December 12th

Abbas visits Turkey to map out Israel strategy ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National by Thomas Seibert - December 12, 2012 - 1:00am ISTANBUL // Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas's visit to Ankara yesterday highlighted Turkey's two-pronged Middle East policy that seeks to balance strong support for the Palestinian cause and unyielding criticism of Israel with a pragmatism that includes fresh talks with Tel Aviv. » Read more

New Congress will be missing some of its longtime pro-Israel pillars ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) by Ron Kampeas - December 11, 2012 - 1:00am WASHINGTON (JTA) -- When the new Congress convenes in January, it will be missing several longtime pillars of support for Israel on Capitol Hill. » Read more

Jordan Prince Scorned For Participating In Jewish Event ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Media Line by Adam Nicky - December 11, 2012 - 1:00am AMMAN: Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan found himself in hot water this week after his participation in a Jewish charity event in the UK last month was exposed in local media. » Read more

US to give Israel thousands of 'bunker-buster' bombs ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews December 12, 2012 - 1:00am The Pentagon has appealed to Congress in a bid to increase the United States' military aid to Israel by $647 million, Ynet learned Tuesday. » Read more

Hamas official: Mashaal will not run for re-election ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency December 12, 2012 - 1:00am BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Hamas' chief-in-exile Khaled Mashaal will not run for re-election as leader of the Islamist movement, a group official said Wednesday, reiterating a position outlined several months ago. » Read more

Israel to withhold Palestinian funds until March, at least ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency December 12, 2012 - 1:00am JERUSALEM (Reuters) -- Israel will withhold tax revenues from President Mahmoud Abbas's administration until March at least in response to his statehood campaign at the United Nations, Israel's foreign minister said. Under interim peace deals, Israel collects some $100 million a month in duties on behalf of the Palestinian Authority in the occupied West Bank -- money that is badly needed to pay public sector salaries. » Read more

Report: Jordan to host peace talks in February ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency December 12, 2012 - 1:00am BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Palestinian and Israeli officials will meet in Jordan in February in efforts to support the peace process, King Abdullah II of Jordan was quoted as saying by Al-Hayat newspaper on Wednesday. Officials from both sides will meet under the auspices of the European Union and United States, the Jordanian King said while visiting the United Kingdom on Tuesday, Al-Hayat reported. » Read more

Vandals target Jerusalem monastery, Palestinian cars in price tag attacks ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua December 12, 2012 - 1:00am JERUSALEM, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Two price tag attacks occurred overnight as vandals sprayed hate slogans on a monastery in Jerusalem and torched and spray painted a car in Ramallah, local news outlets reported Wednesday. » Read more

Israeli FM further slams EU critique over settlements ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua December 12, 2012 - 1:00am JERUSALEM, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman continued Wednesday to slam the European Union's critique on Israel's construction in the settlements. » Read more

Gaza's tunnels rebound from Israeli offensive ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press by Mohammed Daraghmeh - December 12, 2012 - 1:00am RAFAH, Gaza Strip — Rafah's biggest industry is back in business: Gazans are rebuilding the network of underground smuggling tunnels crisscrossing the Egyptian border that were pummeled in a recent Israeli offensive, restoring the illicit conduit for consumer goods and weapons so crucial to Hamas rule. » Read more