Police: Palestinian cell murdered US tourist ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Omri Efraim - January 26, 2011 - 1:00am Thirteen men suspected of killing two women near Jerusalem, committing rape and robberies. According to police, cell's motives were criminal at first but turned terrorist after Hamas commander's murder Police have uncovered a Palestinian cell responsible for the murder of American tourist Kristine Luken and the attempted murder of tour guide Kaye Susan Wilson in a forest near Jerusalem last month, it was cleared for publication Wednesday. The 13 cell members are also suspected of committing 21 different crimes between 1997 and 2010. » Read more

New Jerusalem tunnel will damage Temple Mount, Palestinians say ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Yair Ettinger, Nir Hasson - January 26, 2011 - 1:00am The tunnel leading from the City of David in Silwan to beneath the walls of Jerusalem's Old City, excavated by the Israel Antiquities Authority and announced to media fanfare Sunday, is drawing fire from Palestinians who claim it will damage the Temple Mount. Parts of the tunnel come within just a few meters of the Western Wall, contrary to Antiquities Authority claims yesterday, but officials stress that the religiously sensitive parts of the tunnel were not dug by the agency. They were dug out many years ago, and were merely reexposed by the project, they say. » Read more

'Demolition of Palestinian homes in West Bank's Area C tripled in 2010' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Amira Hass - January 26, 2011 - 1:00am The number of Palestinian residences demolished by Israel's Civil Administration in the part of the West Bank under full Israeli control tripled last year compared to 2009, data complied by B'Tselem shows. Attorney Shlomo Lecker, who has represented the Jahalin Bedouin tribe in the West Bank for years, attributed the increase in Area C demolitions directly to the increased pressure applied over the last two years by both settlers and a new organization, Regavim. » Read more

Israel's first step to Mideast peace: Opening the door, Obama style ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Carlo Strenger - (Opinion) January 21, 2011 - 1:00am In the last few weeks an important event was largely missed by the Israeli media, which was busy covering the Moshe Katsav ruling, among other issues. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas presented his offer for a final status agreement with Israel to the United States, and is now awaiting an Israeli response. It has been reported that Yitzhak Molcho, on behalf of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, refused to receive this document from the Americans. His justification: making this document public would immediately destroy Netanyahu's coalition. » Read more

Ireland upgrades PA mission ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Ronen Medzini - January 25, 2011 - 1:00am Ireland becomes first EU member to take such measure; Israel says move detrimental to peace process The Irish government decided Tuesday to upgrade the Palestinian diplomatic mission in the country. Ireland is the first European Union member to announce such a move, which was initiated by the Irish foreign minister. However, the upgrade does not constitute Irish recognition of a Palestinian state. » Read more

Israel worries over possible EU states' recognition of Palestinian state ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua by Dave Bender - January 25, 2011 - 1:00am Israel's efforts to stem a rising tide of recognition of a Palestinian state received a blow Tuesday afternoon, with Ireland's decision to upgrade the Palestinian diplomatic mission in Dublin to that of an embassy. The announcement, broadcast by Israel Army Radio, followed a symbolic gesture of recognition by Peru on Monday. Sources at Israel's foreign ministry said officials had been discussing the possibility, and foresaw even more states following suit. » Read more

Abbas to Peres: We must not kill the peace process ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Greer Fay Cashman - January 26, 2011 - 1:00am PA president calls counterpart to express condolences on wife's passing, says should "stand together" against forces seeking to delegitimize PA. "We must not kill the peace process," Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas told President Shimon Peres on Wednesday when he telephoned to express his condolences on the passing of the president's wife, Sonia Peres. » Read more

PLO: US credibility at stake in UN settlement vote ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency by Abdullah Rebhi - January 26, 2011 - 1:00am Palestinian negotiator Nabil Sha'ath warned that Washington risks losing "any credibility as a peace broker" if it vetoes a UN Security Council resolution calling for a halt to Israeli settlement building. The Palestinians will address the 15-member Security Council "whether or not the United States wants it," Sha'ath told reporters late on Monday in Doha, where he was speaking to Al-Jazeera TV, and confirming the authenticity of the leaked "Palestine Papers" on peace talks with Israel. » Read more

In Abandoning the Labor Party, Barak Solidifies Coalition With Netanyahu ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Forward by Nathan Jeffay - January 26, 2011 - 1:00am Most See Barak’s Formation of a New Party, Ha’atzmaut, as a Temporary Move To Ensure His Political Survival Overnight, he went from leader of Israel’s most illustrious left-wing party to an appendage of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party. What next for Ehud Barak? Since his January 17 break with Israel’s Labor Party — taking that once mighty, now shriveled faction down yet one more peg by his departure — the retired general and former prime minister is voicing high hopes for the new party he has founded with fellow Labor Party defectors. » Read more

Hamas withdraws authorization of Abbas ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency January 26, 2011 - 1:00am Hamas on Tuesday withdrew its authorization of President Mahmoud Abbas as the head of negotiations. Hamas official Khalil Al-Hayya said Abbas' mandate was not valid without the party's recognition. He also dismissed the PA's claim that it negotiated on behalf of Palestinians. Hamas does not participate in talks with Israel. The move follows the release of secret PLO documents covering a decade of negotiations with Israel, leaked to the Qatar-based satellite channel Al-Jazeera. » Read more