Obama wants to reset the Middle East agenda; Israel must listen ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons by Ellen Laipson - (Opinion) May 25, 2009 - 12:00am President Barack Obama and Premier Benjamin Netanyahu made it through their first official meeting with no apparent harm done to US-Israel comity. But their careful language about shared threat perceptions and deep historic ties did little to disguise the obvious: there are interesting and difficult challenges ahead as Israel and the United States, separately and together, approach the enduring quest for peace and security in the Middle East. » Read more

Israel admits Tube advert map 'mistake' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News May 22, 2009 - 12:00am Israel's tourist ministry has admitted to a "mistake" over adverts on the London Underground after complaints that they "wipe Palestine off the map". The ads include a map which campaigners say shows the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip - as well as Syria's Golan Heights - as integral parts of Israel. The ministry said that in general, maps should not be used on billboards. But it denied a Transport for London statement that it had asked for the offending posters to be removed. » Read more

Netanyahu says settlements can expand ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News May 24, 2009 - 12:00am Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says settlements in the occupied West Bank will be allowed to expand despite US objections. Mr Netanyahu said no new settlements would be built, but natural growth in existing settlements should be allowed. During Mr Netanyahu's visit to the US last week, President Barack Obama told him all settlement activity must end. The US regards the Jewish settlements -home to some 280,000 Israelis - as obstacles to the peace process. » Read more

Anger over Palestinian Nakba ban proposal ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News May 25, 2009 - 12:00am Israeli campaigners and left-wing lawmakers have condemned moves to ban Israeli Arabs from marking the Nakba - the "catastrophe" of Israel's creation. On Sunday a government panel backed putting the bill, proposed by the party of far-right Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, before the Israeli Knesset. A Labour minister opposed it; Hadash, a mainly Arab party, called it "racist". Some 700,000 Palestinians fled or were forced from their homes in the 1948 war after Israel declared independence. » Read more

Israel would forgo outposts to expand settlements ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National December 31, 1969 - 8:00pm Israel is prepared to dismantle nearly two dozen wildcat settlement outposts in the West Bank in the next few weeks if the US drops its objections to continued building in existing, government-sanctioned settlements, Israeli officials say. The defence minister Ehud Barak will bring this proposal to senior American officials during his visit to Washington next week, the Israeli officials said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the proposal has not yet been officially submitted. » Read more

Palestinian fishermen hemmed in ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National by Omar Karmi - May 25, 2009 - 12:00am At the helm of his fishing vessel, Naheth Abu Ameera, 49, apologised for not being able to show his guests a haul. By way of explanation he reached down and picked out a tiny sardine from the net strewn on the side of the deck. “This is what we got this afternoon. We’ll have to wait until tonight to get any kind of catch.” Even then, however, the skipper did not expect a good haul. Ever since Israel’s war on Gaza ended on Jan 22 and Gaza’s 3,500 fishermen could take to the sea again, the Israeli navy has restricted fishing to within three nautical miles (approximately 5.5km) of shore. » Read more

Time for action on illegal Israeli colonies ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Gulf News (Editorial) May 25, 2009 - 12:00am We are being assured by world leaders that they agree Israeli colony expansion must be stopped. They say the expansion of colonies in the Occupied Territories is an obstacle to peace in the Middle East and the creation of a viable independent Palestinian state. But the question is, what are they doing about it? Nothing really. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed yesterday to continue the construction of homes in Jewish colonies in the West Bank, less than a week after US President Barack Obama called on the Israeli government to halt such actions. » Read more

Despite Difficulties, Obama Administration to Intensify Role in Peace Process ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Dar Al-Hayat by Joyce Karam - May 24, 2009 - 12:00am The Obama administration is planning to intensify its engagement in the Peace Process by taking an active role in resuming negotiations and mobilizing regional support for its efforts. » Read more

Obama and Cautious Optimism ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Asharq Alawsat by Diana Mukkaled - May 25, 2009 - 12:00am Since his election, Israel has been keeping a watchful eye on the position and actions of President Barack Obama. Israeli politicians and analysts have often expressed serious concerns about Obama's statements on the peace process based upon the two-state solution, and his demands that Israel abide by this option. Obama's strategy in the Middle East is based upon criticizing his predecessor George Bush, and putting forward a different approach with regards to Iraq and Afghanistan. » Read more