February 11th

A textbook debate riddled with tired cliches ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Daniella Peled - (Opinion) February 10, 2013 - 1:00am That Palestinian school books teach their children to hate Israeli Jews is a cliché as legendarily interminable as the conflict itself. It’s part of a canon that includes the smug regurgitation of the paucity of Arab Nobel prize-winners and the bemoaning of the lack of a Palestinian Peace Now. But the charge that Palestinian textbooks are riddled with incitement has long become an integral part of Israel’s diplomatic strategy, echoed by Western leaders in front of Israel-supporting and Jewish audiences. » Read more

Ahead of Obama’s visit to region, Israel advances plan to build in West Bank settlement ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press February 11, 2013 - 1:00am An Israeli official says the government has given final approval for construction of 90 new homes in a West Bank settlement, a move that could cause tensions with the U.S. ahead of President Barack Obama’s visit to the region. The official says the homes were first announced last year in an agreement with Jewish settlers in exchange for evacuating an unauthorized West Bank outpost. The government published its final approval on Sunday. » Read more

The Brooklyn College BDS debacle highlights the perils of pro-Israeli overkill ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Chemi Shalev - (Opinion) February 9, 2013 - 1:00am Far more Americans know of the Palestinian BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement today than did a week ago. Many millions of people have been exposed for the first time to the idea that Israel should be boycotted, divested and sanctioned for its occupation of the territories. Many more Americans, one can safely assume, have formed a positive image of the BDS movement than those who have now turned against it. » Read more

Palestinian panel starts updating voter registers ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press February 11, 2013 - 1:00am   » Read more

Why BDS Isn't Compatible With Two States ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Beast by Mira Sucharov - (Opinion) February 8, 2013 - 1:00am The latest salvo in the BDS movement’s attempt to find broad appeal is its claim that, contra its critics, the movement does not necessarily oppose a two-state solution. » Read more

Hamas blames Abbas after unity talks falter ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Khaled Abu Aker - February 9, 2013 - 1:00am   » Read more

Include Arab party in coalition ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Naftali Rothenberg - February 10, 2013 - 1:00am Speaking at the President's Residence after being tasked with forming the next government, the prime minister called on Abbas to return to the negotiation table. The Palestinian leader may or may not return to the table, but in any case, peace, at least at this point, is not high on the agenda of the "equal share of the burden" government, which will begin its term with a major budget cut. » Read more

Age of innocence over ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Alon Pinkas - (Opinion) February 9, 2013 - 1:00am One of the few things Israel and the Palestinians have always agreed on is that almost everything, if not everything, is the US' fault. » Read more

Obama’s Plan to Visit Mideast Stirs Hopes, Slightly ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Jodi Rudoren - February 9, 2013 - 1:00am For more than two years, many Israeli and Palestinian leaders have placed blame for their stalemated peace process not only on one another but on a lack of engagement by the Obama administration. » Read more

Israel: Washington calling ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Economist (Editorial) February 10, 2013 - 1:00am It seems the first foreign visit of Barack Obama's second term will be to Israel. In making that choice, the president sends an important signal and one that is long overdue. » Read more