UNESCO: Boycott For Boycott? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Talking Points Memo by Bernard Avishai - (Blog) November 1, 2011 - 12:00am The admission of the Palestinian Authority into UNESCO has occasioned a fuss about the American response, the automatic cutting of $70 million in funding to the organization, triggered by existing, AIPAC-inspired Congressional legislation. (M.J. Rosenberg's good column on the subject here.) But the thing nobody seems able to explain is what possible interest Israel, or even the Netanyahu government, has in keeping Palestinians out of an organization that focuses on the the sharing of scientific information and universal artistic and cultural values? » Read more

A serious challenge ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons by Ghassan Khatib - (Opinion) October 31, 2011 - 12:00am One of the motives behind the Palestinian appeal to the United Nations is to gradually escape the United States' monopoly over mediation in the peace process between Palestinians and Israelis, seeking instead an even-handed mediation that is sensitive to the position of the international community, international law and the agreed-upon peace process terms of reference, like the roadmap. » Read more

Bosnia stalemate may signify end to Palestine vote ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Google News by Aida Cerkez - November 1, 2011 - 12:00am Palestinian hopes of rallying the required nine vote majority in a U.N. Security Council vote on Palestinian statehood suffered a major blow Monday with a Bosnian presidential adviser saying the country will be forced to abstain. Palestinian officials have said they already have eight votes, and had counted heavily on Bosnia to give them the ninth. » Read more

Pointless and depressing ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons by Yossi Alpher - (Opinion) October 31, 2011 - 12:00am Last week, representatives of the Quartet met with Israeli and Palestinian negotiators and declared they had extracted a commitment from both sides to submit their final status negotiating positions on borders and security within three months. Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat proceeded to deny any such Palestinian commitment, while Palestine Liberation Organization Chairman Mahmoud Abbas intimated he might soon consider dissolving the Palestinian Authority. » Read more

Egypt: Israel delaying expanding Gaza offensive ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Statesman by Ibrahim Barzak - November 1, 2011 - 12:00am An Egyptian official said Tuesday that Israel has agreed to briefly delay expanding its military operations in the Gaza Strip to give Egypt time to try to persuade Palestinian militant factions to halt rocket fire on southern Israel. Israeli aircraft have targeted rocket squads in Gaza in recent days, but the Egyptian official says Israel has also planned a wider operation. The official says Egypt asked for 24 hours to try to bring all factions into an informal cease-fire and Israel agreed to give Cairo until around midnight Tuesday. » Read more

Israel forcing Palestinians out of East Jerusalem-NGO ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Crispian Balmer - November 1, 2011 - 12:00am Israel is forcing Palestinians out of East Jerusalem as part of a deliberate policy that might constitute a war crime, a prominent Israeli non-governmental organisation said on Monday, a charge rejected by Jerusalem's mayor. The Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD) has presented the United Nations with its findings and demanded an inquiry, saying Israel targeted Palestinians by demolishing homes, revoking residency and eroding quality of life. » Read more

It’s about time ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Star (Editorial) November 1, 2011 - 12:00am The state of Palestine finally exists – in the eyes of UNESCO, the United Nations body responsible for science, education and culture. Anyone with knowledge of how the U.N. works could remark that in procedural terms, the move is not particularly significant Representatives of Palestine regularly attend such bodies’ meetings. The website of the U.N. organization ESCWA, for example, lists Palestine as one of the “country” members. » Read more

Israel – Jewish state or state of the Jewish people? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Susan Hattis Rolef - (Opinion) November 1, 2011 - 12:00am The winter session of the Knesset opened Monday. One of the items on the agenda is a bill initiated by MK Avi Dichter (Kadima) and cosigned by another 39 MKs, entitled “Basic Law: Israel – The National State of the Jewish People.” » Read more

Encountering Peace: Unintended consequences ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Gershon Baskin - (Opinion) November 1, 2011 - 12:00am Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and the entire PLO leadership decided to take the Palestinian issue back to the United Nations. This was not an easy or a hasty decision. It was taken with a great deal of deliberation and after carefully weighing all of the possible consequences. » Read more

Israel demolishes Palestinian homes in Jerusalem ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency November 1, 2011 - 12:00am Israeli forces on Monday demolished five homes belonging to Palestinians in East Jerusalem, locals said. The demolitions, in Khan al-Ahmar near the illegal Israeli settlement Maale Adumin, displaced 71 people, including 60 children, according to the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions. ICAHD, a prominent Israeli non-governmental organization, said Monday that Israel was forcing Palestinians out of East Jerusalem as part of a deliberate policy that might constitute a war crime. » Read more