Iron Empires, Iron Fists, Iron Domes ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Thomas L. Friedman - (Opinion) December 4, 2012 - 1:00am   I went to synagogue on Saturday not far from the Syrian border in Antakya, Turkey. It’s been on my mind ever since. » Read more

Senate amendment penalizing Palestinians for U.N. status does not pass ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) December 5, 2012 - 1:00am WASHINGTON (JTA) -- A U.S. Senate amendment that would have penalized Palestinians for seeking non-member state status at the United Nations was not attached to its intended law. » Read more

Hamas seeks to reopen airport in southern Gaza ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Khaled Abu Toameh - December 5, 2012 - 1:00am The Hamas government is working toward reopening the only airport in the Gaza Strip. Named after Yasser Arafat, the airport, which is located close to the Egyptian border, opened in 1998, when the Palestinian Authority was still in control of the Gaza Strip. » Read more

Merkel to warn Netanyahu: Promote peace process or face world seclusion ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Barak Ravid - December 5, 2012 - 1:00am With Israel and European Union states embroiled in a diplomatic crisis, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel Wednesday night in Berlin. » Read more

Israel's High Court hears appeal against controversial 'Boycott Law' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Jack Khoury - December 5, 2012 - 1:00am Israel's High Court of Justice will hear an appeal against the controversial "Boycott Law," on Wednesday, and decide whether to fulfill requests to issue an order nisi against it. » Read more

Europe mulls new Mideast peace plan: Palestinian official ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua December 4, 2012 - 1:00am RAMALLAH, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- European countries are mulling a new plan to revive the peace talks that have been stalled since 2010 between Israel and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), a Palestinian official said Tuesday. » Read more

UK downplays economic sanctions against Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press December 4, 2012 - 1:00am LONDON — British Foreign Secretary William Hague has downplayed the possibility of European economic sanctions against Israel for its latest settlement-building plans, saying there is "no enthusiasm around the European Union" for such measures. » Read more

Blunt Israeli diplomat dropped from election list ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press December 4, 2012 - 1:00am JERUSALEM — Israel's foreign minister has dropped his deputy, known for international incidents, from his list of candidates for Israel's January 22 election. » Read more

Netanyahu says Israel still committed to Palestinians peace deal ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters December 5, 2012 - 1:00am PRAGUE, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Israel remains committed to a negotiated settlement with the Palestinians, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday, despite worries among the Jewish state's European allies over its plans to build more settlements. » Read more

Palestinians: settlement expansion means 1 state ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press by Karin Laub - December 4, 2012 - 1:00am RAMALLAH, West Bank — The Palestinians will ask the U.N. Security Council to call for an Israeli settlement freeze, President Mahmoud Abbas and his advisers decided Tuesday, as part of an escalating showdown over Israel's new plans to build thousands more homes on war-won land in and around Jerusalem. » Read more