Israel's extremism is the reason ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons by Ghassan Khatib - (Opinion) December 12, 2011 - 1:00am The hard-line and extreme political position of the Israeli government, born from its right-wing composition, is creating immense contradictions between what this Israeli government can "accept" (and stay together) and what the international community seeking to restart the political process between Palestinians and Israelis expects. Israel has been solving this contradiction through evasion, doing whatever it takes to avoid any negotiations or engagement on matters of substance, especially if they involve a third party. » Read more

Where do we go when these non-negotiations end? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons by Yossi Alpher - (Opinion) December 12, 2011 - 1:00am The Quartet negotiators plan to meet yet again with Israeli and Palestinian officials this week. They have in hand a Palestinian reply to their request for the two sides' positions on territory and security. They do not have an Israeli reply; the Netanyahu government insists that its demands on these two issues be delivered only in the course of direct negotiations. The Palestinians, for their part, insist there will be no direct negotiations until Israel ceases settlement construction. » Read more

Jewish rock-throwers are more equal ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Eyal Gross - (Opinion) December 14, 2011 - 1:00am It is easy to imagine what would have happened had Palestinians invaded an Israeli military base and vandalized vehicles, burned tires, thrown rocks at the brigade commander and injured his deputy. It would have ended in death, injury or arrest for many of them. But the perpetrators of this week's incident were Jews, not Palestinians, and they threw rocks at both soldiers and Palestinians. » Read more

Israel Misses Point With Ad Campaign ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward by Liora Halperin - (Opinion) December 14, 2011 - 1:00am The advertising campaign by Israel’s Ministry of Immigrant Absorption aimed at inspiring expatriate Israelis to return to Israel so offended American Jews that it eventually was canceled by Prime Minister Netanyahu himself. » Read more

Israel intended no offense with ad campaign ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) by Danny Danon - (Opinion) December 14, 2011 - 1:00am JERUSALEM (JTA) -- The State of Israel has always prided itself on being not only a home to its native citizens but a haven for Jews from across the globe. For years the Ministry of Immigration Absorption has successfully focused on attracting Jews from around the world to make aliyah and reconnect with their homeland. This past year alone, more than 19,000 Jewish people chose to leave their countries of residence to start life anew in the Jewish state. » Read more

I want more than a hug ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Donniel Hartman - (Opinion) December 14, 2011 - 1:00am Newt Gingrich, a true friend of Israel, attempted to prove his friendship by denying the existence of a Palestinian people. This and other similarly “friendly” statements by Republican presidential candidates over the last few weeks is evidence of a perception not merely of friendship but of what these candidates believe the Jewish people want to hear. » Read more

Mideast can accept Israel if Netanyahu will let it ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Carlo Strenger - (Opinion) December 14, 2011 - 1:00am I have spent two days in Doha, Qatar at the United Nations Alliance of Civilization conference. The real value of such forums is in the informal meetings behind the scenes. You meet people you would never get a chance to talk to otherwise. The great challenge is to open up sufficiently to allow prejudices and preconceptions about nations, ideologies and other groups to be challenged by empirical experience. » Read more

Newt Gingrich may be able to occupy Palestine, but Israel can't ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Bradley Burston - (Opinion) December 14, 2011 - 1:00am Speaker Gingrich, if you're serious about becoming president, it's time that you got to know us a bit better. Let's start with the Occupation, our 44-year-long experiment in re-inventing the Palestinian people. This is what you need to know before you bet your political farm on it: We don't have it in us. We can't pull it off. » Read more

Israel must enforce law on West Bank settlers ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz (Editorial) December 14, 2011 - 1:00am What happened on Monday night merely proves what has long since been obvious: In the West Bank, there is neither law nor judge as far as the settlers are concerned. They can run riot to their heart's content. » Read more

Newt, Mitt, Bibi and Vladimir ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Thomas L. Friedman - (Opinion) December 13, 2011 - 1:00am I have a simple motto when it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I love both Israelis and Palestinians, but God save me from some of their American friends — those who want to love them to death, literally. That thought came to mind last week when Newt Gingrich took the Republican competition to grovel for Jewish votes — by outloving Israel — to a new low by suggesting that the Palestinians are an “invented” people and not a real nation entitled to a state. » Read more