June 10th

How about an Arab lobby? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Gulf News by Aijaz Zaka Syed - (Opinion) June 10, 2011 - 12:00am Pundits are still debating Benjamin Netanyahu's little circus in US Congress. And it seems it's not just us, distant observers and sympathisers of the Palestinians who were appalled by the US lawmakers repeatedly throwing themselves at the Israeli premier's feet. Many a US commentator has been troubled by the craven subservience and sycophancy of their politicians. The lawmakers cheered even when the ‘guest' standing in the highest body in the land continually derided their president and rubbed his nose in. » Read more

Haaretz exclusive: Secret cables show Israel's battle plan over Palestinian UN bid ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Barak Ravid - June 10, 2011 - 12:00am Israel has started mobilizing its embassies for the battle against UN recognition of a Palestinian state in September, ordering its diplomats to convey that this would delegitimize Israel and foil any chance for future peace talks. Envoys are being asked to lobby the highest possible officials in their countries of service, muster support from local Jewish communities, ply the media with articles arguing against recognition and even ask for a call or quick visit from a top Israeli official if they think it would help. » Read more

Hamas says not to accept Fayyad as PM ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua June 9, 2011 - 12:00am The Islamic Hamas movement, which controls Gaza, said on Thursday that it cannot accept Salam Fayyad, the West Bank-based prime minister, to lead the upcoming Palestinian unity government. Appointing Fayyad for the new government "is unacceptable and it cannot theoretically or practically lead to achieving reconciliation," said Mousa Abu Marzouk, the deputy chief of Hamas ' politburo. » Read more

1967 borders are key to peace in Middle East ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Gulf News (Editorial) June 10, 2011 - 12:00am There is no way of bringing an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict except through a peace agreement that is just and equal, and gives Palestinians their rights. Hence, the 1967 borders are central to any peace talks for the establishment of a Palestinian state. Israel has repeatedly stated that it would not accept the 1967 borders as the basis of negotiations for a Palestinian state, and this was made very clear by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. » Read more

Palestinians grapple with opposition to UN plan ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Statesman by Mohammed Daraghmeh - June 9, 2011 - 12:00am Faced with opposition from the United States, a number of top Palestinian officials are quietly advising President Mahmoud Abbas to drop plans to seek recognition for a state of Palestine at the United Nations this fall. Top officials say Abbas remains committed to his plan — a result of the widespread sense among Palestinians that two decades of on-and-off negotiations with Israel have run their course, and that the current Israeli leadership is not a partner for peace. » Read more

Israel, the masses are coming ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Alex Fishman - (Opinion) June 8, 2011 - 12:00am There were days when we mocked the “Hatzatzit,” the stone-throwing vehicle developed by the IDF to respond to the first Intifada’s mass demonstrations. How could it be, we wondered, that the great, wise IDF goes back to the Stone Age and confronts civilians so primitively? » Read more

Israel rocket victims fail in bid to sue Al Jazeera ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Alertnet by Basil Katz - June 9, 2011 - 12:00am Victims of 2006 rocket strikes on Israel cannot sue Al Jazeera on grounds the broadcaster intentionally helped Hezbollah attack civilians by reporting the sites of explosions, a U.S. judge ruled this week. The Israeli plaintiffs, who were asking for $1.2 billion in damages from Al Jazeera, said the Qatar-based news network helped Hezbollah militants target their rockets more accurately during the 34-day war with Israel. Their lawsuit, filed a year ago, argued that a Manhattan court had jurisdiction over the case because U.S. citizens had been harmed. » Read more

Israel's rightists are living in a colonial past ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Carlo Strenger - (Blog) June 10, 2011 - 12:00am Benjamin Netanyahu has one great upside and one great downside: the upside is that he is predictable. The downside is that, when it comes to foreign policy, he is utterly one-sided, uncreative and devoid of initiative, as Meir Dagan has recently pointed out. » Read more

Medics: Gaza hospitals at crisis point ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency June 10, 2011 - 12:00am Hospitals in Gaza are at crisis point due to shortages of supplies, medical services spokesman Adham Abu Salmiya said Thursday. Warehouses have run out of over 178 types of medicine, the spokesman said, adding that over 190 types of medical equipment needed for surgery had either run out or were in short supply. Abu Salmiya said doctors in Gaza had been forced to postpone surgeries due to the shortages, and working hours were reduced in many hospitals. The official urged countries in the region to intervene urgently to avert the crisis in Gaza. » Read more

Moussa 'committed' to Palestinian statehood ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency June 10, 2011 - 12:00am The Arab League's outgoing chief and Egyptian presidential candidate Amr Moussa told French television on Thursday that he wants to work for peace between Israel and Palestinians but not at any price. "Egypt's position will have to get back to a position of influence in the region and to follow the right policy, which is to establish peace, not at any price," he told France 24 during a visit to Paris. "Not just to move around, joining meetings and so on, but to work diligently and seriously to establish peace. This is what I intend to do if I'm elected," he said. » Read more