June 7th

Non-violence activist addresses Israeli military court ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency June 7, 2011 - 12:00am Non-violence activist Bassem Tamimi's address to Israel's Ofer military court during his trial for organizing protests in the West Bank village of Nabi Saleh. A military judge refused to allow Tamimi to read his full statement in court. Your Honor, I hold this speech out of belief in peace, justice, freedom, the right to live in dignity, and out of respect for free thought in the absence of Just Laws. » Read more

The No-Longer Temporary Occupation ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward by Joseph Dana - (Opinion) June 5, 2011 - 12:00am One particular success of Israel’s 44-year control of the West Bank and Gaza Strip has been the government’s ability to convince the Israeli population of the temporary nature of the occupation. Every sector of Israeli society, except religious settlers and the military establishment, understand the occupation to be an ephemeral security measure necessary only in the absence of a peace agreement with the Palestinians. » Read more

Aggressive, again ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times (Editorial) June 7, 2011 - 12:00am Israel’s killing on Sunday of scores of Syrian demonstrators approaching the armistice line on occupied Golan Heights is proof, again, of Tel Aviv’s thirst for Arab blood. Hundreds of unarmed Syrian protesters held a peaceful demonstration to express their rejection of the more than four-decades-long Israeli occupation of Syrian territory. Trying to cross the ceasefire line through the barbed wire, to enter the Golan Heights, in a repeat of last month’s demonstrations in observance of the Nakbeh, the protesters were met with fire from the Israeli troops. » Read more

Palestinian Statehood Drive Fraught With Obstacles ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Media Line by David Rosenberg - (Analysis) June 6, 2011 - 12:00am The Palestinian drive to win United Nation recognition of statehood faces immense political and legal obstacles, scholars said at a conference on Monday. But they said that even if they succeed, the practical impact will be minimal. “The world already sees us as an occupier of Palestinian territory. What would be the big the change?” said Robbie Sabel, who teaches international law and the Hebrew University and advised the Israeli Foreign Ministry. “Since the world is going to accept a Palestinian state, I suggest to Israel that since we can’t beat them, we should join them.” » Read more

Israel has shown its true colours again ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Gulf News (Editorial) June 7, 2011 - 12:00am The 44th anniversary of Al Naksa, or the Six-Day War, was marred by Israeli atrocities when at least 20 Palestinian and Syrian protesters were shot dead by the Israeli army near the occupied Golan Heights. The reasoning? Israel was "left with no choice but to open fire" at the protesters who simply wished to draw attention to an ongoing tragedy. Once again, protesters whose sole aim from this exercise was to create awareness of Israel's unjust occupation not just of Palestinian territories but also of Golan Heights have had to pay the price. » Read more

Israelis, Palestinians holding separate covert talks with Washington ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Natasha Mozgovaya, Barak Ravid - June 6, 2011 - 12:00am Israeli and Palestinian delegates are separately holding covert talks with White House officials in Washington in an effort to reignite peace talks. The U.S. hopes the talks will hamper the Palestinian effort to gain United Nations recognition in a vote in September. The Palestinians plan to unilaterally seek UN recognition of statehood in September -- a step Israel strongly opposes fearing it could end up isolated internationally. » Read more

Encountering Peace: September mania ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Gershon Baskin - (Opinion) June 6, 2011 - 12:00am Many people, including Israelis and Palestinians, are asking me what will happen after September. The most accurate answer I can think of is “October.” The idea that whatever happens in September will produce immediate changes on the ground is irresponsible because it raises expectations to dangerous levels. The most important thing that should not happen after September is a new round of violence. That should be avoided at all costs, and both sides must take responsibility so that it does not occur. » Read more

Revealed: the untold story of the deal that shocked the Middle East ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Independent by Robert Fisk - June 7, 2011 - 12:00am Secret meetings between Palestinian intermediaries, Egyptian intelligence officials, the Turkish foreign minister, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal – the latter requiring a covert journey to Damascus with a detour round the rebellious city of Deraa – brought about the Palestinian unity which has so disturbed both Israelis and the American government. Fatah and Hamas ended four years of conflict in May with an agreement that is crucial to the Paslestinian demand for a state. » Read more

Netanyahu condemns West Bank mosque attack as 'criminal act' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Chaim Levinson, Barak Ravid - June 7, 2011 - 12:00am Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday condemned the suspected 'price tag' attack by settlers of a mosque in Maghayer village near Ramallah, calling it a "criminal act". An initial investigation has shown that in the early morning hours of Tuesday the settlers rolled burning tires into the mosque, which caused some rugs to catch fire. The mosque was also sprayed with graffiti. "I hope the arsonists will be located as soon as possible and will be punished accordingly," Netanyahu said, adding "this is a criminal act that is meant to provoke." » Read more

Readiness and blindness in the Golan Heights ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz (Editorial) June 7, 2011 - 12:00am The IDF proved this week that it does a good job preparing for the previous war. It may only be an isolated incident, whose character was more civilian police-oriented than military, but anyone who found flaws in the intelligence and military systems on Nakba Day (May 15 ) must admit the lessons were learned, the forces were deployed and the mission was accomplished. On Sunday, Naksa Day, the Israel Defense Forces succeeded in blocking hundreds of demonstrators who, surrounded by cameras, stormed the border fences in the Golan Heights, carrying flags, posters and loudspeakers. » Read more