June 15th

Will Israeli PM's reference to the 'S' word spell peace? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Independent by Donald MacIntyre - (Opinion) June 15, 2009 - 12:00am For the first time in his long political career Benjamin Netanyahu managed to say "Palestinian state". That much is a result for Barack Obama, despite the qualifications that came with it. As the US President most eager since Jimmy Carter to make progress in the Middle East from day one of entering office, he found himself, by a painful historical irony, faced with an Israeli Prime Minister who did not, unlike his three predecessors, even accept a theory the notion of a two-state solution. On this Mr Netanyahu has bowed to the inevitable. » Read more

Salam Fayyad: The two-state solution needs action as well as words ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Independent by Salam Fayyad - June 14, 2009 - 12:00am There is growing expectation that Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, may soon endorse the two-state solution. His speech tonight outlining his government's approach to Middle East peace affords him an opportunity he should not miss. No doubt some will laud any change in his opposition to the two-state solution as a "breakthrough". But what does a genuine endorsement of it entail? » Read more

Let's applaud the change in US policy ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Star by Rami Khouri - (Opinion) June 13, 2009 - 12:00am One of the fascinating developments taking place before our eyes these days is the evolution of America's power and presence in the Middle East - though it remains to be seen if this is a truly constructive change in policy or merely a temporary cosmetic repackaging of failed old ways. Two important points should be noted: American power is a constant factor in the region, regardless of whether one likes or dislikes how it is applied; and public perceptions of the United States throughout the Middle East are not fixed in stone, but rather respond in tandem to evolving American policies. » Read more

A Change of Heart? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Economist June 15, 2009 - 12:00am WHAT to make of a speech on Sunday June 14th by the Israeli prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, in which he reluctantly but explicitly articulated his acceptance of the idea of a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinian territories? Local commentators have made much of the image of pulling teeth, suggesting that Mr Netanyahu spoke largely in response to pressure from the United States. » Read more

To alleviate suffering ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times by Daoud Kuttab - (Opinion) June 15, 2009 - 12:00am Once again the hot summer months are upon us, without any solution in sight for the Palestinian tragedy and the continued suffering of Palestinians crossing the King Hussein Bridge, which is the only exit and entry point for the West Bank. While there is no doubt that the real solution to this tragedy is the end of the occupation, genuine efforts must be exerted to ease the sufferings of individuals and families crossing the bridge. » Read more

Call to shun Netanyahu over speech ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters June 15, 2009 - 12:00am World powers should isolate the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu after he unveiled tough terms for a Middle East peace accord, an aide to the Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas said today. In a major policy speech yesterday, Mr Netanyahu responded to weeks of pressure from Washington by finally giving his endorsement, with conditions, to the establishment of a demilitarised Palestinian state. » Read more

June 12th

Palestinian civilians bear brunt of settler violence ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP) by Djallal Malti - June 11, 2009 - 12:00am Nestled amid rolling hills and with an eagle eye's view to the Mediterranean coast, Nahla Ahmed's house has all the elements of Eden... if it weren't for the Molotov cocktail-throwing neighbours. "We put bars on the windows after the first attack that came at 2:00 am three years ago," says the 36-year-old mother of four. "Now they come each week." Ahmed has the misfortune of living in a hilltop house on the edge of this Palestinian village, with the Jewish settlement of Yitzhar on a facing hill. » Read more

Why Obama Should Keep the Heat on Israel ... ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Time by Peter Beinart - (Opinion) June 12, 2009 - 12:00am The big question about Barack Obama has always been this: Is he a risk taker? Domestically, he answered it months ago with his massive stimulus package. On foreign policy, we only just learned the answer. By taking on the Israeli government over the issue of settlement growth, Obama is showing that he's a gambler overseas as well. Despite the conventional wisdom that an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal is impossible anytime soon, he seems hell-bent on pursuing one. And if he breaks china in the process, so be it. » Read more

Obama's resolve on Mideast facing a history of blunt reality ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times by Richard Boudreaux - June 12, 2009 - 12:00am Infuriated by pressure from Washington, Israel's prime minister summoned the American ambassador. "You have no moral right to preach to us," he lectured the envoy. "What kind of talk is this, 'punishing Israel'? Are we a vassal state of yours? Are we a banana republic?" That scolding was 28 years ago, but it echoes as a cautionary tale. » Read more

Can Bibi and Obama make it work? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) by Ami Eden - (Analysis) June 9, 2009 - 12:00am Those rushing to declare the fix-up between President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a flop after just one date should remember that a good relationship takes time. It’s been less than five months since Obama’s inauguration, and Netanyahu has been on the job for only two months. » Read more