January 25th, 2013

Hamas organizes paramilitary training course for schoolchildren
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
January 25, 2013 - 1:00am

  Mohamed Abed Rabbo, a 16-year-old student, held his breath when he jumped and crossed through a flaming ring of iron at a high school graduation ceremony in Gaza city, marking the fulfillment of a one-week paramilitary training course.

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'Two state solution only viable as long as Obama in power'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
January 25, 2013 - 1:00am

  "The time to take action in the Middle East is now," was the resounding message of Jordanian King Abdullah II's speech to the World Economic Forum in Davos on Friday. "If we're not too late... the two state solution will only last as long as [US President Barack] Obama's term," he warned. "If it doesn't happen by then I don't think it will happen.

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John Kerry warns of disaster in failed Middle East peace efforts
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
January 25, 2013 - 1:00am

  U.S. Senator John Kerry, awaiting his confirmation as the country's next secretary of state, warned on Thursday of "disastrous" consequences in the event of an eventual failure to make peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians.  

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Israel expected to boycott U.N. rights scrutiny session
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
by Stephanie Nebehay - January 25, 2013 - 1:00am

  Israel is expected to boycott a session of the U.N. Human Rights Council next week despite the United States urging its ally to show up for an examination of its record, the U.S. ambassador said on Thursday.

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Arab Israeli voters 56% turnout defies expectations
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
January 25, 2013 - 1:00am

Arab voter turnout on Tuesday increased by 3 percentage points over 2009 to reach 56 percent, according to statistics released by the Central Elections Committee. This is the first time since 2000 that there has been an increase from the sector. Nevertheless, the three Arab parties maintained the total of 11 Knesset seats they won four years ago.

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Elections in Israel show disenchantment of Arab citizens with Israeli politics
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
January 25, 2013 - 1:00am

  The last Knesset (Israel's parliament) election has raised the number of Arab-Israelis going to the polls, but numbers say they are still not quite convinced that their ballots will bring about any real changes for their community.

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Israeli voters force Netanyahu to seek centrist partner
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
by Alistair Lyon - January 25, 2013 - 1:00am

   Israel's next government must heed voters and devote itself to bread-and-butter issues, not foreign policy problems such as Iran's nuclear plans and the Palestinian conflict, senior politicians said on Thursday.

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With All Votes in, Netanyahu Assesses the Damage
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Jodi Rudoren - January 25, 2013 - 1:00am

 

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January 24th

NEWS: The New York Times profiles Israel's new political star, Yair Lapid. Relations between Pres. Obama and PM Netanyahu may thaw following Israel's election. The vote is seen as strengthening Obama's hand with Netanyahu. Hamas reportedly detains six journalists in Gaza. Israel arrests two senior PA officials in occupied East Jerusalem. Palestinians say if Israel goes ahead with building in E1 and other sensitive areas of the occupied West Bank, they will have no choice but to file a complaint with the ICC. Palestinian witnesses accuse Israeli soldiers of killing a 22-year-old Palestinian woman "in cold blood." Hamas leader Haniyeh invites the Palestinian election commission to resume working in Gaza. PLO officials say they will invite Israelis for talks before the next Israeli government is formed. Amb. Rice says the US doesn't recognize the use of the term "State of Palestine" following last year's UN vote. COMMENTARY: The New York Times urges Obama to reengage Middle East peace, but spend the requisite political capital and lay the groundwork. Roger Cohen sees real signs of hope in the Israeli election outcome. Xinhua interviews PLO official Mohamed Ishteyah. Benedetta Berti says the Israeli election could provide the basis for improved policies towards the Palestinians. Chemi Shalev says any new centrist Israeli coalition will be quickly undone by Palestinian issues. Avner Gvaryahu says Israeli occupation forces have rules of engagement in the occupied Palestinian territories, but these are superseded by the need to dominate another people. The Forward says Netanyahu now has the final vote in the Israeli election: forming a coalition. Rachel Shabi says Lapid's strong showing in the election is a victory of celebrity over substance. The Daily Star argues it makes little difference to Palestinians who wins Israel's elections. Aaron David Miller says Obama and Netanyahu are now forced to try to get along with each other.

Learning to Live with Bibi
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Foreign Policy
by Aaron David Miller - (Opinion) January 24, 2013 - 1:00am

 

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