IDF to dismantle Jerusalem barrier erected during intifada ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz August 13, 2010 - 12:00am On Sunday, the Israeli army will begin dismantling a concrete barrier installed eight years ago, during the second intifada, to shield Jerusalem's Gilo neighborhood from arms fire from the neighboring West Bank Arab town of Beit Jala. The wall was installed along the eastern edge of Gilo, the area at which the shooting was directed. The worst incident in the vicinity at the time saw a border policeman critically injured after being shot in the head. » Read more

PA minister calls boycott of settlement products a success, vows to continue ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Ora Coren, Barak Ravid - August 13, 2010 - 12:00am Palestinian Authority Economy Minister Hassan Abu Libda met with Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer in Tel Aviv yesterday, but said afterward that Palestinians would continue to boycott settlement goods despite Israel's requests that it stop. The two also discussed a new Palestinian law, expected to take effect at the beginning of 2012, which would ban Palestinians from working in the settlements. In addition, Abu Libda detailed the PA's request for observer status in the World Trade Organization and asked for Israel's cooperation on this matter. » Read more

Report: Netanyahu to offer withdrawal from 90% of West Bank ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Roee Nahmias - August 13, 2010 - 12:00am Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has prepared a "tempting" plan to be presented to the Palestinians in the direct negotiations, as part of which Israel will offer to withdraw from up to 90% of the West Bank, excluding east Jerusalem, the London-based Arabic-language al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper reported Friday. The Prime Minister's Office denied the report, calling it "unfounded. » Read more

Palestinians 'adamant about continuing boycott on settlement goods' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Barak Ravid - August 13, 2010 - 12:00am Palestinian Authority Economy Minister Hassan Abu Libda said Thursday that Palestinians would continue to boycott settlement goods despite Israel's requests. Abu Libda made his comments after a meeting with Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer. Ben Eliezer had asked the PA minister in the past to put an end to the boycott, which calls on Palestinians not to buy goods from companies such as Shamir Salads, Kobi Burekas, Ramat Hagolan Dairies, Jerusalem Granola, Bagel Bagel, Mei Eden, Soda Club, Barkan Wineries, Ramat Hagolan Wineries, Rav-Bariach and Ahava Products. » Read more

A Palestinian people, yes, a Jewish people, no? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Shlomo Avineri - (Opinion) August 13, 2010 - 12:00am Like many readers, I enjoyed the delicate irony, sharp wit and clever Arab tales featured in Salman Masalha's op-ed ("A Jewish and Democratic Restaurant," August 9 ). But these virtues cannot compensate for the fundamental misunderstanding that underlies his concluding declaration: "There is no such thing as a Jewish democratic state, just as there is no Muslim democratic state." That is where the dog is buried, to continue the animal metaphors. » Read more

Direct negotiations to begin next week ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post August 13, 2010 - 12:00am Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas may agree to direct talks next week if Israel agrees to pre-1967 borders, according to a letter found by Reuters on Thursday. The European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton reportedly said in the letter that Abbas would release a statement as early as next week, if both parties agreed to direct talks. Negotiations would begin before the end of the month. » Read more

Abbas 'very close' to direct talks with Israel: EU ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP) August 13, 2010 - 12:00am Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas is very close to agreeing to direct talks with Israel, EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said in a letter to foreign ministers seen by AFP on Friday. Abbas "has requested a few more days for final consultations with Arab partners as well as with the Fatah and PLO executive bodies," Ashton wrote, and "should be in a position to give a definitive answer by Sunday or early next week." » Read more

Two states are better than one ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Globe and Mail by Shira Herzog - August 13, 2010 - 12:00am New winds seem to be blowing in Israel’s right wing. Prominent voices opposed to relinquishing the West Bank and Jewish settlements are calling instead for its annexation, with citizenship for Palestinians living there. On the face of it, this sounds virtuously democratic. But the right has no intention of abandoning its vision of a Jewish state in expanded territory. What’s being proposed is neither practical nor intellectually honest. » Read more

INTERVIEW-"Direct talks" no Mideast miracle cure ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Douglas Hamilton - August 13, 2010 - 12:00am Moving from indirect talks to direct negotiations on the Middle East conflict may yield little unless Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has a surprise in store, says a U.S. veteran of the peace process. "It would be a mistake of epic proportions to conclude that we've now reached a fundamental turning point that is going to produce quick or easy progress let alone results," former Middle East adviser Aaron David Miller told Reuters. » Read more

'Major powers' working on Mideast framework: EU ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency August 13, 2010 - 12:00am "Major powers" are at work outlining the basis for direct peace talks between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton indicated, a Thursday night Reuters report said. In a letter seen by the British news wire in the wake of a new Palestinian proposal for direct talks, Ashton wrote that a statement would be issued early next week and talks could begin within the month. » Read more