June 6th, 2008

An Israeli-syria Deal Is Strategically Vital For Both
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Star
by Shlomo Ben-ami - June 6, 2008 - 2:46pm

The resumption of peace talks between Israel and Syria after eight years of saber-rattling is not a diversion from the political troubles of Israel's lame-duck prime minister. Nor are the talks a Syrian ploy to avoid facing a Lebanese-international tribunal on the assassination of Lebanon's former prime minister, Rafik Hariri. An Israeli-Syrian peace deal is strategically vital for both sides, and both sides know it.

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War Clouds Recede In The Middle East
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Dar Al Hayat
by Patrick Seale - June 6, 2008 - 2:41pm

The troubled Middle East seems to be entering a period of relative calm. It could be no more than a temporary lull, but it is nevertheless more than welcome to its much-tried inhabitants, who have been living on jagged nerves for the past several years. The most important single development is probably the growing improbability of a U.S./Israeli strike against Iran. Fear of such a strike - and of its predictably catastrophic regional and global consequences - has kept the region in a state of nervous alert.

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Confident Tony Blair Sells His Step-by-step Middle East Remedy
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Times
by Bronwen Maddox - June 6, 2008 - 2:37pm

Tony Blair made a strong case yesterday for why it might be possible for outside brokers — such as himself — to lessen the damage done by the Israeli-Palestinian deadlock, even if they cannot yet resolve it. Speaking to a House of Commons committee, with many references to Northern Ireland (and, he might have added, to his creation of new Labour) he clearly drew on his belief in his personal ability to bridge incompatible positions.

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June 5th

Tony Blair presents his views on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process in the British Parliament (1.) Shlomo Ben-Ami makes the case that an Israel-Syria deal would benefit both sides (3.) King Abdullah of Jordan condemns settlement expansion in the West Bank (6.) Recent comments by Ehud Olmert fuel speculation of a military operation in Gaza (10.)

Officials: Hamas Seizes Control Of Gaza Water Agency Working With Blair
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
June 5, 2008 - 6:27pm

Hamas has seized control of the Palestinian water agency that is spearheading Middle East envoy Tony Blair's signature project in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian and Western officials said on Thursday. Hamas's takeover of the Palestinian Water Authority in Gaza cements the group's control over the territory and could cast doubt on the future of the North Gaza Sewage Treatment Works project - a centrepiece of an economic package touted by Blair to try to bolster the chances of a peace deal this year.

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Gaza Students To Leave For Us
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al Jazeera English
June 5, 2008 - 6:27pm

Students from Gaza who were awarded scholarships to study in the US but prevented from travelling by Israeli authorities, have now been allowed to leave Gaza to begin their study programme.   The US consulate in Jerusalem said on Monday that the scholarships - earlier "redirected" by the Fulbright student programme - will be reinstated. bodyVariable350="Htmlphcontrol1_lblError";  

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Hamas Calls On Palestinians To March To Rafah Crossing
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Kuwait News Agency (kuna)
June 5, 2008 - 6:26pm

Palestinian Islamic resistance movement Hamas called on Thursday on people in Gaza Strip to launch a demonostration on Friday from the strip to Egypt's Rafah crossing. The movement said in a statement the demonstration would be part of its ongoing efforts to lift the siege on the Gaza Strip. Hamas' public activities spokesman Ashraf Abu-Diyah urged people in the Gaza Strip to flock to the crossing main gate to mount pressure on Egypt to re-open the only exit to the Palestinian people after the Friday prayers.

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Palestinians: Man Killed By Idf Fire Near Hebron
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Ali Waked - June 5, 2008 - 6:25pm

Palestinian sources said a man was shot dead Thursday by IDF soldiers who intervened in clashes between rival clans near the West Bank city of Hebron. The IDF said soldiers came upon a group of armed Palestinians in the Jabel Juar area, opened fire in their direction and identified a hit. According to the Palestinians, during clashes that erupted between members of the Rajabi and Ajlouni clans, Israeli soldiers that arrived at the scene opened fire at an armed Palestinian from the Ajlouni clan and killed him on the spot.

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One Killed In Gaza Rocket Attack On Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP)
June 5, 2008 - 6:22pm

One person was killed on Thursday when a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip hit a kibbutz in southern Israel, the army and medics said, in an attack claimed by the armed wing of Hamas. The home-made Qassam-style rocket hit a factory in the Nir Oz kibbutz which lies east of the southern Gaza Strip, an army spokeswoman said. The Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas which has ruled Gaza for almost a year, claimed responsibility for the attack. Medics said three people were also wounded, one of them seriously.

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Treat Israel Like Other States
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Gulf News
by George S. Hishmeh - June 5, 2008 - 6:21pm

One obvious sign of the influence of the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee or AIPAC was once again demonstrated this week as the three US presidential candidates and top government leaders including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice were all scheduled to address the pro-Israel lobby group three-day conference in Washington. An unannounced latecomer was the beleaguered Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, who is facing criminal charges at home and his days in leading Israel may be numbered.

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