Israelis and Palestinians, take note ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons by Yossi Alpher - (Blog) March 28, 2011 - 12:00am The past ten days of revolution in the Arab world have been marked by four dramatic developments that could be relevant to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its solution. Saudi Arabia led a Gulf Cooperation Council expeditionary force into Bahrain. A coalition of mainly western countries led an armed intervention in Libya upon the request of the Arab League. In Egypt, a referendum overwhelmingly approved a series of constitutional amendments that were supported by the Muslim Brotherhood and the army but opposed by the youth coalition that led the revolution. » Read more

Awarta residents DNA tested in Itamar case ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency March 29, 2011 - 12:00am The deputy mayor of Awarta and two of his brothers were detained along with dozens of others Tuesday morning by Israeli forces. Officials say the detained men are being given DNA tests and questioned by soldiers. The detentions come as the investigation into the murders of five Israeli settlers - including two children and an infant - enters its third week. More than 40 had been detained from the village in the first week of the investigation, and foreign workers in the settlement were said to have been questioned. » Read more

Arab democratic change can only help Palestinians ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons (Interview) March 28, 2011 - 12:00am An interview with Samir Abdullah bitterlemons: How do you see changes in the Arab world, particularly in Egypt, affecting the Palestinian-Israeli peace process? Abdullah: I strongly believe that what is good for the Arab people is good for the Palestinian people. So, if these changes lead to real democracies and an end to an era of bad governance and corruption, this definitely will reflect positively on the Palestinian people and on their drive for statehood and independence. This is in the medium and long run. » Read more

Op-Ed: Israeli-Palestinian Conflict On Back Burner ATFP World Press Roundup Article from National Public Radio (NPR) (Interview) March 28, 2011 - 12:00am Almost unnoticed amid the flood of news from the Middle East, fighting has resumed across Israel's border with Gaza. Hamas launched mortar bombs and rockets, and there was a suicide attack in Jerusalem, the first in four years. Israel responded with airstrikes. And if that sounds old hat, argues Aaron David Miller in Foreign Policy magazine, that's because it is. Miller argues that events in the Arab world have moved the Israeli-Palestinian issue firmly to the backburner. » Read more

Op-Ed: Israeli-Palestinian Conflict On Back Burner ATFP World Press Roundup Article from National Public Radio (NPR) (Interview) March 28, 2011 - 12:00am Almost unnoticed amid the flood of news from the Middle East, fighting has resumed across Israel's border with Gaza. Hamas launched mortar bombs and rockets, and there was a suicide attack in Jerusalem, the first in four years. Israel responded with airstrikes. And if that sounds old hat, argues Aaron David Miller in Foreign Policy magazine, that's because it is. Miller argues that events in the Arab world have moved the Israeli-Palestinian issue firmly to the backburner. » Read more

Israeli official: Decision next month on final approval for 1,500 east Jerusalem apartments ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press March 29, 2011 - 12:00am An Israeli official says the government will decide next month whether to give final approval for 1,500 new housing units in Jewish enclaves in disputed east Jerusalem. Roi Lachmanovich's announcement Tuesday draws new spotlight on the controversial issue. An approval would further distance prospects for restarting Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. Israeli construction in east Jerusalem is contentious because Palestinians want the area for their future capital. Israel annexed the territory after capturing it in 1967. » Read more