March 11th

An Ode to Joy: President Obama has no peace plan! ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Chemi Shalev - (Opinion) March 10, 2013 - 1:00am The news that President Obama has no intention of presenting a new peace plan on his upcoming visit to Israel was greeted by a collective sigh of relief that was so pronounced that it sounded like a giant roar of approval. Hallelujah, Israel is saved. Just in time for Passover, as usual. » Read more

Israeli ultra-Orthodox party's ministers boycott final cabinet meeting ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua March 10, 2013 - 1:00am The outgoing Israeli government held its final cabinet meeting on Sunday without the presence of four Haredi lawmakers. The four, members of the ultra-Orthodox Shas Party, did not show up at the meeting apparently in protest of their being excluded from incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's upcoming coalition. Netanyahu is about to reach a deadline of forming a new government following the results of the Jan. 22 elections. » Read more

Palestinians deserve justice, not apathy ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Gulf News by Adel Safty - (Opinion) March 10, 2013 - 1:00am John Kerry, the former presidential candidate and the veteran chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, has just returned from his first trip to Europe and the Middle East as secretary of state. At the press conference with British Foreign Secretary William Hague, Kerry gave the impression that the Middle East did not figure prominently in his discussion with Hague. In his opening statement Hague said: “Top of our agenda was the Middle East, including the importance we both attach to ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict…” » Read more

Netanyahu’s Coalition Takes Shape With Lapid, Bennett Deals ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bloomberg by Calev Ben-David - March 11, 2013 - 12:00am Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened the current Cabinet for what he called its final meeting in Jerusalem today as talks to form a new ruling coalition advanced to their final stage. A major stumbling block to forming a ruling coalition was overcome when Yair Lapid, leader of the second-biggest party, Yesh Atid, agreed to become the next finance minister. » Read more

Palestinians protest against Israel's block over Palestinian family reunion ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua March 10, 2013 - 1:00am The Israeli army prevented Saturday a symbolic wedding party which aimed at protesting against the Israel's block over family reunion of the Palestinians living in West bank and Israel. The pride is a Palestinian woman from the Israeli city of Nazareth and the groom is a Palestinian young man from Ramallah. Witnesses said that the Israeli army erected blocks on the road linking Ramallah and Jerusalem to prevent the wedding convoy reaching the town of Hezma where the wedding is due to be held. » Read more

Obama's new approach to Mideast peace: Israel and Palestinians must lead, not the U.S. ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Barak Ravid - (Opinion) March 10, 2013 - 1:00am For the past month the White House has been lowering expectations regarding U.S. President Barack Obama’s upcoming visit to Jerusalem and Ramallah. » Read more

Judge, jury and creditor: How Palestinians finance the Israeli military court system ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Amira Hass - March 10, 2013 - 1:00am In 2011, Palestinians paid NIS 13 million in fines to military courts in the West Bank. Unlike in the civilian criminal court system, in the Israeli military court system where Palestinians are put on trial, fines are an integral part of the penalty. » Read more

Analysis: Iran, Palestinian talks, Netanyahu ties to dominate Obama trip to Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press (Analysis) March 11, 2013 - 12:00am Three goals will dominate President Barack Obama’s coming visit to Israel, his first as president: Convincing Israel and its leadership he means what he says about stopping Iran from building a nuclear weapon, mending a deeply troubled relationship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and, in return, enticing Israel back to negotiations with the Palestinians. » Read more

PA: 50,000 drug addicts in East Jerusalem, West Bank ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency March 11, 2013 - 12:00am The Palestinian Authority minister of health said Sunday that there are an estimated 50,000 drug addicts in East Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank. Hani Abdin told Ma'an that the figures have encouraged the ministry to exert efforts to raise awareness about drug addiction and work with partner organizations to fight drug use. » Read more

Their blood has been let ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Bambi Sheleg - (Opinion) March 9, 2013 - 1:00am In March of last year a group of Beitar Jerusalem fans attacked Arab janitors in the Malcha Mall. It happened after a soccer game in the nearby Teddy Stadium. Last summer a group of teenagers nearly lynched an Arab youngster in Jerusalem's Zion Square. Since then we have witnessed a series of incidents in which young Jews brutally assaulted Arabs in a manner that is characteristic of societies in the process of dissolution. » Read more