October 15th

Michael Bloomberg and Magen David's Anti-Arab Rabbi ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward by Eshkol Nevo - (Opinion) October 15, 2012 - 12:00am When one enters Jerusalem, two structures immediately catch the eye. The first is a digital sign informing the traveler when the next Sabbath begins and ends. The second is a building bearing a sign identifying it as the William H. Bloomberg MDA Jerusalem Station. » Read more

The Israeli settlers who make unlikely peace activists ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian by Khaled Diab - (Opinion) October 15, 2012 - 12:00am In his recent speech to the UN general assembly, Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas warned that Israel's ongoing settlement construction in East Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank would make the creation of a viable Palestinian state alongside Israel "extremely difficult if not completely impossible". » Read more

Getting back to the negotiating table ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Jeff Barak - (Opinion) October 15, 2012 - 12:00am Guess who wrote this and where it was first published: “The Arab Spring showed the world that the Palestinians are happier and in [a] better situation than their Arab brothers who fought to liberate them from the Israelis. Now, it is time to stop the hatred and wars and start to create better living conditions for the future Arab generations.” » Read more

Gaza extremists endanger the balance of terror along border with Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Amos Harel - (Opinion) October 15, 2012 - 12:00am For several months now, Israel and Hamas are maintaining a complex balance of terror along the Gaza Strip border. The relative calm is kept despite rockets being fired at Israel by extremist groups supporting al-Qaida (sometimes with a nod from Hamas, sometimes with its indirect assistance), and despite Israeli airstrikes against members of these groups. It is true that lately the lulls between escalation to escalation have become shorter, but still there is no room for comparison to the situation along the border during the years that preceded Operation Cast Lead in 2008. » Read more

In praise of Netanyahu ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Ari Shavit - (Opinion) October 15, 2012 - 12:00am Yedioth Ahronoth and diplomatic correspondent Shimon Shiffer deserve all possible praise for their sensational story on Friday. Israel and Syria conducted peace negotiations in 2010 and 2011. » Read more

World powers will soon support our cause, says top Palestinian official ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Amira Hass - (Opinion) October 15, 2012 - 12:00am Twice during an hour-long interview, Dr. Hanan Ashrawi let out a laugh that sounded embarrassed. The first time was when she explained what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did in his UN General Assembly address: a speech she deemed patronizing, cut off from reality, stuck in an outdated Manichean perception. The doctor of comparative literature suggests that he did not convince his audience. » Read more

The Lessons of Novembers Past ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Beast by Hussein Ibish, Saliba Sarsar - (Opinion) October 15, 2012 - 12:00am Historically, November often signifies numerous crucial turning points in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The lessons of Novembers past demand close attention. Palestinians and Israelis can learn from them to address their differences and common future, and American leaders to be more balanced. » Read more

Why Binyamin Netanyahu is on the right track for victory ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian by Harriet Sherwood - (Opinion) October 13, 2012 - 12:00am One end is a Jewish settlement across the Green Line, the other is close to Israel's haunting memorial to the victims of the Holocaust, Yad Vashem. » Read more

As Israeli elections near, Palestinians feel nothing but despair ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Barak Ravid - (Analysis) October 15, 2012 - 12:00am RAMALLAH - On Monday, Yossi Beilin sat alongside Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas  in a convention hall in Mukataa, and waxed nostalgic. “We used to work without the Americans,” he said. “Clinton heard about Oslo two weeks before the White House ceremony." Abbas, a bitter smile on his face, corrected him. “A week before,” he said. » Read more

Romney Campaign Announces “Arab-Americans for Romney” ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Arab American Institute (Press Release) October 15, 2012 - 12:00am Washington, DC – On Friday, October 12, 2012, the Romney campaign announced “Arab Americans for Romney,” a national coalition of Arab American supporters of Gov. Mitt Romney’s bid for the presidency of the United States. » Read more