June 14th

Israel's 'Real' Challenges Much Closer Than Iran ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'ariv by Hanan Greenberg - (Opinion) June 11, 2012 - 12:00am While all eyes seem to be fixed on Iran, the IDF’s main focus is on threats emerging a car-drive away from Tel Aviv. In a special conversation, the operations officers of the IDF’s four commands tell Maariv about their military activities that involve daily attempts to kidnap soldiers, the escalation of “price-tag” activities (a violent retribution campaign by fundamentalist Israeli youths against Palestinians), the heating up of the Egyptian border and the fragile peace in the north. » Read more

Hamas 'left behind' by Arab Spring ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National by Hugh Naylor - June 14, 2012 - 12:00am When Hamas won control of the Gaza Strip after a brief but vicious round of factional fighting in 2007, it earned a degree of influence unprecedented in its short history. Its clashes with its archrival Fatah that culminated in military victory five years ago today emboldened Islamists, rattled Israel and the West and divided Palestinians between rival leaders in Gaza and the West Bank. » Read more

IOC warns against boycotting Israeli athletes in London ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) June 14, 2012 - 12:00am The International Olympic Committee warned that a refusal by any participant in next month's Games to compete against an athlete from a particular country is against the IOC's code of ethics. The warning came Thursday in response to an Algerian kayaker who withdrew last month from a World Cup event after learning that he would be competing against an Israeli. » Read more

Inside out: Equality in the Arab sector ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Jonathan Rosen - (Opinion) June 13, 2012 - 12:00am The Authority for the Economic Development of the Arab, Druse and Circassian Sectors in the Prime Minister’s Office launched a large-scale ad campaign on Sunday geared to encourage companies to hire Arab university graduates. The campaign, which urges prospective employers not to discriminate against non-Jewish applicants for jobs, was designed in response to data showing generally lower levels of employment among Arab university graduates relative to their Jewish counterparts, and a number of glaring disparities in certain fields, such as high-tech jobs. » Read more

Gaza water too contaminated to drink, say charities ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News June 13, 2012 - 12:00am The charities Save the Children and Medical Aid for Palestinians say the number of children being treated for diarrhoea has doubled in five years. They say Israel's five-year blockade of the territory is preventing crucial sanitation equipment from getting in. The blockade must be lifted "in its entirety", they say. The report, Gaza's Children: Falling Behind, says that high levels of nitrates and other contaminants have been found in the main water supply. » Read more

Former Arafat aide Rashid says Abbas worth $100m. ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Khaled Abu Toameh - June 14, 2012 - 12:00am Yasser Arafat’s former financial adviser, Muhammad Rashid, stepped up his attacks on Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas over the past few days. A PA court recently sentenced Rashid in absentia to 15 years in prison and a $15 million fine on charges of embezzlement of public funds and money-laundering. The PA decided to prosecute Rashid after a series of interviews he gave to the Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya TV station in which he talked about his experiences as one of Arafat’s most trusted aides. » Read more

Israel Must Move Toward a Two-State Solution ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Huffington Post by John Lyndon - (Blog) June 13, 2012 - 12:00am The events surrounding last week's Knesset vote on the illegal Ulpana outpost seemed like a vindication of Israeli democracy for many of its citizens. The Supreme Court ruling to evacuate 30 families living on Palestinian land was upheld, as was the notion that Israel's democracy and the rule of law can exist side by side with its expanding presence in the West Bank. This is a fiction. » Read more

President Peres awarded Medal of Freedom ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Yitzhak Benhorin - June 14, 2012 - 12:00am President Shimon Peres was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Wednesday – the highest civilian award the United States government can bestow upon an individual. In a gala dinner held in Washington in Peres' honor, US President Barack Obama praised the Israeli president's legacy and efforts on behalf of peace. » Read more

Israel court acquits Palestinian teens of East Jerusalem firebomb attack ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Oz Rosenberg - June 14, 2012 - 12:00am Five East Jerusalem teenagers were acquitted on Wednesday of throwing rocks and firebombs - but only after having spent a year and a quarter in jail or under house arrest. » Read more

After striking down bill to legalize neighborhood, Netanyahu vows to expand West Bank settlement ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Jonathan Lis, Barak Ravid, Oz Rosenberg - June 6, 2012 - 12:00am Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded on Wednesday to the Knesset meeting in which a bill aimed at legalizing homes on the Ulpana Hill neighborhood in the West Bank settlement of Beit El - which were built on privately owned Palestinian land – was voted down. Speaking at a press conference, Netanyahu criticized organizations that had petitioned Israel’s High Court over the matter, stating that “those who think they use the legal system to harm the settlements are mistaken, since the opposite is actually taking place.” » Read more