February 15th

Yalla Peace: Hope for Peace at a Roadblock ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Ray Hanania - (Opinion) February 14, 2012 - 1:00am It’s almost become normal for Palestinians and Israelis who support peace to find themselves at the same old roadblock, going nowhere fast. The only things moving are the extremists who continue to pave the way to the mutual destruction of both sides. Israeli and Palestinian leaders refuse to take the steps necessary to make peace. » Read more

Ahmadinejad’s Iran is the New Best Friend of Israeli Settlers ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Bradley Burston - (Opinion) February 14, 2012 - 1:00am The red-bordered headline on Israel's weekend newsstands was as jarring for its calm, consumer-guide choice of wording as for the subject matter, which was, in essence, a countdown to Armageddon. WHERE IT'S BEST TO LIVE IN A TIME OF EMERGENCY, read the Yedioth Ahronoth banner. Lest the meaning be lost, the full-out article – framed by stories hinting at IDF preparations for a possible attack on Iran - ranked a long list of Israeli cities, towns, and Arab villages for their survivability and "preparedness for wartime." » Read more

Israel’s Academy for Occupation ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz (Editorial) February 15, 2012 - 1:00am When the violent conflict in the territories was at its height a decade or so ago, then IDF Chief of Staff Moshe Ya'alon said Israel's goal was to sear the Palestinians' consciousness with the understanding that violence doesn't pay. Today, the government in which Ya'alon now serves as a minister doesn't miss an opportunity to sear the consciousness of Palestinians and Israelis alike with the idea that a diplomatic agreement on a two-state solution is no longer on the table. » Read more

Abbas and Obama Should Not Expect a Helping Hand From Netanyahu ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Huffington Post by Akiva Eldar - (Opinion) February 15, 2012 - 1:00am After the uproar over the Palestinian Authority's admission to UNESCO some three months ago, President Mahmoud Abbas ordered a freeze on PA requests for admission to other UN organizations. It seems that Abbas promised Barack Obama that until the presidential elections he would spare the U.S. president from having to choose between a vote that would annoy Jewish voters and one that would upset the Palestinian voters and their sympathizers. » Read more

As the Illegal Outpost of Migron Goes, So Goes All of Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Huffington Post by Lara Friedman - (Opinion) February 14, 2012 - 1:00am The fate of Migron, an illegal outpost in the heart of the West Bank, is about to be decided. The implications of this decision are about far more than the future of a handful of settlers in a single outpost. This decision will be a litmus test of Israeli rule of law and, ultimately, of Israel's capacity to make peace with the Palestinians. How can one outpost be so important? » Read more

The U.S.-Israeli Trust Gap on Iran ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post (Editorial) February 15, 2012 - 1:00am TWO MONTHS ago we questioned a decision by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta to spell out publicly his objections to an Israeli military strike against Iran’s nuclear program — a speech that must have cheered the commanders of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. Now Mr. Panetta has indirectly caused a similar stir: After a conversation with Mr. Panetta this month, The Post’s David Ignatius reported that the Pentagon chief “believes there is a strong likelihood that Israel will strike Iran in April, May or June.” » Read more

February 14th

Interior Ministry sets up Palestinian database ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Star by Stephen Dockery - February 14, 2012 - 1:00am BEIRUT: The Interior Ministry announced Monday that it is setting up the first state-held database of Palestinian refugees to try to alleviate their personal status paperwork problems. Interior Minister Marwan Charbel introduced the new registry at his office in Beirut Monday, saying it was part of the government’s obligation to the Palestinian people to improve their lives without undercutting the right of return. » Read more

Obama’s Dangerous Game With Iran ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Beast by Christopher Dickey, R.M. Schneiderman - February 13, 2012 - 1:00am Well before he moved into the White House, Barack Obama began talking to Israel about Iran’s nuclear program, and even then there was mistrust. He met in 2008 with several leading Israelis, including Benjamin Netanyahu—before Netanyahu was elected prime minister—and impressed everyone with his determination to stop Iran from going nuclear. Netanyahu liked much of what he heard, according to a source in his inner circle. What troubled him, however, was that Obama didn’t talk specifically about Israel’s security. » Read more

Funding issues for West Bank sites anger Mks ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Tovah Lazaroff - February 14, 2012 - 1:00am Funding issues for West Bank Jewish heritage sites angered parliamentarians on the Right and the Left on Tuesday morning. Right-wing parliamentarians were upset by the absence of the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron and Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem on the list of National Heritage sites slated to be approved for renovation funding at a ministerial committee meeting on Tuesday. » Read more

IDF brigade leaves an impression in Hebron ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Amira Hass - February 13, 2012 - 1:00am Rumor has it that Golani infantry soldiers will remain in the area until May, and in Hebron residents are worried. Very worried. Since the Golani soldiers replaced the Kfir Brigade's Shimshon battalion in December 2011 (which, in turn, had replaced the Givati infantry ), city residents have sensed a manifest worsening of soldiers' behavior. » Read more