December 26th

If parliament has no Arabs ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Mohammad Darawshe - (Opinion) December 21, 2012 - 1:00am   » Read more

An unacceptable disqualification ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz (Editorial) December 20, 2012 - 1:00am   The Central Elections Committee's decision to bar MK Hanin Zuabi (Balad) from running in the upcoming election is arbitrary and unacceptable. Zuabi was an active and successful MK, and even her participation in a Turkish-sponsored protest flotilla to Gaza in 2010 is not an excuse for disqualifying her. » Read more

Abbas, sending mixed messages is not peacemaking ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Abraham H. Foxman - (Opinion) December 20, 2012 - 1:00am   Read the op-ed page of most newspapers around the world, and you would be convinced that Israel’s leadership, policies and ideology are to blame for the moribund state of Israeli-Palestinian relations. If only Israel took dramatic action (usually involving a change in its approach to settlements) to demonstrate it is truly committed to reaching peace - according to those opinion-makers - all the rest would neatly fall into place. » Read more

Israel's settlement push kills two-state solution, leaving Palestinians few options ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Christian Science Monitor by Mustafa Barghouthi - (Opinion) December 20, 2012 - 1:00am   » Read more

Israeli settlement plan is a blow to Mideast peace process ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Boston Globe (Editorial) December 21, 2012 - 1:00am   » Read more

The Fading Mideast Peace Dream ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times (Editorial) December 20, 2012 - 1:00am   Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s aggressive new push to expand settlements in the West Bank and Jerusalem further isolates Israel while diminishing fading hopes for a two-state solution with the Palestinians. » Read more

Two Palestinians break into IDF base, assault soldier and steal his weapon ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Gili Cohen - December 21, 2012 - 1:00am   Two Palestinians broke into an IDF base, attacked a soldier and stole his weapon before fleeing the scene early Friday morning. » Read more

Israeli Occupation, Gaza Conflict Hold Back Tourism in Bethlehem ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-Monitor by Dalia Hatuqa - December 20, 2012 - 1:00am   With Christmas eve approaching, Palestinians are praying that tourists and pilgrims will make their way in large numbers to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. » Read more

As election nears, Likud revels in UN, U.S. censure of Israeli settlements ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Yossi Verter - December 21, 2012 - 1:00am   Members of Likud say mounting criticism from the international arena regarding what they call “building in Jerusalem” is good for the party. After authorization this week of construction in Ramat Shlomo, in the northern part of East Jerusalem, a senior Likud source called the condemnation “excellent − it is sheer profit for us.” » Read more

Official: Arab League chief to visit Palestine ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency December 21, 2012 - 1:00am Arab League Secretary-General Nabil al-Arabi will visit Palestine on Dec. 29 to meet with President Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian Authority foreign minister said Friday. Riyad al-Malki said al-Arabi would discuss the financial safety net pledged by the Arab League to the Palestinian Authority to ease the West Bank government's financial crisis. » Read more