Diplomatic sources: PM rethinking Pinkas appointment ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Herb Keinon - December 4, 2009 - 1:00am Some Likud heavy-hitters and Jewish organization leaders in the US have bound together to get Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to rethink the appointment of Alon Pinkas as ambassador to the UN, senior diplomatic officials said Thursday. Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman was expected last Sunday to bring a batch of new diplomatic appointments to the cabinet for approval, including that of Pinkas, but at the last minute he removed that item from the agenda. Lieberman is expected to discuss the issue with Netanyahu when he returns from Europe next week. » Read more

West Bank settlers reject Netanyahu's pleas for order ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press December 4, 2009 - 1:00am Defiant West Bank settler leaders rejected a personal plea from the Israeli prime minister Thursday to respect a government-ordered construction freeze in their communities, vowing to continue to confront security forces sent to enforce the edict. Jewish settlers blocked inspectors from entering a West Bank settlement to search for unauthorized construction, the third day of such confrontations. There has been no violence, but authorities have made at least four arrests. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu summoned settler leaders in a bid to defuse the tensions. » Read more

Jewish West Bank settlers vow to defy Netanyahu's building freeze ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Independent by Aron Heller - December 4, 2009 - 1:00am Defiant West Bank settler leaders rejected a personal plea from the Prime Minister yesterday to respect a government-ordered residential construction freeze, vowing to keep confronting security forces sent to enforce the edict. In the West Bank, Jewish settlers blocked inspectors from entering a settlement to search for unauthorised construction, the third straight day of such confrontations. There has been no violence, but authorities have made at least four arrests. The Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, summoned settler leaders in a bid to defuse the tensions. » Read more

Israelis want Shalit home, despite the price ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) by Dina Kraft - (Analysis) December 4, 2009 - 1:00am In promos for an upcoming Israeli television special on Gilad Shalit’s family, the captive soldier’s parents are seen viewing the Hamas-made video of their son for the first time. In the promo, Shalit's mother, Aviva, is seen wide-eyed, cupping her hands over her mouth. A small smile curls on the face of Shalit’s usually reserved father, Noam, the most public face of the family's 3 1/2-year struggle to bring home their son from the Gaza Strip. » Read more

Palestinians ought to seize the moment ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Gulf News by Patrick Seale - (Opinion) December 4, 2009 - 1:00am Israel's 10-month partial freeze on new colony building in occupied Palestinian territory, as announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on November 25, has been rejected by the Palestinians as a basis for peace negotiations. They want a total freeze. This is the stated position of Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian National Authority, and of his chief negotiator, Saeb Erekat. It must be hoped that this is not their last word. » Read more

Needed for Mideast peace: a sense of urgency ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times by Martin Indyk - (Opinion) December 4, 2009 - 1:00am How can President Obama drag the Middle East peace wagon out of the mud? He can't -- at least not until the region's leaders feel enough of a sense of urgency to take the risks necessary to achieve breakthroughs. Right now, Arab and Israeli leaders are convinced that Obama is in more of a hurry than they are, so they are content to have him do the heavy lifting. » Read more

Counterproductive ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times (Editorial) December 4, 2009 - 1:00am Hamas’ decision to declare the UN 1947 Partition Plan for Palestine null and void is a surrender of a right that could hurt the Palestinian cause more than serve it. To start with, whatever Hamas thinks of the partition plan is irrelevant. The legality of that resolution, adopted by the UN General Assembly more than 60 years ago, does not need Hamas’ or Israel’s seal of approval. It was voted and done with. » Read more

Israel illegally annexing East Jerusalem - EU report ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP) December 4, 2009 - 1:00am In a confidential report obtained by AFP on Thursday, the European Union accused Israel of actively pursuing the annexation of Arab East Jerusalem and undermining hopes for peace with Palestinians. The annual report drafted by the EU heads of missions in Jerusalem accused Israel of implementing in 2009 an intricate policy which includes expanding Jewish settlements and demolishing Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem. » Read more

Settlers protest Netanyahu plan ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post by Howard Schneider - (Analysis) December 4, 2009 - 1:00am Mayor Malachi Levinger does not consider himself a lawbreaker, but when Israeli building inspectors arrived in his West Bank town Tuesday to check for compliance with a newly imposed moratorium on construction in Jewish settlements, he and several dozen local residents blocked their path to ensure that work continued. » Read more