Israel is shooting itself in the foot ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Jay Bushinsky - (Opinion) February 7, 2010 - 1:00am No country could possibly be more obsessed about its image abroad than is Israel. Understandably, Israelis want to be liked and where appropriate, admired. But in recent years, especially since Operation Cast Lead – the poorly-planned and badly-executed assault on the Gaza Strip that began December 27, 2008 – they have been the butt of international criticism, much of it unwarranted. » Read more

Building a peaceful future ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian by Seth Freedman - (Opinion) February 8, 2010 - 1:00am For all that Jerusalem is perpetually mired in clashes between rival groups of Arab and Jewish residents, there appears to be a glimmer of hope. Plans were announced recently for a fully integrated mixed neighbourhood on the outskirts of the city, in a move which could herald a change in the way Jews and Arabs coexist in the Holy City. » Read more

Mitchell’s model for peace can still apply ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National (Editorial) February 8, 2010 - 1:00am The Middle East peace process is so broken that the parties cannot even talk to each other. The best that can be hoped for is “proximity talks”, in which the US special envoy George Mitchell shuttles between sides as a mediator. Before even that can happen, the Palestinians need assurances and clarifications from the United States – in effect, they’re talking about what they will be allowed to talk about. » Read more

What’s in a hand shake ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times by Hassan Barari - (Opinion) February 9, 2010 - 1:00am Over the last few years, Israel has been working hard to lure Saudi Arabia to open communication channels and political contacts. Despite the continuous American demand that Saudi Arabia consider the Israeli demand, the Saudi declared position remained unchanged: no contacts whatsoever with Israel until the latter responds positively to the Arabs’ quest for peace. » Read more

Officials: Jewish bid for East Jerusalem home likely to fail ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Nir Hasson - February 9, 2010 - 1:00am Interior Minister Eli Yishai resolved Monday to use his powers to thwart a court-ordered evacuation of an illegally built home erected by nationalist Jews in a predominantly Arab neighborhood of East Jerusalem. The Shas chairman said he plans to raise the matter of legalizing the structure, known as "Beit Yonatan," during the next meeting of the ministry's district planning commission in Jerusalem. Yishai believes he will be able to void the evacuation orders which the municipality intends to distribute to the building's residents. » Read more

Abbas: Any decision on peace talks with Israel to wait ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua February 9, 2010 - 1:00am Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on a visit to Tokyo on Tuesday that any decision on returning to the negotiating table with Israel would not be made until clarification of certain points had been made by Washington. The leader, speaking at a Tokyo seminar, made the comments a day after his foreign minister Riyad al-Milki had said that any talks to take place with Israel should focus on border issues and have a time limit of three or four months. » Read more

Palestinian force makes gains in West Bank ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press by Josef Federman - February 9, 2010 - 1:00am The security men brandished their weapons and ordered the suspicious car to halt, forcing the occupants to get out and put their hands in their air. The suspects were quickly handcuffed, frisked and made to kneel on the ground as the vehicle was swept for explosives. » Read more

Palestinians set terms for talks as violence flares ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Allyn Fisher-Ilan - February 8, 2010 - 1:00am More than a dozen people were injured when Israeli police confronted Palestinian protesters in a refugee camp at the edge of Jerusalem on Monday, violence stoked by rising tensions over a stalemate in peace talks. The Palestinian cabinet "strongly condemned" what it called an Israeli incursion and its senior officials said negotiations with Israel could resume only if they focused on borders and other core conflict issues and set out a clear deadline. » Read more

Hamas leader says U.S. blocking Palestinian unity ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Steve Gutterman - February 8, 2010 - 1:00am Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal on Monday accused the United States of undermining Palestinian unity efforts and said he saw no chance for peace in the Middle East under Israel's current leadership. Shunned in the West because his Islamist group refuses to recognise Israel -- a position he said stands -- Meshaal used a hospitable Russia as a platform to blame Washington and Israel's hardline government for a lack of progress. His remarks underscored barriers on the road to Palestinian reconciliation and to renewing Middle East peace talks. » Read more

PA cabinet calls municipal, local elections ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency February 9, 2010 - 1:00am The cabinet of the Ramallah-based government decided on Monday to hold municipal and local elections in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip on 17 July 2010. Directives were given to the Palestinian Central Elections Committee to begin preparations. » Read more