Neither Carrot Nor Stick ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz (Editorial) January 8, 2008 - 6:16pm It is illogical to wait for the day a rocket falls on a kindergarten in Sderot and claims many victims. Every Qassam rocket is a strike on a kindergarten avoided by chance, and every rocket that falls in Israeli territory is a strike against the sovereignty of the state. When the fortification of Sderot against rockets becomes the fortification of Ashkelon against rockets, the lack of logic in the tactic of fortification becomes clear. » Read more

Border Control / But He Loves Me The Most ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Akiva Eldar - (Opinion) January 8, 2008 - 6:16pm Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's aides are not hiding their mission to get U.S. President George W. Bush to help rescue Olmert from the claws of the Winograd Committee. If it were up to them, Olmert would follow Bush even into the bedroom. In preparatory talks with the U.S. » Read more

Hamas And Fatah Still At Loggerheads ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Asharq Alawsat by Manal Lutfi - January 8, 2008 - 6:15pm Officials of the Palestinian opposition factions in Damascus have revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat their plans to hold a Palestinian national conference on 23 January to discuss the issue of the Palestinian refugees and Palestinian national rights. The officials said that most Palestinian factions will attend the conference but that the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine will not attend. They pointed out that it is likely that the Fatah Movement, which has received an invitation, will attend the meeting. » Read more

Action, Please, An Interview With Ali Jarbawi ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons (Interview) January 8, 2008 - 6:14pm bitterlemons: Are you optimistic about US President George W. Bush's visit? Jarbawi: Palestinians are not optimistic. We always hear a lot of talk and promises but on the ground we see the opposite. Settlements are expanding, Israeli army incursions continue unabated, there are arrests, and land is confiscated. All these Israeli policies continue and we hear only promises. We need action rather than words. bitterlemons: What exactly do you see Washington's role as being? » Read more

Bush's Middle East Peace Mission Gets Off To A Shaky Start ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Times by Richard Beeston - January 8, 2008 - 6:13pm President Bush’s peace mission to the Middle East is in trouble even before the US leader sets off for Jerusalem today on his maiden visit to the Holy Land. Violence has broken out between Israel and Islamic militants on two fronts, peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians have faltered and there are real fears that the situation in the region could deteriorate sharply. » Read more

Bush And The Mid-east Legacy ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bbc News by Matthew Price - January 8, 2008 - 6:12pm A year before George W Bush hands over the reins of power in Washington DC to his successor, he is embarking on his first trip as president to Israel and the Palestinian territories.   The question though has to be, why only now? After all, this is a president who has made much during his time in power of his commitment to the creation of an independent Palestinian state living alongside Israel. Is the timing just a simple case of an unpopular president desperately seeking a legacy? » Read more

Adulation, Gratitude Await Bush In Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Financial Times by Tobias Buck - January 8, 2008 - 6:11pm George W. Bush arrives in Israel on Wednesday in the ­twilight of his presidency, with his international clout diminished by the war in Iraq and his popular support eroded both at home and abroad. In Israel, however, the US president will be greeted with nothing but adulation and gratitude. From the prime minister downwards, Israelis continue to hold Mr Bush in high esteem, thanks to his unwavering support for the country in its struggle with Arab neighbours and militant Palestinian forces. » Read more

Israel Hiding Settlement Facts To Protect Image ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Sydney Morning Herald by Ed O\'loughlin - January 8, 2008 - 6:11pm THE Israeli Government has told a court that it does not want to reveal the true extent of Jewish settlement in the occupied Palestinian territories because the information would damage its image abroad, a local newspaper has reported. The news comes on the eve of the arrival of the US President, George Bush, for a three-day state visit in which the settlement issue is likely to figure. » Read more

Ahead Of Visit, Bush Talks Israel Ties -- And Pressure ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) by Ron Kampeas - January 8, 2008 - 6:09pm The message from the White House on the eve of President Bush's first presidential visit to Israel is that his staunch support for the Jewish state has set the stage for peace -- and given him room to exert some pressure on Jerusalem. Bush launches an eight-day tour of the region on Wednesday, beginning with three days in Israel and the West Bank and continuing to Persian Gulf states, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. » Read more

Baby Steps ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New Republic by Dennis Ross - (Commentary) January 8, 2008 - 6:08pm To: President George W. Bush From: Dennis Ross Subject: This week's visit with the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority Mr. President, no doubt you have received many briefings on this topic, but having negotiated with everybody you will be seeing this week and having just returned from the area, I would like to convey a few impressions that I hope will be of use to you. » Read more