May 4th

Government backs settlement goods ban ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency May 4, 2010 - 12:00am Following Israeli complaints about the Palestinian Authority ban on settlement goods in the West Bank, the Government Media Center issued a statement confirming that the "campaign is implementing the rule of law." In the statement, PA officials reiterated their commitment to "all economic agreements with Israel," but said authorities would not back down from efforts to replace the "illegal products of Israel’s settlement [with] legal Palestinian and other imported products." » Read more

PA security officials detained in Jerusalem ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency May 4, 2010 - 12:00am Israeli forces detained seven Palestinian locals from several neighborhoods in Jerusalem on Tuesday at dawn, after they were accused of affiliation to the Palestinian Authority security forces. The seven detainees were at an Israeli court in Jerusalem on Tuesday afternoon, and are accused of affiliation to PA security. They were expected to be detained for nine days, but attorney Saleh Ayoub sought a shorter remand. » Read more

Framework Set in Mideast for Indirect Peace Talks ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Isabel Kershner - May 3, 2010 - 12:00am The prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, met on Monday with Egypt’s president, Hosni Mubarak, in the Sinai resort of Sharm el Sheik, and the Obama administration’s envoy arrived in the region amid final preparations for the start of indirect Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. The talks, expected in days, will be the first in more than a year. But the atmosphere in the region was hardly enthusiastic, with Israeli officials expressing skepticism about the prospects of a breakthrough and Palestinian officials warning Israel against taking any steps that could torpedo the talks. » Read more

Road to a one-state solution is paved with good intentions ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National by Emile Hokayem - May 4, 2010 - 12:00am An idea is gaining ground in the Arab world and beyond that the Palestinians are better off opting out of a frustrating peace process and that they should embrace the vision of a one-state solution. The emotional and intellectual appeal of a binational state of both Israelis and Palestinians is undeniable, especially for well-intentioned but distant academic and cultural elites. The argument speaks to a higher sense of justice and human dignity – that peoples can transcend their suffering and narratives to live side by side, forging a new identity. » Read more

Peace products ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post May 4, 2010 - 12:00am The issue of settlements and their illegality under international law should dominate debate surrounding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and a return to negotiations. Israel’s refusal to adhere to international law or its previous commitments, particularly its obligation to freeze all settlement construction as stipulated under the 2003 road map, has led to a low point in relations with Washington. Israel’s policy of building settlements on occupied Palestinian land undermines prospects for peace, and continues at the expense of all Palestinians. » Read more

May 3rd

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