March 28th

Israel's occupation fills an ancient Mideast need for evil ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Salman Masalha - (Opinion) March 28, 2012 - 12:00am First of all, when it comes to Iran, it should be acknowledged that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is right. Since the ayatollahs took power Iranian leaders haven't stopped talking about Israel, referring to it as "the Little Satan" at every opportunity. And when these leaders, whose spiritual world is constrained by such messianic shackles, use such a loaded expression it's clear they must take active steps to deal with such a Satan, even a little one. But in saying that Netanyahu is correct, that's as far as it goes. » Read more

Bret Stephens' Crisis of Empathy ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Beast by Hussein Ibish - (Opinion) March 27, 2012 - 12:00am Sometimes crude binaries can be instructive, and it's possible to distinguish two different types of people: those who seek out generous and universalist empathy with others, and those who prefer the warm cocoon of tribal solidarity. » Read more

Kadima Party in Israel Replaces Livni as Leader ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Isabel Kershner - March 27, 2012 - 12:00am JERUSALEM — Tzipi Livni, who not long ago was a popular and leading force in Israeli politics, lost the leadership of her centrist Kadima Party on Tuesday by a large margin to an archrival, according to results of the primary election. Mr. Mofaz will replace Tzipi Livni, center. The vote left Ms. Livni’s political future in doubt. » Read more

Israel's occupation fills an ancient Mideast need for evil ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Salman Masalha - (Opinion) March 28, 2012 - 12:00am First of all, when it comes to Iran, it should be acknowledged that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is right. Since the ayatollahs took power Iranian leaders haven't stopped talking about Israel, referring to it as "the Little Satan" at every opportunity. And when these leaders, whose spiritual world is constrained by such messianic shackles, use such a loaded expression it's clear they must take active steps to deal with such a Satan, even a little one. But in saying that Netanyahu is correct, that's as far as it goes. » Read more

Total change ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons (Interview) March 26, 2012 - 12:00am An interview with Samir Abdullah bitterlemons: What would trigger the collapse of the Palestinian Authority? Abdullah: The Palestinian Authority takes its legitimacy from two sources. The first is how far it can advance the political project and the search for independence. The second is to what extent it can provide good-quality services, manage a good economy, provide jobs for the unemployed, provide social security to the elderly and the handicapped, and provide a good climate for investment and so on. » Read more

2 Israeli Leaders Make Iran Issue of Their Own ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Ethan Bronner - March 27, 2012 - 12:00am JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak have turned into the odd couple of Israeli politics in whose hands sits the prospect of an attack on Iran. From opposite political traditions with distinct experiences and worldviews, the two have forged a tight bond, often excluding the rest of the Israeli leadership. » Read more

World Must Act Urgently to Avert “Crisis” in Palestine, Experts Warn ATFP World Press Roundup Article from American Task Force on Palestine March 27, 2012 - 12:00am Washington, DC, March 27 -- The international community must act urgently support the Palestinian Authority and its institutions or face a looming “crisis” a panel of experts today warned at a Washington event today co-hosted by American Task Force for Palestine and The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. » Read more

Israel’s Top Court vs. Outposts ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times (Editorial) March 27, 2012 - 12:00am Israel’s Supreme Court made an important contribution to justice and kept alive hope for a two-state solution with the Palestinians, when it ruled this week that Migron, an illegal outpost built by Israeli settlers, must be dismantled by Aug. 1. Now it is up to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to comply promptly, while making clear to the settlers that violent resistance will not be tolerated. » Read more

March 27th

Olmert to J Street: Abbas a partner for peace ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Yitzhak Benhorin - March 27, 2012 - 12:00am WASHINGTON - "Don’t tell me there is no partner. There is a partner. (Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas) wants peace with Israel," former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said during a J Street gala dinner on Monday. The former Israeli premier said Abbas was against terror during the Yasser Arafat era and was in favor of peace negotiations during Ariel Sharon's tenure as prime minister, as well as during his own. » Read more

PNA to ratify budget with shortfall ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua March 27, 2012 - 12:00am RAMALLAH, March 27 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) will ratify its 2012 fiscal year budget at 3 billion U.S. dollars, with a shortfall of 1.3 billion dollars, a Palestinian official said Tuesday. Ghassan Al-Khatib, spokesman for the Palestinian government in the West Bank, blamed "unprecedented lack" of foreign aid for the deficit, warning that the shortfall threatens the PNA's ability to carry out its services, especially in the education and health sectors. » Read more