Netanyahu to shift Israel to right ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Financial Times by Tobias Buck - March 30, 2009 - 12:00am Benjamin Netanyahu will be sworn in as Israel’s prime minister, marking a decisive shift to a more rightwing, hawkish government, just as the country is facing mounting international criticism. » Read more

Bibi and Barack Can Unite on Iran ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Wall Street Journal by Yossi Klein Halevi - (Opinion) March 31, 2009 - 12:00am Enemies of the American-Israeli alliance could not have conjured a scenario more fraught with potential for misunderstanding. In Washington, a new president is reaching out to the Muslim world, including Iran. In Jerusalem, the government about to take office represents the disillusionment of the Israeli public with 15 years of failed peace talks. For President Barack Obama, power is a means to encourage the rational self-interest of opponents. For Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu, power is the means of defending his people from irrational hatred. Mr. » Read more

Israel's Netanyahu says he can work with Obama ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times by Richard Boudreaux - March 31, 2009 - 12:00am In the weeks since he was chosen to form Israel's next government, Benjamin Netanyahu has labored to dispel the perception that he's on a collision course with the country's most powerful ally. Never mind his history of spats with Washington, or that he refuses to embrace the goal of an independent Palestinian state, a cornerstone of American policy reaffirmed by President Obama last week.co And never mind that religious parties in his coalition call for expanding the Jewish settlements in the West Bank that Obama has criticized. Or that his foreign minister lives in one. » Read more

Israel Ends Inquiry Into Abuse in Gaza ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Isabel Kershner - March 30, 2009 - 12:00am The Israeli military said Monday that its advocate general had decided to close an investigation into allegations of abuses by soldiers during the recent campaign in Gaza. The allegations arose from the accounts of soldiers at a conference of graduates of a premilitary course at an academic college in northern Israel. The military police found that “the crucial components of their descriptions were based on hearsay and not supported by specific personal knowledge,” the army said in a statement. » Read more

Netanyahu set for inauguration as Israel's leader ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Jeffrey Heller - March 31, 2009 - 12:00am Benjamin Netanyahu was to be sworn in as Israel's prime minister Tuesday, returning to a post he held a decade ago and with no explicit commitment to the internationally-backed goal of Palestinian statehood. Netanyahu, 59, planned to ask parliament to ratify his right-leaning coalition government at a session starting at 5 p.m. (1400 GMT), officials said. Debate could last for hours. » Read more