May 18th

Obama's Arab-Israeli Options ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times May 18, 2011 - 12:00am Introduction The Arab uprisings that have swept the Middle East touched Israel directly for the first time, as an unprecedented wave of Palestinian protesters charged toward Israel's borders from four directions on Sunday. With President Obama set to give a major speech on the Middle East on Thursday and with the departure of George Mitchell, the chief United States envoy to the Israelis and Palestinians, the White House is facing new challenges on both sides in dealing with the impasse in peace talks . » Read more

Palestinian Authority Delays Elections ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Ethan Bronner - May 17, 2011 - 12:00am The Palestinian Authority said Tuesday that it was delaying local elections scheduled for July until late October in order to organize the voting in Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas. Last month, Hamas and its rival, Fatah, which dominates the Palestinian Authority, announced a surprise unity agreement. Palestinians have not held an election in five years because of a bitter split between the groups. The October poll will indicate how each party is faring as it prepares for legislative and presidential elections within a year, as called for in the unity accord.

Bibi and Barack ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Thomas L. Friedman - (Opinion) May 17, 2011 - 12:00am Reading the headlines from the Middle East these days — Christians and Muslims clashing in Egypt, Syria attempting to crush its democracy rebellion and Palestinians climbing over fences into Israel — you get the sense of a region where the wheels could really start to come off. » Read more

Why Israel should welcome Palestine ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Politico by David Avital - (Opinion) May 18, 2011 - 12:00am President Barack Obama’s speech Thursday about the Middle East, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s impending visit and Special Envoy George Mitchell’s recent resignation, makes this a unique moment for Washington to set a new Mideast policy direction focused on one goal: a borders agreement. Rather than view the U.N. General Assembly meeting in September as a threat to derail Middle East peace, Obama could use the opportunity to move both sides forward and promote a return to negotiations on the border before the U.N. vote. » Read more

World Bank finds 'significant' PA progress, some lags ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency May 18, 2011 - 12:00am The World Bank released a report Wednesday, commending the Palestinian Authority for its work in creating strong public institutions, but recommended continued reforms to prevent corruption and better public services. The report was released as Palestinian officials continue to push a program of state building in conjunction with diplomatic efforts to have a state recognized by the UN in September. In an opinion article in the New York Times on Tuesday, President Mahmoud Abbas noted that Palestine fits the international guidelines for statehood. » Read more

Report: Hamas, Fatah ready to form government ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency May 18, 2011 - 12:00am Egypt on Tuesday announced that Hamas and Fatah have reached agreements on all issues discussed in Cairo, particularly the formation of a new government. In a statement issued following their negotiations, the two Palestinian factions pledged on implementing everything they agreed on, according to a report in Egypt's independent daily Al-Masry Al-Youm. The meetings were to discuss how to move forward after signing a unity deal in Cairo this month. Both parties were cooperative during the meetings, the Egyptian statement reportedly said. » Read more

EU commissioner calls for 'immediate,' opening of Gaza Crossings ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency May 18, 2011 - 12:00am EU Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva called for the "immediate, sustained and unconditional opening of crossings for the flow of humanitarian aid, commercial goods and persons," following her trip to the coastal enclave Tuesday. It was a message she also conveyed to Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak in Tel Aviv, when she met with the official after her Gaza visit. Her trip, a statement from her office of International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response said, "highlighted the dramatic human and far-reaching effects of the blockade of the Gaza Strip." » Read more

Israel criticises UN response to border deaths ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters May 18, 2011 - 12:00am Israel on Wednesday criticised a U.N. envoy for blaming Israeli forces for the fatal shootings of 10 Palestinian protesters at a demonstration on Sunday at the Lebanese frontier, saying he had rushed to judgment. Michael Williams, the U.N. special coordinator for Lebanon, said on Monday Israel had used "disproportionate, deadly force" during the demonstration by Palestinians on the day they mark what they term the catastrophe of Israel's founding in 1948. » Read more

Obama says Mideast peace bid needed more than ever ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Matt Spetalnick - May 17, 2011 - 12:00am U.S. President Barack Obama said on Tuesday the political upheaval sweeping the Arab world made it "more vital than ever" to revive long-stalled peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. Speaking after talks with Jordan's King Abdullah at the start of a week of intense Middle East diplomacy, Obama pledged to keep pressing for a two-state solution to the conflict, despite his failed efforts so far and dim prospects for a renewed peace drive. » Read more

Rights group accuses PA and Hamas of torture ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Ali Sawafta - May 17, 2011 - 12:00am A human rights body on Tuesday accused the Palestinian Authority (PA) of torture and arbitrary detention and warned it not to repeat the mistakes of Arab states by allowing security forces to become too powerful. The Independent Commission for Human Rights, releasing an annual report on human rights in the PA-ruled West Bank and the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, said Hamas was also guilty of torture and arbitrary arrest. » Read more