May 7th

Bethlehem prepares for 2nd Palestine Investment Conference ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency May 5, 2010 - 12:00am The Palestinian Authority cabinet allocated 485,000 US dollars to Bethlehem councils, southern West Bank, for local improvements and renovations ahead of the Second Palestine Investment Conference scheduled for June. Bethlehem Governor Abdul Fattah Hamayil met on Wednesday with mayors and heads of village councils to inform them of the PA cabinet's decision, providing them with the requested funding for preparations. » Read more

Gaza: Lineups to remove cash from Arab Bank ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency May 6, 2010 - 12:00am Hundreds of Gaza residents started lining up outside the Ar-Rimal branch of the Arab Bank in Thursday morning, the day after an announcement by the administration that two of the three Gaza Strip branches would close. In a statement, the bank announced that "in light of worsening conditions under which the Bank is called upon to operate in Gaza and after having recently reduced the number of its staff there, it has also decided to close two of its three branches." » Read more

Israeli construction in East Jerusalem adds to difficulties facing negotiators ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post by Janine Zacharia - May 7, 2010 - 12:00am When the Obama administration launches indirect peace talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians, as early as this weekend, it faces a much more complicated landscape than the Clinton or Bush administrations did, especially in Jerusalem. In the decade since Israelis and Palestinians came close to a peace deal in 2000, the complexion of Jerusalem, perhaps the most sensitive of all the sticking points, has been altered. Israeli construction is blurring lines between Arab and Jewish neighborhoods, making any bid to share or divide the city even more difficult than in the past. » Read more

Sunny Days in Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Roger Cohen - (Opinion) May 6, 2010 - 12:00am A cool breeze came in from the sea, knocking over salt shakers at the Zorik Café. It was a beautiful day in Israel, clear skies, brilliant light, and the volleyball players were out. Young couples in low-slung jeans sipped smoothies and ate poached eggs. Things are calm in Tel Aviv. Menace is beyond the horizon. Nobody thinks twice about boarding a bus, hanging out. It was pleasant to sit and people watch, see the smiles and bear hugs. New York’s West Village of a balmy Sunday. » Read more

Turning the other cheek ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times by George S. Hishmeh - May 7, 2010 - 12:00am By choice or coincidence, US President Barack Obama and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas find themselves this week in the same boat, thanks to the mischief of Benjamin Netanyahu.The two leaders have turned the other cheek helplessly, seemingly adopting the choice offered in the Christian doctrine, which favours a non-violent response to an aggressor. One explanation of this doctrine, among many, is that to turn the other cheek is not humiliating, but rather aresponse of strength that says “I will not seek revenge because I am stronger than that”. » Read more

Moment of truth has arrived ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times by Daoud Kuttab - May 7, 2010 - 12:00am If ever there was a statement that reflected the true position of Palestinian negotiators and Arab leaders, it was the one made by the Qatari prime minister, Hamad Ben Jasem Al Thani. The statement, made after the Arab follow-up committee gave the PLO the green light to resume indirect negotiations, reflects a pessimistic outlook of peace. "We don’t trust Israel, but we find positive indications on the part of the US mediator," said the Qatari premier, who is also his country's foreign minister. » Read more

The Arab peace initiative: Now or never ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News by Alon Ben-meir - May 7, 2010 - 12:00am It has been almost a year now since US President Barack Obama set out for Cairo to deliver what has been seen as one of the largest overtures by the US to publicly engage the Middle East. » Read more

General 'tried to cover up truth about death of Rachel Corrie' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Independent by Ben Lynfield - May 7, 2010 - 12:00am Seven years after the American activist Rachel Corrie was killed by an Israeli army bulldozer in Gaza, evidence has emerged which appears to implicate Israel's Gaza commander at the time, in an attempt to obstruct the official investigation into her death. » Read more

Poll: 60% of Palestinians favor indirect talks ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency May 7, 2010 - 12:00am Bethlehem - Ma'an - The Palestinian Center for Public Opinion (PCPO) released the findings of its most recent poll on Wednesday, which revealed surprising results, including that 60% of Palestinians support the current effort at peace talks. The poll, carried out between 15-28 April, asked a random sample of 1,153 respondents from the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem about their thoughts on various political indicators. All respondents were over the age of 17. » Read more

May 6th

On Israel, Jews and Leaders Often Disagree ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Paul Vitello - May 5, 2010 - 12:00am Criticizing Israel has long been the equivalent of touching a third rail in many Jewish families and friendships, relegating disagreements to a conversational demilitarized zone where only the innocent and foolhardy go. “You cannot really engage in that conversation,” said Phillip Moore, a teacher in this Detroit suburb who has embraced strong opinions on many topics in his life — on politics, education, even religion — but avoids the subject of Israel at gatherings of his Jewish relatives. » Read more