February 19th, 2008

Israel Says 'no' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Antiwar by Ran Hacohen - February 19, 2008 - 6:45pm On Jan. 23 Ha'aretz readers were utterly embarrassed. Just as the quality paper was printing its top headline, based on Israel's omniscient "security sources" – "New Israeli Policy in Gaza: Border Crossings Will Stay Closed" – the border crossings between Gaza and Egypt were being opened; a few hours later, they didn't exist anymore. Once again, the regional power was caught in surprise; Hamas won by breaking the siege. » Read more

Shoot Or Talk? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons by Yossi Alpher - (Opinion) February 19, 2008 - 6:44pm It's no coincidence that tensions between Israel and both Hizballah and Hamas are escalating. Israel confronts these militant Islamist movements on two of its borders. Their activities are closely linked to Iran's aggressive drive to expand its regional influence and Syria's role as henchman. » Read more

Kouchner Believes Israelis Heard Him On Settlements, Palestinian Issues ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Kuwait News Agency (kuna) February 19, 2008 - 6:41pm French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, who returned February 17 after a two-day visit to the Palestinian territories and Israel, believes that he was heard by Israel when he brought up a number of important issues relative to the peace process and Palestinian development, officials here said. » Read more

Olmert Says Gaza Blockade To Continue ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP) February 19, 2008 - 6:40pm Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Monday that Israel would maintain the tighter blockade that it has imposed on the Gaza Strip since last month. "We will continue to apply sanctions that are hurtful to the needs of the (Palestinian) population in order for it to be clear that living conditions cannot be altered only from our side," he told the parliamentary group of his Kadima party in allusion to near daily rocket fire from Gaza. » Read more

Guidelines Of A New Egyptian Policy Toward Gaza ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Star by Gamal A. G. Soltan - February 19, 2008 - 6:39pm The recent breach of Egypt's border with Gaza accentuated the risks implied in the current situation in the territory. Losing control over that border for 10 consecutive days proved to be embarrassing for Cairo. Bending to the plot implemented by Hamas operatives embarrassed Egypt even further. Far more serious than just the embarrassment, the infiltration of suspect terrorists into Egypt is a major security concern for a country that has been in a continuous war on terror for 30 years. » Read more

A Post-annapolis Breakthrough Proposal ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Chuck Freilich - (Opinion) February 19, 2008 - 6:38pm Three months after the Annapolis conference and a commitment that an agreement would be reached by the end of 2008, prospects for peace are as distant as ever. Hardly a day goes by without rockets hitting Israel from Gaza. Ashkelon and Ashdod are now in range and sooner or later Tel Aviv and its environs will be hit by rockets as well, from the West Bank. Repeated attempts to do so have been thwarted by the IDF, but the law of averages is against us. » Read more

Middle East Peace Reports ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Americans For Peace Now by Middle East Peace Report - February 19, 2008 - 6:37pm Amnesty Program a Qualified Success: Earlier this month, Israel removed 32 members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, Fatah's military wing, from its list of wanted men, and has extended a probation period for 220 additional men. This move was part of an agreement Israel and the Palestinian Authority entered into in July, which provides a mechanism – based on behavior during a probation period – by which militants could be removed from Israel's lists of individuals to be arrested or assassinated. » Read more

‘abbas Meets Olmert Amid Crisis In Talks ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Media Line February 19, 2008 - 6:34pm Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was due to meet Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud ‘Abbas in Jerusalem on Tuesday in an attempt to overcome differences facing the final-settlement talks, Palestinian sources said.   The differences followed Olmert’s announcements on Sunday that ’Abbas had consented to hold off discussing Jerusalem until the end of the negotiating process. Speaking at a conference in Jerusalem, Olmert also revealed the aim of the United States-backed peace talks is to reach an understanding on "basic principles" for a Palestinian stat » Read more

Israelis Support Major Military Push In Gaza ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Angus Reid Global Monitor February 19, 2008 - 6:34pm Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Most people in Israel would back a motion to launch a large scale military operation in Gaza, according to a poll by Shvakim Panorama released by Israel Radio. 57.2 per cent of respondents support this idea, while 30.7 oppose it. (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Most people in Israel would back a motion to launch a large scale military operation in Gaza, according to a poll by Shvakim Panorama released by Israel Radio. 57.2 per cent of respondents support this idea, while 30.7 oppose it. » Read more

Palestinians: Jerusalem Still High On Agenda ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters February 19, 2008 - 6:33pm Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has not agreed to postpone talks on the future of Jerusalem, a senior adviser said yesterday, disputing comments by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Olmert said on Sunday that Abbas had consented to hold off discussing Jerusalem until the end of the negotiating process, a move that could anger Palestinians but help the Israeli leader hold together his fragile coalition government for now. » Read more