Over The Line ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Adam Lebor - October 15, 2007 - 2:58pm There are two Israels: one inside the Green Line, the 1967 border, the other an occupying power extending beyond it. The first is a vibrant democracy, with Arab members of Parliament, university professors and lawyers, beauty queens and soldiers, and even a Muslim cabinet minister. » Read more

Rice Pushes Israelis, Palestinians Toward Middle ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Arshad Mohammed - October 15, 2007 - 2:47pm Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice tried on Monday to push Palestinians and Israelis toward a middle ground in drafting a joint document seen as key to the success of a U.S.-hosted peace conference this year. After meeting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Rice said the document should "seriously and substantively" address the core issues of the conflict -- a sharp contrast with Israeli hopes to keep it as vague as possible. » Read more

Palestinian Census First In Decade ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press by Dalia Nammari - October 15, 2007 - 2:46pm The Palestinians are preparing to conduct their first census in a decade, with hopes the results will help them in future peace talks with Israel. Demographics play a central role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Rapid Palestinian growth would bolster Palestinian territorial demands, while Israelis' fear of being outnumbered in areas they now control might make them more willing to consider a West Bank withdrawal. » Read more

Arabs Skeptical Of U.s. Peace Effort ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times by Jeffrey Fleishman - October 15, 2007 - 2:41pm The upcoming Israeli-Palestinian peace conference resembles a dinner party with a less-than-inspiring menu and a bunch of well-tailored yet exasperated guests who, if they show up at all, doubt that anyone will go home happy. Posturing and recrimination often characterize such negotiations, but Arab nations, including Washington's closest allies, are criticizing the November conference as a miscalculated photo op by a Bush administration desperate to repair its image in the Middle East. » Read more

Obstacles Stall Rice's Mideast Diplomacy ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press by Matthew Lee - October 15, 2007 - 2:39pm Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice opened an intense round of Mideast shuttle diplomacy Sunday, struggling to bring Israelis and Palestinians close enough to make a planned U.S.-hosted peace conference worthwhile. The two sides are at bitter odds over an outline of a peace agreement that would be presented at next month's conference, and Rice sought to lower expectations her mission would finalize preparations for the gathering. » Read more