March 6th

Plan for tourist theme park raises Jerusalem tensions ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Independent by Donald MacIntyre - March 6, 2009 - 1:00am Close as it is to the historic and politically radioactive Old City of Jerusalem, when Naji Qafishi built his two-storey house in the Silwan district in 1994, he hardly expected it to be at the core of a global debate over the future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Even now, he is more worried about the impact of the demolition order for the property on the 14 people who live in its four rooms – his three sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren. » Read more

British embassy in Israel cancels move over Jewish settlement concerns ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Telegraph by Dina Kraft - March 5, 2009 - 1:00am Embassy officials had intended to move to Kirya Tower in Tel Aviv, partly owned by real-estate company Africa-Israel Investments Ltd but has reversed its decision while it seeks clarifications from the company. A subsidiary of Africa-Israel, Danya Cebus, has built homes in at least one West Bank settlement, Maale Adumim, but it is not clear what the scope of the company's activities are. » Read more

Gaza homes destruction 'wanton' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News March 6, 2009 - 1:00am Human rights investigators say Israeli forces engaged in "wanton destruction" of Palestinian homes during the recent conflict in Gaza. Amnesty International has told the BBC News website the methods used raised concerns about war crimes. Israel's military said buildings were destroyed because of military "operational needs". The Israeli Defense Forces said they operated in accordance with international law during the conflict. » Read more

Clinton visit: In a West Bank café, Palestinians ask how much will change ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Christian Science Monitor by Ilene Prusher - March 5, 2009 - 1:00am If there is any place in this de facto capital of the West Bank where all things American are welcomed, it's here at Stars and Bucks – an unabashed Starbucks knockoff complete with green-and-white logo, cozy couches, and myriad mochas and lattes. But even as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was visiting the Palestinian territories for the first time since her appointment, men and women here took little interest in the fact that their president, Mahmoud Abbas, was standing side by side with her, giving a joint press conference following their first meeting. » Read more

Fresh Start in the Middle East ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times (Editorial) March 5, 2009 - 1:00am Hillary Rodham Clinton put down the right markers on her first Middle East trip as secretary of state. Whatever the eventual composition of a new, and presumably more hawkish, government after Israel’s last election, Mrs. Clinton made clear that America’s compelling interest lies in a two-state solution anchored by a broad regional peace. She advanced that interest by announcing diplomatic re-engagement with Syria and strong American support for the Palestinian Authority president, Mahmoud Abbas. » Read more

Israeli Spurns Criticism From Clinton ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post by Howard Schneider - March 6, 2009 - 1:00am After Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton this week criticized plans to extend a park across 88 buildings that house Palestinian families in East Jerusalem, newly elected Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat said she was meddling in local control over zoning and the city's economic future. » Read more

March 5th

US interests are not served by a stubborn Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National (Editorial) March 5, 2009 - 1:00am Critics of the Middle East peace process deride it as elaborate summitry and slogans that try hard but fail to mask the fundamental gap between the parties. They have a point: Israel is further from peace than ever before, the Palestinians are too weak and divided to agree on anything and the US is blindly behind the Israelis. » Read more

5 Qassams fired after IAF kills Gaza gunmen ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Ali Waked - March 5, 2009 - 1:00am Five Qassam rockets and a mortar shell were fired on the western Negev Thursday in response to an Israeli air strike on a terror cell in the Gaza Strip that left three gunmen dead and another wounded. The first rocket fell just before 9 am in an open area in the Sdot Negev Regional Council. About an hour later, two more rockets were fired from the Strip, landing in the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council. In both incidents there were no reports of injuries or damage. » Read more

Ambassador to US quits ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Yitzhak Benhorin - March 5, 2009 - 1:00am - Surprising departure: Israel's Ambassador to the United States, Sallai Meridor, announced Thursday that he intends to quit his post soon and return to Israel. Meridor informed Prime Minister Olmert, Foreign Minister Livni, and PM-designate Netanyahu of his decision on Monday, before joining US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on her Israel visit. » Read more

The pulse of a meeting ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times by Daoud Kuttab - March 5, 2009 - 1:00am A resounding and unanimous international message of support for Gaza reconstruction was sounded in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El Sheikh on March 2. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, along with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas were joined at the conference by foreign ministers as well as representatives of regional and international organisations and foundations. Ironically two key groups were absent from the meeting: Israel and Hamas. » Read more