April 6th

Tribalism and the Zionist BDS Debate ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by David Harris-Gershon - April 5, 2012 - 12:00am In January, Andrew Adler, the owner and publisher of the Atlanta Jewish Times, wrote that Israel should “give the go-ahead for US-based Mossad agents to take out a president deemed unfriendly to Israel.” He saw the tactic as a way to resolve divergent opinions between the two countries on how to deal with Iran. » Read more

The real radical left ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Gideon Levy - (Opinion) April 5, 2012 - 12:00am Even a dead body can sometimes twitch reflexively. Here we go again: The settlers have occupied another building. Their lawyer isn't ashamed to boast about the deceptive way the property was acquired. The ministers make their pilgrimages. The defense minister pulls a surprise eviction. The right is furious, the remnants of the left utter praise, and even Europe and America seem satisfied - look, another settler real estate grab has been thwarted. » Read more

Concession on 1967 borders is last-ditch effort ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National (Editorial) April 6, 2012 - 12:00am Desperate times call for desperate measures, as the old saying goes. And with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu resolutely stamping out hopes of a negotiated two-state solution, these are indeed desperate times for the fractured Palestinian leadership. » Read more

Netanyahu in Political Balancing Act ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National by Vita Bekker - April 6, 2012 - 12:00am TEL AVIV // With early elections likely this year, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is attempting a political high-wire act. On the one hand, the right-wing premier must show his pro-settler credentials. On the other hand, in the face of widespread illegal Jewish construction in the occupied West Bank, Mr Netanyahu needs to prove at home and abroad that he is committed to law and order. Late on Wednesday, Mr Netanyahu said he would provide the needed approvals to legalise three unauthorised Jewish outposts in the West Bank and save another outpost from a demolition order. » Read more

Palestine Must Revive the PLO to Mend Palestinian Divisions ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-Hayat by Majed Kayyali - (Opinion) April 3, 2012 - 12:00am There is no electricity in the Gaza Strip — long a source of great suffering for the Palestinians. However, their problems are not limited to power cuts. Their national cause, political entities and struggle against the enemy have lost their momentum and vitality. » Read more

U.N. Pushes West Bank Settlement 'Probe' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward by Nathan Guttman - (Analysis) April 5, 2012 - 12:00am Washington — A United Nations group’s decision to probe settlement activity on the West Bank has raised the specter of a new feud between Israel and the world body — and created a fresh headache for the White House. Israel quickly denounced the Human Rights Council’s resolution, which calls for a fact-finding commission to investigate the “implications” of the settlements for Palestinians. The Jewish state also severed all ties with the council. » Read more

Shin Bet: Action Against Jewish Extremists Has Reduced Attacks on Palestinians in West Bank ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Chaim Levinson - April 6, 2012 - 12:00am Shin Bet security service officials say their actions against extreme right-wing activists have led to a significant reduction in violent incidents against Palestinians. Senior Shin Bet officials, from the unit monitoring the activists’ activity in the West Bank, made the statement recently at an internal defense establishment meeting dealing with events in the extreme right. » Read more

Israel Should Not Rejoice About Cornering Abbas ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'ariv by Ben Caspit - (Opinion) March 25, 2012 - 12:00am A letter rests on the table of the chairman of the Palestinian Authority (yes, such an entity still exists), Abu Mazen. The addressee is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The letter is biting, explosive, a true hot potato that can burn up the entire room — but it has not yet been sent to its destination. The Palestinians have already showed the letter to the Americans, the Europeans and other entities that are now putting heavy pressure on Abu Mazen to stop or at least delay the message. » Read more

Israeli Army Warns Against Attacks on Israeli, Jews ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua April 6, 2012 - 12:00am JERUSALEM, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz on Thursday revealed a new deterrence policy towards attacks on Israelis or Jews worldwide, which specifically warned Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Iran. Gantz announced the army's new policy during a conference at an army base near Tel Aviv, the IDF Spokesman's office told Xinhua Thursday evening. » Read more

Iran has saved Bashar Assad (for now) ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Anshel Pfeffer - (Blog) April 6, 2012 - 12:00am The ongoing debate for and against international intervention in Syria has been rendered obsolete by the mounting evidence that at least one nation has already very much intervened. The details emerging over the last few days can leave little doubt that the active campaign of support by the Iranian regime has ensured that President Bashar Assad will remain the absolute ruler of Syria for the foreseeable future. » Read more