November 22nd

Speaking out against the threat ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by David Newman - (Opinion) November 22, 2011 - 1:00am It is not a superficial slogan. Neither is it cheap demagoguery. » Read more

The new libel bill ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post (Editorial) November 22, 2011 - 1:00am Dozens of concerned journalists gathered at Tel Aviv’s Cinematheque Sunday to protest what they perceive to be an ominously widespread antagonism against the media. Some of the issues discussed included the government’s declining willingness to come to the aid of the financially-strapped Channel 10, the abrupt shutdown of the joint Palestinian- Israeli Kol Hashalom radio station, policy changes at IBA News – including the firing of Keren Neubach from the investigative news program “Mabat Sheni” and attempts to interfere with radio presenter Yaron Dekel’s “Hakol Diburim.” » Read more

The science of diplomacy ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Matthew Gould - (Opinion) November 22, 2011 - 1:00am Ben Gurion University Beersheba will this week host one of the most important events that I have been involved in since coming to Israel last year as Britain’s ambassador. It is a huge scientific conference between the UK and Israel in regenerative medicine. Sixty leading British academics will visit Israel for the conference, joining 200 academics from across Israel. And the conference will launch a major, five-year program of UK-Israel collaboration. » Read more

Israel's self-victimizing right is misleading the people ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Merav Michaeli - (Opinion) November 22, 2011 - 1:00am "Finally, the right is beginning to rule," said MK Uri Ariel (National Union ) after the vote to change the composition of the Judicial Appointments Committee. » Read more

Is it possible to have a unity government with zero risks? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons by Maher Abukhater - (Opinion) November 22, 2011 - 1:00am Concerning the peace process, Palestinians in general would say: "what peace process?" No one seems worried about impacting a peace process that is obviously long gone. As for the Palestinian people, the issue is more serious. On the one hand, a unity government would lead to reunification of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, which means strengthening the home front in light of a bleak and uncertain future. In general, there is strong support for this move. But, on the other, there is apprehension concerning its ramifications on Palestinian daily life. » Read more

Abbas and Mashaal can unite ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency by Nasser Laham - (Analysis) November 22, 2011 - 1:00am All the elements of success are in place for the upcoming meeting between Fatah leader and President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas chief in exile Khalid Mashaal. Both leaders have realized after five years of bloody infighting and rivalry that unity and reconciliation are inevitable, while sailing further into disagreement would be a mistake. » Read more

Israel’s effort to muffle speech ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post (Editorial) November 22, 2011 - 1:00am For years repressive governments in the Middle East have sought to curb scrutiny of their human rights records and prevent the development of organized opposition by banning civil society groups from receiving funding from foreign governments. As the Arab Spring spreads across the region, some of those controls are easing. So it is shocking to see Israel’s democratic government propose measures that could silence its own critics. » Read more

Israel to seek closure of UN refugee aid agency ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Israel Hayom November 22, 2011 - 1:00am Israel intends to ask the U.N. to close down the aid agency that assists Palestinian refugees living in Judea and Samaria, Gaza and Jerusalem, saying the organization poses an obstacle to any future peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians because of its distorted definition of the term "refugee." » Read more

King Abdullah's visit fuels rumour that Abbas will step down ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National by Hugh Naylor - November 22, 2011 - 1:00am Jordan's King Abdullah made a surprise visit to the Palestinian Authority's president yesterday amid rumours that Mahmoud Abbas may soon step down. » Read more

Jordan: Our relations are with PA, not Hamas ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post November 22, 2011 - 1:00am Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh said Tuesday that Jordan has no intention of establishing bilateral relations with Hamas, and that any upcoming visit by Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal's to Amman would be "a quick one," according to Dubai-based news website Al Moheet. Judeh's comments came after the Jordanian officials said Monday the Foreign Ministry had set no date for Mashaal to visit Jordan in the near future. » Read more