington DC 20006 - Telephone: 202-262-0017