January 23rd

Hamas official: No dispute over Abbas heading unity govt
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
January 23, 2013 - 1:00am


There is no disagreement within Hamas about Mahmoud Abbas heading a unity government to be formed later this month, deputy head of Hamas politburo Mousa Abu Marzouq said Tuesday.


Azza teen dies of Israel gunshot wounds
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
January 23, 2013 - 1:00am


A teenager shot by Israeli forces during clashes in Bethlehem last week died on Wednesday, the boy's family said.


Israeli soldiers kill Palestinian woman in West Bank
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
January 23, 2013 - 1:00am


   Israeli soldiers shot and killed a 21-year-old Palestinian woman near the West Bank city of Hebron on Wednesday and wounded another local youth, Palestinian medics said.


Palestinians: Israeli gov't should be evaluated by policies
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
January 23, 2013 - 1:00am


   Palestinian officials said Wednesday that the upcoming Israeli government should be evaluated by its policies rather than its structure.


Palestinian surprise, skepticism after Israel vote
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
by Karin Laub - January 23, 2013 - 1:00am


  Palestinian officials said Wednesday they were pleasantly surprised by the unexpected surge of moderate parties in Israel's election, but doubt it's enough to change the prime minister's hard-line policies.


Israeli election casts ex-TV anchor as kingmaker
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
by Karin Laub - January 23, 2013 - 1:00am


  Israel's election has put a suave former TV news anchor and political novice in the role of kingmaker, and he has signaled he will use his power to try to move the next government to more centrist positions on Mideast peacemaking.


Tepid Vote for Netanyahu in Israel Is Seen as Rebuke
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Jodi Rudoren - January 22, 2013 - 1:00am


 


January 22nd

NEWS: PM Netanyahu is expected to win today's election in Israel. A candidate from the right wing "Jewish Home" party generates controversy with comments imagining "blowing up" Muslim holy sites in occupied East Jerusalem. The Arab League urges Palestinian citizens of Israel to vote. Palestinians say they see no hope for peace in Israel's election. UK FM Hague says without progress this year, "people will increasingly conclude that a two state solution has become impossible." The Malaysian PM is visiting Gaza. Three protesters are injured by Palestinian security services during a disturbance at a refugee camp near Ramallah. Netanyahu's relationship with Obama is expected to remain tense. The UN says trauma and PTSD have more than doubled in Gaza since the November conflict. The Economist looks at a new film about the looting of Palestinian libraries in 1948. COMMENTARY: The Washington Post urges the Obama administration to press Netanyahu to form a centrist coalition. Bernard Avishai and Sam Bahour say the parties desperately need American leadership and the second Obama term provides a huge opportunity. Sefi Rachlevsky says it's pointless voting for Netanyahu. Eitan Haber says Israelis must look for "the best of a bad lot." Gershon Baskin says Israelis are celebrating their democracy. Aluf Benn says the biggest beneficiary will probably be political newcomer Yair Lapid. Douglas Feith argues that Israelis aren't turning to the right, they're just recognizing there is no Palestinian peace partner, while Linda Heard sees Israelis as preferring aggressive policies over peace. Hussein Ibish says superficial Palestinian "unity" deals shouldn't come at the expense of vital institution-building policies.

Best of a bad lot
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Eitan Haber - (Opinion) January 22, 2013 - 1:00am


Years ago an American defense secretary told an Israeli defense minister over lunch: "We send our finest attorneys to handle the billion-dollar deals with Israel – such as the plane acquisitions - and who do you, the Israelis, send? A few clerks."


Dumping Fayyad for phoney 'unity' would be wrong
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National
by Hussein Ibish - (Opinion) January 22, 2013 - 1:00am


 



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