Israel’s True Friends ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Roger Cohen - (Opinion) January 7, 2013 - 1:00am   PRESIDENT Obama’s decision to nominate Chuck Hagel, a maverick Republican with enough experience of war to loathe it, as his next secretary of defense is the right choice for many reasons, chief among them that it will provoke a serious debate on what constitutes real friendship toward Israel. » Read more

A Palestinian farmer reclaims his land, for now ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Chaim Levinson - January 8, 2013 - 1:00am   » Read more

Gaza's archaeological treasures at risk from war and neglect ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News January 6, 2013 - 1:00am   » Read more

EU backing informal Israeli-Palestinian talks ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Herb Keinon - January 8, 2013 - 1:00am   With Israeli-Palestinian negotiations nonexistent for most of the last four years, informal talks between academics, public figures and former military and civil officials from both sides are once again currently taking place, often backed by the European Union. » Read more

West Bank sees rise in terror attacks ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Yoav Zitun - January 7, 2013 - 1:00am A Shin Bet report released Monday reveals that the last two months of 2012 have seen a significant rise in terrorist attacks in the West Bank and Jerusalem. In December, 111 attacks were reported, while 166 were reported in November, during which Operation Pillar of Defense took place. » Read more

Teachers despair over unpaid salaries ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency January 7, 2013 - 1:00am Civil servants in the West Bank are struggling to cover transportation costs, as the delays in their salary payments stretches on amid the Palestinian Authority's financial crisis. » Read more

Abbas appoints Fatah leadership in Gaza ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency January 8, 2013 - 1:00am President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday appointed the new leadership of the Fatah committee in the Gaza Strip, its new chairman told Ma'an. » Read more

Fighting flares again in Palestinian refugee camp in Syrian capital, 5 killed ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press January 8, 2013 - 1:00am   Palestinian factions in Syria called for a cease-fire Tuesday after fighting flared at a refugee camp in the capital, Damascus, highlighting a split among Palestinians as the civil war intensifies. » Read more

U.S. Senator to Abbas: U.S. rejects Palestinian's intention to join UN agencies ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua January 8, 2013 - 1:00am    U.S. Senator Rand Paul informed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of his country's opposition to the Palestinian intention to join United Nations agencies, a well- informed Palestinian sources said Monday. » Read more

Israeli minister warms to choice of Hagel for Pentagon ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Dan Williams - January 8, 2013 - 1:00am   A senior Israeli diplomat has given a positive view of Chuck Hagel's nomination as U.S. defense secretary, though some commentators in the Jewish state expressed worries that the choice could open a new fissure in bedrock ties with Washington. » Read more