August 3rd

U.S. to Push Peace in Middle East Media Campaign ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Mark Landler - August 2, 2009 - 12:00am George J. Mitchell likes to remind people that he labored for 700 days before reaching the Good Friday accord that brought peace to Northern Ireland. So the fact that Mr. Mitchell has shuttled back and forth to the Middle East for the last 190 days without any breakthroughs, he said, does not mean that President Obama’s push for peace there is stalled. » Read more

Free Marriage Counseling ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Thomas L. Friedman - (Opinion) August 1, 2009 - 12:00am Israel and America are having one of those periodic marital spats they have had over the years, replete with “I-am-not-taking-any-more-of-your-guff” outbursts by Obama officials at American Jewish leaders, and, yes — it wouldn’t be a real Israel-U.S. dust-up without it — Israeli accusations that Jewish Obama aides are “self-hating Jews,” working out their identity crises by working over Israel. Having been to this play before, and knowing both families, I’d like to offer some free marriage counseling. » Read more

Israel Evicts Palestinians From Homes ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Isabel Kershner - August 2, 2009 - 12:00am Israeli security forces evicted two Palestinian families from their homes in East Jerusalem early Sunday after the families lost a long legal battle to remain in the contested properties, furthering a plan for Jewish settlement in the predominantly Arab area. The move, days after senior American officials visited Jerusalem to press for a settlement freeze, prompted sharp international criticism. » Read more