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Israel arrests ex-soldier living in Bethlehem
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency June 15, 2012 - 12:00am A former Israeli soldier was arrested recently by Palestinian Authority forces after living in a Bethlehem refugee camp for the past three weeks, Israeli daily Haaretz reported. "I wanted to prove that it’s possible to live with Palestinians, as long as you are not coming off as an enemy," Andrey Pshenichnikov, 24, was quoted as saying by Haaretz. Pshenichnikov moved to Bethlehem three months ago and was working as a waiter and construction worker. |
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The Prime Minister's Speech
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Huffington Post by Alon Ben-Meir - (Blog) June 11, 2012 - 12:00am Having been engaged in the Arab-Israeli conflict as an advocate for peace, interlocutor, a keen observer and a commentator for much of my adult life, I fantasize once in a while about the regional, if not the global, implications of an Arab-Israeli peace. I allow myself to dream what seems to be an impossible dream because I believe in the dynamism and wealth of the human resources and creativity that both Israelis and Palestinians bountifully enjoy. |
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Israeli gov't begins fortifying schools along Gaza border
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua June 14, 2012 - 12:00am The Israeli government announced a 90-million-shekel (almost 24 million U.S. dollars) project to shield all educational institutions in a 7-to-15 km radius from the Gaza Strip. Some schools beyond that range have already been strengthened against upwards of 10,000 rockets and mortars that have been fired out of the Hamas-ruled coastal enclave. Outgoing Home Front Defense Minister Matan Vilnai officially launched the project during a farewell visit to the area on Wednesday, sources at the Defense Ministry told Xinhua on Thursday. |
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The flotilla as metaphor
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Herb Keinon - (Opinion) June 14, 2012 - 12:00am Among the most telling aspects of the state comptroller’s report, published Wednesday, which chronicles a slapdash decision-making process inside the Prime Minister's Office in general, and with regard to the Mavi Marmara incident in particular, was Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s official response to it. In the final analysis, Netanyahu said in a statement issued by his office, "Israel's citizens are enjoying a level of security that they have not known for years.” |
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Jewish settlers won't go quietly as eviction looms
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Maayan Lubell - June 15, 2012 - 12:00am The clock is ticking for 30 Jewish settler families in the occupied West Bank. Israel's Supreme Court has said their homes sit on privately-owned Palestinian land and as an eviction deadline draws near, they say they will not go quietly. "They will have to drag me out of here," said Yoel Fattal, 28, who lives with his wife and three young children in one of the five apartment blocs the government must tear down by July 1, on the Ulpana hill in the settlement of Beit El. |
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Why don't we have a 'minister for peace'?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Dan Sagir - (Opinion) June 15, 2012 - 12:00am As part of the events this week to mark the 30th anniversary of the first Lebanon War, the film "Shtei Etzba'ot Metzidon" (titled "Ricochets" in English ) was screened at the Jerusalem Cinematheque. The 1986 feature film, which was produced by the Israel Defense Forces, faithfully reflects Israel's embroilment in Lebanon. I was pleased that my teenage son agreed to join me for the screening, and to learn a chapter in the contemporary history of Israel and its conflict with the Palestinians. |
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Erekat: Abbas to demand release of pre-Oslo prisoners
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency June 15, 2012 - 12:00am President Mahmoud Abbas will demand the release of 123 long-term prisoners before agreeing to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, PLO negotiator Saeb Erekat said Friday. Abbas wants Israel to free 123 prisoners detained before the signing of the Oslo Accords in 1993, Erekat told Ma'an. Erekat also said Abbas may meet with Israel's deputy prime minister Shaul Mofaz although no date has been set. On Thursday, Mofaz called on for the immediate renewal of peace talks between Abbas and Netanyahu, the Israeli daily Haaretz reported. |
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Israel must end discrimination against Arab college graduates
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz (Editorial) June 15, 2012 - 12:00am Walid bin Karim, a young architect looking for work at an architecture firm owned by Jews, is the star of a new ad by the Government Advertising Bureau. The spot encourages the employment of Arab college graduates. “What’s wrong with an Israeli Arab in your office?” asks the ad. It provides the answer: Nothing’s wrong. |
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Efforts advanced for meeting between Abbas, Netanyahu: officials
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua June 14, 2012 - 12:00am Senior Palestinian officials on Thursday asserted that there are advanced efforts together with Arab intervention and U.S. pressure to hold a meeting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Yasser Abed Rabbo, secretary general of Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) executive committee, told Voice of Palestine Radio that there are "ideas" discussed to arrange for the meeting, which will be the first in one year and a half to reduce tension between the two sides. |
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Can the EU save the two-state solution?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from EurActiv.com by Dimitris Bouris, Stuart Reigeluth - (Opinion) June 14, 2012 - 12:00am "It has become clear that the window of opportunity for solving the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians is closing. The reasons behind this are several and have to do with both internal and external dynamics. |