February 29th

The hallucinations of the Israeli government ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Zvi Barel - (Opinion) February 29, 2012 - 1:00am Now that the medical efficacy of marijuana is proven fact, the time has come to examine the potency of the hallucinogenic drug LSD as a solution to strategic problems. Preliminary tests indicate that this drug exceeds all expectations. Tests are currently being carried out in Israel - a pioneering country when it comes to medical developments. The first experiment was initiated seven years ago, and it will conclude in March. It has won the name "the Migron Experiment." » Read more

Israeli Troops Raid 2 Private Palestinian TV Stations in West Bank, Confiscate Equipment ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press February 29, 2012 - 1:00am RAMALLAH, West Bank — Israeli troops raided two private Palestinian TV stations before dawn Wednesday, seizing transmitters and other equipment, the military said. The military said one of the outlets, al-Watan TV, is a pirate station whose frequencies interfered with legal broadcasters and aircraft communications. It said several transmitters were confiscated in the operation initiated by Israel’s Communications Ministry. The military also confirmed a second raid at Jerusalem Educational TV, a Ramallah-based station owned by the Palestinians’ Al Quds University, but did not elaborate. » Read more

February 28th

Don’t discount a third intifada ATFP World Press Roundup Article from NOW Lebanon by Hussein Ibish - (Opinion) February 28, 2012 - 1:00am Is a third Palestinian intifada coming in the foreseeable future? An Israeli Foreign Ministry intelligence report circulated in the government last week and leaked over the weekend to Ha’aretz suggests it could well be. The report is right, and its assessment should make sobering reading for Israeli officials and citizens alike. » Read more

The root cause of the confrontation with Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Asharq Alawsat by Bilal Hassan - (Opinion) February 28, 2012 - 1:00am Last Friday, the al-Aqsa Mosque transformed from a Palestinian, Arab and Islamic symbol to a scene of confrontation and clashes between Palestinian civilians and the Israeli occupant forces, with Israel resorting to violence even within a yard of the mosque. What was the reaction to this? » Read more

Jerusalem Isn't Just for Arabs, Either ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward by Lara Friedman - (Opinion) February 27, 2012 - 1:00am I write this late on Sunday night in Doha, following the first day of the Arab League’s Conference on Jerusalem. I am attending the conference as an individual and a member of the foreign policy community — not as a representative of any organization (as is the case when I attend most conferences). That said, the organizers of the conference knew when they invited me that I am a Zionist. Most of my professional life (and much of my personal life) has been dedicated to fighting for peace for Israel and fighting against biased views on all sides of the issues. » Read more

Encountering Peace: Q&A on the future of the Middle East ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Gershon Baskin - (Interview) February 27, 2012 - 1:00am Meeting with American Jews and non-Jews on college campuses, synagogues and churches all across America is always a refreshing opportunity to see how much interest our small country attracts. It is also quite disturbing how divisive the issue of support for Israel has become. The divisions are not between Jews and non-Jews, but within each community there are conflicts between those who are pro-Israeli versus those who are pro-Palestinian. » Read more

Who's a fascist and who's a Zionist? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Susan Hattis Rolef - (Opinion) February 27, 2012 - 1:00am The Jerusalem District Court will soon be deliberating on an interesting libel suit; the Im Tirzu movement is suing a group of talkbackers who claimed that Im Tirzu’s campaigns against the New Israel Fund and various human rights organizations in Israel smack of fascism. » Read more

Begin’s legacy ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post (Editorial) February 27, 2012 - 1:00am On the 20th anniversary of Menachem Begin’s death, many are revisiting the former prime minister’s important legacy. Perhaps the most significant aspect of Begin’s political leadership was his unique ability to bridge the gap between ideological purity and political realism, an important component of his ultimate political success. It was in large part due to Begin’s pragmatism and moderation that violence was avoided immediately after the establishment of the State of Israel. » Read more

Muslims and Christians must also serve in IDF ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Moshe Arens - (Opinion) February 28, 2012 - 1:00am If you're an Israeli citizen who is ultra-Orthodox, Muslim or Christian, you're exempt from sharing the burden of the country's defense with your fellow citizens who are Jewish or Druze. There is no discrimination here - these religious communities are equal when it comes to not defending the country. To be precise, not quite all. The young men of the small Circassian community residing in Kafr Kama and Reikhaniya in the Galilee, although Muslims, are obligated to do compulsory military service. They are the exception. » Read more

Interview: Hamas, Fatah agree to give more time to form unity gov't: Haneya ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua (Interview) February 28, 2012 - 1:00am GAZA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Ismail Haneya, head of the deposed government of Islamic Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip, said in a special interview with Xinhua on Monday that Hamas and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party have agreed to give more time to form the new transitional unity government. At his office in Gaza City, Haneya told Xinhua that leaders of Fatah and Hamas movements had bilaterally agreed in Cairo to give the consultations on forming the new unity government some more time until the two sides come up with a final decision. » Read more