February 13th

Palestinian Spokeswoman Urges Obama: Don’t Miss Opportunity ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Media Line by Felice Friedson - (Interview) February 12, 2013 - 1:00am   TML:  Nour, how did you get into this position? It’s the first time that a woman is carrying this weight…   » Read more

Gazan farmers attend Israeli meet ATFP World Press Roundup Article from United Press International (UPI) February 13, 2013 - 1:00am More than 50 Palestinian farmers attended a conference in southern Israel aimed at supporting Gaza's agricultural sector, the Israeli army said. Last month's conference introduced participants to new technologies and developments that will enter the market this year, Lt. Col. Avi Shalev, head of the Economic Branch of the Gaza Coordination and Liaison Administration said. » Read more

Palestine’s Democratic Deficit ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by David Keyes - (Opinion) February 12, 2013 - 1:00am LAST week, a 26-year-old Palestinian activist, Anas Awwad, was sentenced in absentia by a court in Nablus, the West Bank, to one year in prison for “extending his tongue” against the Palestinian Authority’s president,  » Read more

Palestinian refugees’ hardships intensify ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Star by Annie Slemrod - February 13, 2013 - 1:00am The war in Syria has compounded what was already an emergency situation for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, UNRWA’s top official in the country said Tuesday. Veteran diplomat Ann Dismorr took up the position of director of UNRWA affairs last October, when only a few thousand Palestinian refugees had fled Syria for Lebanon. Since then, as violence hit the area in and around Damascus and broke into Yarmouk – Syria’s largest camp – the number of Palestinians crossing the border has soared. » Read more

February 12th

Historical Experiences and Perception ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Huffington Post by Alon Ben-Meir - (Opinion) February 11, 2013 - 1:00am Brief synopsis: The most puzzling aspect of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict may be that after 65 years of violence, enmity and suffering, it remains unresolved when coexistence is inevitable and a two-state solution remains the only viable option. Although there are many contentious issues that must be specifically addressed, directly impacting every conflicting issue is the broader psychological dimension of the conflict, which makes it increasingly intractable. » Read more

Hard Questions, Tough Answers with ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Americans For Peace Now by Yossi Alpher - (Opinion) February 11, 2013 - 1:00am Alpher discusses the interaction of the dynamics of President Obama coming to Israel shortly after PM Netanyahu is expected to present his new coalition, where does Netanyahu's coalition-forming project currently stand, the positions Netanyahu and Obama will present to one another on the key issues at stake, and what should the administration consider proposing when Obama comes to Jerusalem, in order to ensure a degree of harmony and the prospect of progress on the Palestinian issue.  » Read more

On My Mind: Peace expectations ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Kenneth Bandler - (Opinion) February 11, 2013 - 1:00am With the Israeli-Palestinian peace process stuck in neutral for so long, any ostensibly positive development is assumed to signal a possible opportunity to advance. Some observers contend that Israel’s recent elections provide such a turning point. The New York Times, for instance, argued in an editorial that the results set the stage for a breakthrough in moribund peace negotiations. » Read more

Liberal Zionists Should Support BDS ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Beast by Jerry Haber - (Opinion) February 11, 2013 - 1:00am Liberal Zionists want to end Israeli control of the West Bank and Gaza, abolish institutional discrimination between the Jewish and non-Jewish citizens of Israel, and witness the establishment of a Palestinian state that will allow Palestinians to live as a free and secure people in their own homeland. As liberals, they insist on preserving the civil and human rights of both Israeli Jews and Palestinian Arabs. » Read more

PLO officials say expectations low for Obama visit ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency February 12, 2013 - 1:00am Palestinian officials said Tuesday that the upcoming visit by US President Barack Obama is unlikely to aid the peace process. Obama plans to visit the region in spring, a White House official said last week, in his first trip to the region since taking office. Secretary-General of Palestinian People's Party Bassam al-Salhi told Ma'an that the visit may create the "illusion" of returning to negotiations, but would have no impact on the peace process as Israel has consistently violated its principles, with US complicity. » Read more

Obama's Israel visit itinerary released ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Itamar Eichner - February 12, 2013 - 1:00am Jerusalem and Washington have set the itinerary for President Barack Obama visit to Israel. Obama is scheduled to land in Ben Gurion International Airport around noon on Wednesday, March 20.   » Read more