Israel must punish rabbis who preach hatred ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) by Anat Hoffman - (Opinion) August 27, 2012 - 12:00am Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin apologized to Jamal Julany, one of the victims of a racist attack in Zion Square, during his visit to the 17-year-old. "We are sorry," said Rivlin, a Likud Party leader. He went on to say, "It is hard to see you hospitalized because of an inconceivable act" and "What happened is the responsibility of every leader and member of Knesset." » Read more

What Abbas should say to Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Gershon Baskin - (Opinion) August 27, 2012 - 12:00am To the people of Israel, We, the Palestinian people, seek peace with you, the people of Israel. We seek our independence, in a state of our own, just like you, as your neighbors, living side by side, Palestine next to Israel. I bring before you historic proof of our intentions, as we have let it be known to the entire world. Our intentions are real, our desire for peace, genuine, our plans for the future, peaceful. On November 15, 1988, in front of the world, and in front of our people, and in our Arabic language we declared our Declaration of Independence: » Read more

Outposts gone wild ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz (Editorial) August 28, 2012 - 12:00am After a seemingly endless number of legal hearings and debates among the highest-ranking politicians, as well as a public debate complete with pressure and threats from the interested parties, the Migron affair is due to come to an end this week. The High Court of Justice ruling on whether 17 families living on the outpost will be allowed to stay, because they say they purchased their land legally, is scheduled for 10 A.M. Tuesday morning, the day of the planned evacuation. It is expected to halt the extended frenzy surrounding a handful of infiltrators who made their own law. » Read more

Rachel Corrie verdict exposes Israeli military mindset ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian by Chris McGreal - (Opinion) August 28, 2012 - 12:00am Reporters covering Israel are routinely confronted with the question: why not call Hamas a terrorist organisation? It's a fair point. How else to describe blowing up families on buses but terrorism? » Read more

What can we learn from the Rachel Corrie case ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Amira Hass - (Opinion) August 27, 2012 - 12:00am On a foggy winter morning in early 1967, several young men were strolling through London's Hampstead Heath park. One was carrying a bucket, an odd sight, but it didn't attract any attention. The young men had deliberately picked a time when the park was fairly empty to carry out their intention without being impeded: the first successful trial of a leaflet bomb, a pre-Internet era invention. » Read more

Bibi's own "tree limb" ATFP World Press Roundup Article from NOW Lebanon by Hussein Ibish - (Opinion) August 28, 2012 - 12:00am Over the past few years it was frequently alleged, not least by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, that the Palestinian leadership had climbed out onto various political “tree limbs.” The implication was that on issues such as the settlement freeze, Palestinian leaders adopted rhetorical positions that were not in keeping with their real strategic options and hadn't allowed themselves sufficient room to climb down. As a consequence, it was suggested, they were stuck with unworkable policies.  » Read more

Gov’t steps up campaign for Jewish Arab refugees ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Jeremy Sharon - August 28, 2012 - 12:00am The Foreign Ministry – along with the World Jewish Congress and the Pensioners Affairs Ministry – is ramping up its campaign to bring the issue of Jewish refugee rights to public and diplomatic attention. According to the Foreign Ministry more than 850,000 Jews from Arab states fled their countries of birth following persecution that ensued after the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. Many also had their property confiscated. » Read more

Palestinian Authority angry with Mursi gov’t ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Asharq Alawsat by Kifah Zaboun - August 27, 2012 - 12:00am Well-informed Palestinian sources have revealed to Asharq al-Awsat that a state of anger and dissatisfaction prevails among the Palestinian leadership regarding the new Egyptian administration’s dealings with the Palestinian issue, and especially with regards to Palestinian representation and legitimacy. » Read more

Egyptian President Morsi reassures Israel that peace treaty is safe ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters August 28, 2012 - 12:00am Egypt's new Islamist president said on Monday he would pursue a "balanced" foreign policy, reassuring Israel its peace treaty was safe, hinting at a new approach to Iran and calling on Bashar Assad's allies to help lever the Syrian leader out. Mohammed Morsi, who was elected in June and consolidated his power this month by dismissing top military leaders, is seeking to introduce himself to a wider world ahead of a trip to Iran - the first by an Egyptian leader in three decades - and China. » Read more

More East Jerusalem Palestinians seek Israeli academic degrees ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Nir Hasson - August 28, 2012 - 12:00am The number of young East Jerusalem Palestinians wanting to study in Israeli universities is rising rapidly. As a result, the number of East Jerusalem residents registering for Israeli matriculation exams has risen by tens of percent, Education Ministry officials estimate. Most Palestinians who take the Israeli exams, which are adjusted for the Israeli Arab students, do so after studying at one of the many private matriculation schools that have opened in East Jerusalem in recent years. » Read more