April 8th, 2009

Obama team readying for confrontation with Netanyahu
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Aluf Benn - April 8, 2009 - 12:00am

In an unprecedented move, the Obama administration is readying for a possible confrontation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by briefing Democratic congressmen on the peace process and the positions of the new government in Israel regarding a two-state solution. The Obama administration is expecting a clash with Netanyahu over his refusal to support the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel.

»

US hits back at Lieberman: The goal is two states
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Yitzhak Benhorin - April 8, 2009 - 12:00am

The US State Department hit back at Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman's warning on Tuesday to those pressuring Israel on its foreign policy agenda. The Yisrael Beitenu chairman and recent appointment to the top ministerial position also said that the world was willing to listen to his ideas, accusing the Israeli left of attacking his positions to score points abroad. "We have never interfered with other people's affairs and we expect of others not stand with a stopwatch in hand," Lieberman told party members at a conference.

»

Palestinians injured by IDF fire near settlement
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Ali Waked - April 8, 2009 - 12:00am

At least 16 Palestinians were injured Wednesday morning during a clash which broke out between settlers and residents of the West Bank village of Khirbat Safa, near the Bat Ayin settlement. An Israeli citizen was lightly hurt in the incident. Last Thursday, a 13-year-old youth was killed in a terror attack in the Gush Etzion community. His family ended its seven days of mourning Wednesday morning.

»

Abdullah holds ‘productive’ talks with Obama’s envoy to Middle East
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National
by Erika Niedowski - April 8, 2009 - 12:00am

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, held talks on Monday with the Obama administration’s special envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell, in a meeting the Minister of Foreign Affairs described as “productive”. “America, Europe and Arab nations must continue to work together towards a practical solution that will ensure the resumption of Palestinian-Israeli negotiations,” Sheikh Abdullah said in a statement after the session. “Today we had a productive discussion that confirmed our two countries’ mutual commitment to regional peace and stability.”

»

Netanyahu and Barak won't get an American free ride
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Star
by Amnon Lord - (Opinion) April 8, 2009 - 12:00am

The second government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is centered on the Likud's partnership with Labor party leader Ehud Barak. This new and seemingly unlikely collaboration between rivals Netanyahu and Barak was born out of their mutual recognition that, regarding the two major challenges facing Israel, they think alike.

»

Abbas 'reshuffles Fatah military posts' in Lebanon
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Star
April 8, 2009 - 12:00am

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has ordered the reshuffling of Fatah's military posts in Lebanon, Palestinian sources told Al-Liwaa newspaper Tuesday. "The move follows last month's assassination of Kamal Medhat, the deputy of Palestine Liberation Organization representative in Lebanon Abbas Zaki," Al-Liwaa said. Medhat was killed along with three other people in a bombing that targeted his motorcade at the entrance to the southern refugee camp of Mieh Mieh on March 23.

»

Obama strong on Palestinian state
Media Mention of Ghaith al-Omari In Reuters - April 8, 2009 - 12:00am

US President Barack Obama reassured Arabs with his unambiguous support for a Palestinian state this week and he nudged Israel's conservative government, which has carefully avoided committing itself to that goal. Visiting Turkey, Obama twice in two days said he backed a two-state solution to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict despite the fact that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has shied away from the phrase.

»

April 7th

Ahmad Tibi calls for more attention to the Palestinian minority in Israel (1). President Obama reiterates his commitment to a two-state solution (2)(5)(6)(8). A Palestinian motorist is shot dead by Israeli police (3). Police question Israeli Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman for the 3rd time since he took office (4). George Mitchell, announces his plans to return to the region next week (7). Jordan's King Abdullah II urges Israel to join an Arab peace initiative (9). Ghassan Rubeiz responds to both Arab and Israeli critics in discussing the Arab-Israeli conflict (10). Donald Macintyre emphasizes the need for the US to press for a two state solution (11). Stuart Reigeluth opines that despite American and European support for a two-state solution, the current conditions make it nearly impossible (12). The appointment of Lieberman is a reflection of Israeli distrust of its Palestinian minority (13).

A Harsh Reality for Palestinians
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Ahmad Tibi - (Opinion) April 7, 2009 - 12:00am

JERUSALEM — The right-wing coalition of the new Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, does not bode well for Palestinians in Israel. With the appointment of Avigdor Lieberman as foreign minister, the extremists are going after the indigenous population and threatening us with loyalty tests and the possibility of “transfer” into an area nominally controlled by the Palestinian Authority.

»

Grappling with the ‘Problem of Lieberman’
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National
by Omar Karmi - April 7, 2009 - 12:00am

RAMALLAH, WEST BANK // While the new right-wing Israeli government undoubtedly poses a challenge to the international community, with its continued refusal to commit to the two-state solution, it is the presence of Avigdor Lieberman, the new foreign minister, that poses the most interesting questions.

»


American Task Force on Palestine - 1634 Eye St. NW, Suite 725, Washington DC 20006 - Telephone: 202-262-0017