Palestinians establish first national disaster loss database with UN help ATFP World Press Roundup Article from United Nations News Service February 25, 2013 - 1:00am With support from the United Nations, Palestinian officials today launched the first database designed to provide information on disaster losses that will help develop planning policies and strengthen community resilience. » Read more

Kerry: Obama plans to 'listen', not present peace plan ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters February 26, 2013 - 1:00am US President Barack Obama will not bring a peace plan for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict next month, but rather intends to listen, Secretary of State John Kerry said on Tuesday. Obama's plan to visit has raised speculation of a new US push to revive Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, stalled since 2010 in a dispute over Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank. But Kerry, speaking to German students during his first foreign trip as Washington's top diplomat, played down expectations. » Read more

UN peace process envoy to Haaretz: Two-state solution 'on life support' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Amos Harel - February 26, 2013 - 1:00am The two-state solution is in extremely grave condition, the UN's special coordinator for the Middle East peace process warned in an interview with Haaretz last week. "The two-state solution is now on life support," Robert Serry said. "This is in fact a critical year. Everyone should know that if we do not provide a credible diplomatic horizon for the two-state solution this might lead to very serious results." » Read more

Israel bans Palestinian construction near separation barrier for " security reasons" ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua February 25, 2013 - 1:00am Israel is banning Palestinians from building on more than 1,000 acres of land under the Palestinian civil control adjacent to the separation barrier, the Ha'aretz daily reported on Monday. The lands in question are under Palestinian control according to the 1993 Oslo Accords signed between Israel and the Palestinians. According to the Israeli Defense Forces, the ban is derived from "security reasons." » Read more

Rubio Needs A Lesson In Peace Process History ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Beast by Brent Sasley - (Opinion) February 25, 2013 - 1:00am In ritualistic fashion, Marco Rubio’s visit to Israel included a defense of Israeli policy toward the peace process. Explaining how things work, he proclaimed that “The greatest advancements in this process have always been made when Israel felt secure. There is a direct relationship between Israel’s security and the ability to make concessions and move forward.” » Read more

New Israeli rule orders hunger striking detainees hospitalized after 28 days ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Dan Even - February 26, 2013 - 1:00am The Health Ministry issued a controversial regulation on Monday requiring hospitalization for hunger strikers if the action lasts more than 28 days. Palestinian security prisoners are currently holding hunger strikes to protest the death of detainee Arafat Jaradat last week at Megiddo Prison. "Every detainee and prisoner on a hunger strike in the security system and prison system should be hospitalized if the strike lasts more than 28 days, even if he is opposed to medical treatment," states the regulation, which was sent to hospital managers across the country. » Read more

The BDS movement explained ATFP World Press Roundup Article from New York Daily News by Omar Barghouti - (Opinion) February 25, 2013 - 1:00am In many media reports on the recent panel held at Brooklyn College on the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against Israel, BDS was subjected to relentless vilification and unfounded allegations. » Read more

Palestinian prisoners in Israel end strike over prisoner's death ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua February 25, 2013 - 1:00am The Israeli Prison Service (IPS) announced Monday that a majority of the Palestinian security prisoners held in Israel ended their symbolic 24-hour hunger. Thousands of Palestinian prisoners launched the hunger strike Sunday over the death of an inmate, Arafat Jaradat who died in the northern Meggido prison Saturday. » Read more

Abbas says Israel wants chaos ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency February 26, 2013 - 1:00am President Mahmoud Abbas said Monday that Israel was seeking chaos as Israeli forces clashed with protesters across the West Bank for the second day. "The Israelis want chaos ... We will not allow them to drag us into it and to mess with the lives of our children and our youth," Abbas told reporters in his office in Ramallah. The death of 30-year-old Arafat Jaradat in Israeli custody on Saturday has sparked mass protests across the West Bank and Gaza. An autopsy revealed Jaradat died of extreme torture, Palestinian officials said Sunday. » Read more

The Israel-Hezbollah Shadow War ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-Monitor by Ali Hashem - February 24, 2013 - 1:00am Five years ago, when Hezbollah's military commander Imad Mughniyah was assassinated in Damascus, fingers were quickly pointed toward Israel. The group's secretary-general, Hassan Nasrallah, promised to launch an open war on Israel to avenge his slain comrade. Everyone was worried the blood of the most wanted Hezbollah member might ignite a regional conflict. » Read more