Israeli Leader Wrongly Blames UN and Arab States for Palestinian Refugees ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Atlantic by Leila Hilal - (Opinion) February 21, 2012 - 1:00am At the end of 2011, Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon, posted the third video in his YouTube series about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. These polished presentations are produced by an Israeli public relations firm in collaboration with StandWithUs, a U.S.-based group that counters criticism of Israeli policies regarding Palestinian. The series is promoted as "explanations of the historical facts" of the core issues of the conflict -- thus far covering the peace process, the West Bank, and most recently, refugees. (A fourth video on Jerusalem is said to be forthcoming.) » Read more

‘Bad guy’ or not, Adnan hunger strike was about due process ATFP World Press Roundup Article from 972 Magazine by Mairav Zonszein - (Opinion) February 22, 2012 - 1:00am As Khader Adnan’s case took over the news cycle this week, I noticed comments by thoughtful readers, generally on my Facebook feed, pointing out Adnan’s association with terror. They have circulated a video in which Adnan asks who the next suicide bomber will be, pointed to his affiliation with Islamic Jihad, and asked: How can you root for a terrorist? How can supposed progressives like us rally around him? » Read more

Theater review: 'Sarah's War' at the Hudson Mainstage ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Los Angeles Times by Philip Brandes - (Theater Review) February 21, 2012 - 1:00am Amid the endless polarized chaos and bloodshed in the Gaza Strip, is there any space between protecting human rights and supporting terrorists? Seeking that elusive territory of meaningful compassion is the goal of Valerie Dillman's thoughtful and heartfelt original drama, "Sarah's War," a Freedom Theatre West production at the Hudson Mainstage. » Read more

State Approves Housing Units in Shilo Post Factum ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Israel News by Yair Altman - February 22, 2012 - 1:00am The Civil Administration approved Wednesday the construction of 505 new housing units and legalized 190 units previously built in the West Bank settlement of Shilo. A Defense Ministry official said that any further construction would call for the government's approval and therefore they do not expect any other units to be built anytime soon. The ministry also stated that the existing housing units were not built on private lands but rather on State-owned land. » Read more

Palestinians Hear the Water ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Inter Press Service (IPS) by Jillian Kestler-D'Amours - (Opinion) February 21, 2012 - 1:00am "On its face, the new rule allows the occupier (in a long-term occupation) to make endless use of the variety of objects found in the occupied territory," Israeli human rights group Yesh Din stated. "To pump its water sources, to transfer its archeological artifacts to elsewhere outside the territory, to use areas within it for garbage disposal, to sell public real estate, and more." In late December of last year, the Israeli Supreme Court dismissed a petition put forth by Yesh Din, challenging the legality of Israeli mining and quarrying operations taking place in the occupied West Bank. » Read more

When children are 'terrorists', Israel's story rings hollow ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National by Ali Khaled - (Opinion) February 22, 2012 - 1:00am It's one of the 20th century's most celebrated images of individual courage. Very few people are unfamiliar with the photograph of the lone Chinese protester facing down a line of army tanks in Tiananmen Square in 1989. Despite his anonymity, "Tank Man" or the "Unknown Rebel", as he came to be known, is a lasting symbol of that student rebellion that was so brutally crushed. » Read more

Jordan’s Blames Israel for Deadlocked Peace ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press by Josef Federman - February 22, 2012 - 1:00am AMMAN, Jordan — King Abdullah II on Tuesday blamed Israel for deadlocked Mideast peacemaking in a meeting with U.S. Jewish leaders, the official Petra News Agency said. But the king's guests offered a more optimistic version of events, saying Abdullah had also been complimentary of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's position in recent peace talks. Jordan last month played host to talks that have subsequently been broken off. Palestinian and Israeli negotiators have blamed the other for the cut-off. » Read more

India’s rationale for Iran-Israel relations ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News by Meena Janardhan - (Opinion) February 22, 2012 - 1:00am Though Iran’s role in the recent bombing of an Israeli diplomat’s car in New Delhi remains unconfirmed, India is under pressure to join the growing international isolation of Tehran. » Read more

Hamas Irons Out Dispute Over Palestinian Unity ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press by Mohammed Daraghmeh - February 22, 2012 - 1:00am CAIRO — A senior Hamas official says the leadership of the Islamic militant group has settled internal disagreements and approved a unity deal with its political rival, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Izzat al-Rishq, who is an aide to Hamas chief Khaled Mashaal, says that Hamas' Syria-based political bureau met in Cairo Wednesday and okayed the agreement. Since 2007, the rivals have run separate governments in the West Bank and Gaza. The agreement signed in Qatar between Mashaal and Abbas on Feb. 6 envisions Abbas heading an interim unity government ahead of elections. » Read more

Employees at Public Universities, Colleges on Strike ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency February 20, 2012 - 1:00am JERUSALEM (Ma’an) -- Employees in public universities and colleges in the West Bank and Gaza Strip went on strike on Monday, an employee's union spokesman said. Abdul-Muhsin Qawasmi said the current semester may be canceled since the education ministry has not responded to their demands. The main demand was a salary increase to match employees working in other Palestinian universities. » Read more