June 9th

Obama and Eisenhower: Some Parallels ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Yoav J. Tenembaum - (Editorial) June 8, 2009 - 12:00am Historical comparisons have to be drawn with caution. No two events are identical. The pitfalls of historical analogy are as numerous as its benefits. However, comparing events in history can clarify and sharpen our understanding of the phenomenon under discussion. In this spirit, it's possible to draw a comparison between President Barack Obama's new policy toward Israel and that pursued by president Dwight Eisenhower and his administration from 1953 until 1957, when it also changed the direction of US policy toward Israel. The similarities are quite striking. » Read more

US urges quick return to Mid-East talks ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News June 9, 2009 - 12:00am US Middle East envoy George Mitchell has urged a swift return to peace talks on his first day of meetings with Israeli and Palestinian leaders. "We all share an obligation to create the conditions for the prompt resumption and early conclusion of negotiations," he said in Jerusalem. US relations with Israel are said to be tense since President Barack Obama's speech to Muslims in Cairo last week. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is under pressure to back a two-state solution. » Read more

On Settlements and Violence ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ibishblog by Hussein Ibish - (Opinion) June 8, 2009 - 12:00am Most observers welcomed President Obama’s speech in Cairo last week, but some pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian commentators have taken issue with the President’s emphasis on ending Israeli settlement activity and Palestinian violence, respectively, as crucial measures in laying the groundwork for a successful peace agreement. These choices were not arbitrary. They reflect the principal commitments and obligations of both parties under Phase One of the Roadmap. » Read more

UN: Prosecutions Unlikely in Gaza Investigation ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press June 9, 2009 - 12:00am A veteran UN war crimes investigator acknowledged his probe of possible war crimes by Israel and Hamas - which included interviewing dozens of victims and poring through the files of human rights groups - is unlikely to lead to prosecutions. Israel has refused to cooperate, depriving his team access to military sources and victims of Hamas rockets. And Hamas security often accompanied his team during their five-day trip to Gaza last week, raising questions about the ability of witnesses to freely describe the group's actions. » Read more

West Bank Palestinian Police force boosted ATFP World Press Roundup Article from United Press International (UPI) June 8, 2009 - 12:00am A U.S. general training Palestinian police in the West Bank said more officers are needed to prevent Hamas from gaining strength. Lt.Gen. Keith Dayton plans to increase the number of Palestinian police battalions operating in West Bank cities from three to 10, media reports said Monday. Israel, satisfied with the way the Palestinian police force operates in Palestinian villages and cities, has already approved sending additional recruits to undergo training in Jordan. » Read more

June 8th

US Envoy Calls for 'Immediate' Talks ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Khaled Abu Toameh - June 7, 2009 - 12:00am US President Barack Obama wants "immediate" talks between the Palestinians and Israel to forge a comprehensive Middle East peace agreement, US envoy George Mitchell was quoted by Reuters as saying on Monday. En route to the Middle East, Mitchell said such talks were aimed at reaching "a comprehensive peace and normalization of relations" between Israel and its neighbors, which would also serve "the security interests of the United States." » Read more

Poll: Obama's Policies Bad for Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Gil Hoffman - (Analysis) June 8, 2009 - 12:00am A majority of Israelis believe that the Middle East policies of US President Barack Obama are not good for the Jewish state, according to a Dahaf Institute poll taken ahead of Obama's speech to the Muslim world. The poll of 501 Israelis, sponsored by Yediot Aharonot and representing a statistical sample of the population, found that 53 percent believed Obama's policies were not good for Israel and just 26% said they were good. The rest did not respond. » Read more

Netanyahu 'determined to show world he is not against peace' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Roni Sofer - June 8, 2009 - 12:00am Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will lay out his political stance on peace with the Palestinians in a speech at Bar Ilan University next week. The speech comes as a response to the historic address delivered by US President Barack Obama in Egypt last week, officials close to the prime minister said on Sunday. » Read more

ANALYSIS-Settlements row with U.S. may cloud Israeli economy ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters (Analysis) June 7, 2009 - 12:00am Israel's economy, unscathed by costly wars in Lebanon and Gaza, faces a new challenge, this time from an ally -- the United States. Differences with U.S. President Barack Obama over Jewish settlement of occupied West Bank land that Palestinians want for a state has some experts predicting a price in terms of U.S. fiscal support and investment for Israel. Some diplomats say Washington could eventually reconsider Israel's receipt of hefty U.S. loan guarantees or $3 billion in annual defence aid. That would scare off foreign investors seeking a buffer against Middle East instability. » Read more

Israel Ministry Wages Settlement War Against U.S. ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Mazal Mualem - June 8, 2009 - 12:00am Interior Minister Eli Yishai has begun to make good on a pledge to exploit all the resources of his ministry, "its branches and its influences over local government" to expand settlements in the territories. Yishai, who is also chairman of Shas, made the promise last Thursday to the heads of the Yesha Council of settlements. His party is concerned by the freeze on construction that has been in effect since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took office, which Yishai said is "drying out" the settlements. » Read more