October 6th

America cannot solve Israel's challenges ATFP World Press Roundup Article from CNN by Haim Malka - (Opinion) October 6, 2011 - 12:00am For a brief moment, the Palestinian statehood debate brought together two leaders seemingly at odds: President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu. Many Israelis were genuinely surprised by the depth of President Obama’s defense of Israel at the United Nations. » Read more

Jesus loves the little Palestinian children, too ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post by Dick Staub - (Opinion) October 6, 2011 - 12:00am Inasmuch as others have attempted to clear up the muddy waters of religious dogma and the Israeli-Palestinian crisis, let me further muddy the waters with some insights from my own experience. As the child of an evangelical pastor, it was clear that my father and mother shared a special affection for Israel. They led “Holy Land Tours” for their friends and congregants called “For Love of His Land.” Like many Christians, their love of Israel grew out of their religious beliefs. » Read more

Why Kosovo but not Palestine? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-Jazeera English by Zoltan Grossman - (Opinion) October 6, 2011 - 12:00am In his September 21 speech to the United Nations, President Obama announced that he would veto UN recognition of a Palestinian state, because its independence was not a result of a negotiated settlement with Israel. He said that "peace depends upon compromise among people who must live together long after our ... votes have been tallied ... That's the lesson of Sudan, where a negotiated settlement led to an independent state. And that is and will be the path to a Palestinian state - negotiations between the parties." » Read more

Israel's Arab citizens: The ones who stayed behind ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by David Green - (Opinion) October 6, 2011 - 12:00am What is the most serious challenge facing Israel today? There are many contenders for the title, beginning with the price of cottage cheese and on up through Iran’s nuclear aspirations. The authors of two new books, however, would say that Israel’s 1.2 million Palestinian citizens ? their status within the state and their relationship to it, their grievances, the fact that so many Israeli Jews view them as a threat ? comprise the biggest and most pressing problem confronting the country. Both books make a good case for this, though they do it in very different ways. » Read more

Supporting Netanyahu’s policies imperils Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Alon Ben-meir - (Opinion) October 6, 2011 - 12:00am For all the protestations by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in support of returning to peace negotiations (if only the Palestinians would agree), one simple fact cannot be masked: Mr. Netanyahu does not want a two-state solution; he wants only to delay decision-making at all costs. Thus far he has succeeded, and he is likely to continue to succeed with the unwavering support of US Congress and pro-Israel advocates in the US. But in doing so, Netanyahu and his American backers are jeopardizing Israel’s national security. » Read more

You and I and the next Yom Kippur War ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Gideon Levy - (Opinion) October 6, 2011 - 12:00am Here's a new law of nature: The further we get from the Yom Kippur War, the closer it gets to us. At the end of this week we will once again recall that war, the pages of the newspapers and the television programs will be full of stories of heroism - and the real lesson will once again be blurred beyond recognition, as always happens here. » Read more

Turkey’s potential as Middle East leader marred by Israel dispute ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Christian Science Monitor by John Hughes - (Opinion) October 6, 2011 - 12:00am If asked which Muslim country in the Middle East is most significant to them, many Americans might cite Saudi Arabia because of its oil. Some might suggest Egypt because it is the heart of the Arab world. But the fact is that Turkey, perhaps with memories of past Ottoman glory, seems intent on becoming the most influential leader in the greater Middle East, and might overtake Saudi Arabia and Egypt in significance regionally, and for the United States. » Read more

Anwar Sadat's vision for Egypt ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times by Scott MacLeod - (Opinion) October 6, 2011 - 12:00am Egyptians have hardly noticed as the 30th anniversary of Anwar Sadat's death approached this week. It isn't only because they're too busy with ongoing political protests and labor strikes as the country zigzags toward democratic elections. They just don't care. » Read more

Is Israel Its Own Worst Enemy? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Nicholas D. Kristof - (Opinion) October 6, 2011 - 12:00am For decades, Palestinian leaders sometimes seemed to be their own people’s worst enemies. Palestinian radicals antagonized the West, and, when militant leaders turned to hijackings and rockets, they undermined the Palestinian cause around the world. They empowered Israeli settlers and hard-liners, while eviscerating Israeli doves. » Read more

Sarkozy: It is silly to talk about a Jewish state ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Lior Zilberstein - October 6, 2011 - 12:00am French President Nicolas Sarkozy has always described himself as a true friend of Israel. However, according to unusual statements attributed to him in the French magazine Le Canard Enchaîne, he unequivocally sides with the Palestinians. The paper quotes comments made by the French leader during a cabinet meeting held upon his return from last month's UN General Assembly, Yedioth Aharonoth reported. » Read more