Defying an Image With a Tilt to the Left ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Ethan Bronner - April 6, 2012 - 12:00am WHEN Shaul Mofaz took over as head of the opposition in Israel this week — having defeated Tzipi Livni to lead the Kadima Party — it was seen as further evidence of the country’s rightward shift. A former military chief of staff and defense minister, Mr. Mofaz was dismissed by many as a pale shadow of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a hawk who would try to join the governing Likud coalition. » Read more

Baird lobbied hard against Palestinian bid for statehood ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Globe and Mail by Campbell Clark, Justin Ling - April 10, 2012 - 12:00am Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird personally took to the phones last year to try to swing countries to oppose Palestinian efforts to be recognized as a state by the United Nations, according to newly released documents that for the first time reveal in detail how intensely Canada worked behind the scenes to block the statehood resolution. Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird holds a news conference announcing that Canada is reopening its embassy in Libya's capital, Tuesday September 13 2011 on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. » Read more

Congressmen to Abbas: Medal awarded to Helen Thomas may damage U.S. assistance to PA ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Barak Ravid - April 10, 2012 - 12:00am The award given to controversial journalist Helen Thomas by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has sparked anger not only in Israel, but in the U.S. Congress as well. Two senior Congressmen sent Abbas a letter denouncing the award and hinting that such a move may hurt U.S. assistance to the PA. » Read more

Abbas receives positive U.S. signs over his political letter to Netanyahu ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua April 10, 2012 - 12:00am RAMALLAH, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas recently received positive hints from the U.S. on a political letter he intends to address to Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu soon, a well-informed source unveiled on Monday. Abbas' letter to Netanyahu might be handed on Tuesday and would include a clear Palestinian position concerning the current developments in the stalled peace process and the margins for resuming it. » Read more

Israel asks Obama to release ill convicted spy ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press April 9, 2012 - 12:00am JERUSALEM — Israeli President Shimon Peres has dispatched a letter to President Barack Obama asking him to release convicted spy Jonathan Pollard. The former U.S. Navy intelligence analyst received a life sentence in 1987 for leaking classified documents to Israel. Many Israelis believe the sentence was too harsh, and officials often demand his release. In his letter Monday, Peres pleaded with Obama to release Pollard for humanitarian reasons. The 57-year-old Pollard was hospitalized last week. Peres hosted Pollard's wife on Sunday. » Read more

Bill to sidestep Israeli high court criticized ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press April 9, 2012 - 12:00am JERUSALEM — Israeli lawmakers are criticizing a bill proposed by the justice minister that would allow parliament to strike down Supreme Court decisions with a narrow majority. It's the latest in a string of legislation by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government that critics say stifle dissent. The new bill, proposed late last week, stipulates that if parliament passes a law which the Supreme Court rejects, parliament members can vote to keep the law and renew it indefinitely. » Read more

Foundation: Court delays verdict in Rachel Corrie case ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency April 10, 2012 - 12:00am BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- An Israeli court has postponed delivering a verdict in a civil case brought by the family of US activist Rachel Corrie, killed by an Israeli bulldozer during a demonstration in Gaza, the Rachel Corrie Foundation said Monday. At the last hearing in July, Judge Oded Gershon said he would deliver a verdict in April 2012. The verdict has been postponed due to delays in the filing of closing arguments, the foundation said in a statement. A new verdict date has not been set, the foundation added. » Read more

Fatah: Govt reshuffle talks delayed until Abbas tour ends ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency April 9, 2012 - 12:00am RAMALLAH (Ma’an) -- Consultations over an expected reshuffle in the Palestinian Authority are to be delayed until President Abbas finishes as international tour due to start Monday, a senior Fatah official said. Azzam al-Ahmad told Voice of Palestine radio that rumors about a disagreement between Abbas and PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad over a reshuffle were baseless. » Read more

Palestinians accuse Israel of destroying prospects for two-state solution with new settlements ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press April 9, 2012 - 12:00am UNITED NATIONS — The Palestinians accused Israel on Monday of systematically destroying prospects for a two-state solution to their decades-long conflict with its continuing campaign of settlement building. Palestinian U.N. observer Riyad Mansour sent a protest letter to the U.N. secretary-general, Security Council and General Assembly two days before the Quartet of Mideast mediators — the U.S., U.N., European Union and Russia — meets in Washington to discuss the long-stalled peace process. » Read more

Fayyad hails popular resistance at Bil'in parlay ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Tovah Lazaroff - April 10, 2012 - 12:00am Popular resistance against Israel reflects the rights of Palestinians, Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad asserted Tuesday. Speaking at the Bil'in 7th International Conference for Popular Struggle, Fayyad said, "Popular resistance is one of the best forms of resistance and reflects the rights of Palestinians." The PA prime minister also charged that settlements violate international law and go against the peace process. » Read more