2011: The Year of the (Bad) Initiative ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Aaron David Miller - (Opinion) March 11, 2011 - 1:00am This is going to be a great year for Middle East peace initiatives, but likely a very bad one for Middle East peace. » Read more

Unhelpful posturing ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times (Editorial) March 11, 2011 - 1:00am Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made clear his country’s belligerent position when he confirmed that Israel will deploy troops along the Jordan River no matter what, even if there are successful peace negotiations and a Palestinian state comes into being. Such a declaration is also meant to dash all hopes for peace, not only with the Palestinians but with its other neighbours as well. » Read more

When is Israel’s turn? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times by Ahmad Majdoubeh - (Opinion) March 11, 2011 - 1:00am The recent popular uprisings and demonstrations in a number of Arab countries, largely motivated by desire for more freedom and better economic conditions, have already achieved many tangible results, despite the various complications they are encountering. » Read more

Knesset committee to discuss J Street ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) March 10, 2011 - 1:00am An Israeli Knesset committee will hold a hearing on the activities of J Street. The Knesset Immigration, Absorption and Public Diplomacy Committee said Wednesday that the hearing on J Street, which calls itself a "pro-Israel, pro-peace" organization, will be held as soon as next week. Americans for Peace Now said it was outraged by the hearing. » Read more

Israel to get first museum of Arab art and culture ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian by Harriet Sherwood - (Blog) March 10, 2011 - 1:00am In a spring storm of driving rain this week, I visited an art gallery in Umm al-Fahm, an Israeli-Arab city just north of the West Bank. Sitting on a mountain ridge, the town is home to around 50,000 Arab citizens of Israel and its gallery is the only venue in Israel dedicated to Palestinian and Arab art and culture. » Read more

Halevy doubts chance of final deal with Palestinians ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Greer Fay Cashman - March 11, 2011 - 1:00am Ex-Mossad head: Interim agreement would be most workable; says, "To end conflict, we need to bring an end to mutual demands on both sides." The most feasible peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority would involve interim borders, and though a final peace treaty would be desirable, it is unlikely that one could be implemented, former Mossad chief and national security adviser Efraim Halevy told reporters on Thursday. » Read more

Rattling The Cage: More tips for information warriors ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Larry Derfner - (Opinion) March 9, 2011 - 1:00am In the week since you received the first sheet of talking points, the matzav – the situation, meaning Israel’s situation with the Arabs and the goyim at large – has become more urgent than ever. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said he is preparing a plan that will bring peace with the Palestinians, yet he was left off the cover of Time magazine. Defense Minister Ehud Barak asked the US for $20 billion in additional military aid, yet the money has not arrived. » Read more

Bedouin reject compensation offer, accusing Israel of land grab ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Zafrir Rinat - March 10, 2011 - 1:00am The Israeli government is trying to wedge a divide within the Bedouin community in the Negev in order to seize its lands, Bedouin representatives said on Thursday, in response to a reported government initiative to settle the issue of unrecognized Bedouin settlements in southern Israel. » Read more

Left-leaning youth movement to initiate new West Bank settlement ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Gili Cohen - March 11, 2011 - 1:00am The left-leaning Bnei Hamoshavim youth movement is planning to build a new settlement for its graduates in the Jordan Valley, Army Radio reported on Thursday. At a meeting between the movement's secretary general, Eyal Uzon, and the head of the Jordan Valley regional council, David Alhiani, himself a Bnei Hamoshavim graduate, the movement was offered the abandoned Gadi military base, near Moshav Mesua, which is beyond the Green Line. » Read more

Hamas planning to resume efforts against IDF in West Bank ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Amos Harel, Avi Issacharoff - (Blog) March 11, 2011 - 1:00am Hamas militants in the West Bank have resumed their efforts to kill Israeli soldiers or civilians and abduct their bodies, Palestinian and Israeli security sources have told Haaretz. The sources said Hamas activists believe they cannot keep Israeli hostages out of the Shin Bet and Palestinian Authority's reach for long. So they plan to kill them, abduct and bury the bodies, then negotiate returning them to Israel. » Read more