Mearsheimer's unhelpful, unrealistic and disempowering message to the Palestinians ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ibishblog by Hussein Ibish - May 3, 2010 - 12:00am For the past couple of years Professor John J. Mearsheimer has spoken at many Arab and Muslim American events, and in most of them he sensibly urged Arab and Muslim Americans to seek a working coalition with Jewish Americans in favor of a two-state solution. In fact, he has been a strong advocate of a two-state solution. Until yesterday, that is. Speaking at the Palestine Center in Washington, Mearsheimer suddenly reversed himself with astounding claims of prescience bordering on clairvoyance. He flatly declared: » Read more

"The Future of Palestine: Righteous Jews vs. the New Afrikaners" with Professor John J. Mearsheimer ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Palestine Center May 3, 2010 - 12:00am Edited Transcript of Remarks by Professor John J. Mearsheimer Transcript No. 327 (29 April 2010) To view the video of this briefing online, go to http://www.palestinecenter.org The Palestine Center/Washington, D.C. 29 April 2010 Professor John Mearsheimer: It is a great honor to be here at the Palestine Center to give the Sharabi Memorial Lecture. I would like to thank Yousef Munayyer, the executive director of the Jerusalem Fund, for inviting me, and all of you for coming out to hear me speak this afternoon. » Read more

Video Series Depicts Life Under Occupation, Humanizes Palestinian Experience ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Huffington Post May 3, 2010 - 12:00am A couple of days ago, I was intrigued by a preview I saw for "Sleepless in Gaza and Jerusalem," a reality show about life in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. To show the reality of life under occupation, the film crew follows several young Palestinian women throughout the occupied territories for 90 days as they go about their daily lives (the series is now two-thirds of the way in, and is available on youtube). » Read more

Fayyad is using development to gain independence ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Star by Walid Salem - May 3, 2010 - 12:00am Much has been written about the plan proposed by the Palestinian government headed by Prime Minister Salam Fayyad for establishing the Palestinian state within two years. However, little has been written about one of the most significant implications of this plan, namely that it brings together, for the first time ever, development and political goals in Palestinian politics. How did this come about? » Read more

Once more into the Mideast breach ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Financial Times May 3, 2010 - 12:00am Here we go again. Welcome back to the Middle East peace process, a tortured charade that long ago turned into pure process and thereby set a sure course for the rocks. With indirect talks between the Israelis and Palestinians now likely to resume, is there any reason to think much has changed? Israel is ruled by its most right-wing government, under Benjamin Netanyahu, and the Palestinians, weak and divided, are unwilling to enter negotiations unless Israel stops building settlements on their land, which Mr Netanyahu refuses to do. But something does look to have changed – in the US. » Read more

Details of Gaza blockade revealed in court case ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News by Tim Franks - May 3, 2010 - 12:00am BBC News has seen documents, submitted to an Israeli Court, which give more detail than ever before about how and why Israel maintains its Gaza blockade. In one document, Israel describes the import curbs as "a central pillar in the armed conflict with Hamas". It also confirms estimates were made of how many calories Gazans need, but says these were not used for policy-making. Israel says the blockade is to pressure Hamas, which does not recognise Israel and backs attacks on its citizens. » Read more

Abbas: 'Many obstacles' for peace ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post May 3, 2010 - 12:00am Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said Sunday that he has already demanded sole control over large sections of the West Bank, including those under total Israeli sovereignty. Abbas said that he demand the Jordan Valley, even though Israelis have made clear that they will not agree to preconditions from the Palestinians. » Read more

Ayalon: Palestinian boycott to be discussed in proximity talks ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Zvi Lavi - May 3, 2010 - 12:00am The Knesset's Economic Affairs Committee on Sunday discussed possible responses to a new law passed last week in the Palestinian Authority, which bans Palestinians from selling or buying products produced by Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said that Israel would urge the Palestinians to cancel the boycott at a preliminary stage of the proximity talks. However, he stressed that continuation of the talks would not hinge on the removal of the ban, due to Israel's decision to commence talks without prior conditions. » Read more

Abbas: Mideast proximity peace talks to address final-status issues ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz May 3, 2010 - 12:00am Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday said indirect peace talks scheduled to begin this week with Israel will address final-status issues, including borders, Palestinian refugees and Jerusalem, Army Radio reported. "There is a historic opportunity before Israel, if it withdraws from all Palestinian and Arab lands," said Abbas adding that in exchange, under the Arab peace initiative, Israel would be officially recognized by Arab states. » Read more

A struggle to change public opinion ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Shaul Arieli - May 3, 2010 - 12:00am How serious Benjamin Netanyahu really is about resuming talks with the Palestinians will be reflected in the extent of his effort to reshape Israeli public opinion, where the concept "there is no partner" has been thoroughly assimilated, partly because of the prime minister's own utterances. » Read more