Saying ‘no’ to the world ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Orly Azoulay - (Opinion) May 26, 2011 - 12:00am He did not say it provocatively or crudely. It was a superb speech, with all the shticks that the Americans like: He joked in American, he mentioned his killed brother, and he recounted how he himself almost died near the Suez Canal during the war. Yet he said “no!” At the end of the day, Netanyahu left the world with nothing they could hold on to and with a big “no” to Obama, to Europe and to everyone. He gave them nothing to cling to or to work with. » Read more

Congress Makes the Case for Palestinians’ UN Approach ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Middle East Progress by Matthew Duss - (Opinion) May 26, 2011 - 12:00am Just in case you were unclear on why the Palestinians have chosen to effectively withdraw from the U.S.-led peace process and try their luck at the United Nations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech Tuesday, and the rapturous reception given it by a joint meeting of Congress, should have fixed that. » Read more

Saying ‘no’ to the world ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Orly Azoulay - (Opinion) May 26, 2011 - 12:00am He did not say it provocatively or crudely. It was a superb speech, with all the shticks that the Americans like: He joked in American, he mentioned his killed brother, and he recounted how he himself almost died near the Suez Canal during the war. Yet he said “no!” At the end of the day, Netanyahu left the world with nothing they could hold on to and with a big “no” to Obama, to Europe and to everyone. He gave them nothing to cling to or to work with. » Read more

A speech isn’t enough ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Ehud Olmert - (Opinion) May 27, 2011 - 12:00am Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s appearance at congress was impressive and stirred a sense of justified pride among many Israelis who are not subjugated to political rivalries and hatreds. Netanyahu is a talented orator and is particularly lucid in English. He knows how to speak to the Americans in heart-warming “American” they can understand. It was no coincidence that he received a very warm, sympathetic welcome in Congress. It was no wonder that his speech, which was aired live in Israel, elicited a similar response among the Israeli public. » Read more

The Required Arab Response to Netanyahu ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Dar Al-Hayat by Raghida Dergham - (Opinion) May 27, 2011 - 12:00am The preconditions put forward by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in his speech before the joint session of the Senate and the U.S. House this week, are his and Israel’s onus alone. The most appropriate Arab response to the strategic framework proposed by Netanyahu for the peace process is to ignore it and act on the basis that this affair does not concern the Arabs. Each of the Arab and Israeli sides has its own visions and strategic frameworks, and within each camp, there are disagreements on both essence and implementation. » Read more

Study: Settlements worth $18.8 billion ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Shosh Mula - May 27, 2011 - 12:00am A new study by the Macro Center for Political Economics has revealed that West Bank settlements are currently worth $18.8 billion, Yedioth Ahronoth reported Friday. The formerly state-funded center, for which the Netanyahu government cut off funding, filed a first report on the monetary worth of West Bank settlements three years ago in order to assess the amount the state may have to pay settlers in the event they are evacuated as part of a peace accord with the Palestinians. » Read more

David Makovsky and Ghaith al-Omari debate the Israel-Palestine conflict and discuss creating mutual respect and dialogue ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Daily Bruin by Loic Hostetter - May 26, 2011 - 12:00am Political analysts David Makovsky and Ghaith al-Omari had a simple message when they spoke to a room of about 172 people about the Israel-Palestine conflict. “If Jews and Arabs can talk to each other in the (Middle) East, why can’t they talk to each other in the Midwest?” Makovsky said during their debate Wednesday night. The event, organized by the Olive Tree Initiative in coordination with the Campus Events Commission, aimed to foster cooperation between pro-Israel and pro-Palestine student groups. » Read more

Short-term capital gains? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Yossi Verter - May 27, 2011 - 12:00am On May 24, 2006, an eager new prime minister, Ehud Olmert, delivered an extraordinary speech to both Houses of the U.S. Congress. The applause, support and warmth extended to him spilled over like an exploding fountain. Olmert took Washington by storm, and returned to Israel full of self-confidence, and resolved to display the leadership skills that had won international recognition in the American capital. » Read more

One more victory like that and Israel is done for ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Yoel Marcus - (Opinion) May 27, 2011 - 12:00am Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could have read the phone book at the Congress podium and received the same standing ovation. His speech used the advice Moshe Sneh gave to himself. The late MK wrote on the draft of one of his speeches "weak argument, raise voice." » Read more

G8 leaders omit mention of 1967 borders in Middle East statement ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters May 27, 2011 - 12:00am Group of Eight leaders had to soften a statement urging Israel and the Palestinians to return to negotiations because Canada objected to a specific mention of 1967 borders, diplomats said on Friday. Canada's right-leaning Conservative government has adopted a staunchly pro-Israel position in international negotiations since coming to power in 2006, with Prime Minister Stephen Harper saying Canada will back Israel whatever the cost. » Read more