EU's Ashton: Mideast changes give momentum to Israeli-Palestinian peace process ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by DPA - (Analysis) August 29, 2011 - 12:00am Changes in the Middle East have given "even more momentum" to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said Monday. Summing up a visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories, she said the recent changes which have overtaken the region have provided the impetus to "the need to try and find a solution that will enable the people of Israel and the people of Palestine to live in peace and security together." EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and President Shimon Peres, August 28, 2011. Photo by: GPO » Read more

Amid renewed unrest, political players discuss Sinai development ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-Masry Al-Youm by Nadine Marroushi - August 29, 2011 - 12:00am In the wake of renewed unrest in Sinai, talk about the dire need to develop the eastern peninsula is resurfacing. Political parties have been quick to make proposals. » Read more

Barak: Gaza groups planning new major terror attack on Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Anshel Pfeffer - (Analysis) August 29, 2011 - 12:00am Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned Monday that Palestinian organizations in Gaza are preparing to carry out an attack similar to the one in southern Israel on August 18, in which eight civilians were killed. Barak, who visited the plant of Israel Aerospace Industries subsidiary Elta in Ashdod on Monday morning, said that “even this morning we are on high alert in the south in the face of the possible attack, which is similar in set-up to the one that happened ten days ago.” » Read more

Analysis: Protecting Palestinians after we join the UN ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency by Francis Boyle - August 29, 2011 - 12:00am In the Nov. 15 1988 Palestinian Declaration of Independence that was approved by the Palestinian National Council, representing all Palestinians all over the world, the executive committee of the PLO was set up as the Provisional Government for the State of Palestine --pursuant to my advice. » Read more

Gazans forced to cancel habits of Muslim feast ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua by Ahmed Fayoomi, Hamada Hattab - (Analysis) August 29, 2011 - 12:00am GAZA, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Various types of Turkish delights and chocolates piled up on stalls in a popular market in Gaza City, but only few people seemed to be interested. This was two days ahead of a Muslim's feast that marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. Buying sweets to serve visiting relatives is a regular habit to mark this occasion. The scenes of frustration have been visible on the face of the 40-year-old Abu Rashid Abu Assi, as he kept promoting his sweets and almost begging people to buy from him. » Read more

Arab Spring spells uncertainty for Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News by Jeremy Bowen - August 27, 2011 - 12:00am The extraordinary developments in the Middle East and North Africa this year have not been entirely welcomed by the authorities in Israel, who now have a range of new problems to add to some more familiar ones. My passports say it all. Like most foreign correspondents in the Middle East I have two - one for Israel, the other for Arab countries. That's because some Arab states will not let you in if you have an Israeli visa. » Read more

Palestinians see progress in EU stance on UN bid ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency (Analysis) August 29, 2011 - 12:00am RAMALLAH (AFP) -- The Palestinian leadership sees "progress" in the European Union's position on its plan to seek UN membership next month, a senior PLO official told AFP on Sunday. "There is progress in the European stance and a willingness to coordinate with the Palestinian leadership over the type of resolution we are looking for," said PLO secretary general Yasser Abed Rabbo a day after president Mahmoud Abbas met in Ramallah with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton. » Read more

Palestinian leadership condemns Tel Aviv stabbings ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua by Xiong Tong - (Analysis) August 29, 2011 - 12:00am RAMALLAH, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian leadership on Monday condemned a Palestinian attack in which seven Israelis were injured in the central city of Tel Aviv. "We condemn the attacks against civilians, including the incident that was committed in Tel Aviv at dawn," said a statement by President Mahmoud Abbas's office. A Palestinian resident of the West Bank stole an Israeli taxi, hit an Israeli police checkpoint and stabbed people who gathered around him with a knife, wounding seven, Israeli reports said. » Read more

Israel's Image Won't Improve Without Policy Changes ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward by Gary Wexler - August 29, 2011 - 12:00am The thousands of scantily clothed bikers, skateboarders, walkers, hawkers, gawkers and performers were simply taking advantage of another breezy, crystal clear Southern California day. They had fought their way valiantly through relentless freeway traffic to participate in the year-round weekend ritual of parading down Los Angeles’ bohemian thoroughfare, the Venice Beach boardwalk. » Read more

A paradox of hate: extremist Israelis ally with neo-Nazis ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National by Maik Baumgärtner - August 30, 2011 - 12:00am Anti-Semitism is still a threat to European Jews. On a daily basis, Neo-Nazis, left-wing extremists and radical Islamists spread their online hatred and, too often, their propaganda incites real-life attacks. » Read more