April 27th

PA Communications Minister to Resign ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency April 27, 2012 - 12:00am BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- The Palestinian Authority communications minister intends to resign from Salam Fayyad's government, according to sources in Ramallah. Fayyad was expected to accept Mashour Abu Daka's resignation Thursday, the sources said. A Palestinian Authority spokesman could not confirm Fayyad's position. In his letter of resignation, seen by Ma'an, the minister said Fayyad's government had already resigned. He called the decision personal and "necessary to put an end to the waiting." The minister said it had been "a great privilege" to serve in the cabinet. » Read more

April 26th

Netayahu Iran Policies Rejected By Increasing Numbers in Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-Monitor by Meir Javendanfar - (Opinion) April 24, 2012 - 12:00am After winning the Kadima primaries on March 27, Shaul Mofaz gave his first television interview as head of the party. He immediately started attacking Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, especially his policies and statements regarding Iran. “[Netanyahu] wants to create an image that he is the protector of Israel,” stated the Iranian-born Mofaz. He then went on to describe Netanyahu’s Iran policy as not just "spin," but worse. Mofaz warned against an early attack on Iran, which he said could be “disastrous” and bring “limited results” in terms of curbing Iran’s nuclear program. » Read more

Hardline Pragmatists ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Beast by Gershon Baskin - (Opinion) April 25, 2012 - 12:00am I was pleased when, several weeks ago, Larry Cohler-Esses called me and asked my advice about his Cairo interview with Hamas leader Dr. Mousa Abu Marzook. I told him that, over the six years that I have been dealing with Hamas, I’ve learned that, contrary to what I’d been taught, Hamas is first and foremost a Palestinian national movement, and only secondly an Islamic religious movement. Were they first a religious movement guided by the word of God, change and reform would be nearly impossible. » Read more

Shuttered Palestinian Human Rights Group Cries Foul ATFP World Press Roundup Article from An-Nahar by Ali Matash - April 26, 2012 - 12:00am Without warning, Palestinian Interior Minister Said Abu-Ali decided to close the Palestinian Human Rights Foundation (Monitor) offices in the West Bank. He claimed that his decision was based on the Law of Charitable Associations and Community Organizations, Law No.1. » Read more

Why Did Egypt Terminate Its Gas Deal with Israel? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Calcalist by Zvi Mazael - (Opinion) April 24, 2012 - 12:00am The termination of the gas agreement between Israel and Egypt deviates from the rules of normal commerce and from normal disagreements between supplier and purchaser. » Read more

Hamas's crisis of leadership is terrible timing ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National (Editorial) April 27, 2012 - 12:00am Palestinian politics continue to be shrouded in secrecy. The reconciliation deal between Hamas and Fatah signed in Cairo last May is in danger of collapsing; elections are nowhere in sight; and reports of internal conflicts in both camps continue to emerge. » Read more

Iron Dome is an investment in Mideast stability ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) by Howard Berman - (Opinion) April 25, 2012 - 12:00am This is a unique time in the Jewish calendar, a period when bitterness and sweetness are mixed together. The just concluded Passover holiday marks the journey of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Holy Land. Holocaust Remembrance Day commemorates the murder of 6 million innocent Jewish martyrs and heroes. Israeli Memorial Day is observed with solemnity as Israelis gather by the gravesides of their fallen soldiers, and is followed immediately by Israeli Independence Day, a joyous and celebratory occasion. » Read more

Muslim, Zionist and proud ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Kasim Hafeez - (Opinion) April 25, 2012 - 12:00am I am a Zionist, a proud Muslim Zionist, and I love Israel, but this was not always the case. In fact, for many years I was quite the extreme opposite. I experienced the high levels of anti-Semitism and anti-Israel activity taking place on British university campuses, because I was the anti-Semitic, anti-Israel activist. » Read more

When I’m 64: Farewell to hysteria - Welcome to pragmatism ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Carlo Strenger - (Opinion) April 25, 2012 - 12:00am First of all Mazal Tov to us all: Israel will be celebrating its 64th Independence Day tomorrow. We will all go to parties, see friends, and probably eat too much at tomorrow’s barbecues. » Read more

Dear Mr. Netanyahu: Will Israel attack Iran? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Oudeh Basharat - (Opinion) April 26, 2012 - 12:00am On my list of things to leave out - after the prime minister's "leaving-out interview" on the country's economy ("if we leave out the Arabs and the ultra-Orthodox, our situation is excellent" ) - are the threats against Iran this past winter. At least so I can sleep better. » Read more