January 7th, 2013

NEWS: PM Fayyad says the PA fiscal crisis is being exacerbated by pledged Arab aid that is not being delivered. PM Netanyahu says Israel is now going to construct a barrier along the Syrian border. Sen. Rand Paul calls for a gradual reduction in aid to Israel. Egypt says it has foiled a car bombing attempt near the Gaza border. Netanyahu's rivals are considering an implausible center-left coalition for the coming election. Charges are dropped against an Israeli youth accused of attacking a Palestinian taxi. Israeli security officials believe there is a "low possibility" of another Palestinian uprising. Hamas officials say they will be selecting a new leader this month. Netanyahu says he still stands behind his Bar-Ilan speech in which he endorsed a two-state solution. The PLO says it's working to end violence in Palestinian refugee camps in Syria. Many Palestinian citizens of Israel seem ready to ignore the upcoming Israeli election. COMMENTARY: Jackson Diehl says the Obama administration should adopt a low-key approach to Middle East peace, but Jeremy Ben-Ami says bold measures are required to save the two-state solution. Ha'aretz says the Israeli government is wrong to stop Palestinian prisoners from seeking an education. Avner Cohen says Asma Aghbarieh-Zahalka is creating a new political discourse in Israel. S. Daniel Abraham says, in order to survive as a Jewish state, Israel needs a Palestinian state alongside it. Ben Caspit says Netanyahu must now choose between the sane parties of the center-left or the not-so-sane religious right. The Jerusalem Post says Palestinian leaders are irresponsible in blaming Israel for their fiscal crisis. Jeff Barak says Netanyahu's policies have been disastrous. Jonathan Freedland says Israel's shift to the right will cost it the friends it needs most. Peter Beaumont says Netanyahu appears to be a "strong man with a fearful heart." Alex Joffe says Palestinians may hate Netanyahu, but they are playing into his hands at every stage. The Daily Star says Palestinians need to persist in pursuing national reconciliation. Hamas figure Kassem Kassir says the group would like to maintain relations with Iran, if possible. Raphael Ahren says Netanyahu and FM Lieberman don't mean what the world thinks they're talking about when they refer to a two-state solution. Tal Kra-Oz looks at the rise of the annexationist, one-unequal-state, movement on the Israeli right.

In poor Arab villages like Jisr a-Zarka, poverty and alienation keep people from the polls
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Times of Israel
by Assaf Uni - January 7, 2013 - 1:00am


 


Official: PLO seeking return of refugees to Damascus camp
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
January 7, 2013 - 1:00am


PLO leaders, the Free Syria Army and Syrian regime forces are in ongoing talks to finalize an agreement to allow Palestinian refugees who fled fighting in a Damascus camp to return, a PLO official said.


Israel's premier reaffirms landmark speech on Palestinian statehood
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times
by Batsheva Sobelman - January 6, 2013 - 1:00am


 


Hamas to pick new chief this month: official
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
January 6, 2013 - 1:00am


   Islamic Hamas movement will pick a new chief of its politburo through internal elections this month to succeed current leader Khaled Mashaal, a Hamas official said Sunday. "We will elect a new chief this month under a new electoral system," Hamas senior member Salah al-Bardawil told Xinhua.


Israeli security chief estimates "low" chance of third intifada
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
January 7, 2013 - 1:00am


  The chance that Palestinians in the West Bank launch another violent uprising against Israel is low, according to a recent assessment by the director of Israel's Shin Bet security service.


Case dropped against Israeli teen accused of detonating Palestinian taxi
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
January 6, 2013 - 1:00am


  The Attorney Office of Jerusalem District decided on Sunday to close an investigation against a 13- year-old Jewish settler suspected of hurling a Molotov cocktail at a Palestinian taxi in August 2012. In a statement obtained by Xinhua, the lawsuit was closed due to "lack of sufficient evidence" which could connect the defendant with the crime.


Netanyahu's rivals eye centre-left pact for Israel vote
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
by Dan Williams - January 5, 2013 - 1:00am


  Three Israeli parties on Saturday proposed forming a centre-left opposition bloc to try to topple conservative Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Jan. 22 election, but disagreements over the terms suggested any pact could be elusive.


Egypt says it foils car bombing near Gaza border
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
by Ashraf Sweilam - January 7, 2013 - 1:00am


  The Egyptian military said Monday it foiled an attempted car bombing that was likely targeting an abandoned church or a nearby military camp under construction along the Egypt-Gaza border.


US senator calls for gradual cut in aid to Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
by Aron Heller - January 7, 2013 - 1:00am


  U.S. Sen. Rand Paul on Monday called for a gradual reduction of American foreign aid, delivering the message in an unlikely venue — since Israel is among the top recipients of American assistance.



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