Netanyahu's naysaying ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz March 3, 2009 - 1:00am United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's debut trip to the Middle East will be depicted - as usual - as a "familiarization tour," aimed at meeting with regional leaders and listening to their ideas. However, there should be no mistake about Clinton's message: President Barack Obama's administration expects the negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians to continue, with the aim of advancing a two-state solution and establishing an "independent and viable" Palestinian state in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. » Read more

Netanyahu: Clinton and I found common ground ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Barak Ravid - March 3, 2009 - 1:00am Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu met with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Jerusalem on Tuesday, saying following their meeting that he had "found common ground with Clinton in attaining the common goals of our two countries." "We need to think creatively in order to move forward and create a different reality, both in terms of security and politically, and this is a common goal for both sides," Netanyahu added. » Read more

Clinton: US to 'vigorously' promote peace efforts ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press by Matti Friedman - March 3, 2009 - 1:00am U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton promised Tuesday to work with the incoming Israeli government, but delivered a clear message that could put her at odds with the country's next leader: Movement toward the establishment of a Palestinian state is "inescapable." At the same time, Clinton said she would not dictate orders to Israel, saying the Jewish state would determine its interests. In her first visit to the region as secretary of state, she also pledged "unrelenting" support for Israel's security. » Read more

Mrs Clinton's task ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Telegraph March 2, 2009 - 1:00am The visit this week to the Middle East by Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, will offer the first opportunity to assess the Obama administration's policy in the region. It comes at an unpropitious time, with sensibilities in the region still raw after Israel's three-week invasion of Gaza, which resulted in such terrible loss of life. Mrs Clinton's first task, at a donors' conference in Sharm el Sheikh yesterday, was to offer a $900 million (£642 million) aid package to Gaza and the West Bank. » Read more

Re-Engagement ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Times (Analysis) March 3, 2009 - 1:00am Hillary Clinton answered the question yesterday of who in the West is driving policy on the Middle East. She began her first visit to the region as Secretary of State with the most intractable issue: what to do about Gaza. At a pledging conference in Sharm el-Sheikh she joined dozens of others promising Gaza substantial cash to rebuild houses and infrastructure destroyed by three weeks of Israeli air attacks. » Read more