May 22nd

Abbas: 'east Jerusalem Must Be Returned' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Khaled Abu Toameh - May 22, 2008 - 4:43pm Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday opened the Palestine Investment Conference in Bethlehem by declaring that east Jerusalem belonged to the Palestinian people and must be returned to them. "East Jerusalem is ours and it's an occupied territory," Abbas said in his speech. "It must be returned." The conference, the first of it kind in the PA, is aimed at boosting the Palestinian economy by encouraging local, Arab and international businessmen to invest in various projects. » Read more

U.s. Agency, Palestinian Firm Sign Deal To Boost Palestinian Exports ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press May 22, 2008 - 4:42pm A U.S. government agency on Thursday presented a political risk insurance program to help guarantee investments in the West Bank, part of an international effort to help develop the local economy and pave the way for an independent Palestinian state. The measure, announced at an international investors' conference in this biblical town, is meant to allay concerns by investors about risking their money in the turbulent Palestinian territories, especially at a time when the fate of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks is uncertain. » Read more

Palestinians Aim To Win Investment ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al Jazeera English May 22, 2008 - 4:41pm Hundreds of business and political leaders are attending a conference aimed at boosting the stagnant economy in the occupied West Bank through private investment.   The first ever Palestine Investment Conference, which started on Wednesday in Bethlehem, is aimed at encouraging investor interest by showcasing business opportunities and projects.  » Read more

At West Bank Conference, Dreams Of Investment ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Isabel Kershner - May 22, 2008 - 4:40pm Hundreds of potential investors and dignitaries from the Middle East and beyond gathered here on Wednesday for the start of a vaunted conference under the slogan, “Palestine is open for business.” The Palestine Investment Conference, scheduled to last three days, is perhaps the most upbeat happening in Bethlehem since crowds packed Manger Square to see 2,000 doves of peace released at millennium celebrations at the end of 1999. Months later, the second intifada broke out, sending the Palestinian national enterprise into a tailspin of violence and chaos. » Read more

May 20th

5 Questions: Does Israel Need Rescue? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Shmuel Rosner - (Blog) May 20, 2008 - 4:04pm I got so much feedback to the interview with Jeffrey Goldberg two weeks ago (Is Israel finished? Five questions), that it was only natural to try a second round. This time, the topic is Goldberg's New York Times article, about "Israel's 'American Problem'". Goldberg is blogging here. Here is the (written) interview: » Read more

Cairo Is The Key ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Ron Ben- Yishai - (Opinion) May 20, 2008 - 4:03pm The rush of Israeli politicians to the World Economic Forum in Sharm el-Sheikh was more than a ceremonial move. Barak and Livni, and to some extent Benjamin Netanyahu as well, are currently managing a crucial phase in lull negotiations. However, we are not talking about indirect negotiations with Hamas via Egypt; rather, those are direct talks with Egypt over Cairo’s role in such deal. » Read more

America Is Tired ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Nahum Barnea - (Opinion) May 20, 2008 - 4:01pm President Bush stood up at the Knesset plenum last Thursday and said things that every Israeli would be touched by. One of the declarations that would be remembered from that speech expands the limits of America’s commitment to Israel and almost turns it into the 51st state. Should Israel need to defend itself, the president said, 300 million Americans will stand by the seven million Israelis » Read more

Gaza: 4 Palestinians Killed In Idf Strikes ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews May 20, 2008 - 4:00pm Palestinian sources in Gaza reported Tuesday afternoon that two Palestinians were killed and five others were wounded by IDF artillery fire at a Gaza City neighborhood, raising the death toll in a series of IDF strikes to four. » Read more

Israel's Leading Team: An Unfulfilled Promise ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons by Nimrod Novik - (Opinion) May 20, 2008 - 3:59pm For decades, we Israelis have found ourselves frustrated by the shortcomings of our leaders and yearning for the miracle of a mid-life genetic mutation: an act of nature or nurture that would mesh the best in each and thus produce the ideal leader. » Read more

Don’t Depend On Outsiders For A Settlement Of Mideast Dispute ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News by Shlomo Avineri - (Opinion) May 20, 2008 - 3:58pm Israel’s 60th anniversary has come and gone. So, too, has President George W. Bush’s final visit to the Middle East. Amidst the celebrations and the soul-searching, no meaningful breakthrough in the deadlocked Israeli-Palestinian negotiations is visible. » Read more