Israel to OK 4,300 new homes in east Jerusalem ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The San Francisco Chronicle by Amy Teibel - August 11, 2011 - 12:00am Israel's interior minister gave final authorization to build 1,600 apartments in disputed east Jerusalem and will approve 2,700 more in days, officials said Thursday, detailing a plan that could complicate diplomatic efforts to dissuade Palestinians from declaring statehood at the United Nations. The announcement drew immediate criticism from the Palestinians, and from Israel's leading anti-settlement group, which accused the government of seizing on mass protests over housing costs to give economic justification to the always explosive issue of building in the holy city. » Read more

IDF concerned UN vote on Palestinian state may lead to tensions with Syria ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Anshel Pfeffer - August 11, 2011 - 12:00am The Israel Defense Forces is readying for possible engagement with the Syrian military in September, should the latter involve itself in new attempts by Palestinians in Syria to storm the border with the Golan Heights in connection with a UN vote on recognizing a Palestinian state. The IDF acknowledges it may be necessary to deal with Syrian military intervention in such a scenario, which could occur if Syria tried to deflect world attention from the ongoing demonstrations in that country - and their bloody suppression - by creating an incident on the border. » Read more

'US secured FM's support for Turkey deal, PM backed out' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post August 11, 2011 - 12:00am An agreement was almost reached between Israel and Turkey over resolving differences and outstanding claims over last year's flotilla incident on board the Mavi Marmara, in which nine Turkish nationals were killed, but the deal fell apart two weeks ago, much to the chagrin of Washington, Army Radio reported on Thursday. » Read more

Barak warns Israeli ministers: Sanctions could lead to the Palestinian Authority's collapse ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Barak Ravid - August 11, 2011 - 12:00am Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his senior ministers on Wednesday to discuss how Israel plans to cope with Palestinian efforts to secure UN recognition of a Palestinian state in September. Several of the ministers urged preemptive sanctions against the Palestinian Authority in an effort to pressure PA President Mahmoud Abbas to back down, but Defense Minister Ehud Barak objected, warning that it could lead to the collapse of the PA. » Read more

Israeli settler leader braces social protesters ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua August 10, 2011 - 12:00am In a show of solidarity with the social protests that are currently sweeping Israel, settler leader Danny Dayan visited activists in Tel Aviv Tuesday, saying that the West Bank settlers share the protesters' grievances. Dayan, who heads the Municipal Council of Jewish Settlements in the West Bank (Yesha Council), visited the tent complex at Tel Aviv's upscale Rothschild Boulevard, where he met the head of Israel's National Students Union, Itzik Shmuli, one of the protest movement's outspoken leaders. » Read more

The road to New York goes through Lebanon and Qatar ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency by Bassam Abu Eid - August 11, 2011 - 12:00am As the Palestinian UN bid for recognition approaches in September, two Arab countries will hold key positions in both the Security Council and General Assembly, adding momentum to Palestinian diplomatic efforts to gain statehood. Lebanon is set to head the Security Council and Qatar will be rotating president of the General Assembly. » Read more

Palestinian official slams U.S. stance on Jewish settlement ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua August 11, 2011 - 12:00am A Palestinian official criticized the United States Wednesday for not taking a firm stance against the Jewish settlement activities in the occupied territories. The Obama administration's statement that it is concerned by the Israeli activities "is insufficient for anything on the ground, " said Yasser Abed Rabbo, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Executive Committee. » Read more

Israel approves 1,600 Jerusalem settler homes ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency by Agence France Press (AFP) - August 11, 2011 - 12:00am Israel's interior minister Eli Yishai has given final approval for the construction of 1,600 new settler homes in east Jerusalem, his spokesman told AFP on Thursday. The move is likely to anger both the Palestinians and the international community, as it struggles to find a way to relaunch peace talks in a bid to head off a Palestinian plan to seek United Nations membership. Roei Lachmanovich also said the interior minister was set to give final approval for another 2,700 settler homes in east Jerusalem neighborhoods in "a couple of days." » Read more

WEST BANK: Not everyone's laughing at Palestinian TV comedy ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times by Maher Abukhater - August 10, 2011 - 12:00am At a time when revolts in Arab nations are gradually taking their toll on the leaders of those countries, Palestinian officials seem worried that too much criticism of their performance may eventually lead them to a fate similar to their Arab brothers. At least that's what one comedian-actor-writer believes. » Read more