After setback, US resumes Mideast peace push ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Statesman by Josef Federman - December 13, 2010 - 1:00am JERUSALEM — The U.S. Mideast envoy returned to the region on Monday, seeking to revive troubled peace efforts after a major setback in which Washington abandoned efforts to coax Israel to freeze Jewish settlement in areas Palestinians want for a future state. The envoy, George Mitchell, was expected to push the Israelis and Palestinians for progress on key issues at the heart of their conflict. But in a reflection of the difficulties ahead, Mitchell was being forced to meet separately with the sides during the two-day visit, and expectations for a breakthrough were low. » Read more

Hamas celebrates 23rd anniversary with mass rally ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Statesman by Ibrahim Barzak - December 14, 2010 - 1:00am Tens of thousands of Hamas supporters flocked to Gaza City Tuesday for a mass rally to boost support for the militant Palestinian group on its 23rd anniversary. Streets, cars and buildings were adorned with Hamas' trademark green, and huge crowds of flag-waving supporters clogged the streets to reach the rally where Hamas leaders lauded the group's history of fighting Israel. "Hamas has not failed, Hamas has not collapsed," Prime Minster Ismail Haniyeh told the crowd. "Hamas did not fail to bring together government and resistance." » Read more

EU keeps up pressure for Israeli settlement freeze ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Alertnet by Justyna Pawlak - December 14, 2010 - 1:00am The European Union pressed the Israeli government on Monday to freeze settlement building, offered the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip more aid and urged Israel to open Gaza's border crossings more fully to increase trade. EU foreign ministers "noted with regret" Israel's failure to extend a moratorium on construction of Jewish settlements, and took a stand at odds with the decision by the United States to drop efforts to persuade Israel to freeze settlement building. » Read more

Israeli forces demolish 2 homes under construction in Jerusalem ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency December 14, 2010 - 1:00am JERUSALEM (Ma'an) -- Two Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem, both under construction, were demolished by Israeli forces on Tuesday morning, as bulldozers executed demolition orders stating the homes lacked permits. The homes, in the Ras Al-Amud and Sur Bahir neighborhoods of occupied East Jerusalem, were two of an estimated 60,000 with standing demolition orders authorized by the Israeli courts on request from the municipality. » Read more

Who's stopping the peace process? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times by Danny Ayalon - (Opinion) December 14, 2010 - 1:00am The breakdown of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks has predictably resulted in blame laid almost exclusively on Israel. However, events of the last 17 years — since Israeli-Palestinian peace talks began — demonstrate a different story about what has prevented peace. » Read more

A U.N. Plan for Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Robert Wright - (Opinion) December 13, 2010 - 1:00am The blogger Andrew Sullivan has called America’s policy toward Israel “assisted suicide.” That may be an exaggeration, but on Friday it became less of one. The occasion was a speech by Hillary Clinton, much anticipated after the collapse of talks between Israelis and Palestinians. » Read more

U.S. Middle East Envoy Attempts to Restart Peace Process ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Ethan Bronner - December 13, 2010 - 1:00am JERUSALEM — After nearly two years of frustration and failure, the Obama administration began its Middle East peace efforts anew on Monday with its special envoy, George J. Mitchell, holding talks here on ways to improve the atmosphere between Israel and the Palestinians and ultimately negotiate over the core issues that separate them. » Read more