January 24th

Gaza's Hamas rulers arrest 6 local reporters
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
January 24, 2013 - 1:00am


   


Israeli vote may strengthen Obama hand with Netanyahu
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
by Matt Spetalnick - January 24, 2013 - 1:00am


  Get ready for The Barack and Bibi Show, Part Two.


Netanyahu-Obama Ties May Thaw After Israel Election
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Mark Landler - January 23, 2013 - 1:00am


 


The Making of Israel’s New Power Broker
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Jodi Rudoren - January 24, 2013 - 1:00am


  They pitched tents along Rothschild Boulevard and took to the streets in unprecedented numbers, hundreds of thousands demonstrating against the rising costs of gas, apartments, even cottage cheese.


January 23rd

NEWS: The underperformance of PM Netanyahu's factions in the Israeli elections is seen as a rebuke by voters. Political novice Lapid is widely viewed as the big winner in the vote, with 19 seats, and as the new kingmaker. Palestinians say they are planning new outreach to the Israeli public, and say any new Israeli government should be evaluated according to its policies. A 21-year-old Palestinian woman is shot and killed by occupation forces near Hebron, and a teenage girl dies of her wounds in Bethlehem. Hamas officials say they agree Pres. Abbas can head a new unity government. Abbas says he is willing to talk to any Israeli government that recognizes Palestinian statehood. COMMENTARY: Tom Friedman suggests a series of steps, including on Israeli-Palestinian issues, for the incoming Secretary of State. Crispian Balmer thinks the close vote in Israel may constrain Netanyahu's foreign policy options, assuming he remains PM. Jack Khoury says Israel's Arab citizens can't help but feel they've lost an opportunity in this election. Amos Harel says Israel's new government will probably have two priorities: the role of the ultra-Orthodox in society and Iran. Aluf Benn explains why, as he predicted, political newcomer Lapid outperformed expectations while Netanyahu underperformed them. Jeffrey Goldberg asks if the results can help the peace process. Raja Shehadeh says the election means little for most Palestinians. Ron Kampeas says Pres. Obama is likely to see more Israeli support for a two-state solution in the results. The National says the vote shows an ambivalent Israeli public, which offers opportunities for the Palestinians. Faisal Al Yafai worries that Israelis and Palestinians are too divided internally to make agreements with each other. Zvika Krieger says Israel's next election will be more important than this one.

The Three Men Who Could Save Israel's Center-Left
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Atlantic
by Zvika Krieger - (Opinion) January 23, 2013 - 1:00am


 


The peace process wanders leaderless among delusions
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National
(Opinion) January 23, 2013 - 1:00am


  The Palestinians and Israelis have had enough of each other. Over the decades, the two populations have tired of the inability of their leaders to find solutions to what ought to be relatively straightforward questions: how to right the wrongs of the past and live together in the future. The problem is that each population is telling itself stories that have little basis in reality.


Israeli vote reveals political weakness
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National
(Editorial) January 23, 2013 - 1:00am


  Jobs, rent and food: these are the issues that sent Israelis to the polls this week. The occupation of Palestinian lands on their doorstep and the uprisings that are reshaping the entire region were largely ignored. But the ostrich with its head stuck in the sand is hardly in a position of strength.


Obama’s likely takeaway from Israeli election: More two-state advocates
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA)
by Ron Kampeas - (Opinion) January 23, 2013 - 1:00am


  With the Israeli election results split evenly between the right-wing bloc and everyone else, no one in Washington is ready to stake their reputation on what the outcome means for the U.S.-Israel relationship and the Middle East.


Israel's elections mean little to most Palestinians – with good reason
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian
by Raja Shehadeh - (Opinion) January 23, 2013 - 1:00am


 



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