January 30th

Secret Israeli database reveals full extent of illegal settlement ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Uri Blau - January 30, 2009 - 1:00am Just four years ago, the defense establishment decided to carry out a seemingly elementary task: establish a comprehensive database on the settlements. Brigadier General (res.) Baruch Spiegel, aide to then defense minister Shaul Mofaz, was put in charge of the project. For over two years, Spiegel and his staff, who all signed a special confidentiality agreement, went about systematically collecting data, primarily from the Civil Administration. » Read more

January 29th

After the War on Terror ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Roger Cohen - (Opinion) January 29, 2009 - 1:00am In his first White House televised interview, with the Al Arabiya news network based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, President Obama buried the lead: The war on terror is over. Yes, the with-us-or-against-us global struggle — the so-called Long War — in which a freedom-loving West confronts the undifferentiated forces of darkness comprising everything from Al Qaeda to elements of the Palestinian national struggle under the banner of “Islamofascism” has been terminated. What’s left is what matters: defeating terrorist organizations. That’s not a war. It’s a strategic challenge. » Read more

Thirty years of Tehran rhetoric blocking the road to peace ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National by Karim Sadjadpour - January 29, 2009 - 1:00am The Iranian government’s feeling towards the state of Israel is straightforward. In times of peace it is utter contempt; in times of war it is visceral hatred. The question is, why? After all, Iran is not an Arab country, has no direct land disputes with Israel, has no Palestinian refugee problem, has a long history of contentious relations with the Arab world and is home to the largest Jewish community in the Middle East outside Israel itself. » Read more

Hamas and the Firewood of Victory ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Dar Al-Hayat by Jameel Theyabi - January 26, 2009 - 1:00am Now that the offensive is over, we have the right to write bitterly about what we have seen and heard with respect to the tragedies of the "heinous" Israeli war on the Gazans, especially since the uncontrollable inter-Palestinian verbal battle has returned to the television screens and newspapers even prior to the end of the war. » Read more

Obama's Messages to the Arabs ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Dar Al-Hayat by Abdullah Iskandar - (Opinion) January 28, 2009 - 1:00am The new American administration has revealed - in an unquestionable manner - that the Middle East issues and the relation with the Muslim world top its priorities. President Barack Obama apparently attributes the turmoil that plagued the US policy in this regard to mistakes and failed methods of treatment. Therefore, during the first days of his tenure, he sent many political messages to the Middle East and the Muslim world. » Read more

Settlers not thrilled with Obama's Mideast envoy ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Nadav Shragai - January 29, 2009 - 1:00am The settlers are not thrilled with George Mitchell - and that is an understatement. Mitchell, who first arrived here as an envoy on behalf of the Democratic Clinton administration eight years ago, asked then that Israel freeze settlement construction, even if the building activity was intended to meet natural population growth. To a large extent, he was successful in attaining what he requested. » Read more

Gaza detainee treatment 'inhuman' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News January 28, 2009 - 1:00am Palestinians seized during Israel's operation in Gaza faced "appalling" conditions and "inhuman" treatment, Israeli human rights groups have said. The seven groups say they have gathered 20 testimonies which indicate detainees were kept in pits without shelter, toilets or adequate food and water. Some detainees also said they had been held near tanks and in combat areas, the groups said. The Israeli military says it is investigating the allegations. » Read more

Spanish court to probe Israeli officials for alleged 'crimes against humanity' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP) by Roni Sofer - January 29, 2009 - 1:00am Spanish court to probe Israeli officials for alleged 'crimes against humanity' Madrid Court grants motion by Palestinian group to probe several senior defense officials for their involvement in 2002 hit on Hamas operative Salah Shehade; which left 14 dead, 100 wounded. Defense minister calls announcement 'delusional', says he will do all in his power to have charges dropped Roni Sofer and AFP » Read more

UN launches $613m appeal for Gaza ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News January 29, 2009 - 1:00am The UN has launched an appeal for $613m to help people affected by Israel's military offensive in Gaza. "These needs are massive and multi-faceted," the body's top official Ban Ki-moon said at the World Economic Forum in Davos. He added that funds would be used to "help overcome at least some measures of this hardship". The announcement came amid fears of a collapse of unilateral ceasefires by Israel and the Hamas militant group. Two rockets have been fired at Israel, while Israeli air strikes hit southern Gaza. » Read more

Analysis: A kinder, gentler sheriff ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Hilary Leila Krieger - (Analysis) January 29, 2009 - 1:00am US President Barack Obama spent his first week in office taking steps to signal to the nation and the world that the Bush administration is over. He ordered the Guantanamo military prison to close, the CIA to stop using controversial interrogation practices and environmental agencies to move toward stricter fuel efficiency. » Read more