March 9th

Israelis, like United States, wary about strike on Iran ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post by Karin Brulliard - March 8, 2012 - 1:00am JERUSALEM — As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned from a visit to Washington this week, much of the discussion here centered on traffic-light hues. Had the Israeli leader been given a red light or a green light about attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities? The general assessment was that President Obama’s signal — his appeals to give diplomacy more time and his pledges of support for Israel — fell somewhere on the spectrum between yellow and red. To many here, that probably came as a relief. » Read more

Ex-Mossad Chief Halevy: Romney’s Iran Talk is Irresponsible ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) March 7, 2012 - 1:00am WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Former Mossad chief Efraim Halevy said Mitt Romney's gibes at President Obama's Iran policy were irresponsible. "This means to an Iranian, if you will wait until another few months and there is a change in the White House, then maybe there will be trouble, so the lesson is, let's redouble our efforts to do it as quickly as we can," Halevy said in an interview with The Huffington Post posted Wednesday. "In the effort to demolish the president he is making the situation worse." » Read more

Israel’s ex-spy chief says more efforts needed before considering attack on Iran ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press March 9, 2012 - 1:00am JERUSALEM — The recently retired head of the Mossad intelligence agency has said Israel must consider alternatives to a military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, but another expert said Friday an Israeli attack could come within months. Ex-Mossad director Meir Dagan pointed to a need for caution after Israel’s prime minister hinted Israel might feel the need to attack. Among the alternative actions he suggested was supporting Iranian opposition groups working for regime change. » Read more

March 8th

No calculated leadership decision ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons by Barry Rubin - (Opinion) March 5, 2012 - 1:00am Is there going to be a "third intifada"? I have no idea. That is a question most likely to be determined by those who set Palestinian strategy and they will surely differ among themselves. What interests me is the basis upon which such a choice would be made. When this issue is discussed publicly, it is attributed almost entirely to the idea that frustration will motivate revolt. This is certainly the point made by Palestinian Authority and Palestine Liberation Organization leaders. The argument is that unless they get their way diplomatically, violence will be the logical outcome. » Read more

What Scares Israel: Iran or Peace? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Dar Al-Hayat by Hassan Haidar - (Opinion) March 8, 2012 - 1:00am The same boring theater play repeats itself every year, as the Jewish American lobbying group AIPAC holds its annual conference: Benjamin Netanyahu, or any Prime Minister of Israel, expresses his resentment and indignation at the stifling role played by the United States to prevent the Hebrew State from directing a military strike against Iran; and Barack Obama, or any other US President, finds no way to appease his ally and ease the latter’s “frustration” but to offer Israel additional military and economic aid, renew his commitment to its “sacrosanct” security, and refrain from raising the t » Read more

Hamas is making a tactical appeal to the grassroots ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian by Tareq Baconi - (Opinion) March 8, 2012 - 1:00am Hamas officials have said that in the event of a war between Iran and Israel, they will not become involved on Tehran's side. While this is not surprising, other officials within the movement were quick to deny such reports. Historically, Hamas has always gone to great lengths to assert its independence from any foreign influence. It is widely recognised that it receives support from powers such as Syria (until recently) and Iran. Yet this has never been worn as a badge of honour by the movement. » Read more

Inside Out: Obama’s commitment to Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Jonathan Rosen - (Opinion) March 7, 2012 - 1:00am US President Barack Obama took the opportunity of his speech at the AIPAC policy conference on Sunday to reiterate his administration’s unequivocal commitment to Israel’s security and right to self-defense. He said, “My administration’s commitment to Israel’s security has been unprecedented. Our military and intelligence cooperation has never been closer. Our joint exercises and training have never been more robust... Israel must always have the ability to defend itself, by itself, against any threat.” » Read more

If Obama wins in November, is Netanyahu in trouble? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Bradley Burston - (Opinion) March 7, 2012 - 1:00am There is something in the air. Something new. Something as recent as this week's AIPAC conference. And for Benjamin Netanyahu, it's not something to be desired. American conservatives have begun to think out loud that Barack Obama will win in November. Citing the GOP's disastrous showing in the 1964 presidential election, influential Washington Post columnist George Will suggested this week in a tone of some resignation ("the Presidency is not everything") that conservatives might better use their energies by concentrating instead on Congressional and Senate races. » Read more

Netanyahu, our savior the fearmonger ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Gideon Levy - (Opinion) March 8, 2012 - 1:00am If it looks like a duck (frightened), walks like a duck (spreading anxiety), quacks like a duck (disseminating dread), then it must be a duck (a frightened fearmonger). Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who quacked his fearmongering speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee convention on Tuesday, proved yet again that Israel has never had a statesman quite like him - a statesman who has built his career on being an alarmist, and who boasts an impressive record of incessant, decades-long fearmongering. » Read more

Despite hardships, Palestinians train for Olympics ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press by Ibrahim Barzak - March 8, 2012 - 1:00am GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip -- Darting down the bumpy streets of Gaza wearing a cheap pair of running shoes, Palestinian athlete Bahaa al-Farra dodges potholes and traffic as he trains to compete against the world's best athletes at the London Olympics. Although an Olympic medal is highly unlikely, the 400-meter runner takes to the city streets for about three hours a day, speeding down crowded avenues in the morning before hitting the gym in the afternoon. "It's not easy to be an athlete in Gaza," al-Farra said. » Read more