January 23rd

Obama’s likely takeaway from Israeli election: More two-state advocates ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) by Ron Kampeas - (Opinion) January 23, 2013 - 1:00am   With the Israeli election results split evenly between the right-wing bloc and everyone else, no one in Washington is ready to stake their reputation on what the outcome means for the U.S.-Israel relationship and the Middle East. » Read more

Israel's elections mean little to most Palestinians – with good reason ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian by Raja Shehadeh - (Opinion) January 23, 2013 - 1:00am   » Read more

Will Israel’s Election Help the Peace Process? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bloomberg by Jeffrey Goldberg - (Opinion) January 23, 2013 - 1:00am   » Read more

Why Netanyahu failed and Lapid surprised ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Aluf Benn - (Opinion) January 23, 2013 - 1:00am   Benjamin Netanyahu’s election campaign failed because he had nothing much to say. The world-champion orator, king of political survivors, lost his connection to the public mid-term and has been coasting ever since, in the absence of a serious challenger. He did not offer any hope to Israelis, he conducted a pathetic campaign and, instead of issuing a platform, made do with promising to be a "strong prime minister." » Read more

Israel's new, post-election agenda: first the ultra-Orthodox, then Iran ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Amos Harel - (Opinion) January 23, 2013 - 1:00am   In the past decades, the general understanding on the political scene was that Israeli elections are determined, above all, by voters’ sense of personal security. » Read more

For Arabs, success of Israeli elections is mingled with regret ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Jack Khoury - (Opinion) January 22, 2013 - 1:00am   Arab parties summed up the elections with a mixed feeling of success and a missed opportunity. A final appraisal will be possible only after the soldiers' votes are counted and we know whether the United Arab List-Ta'al will hang on to their fifth seat, and if Hadash and Balad will keep their current tallies of four and three MKs respectively. » Read more

Israeli vote might constrain Netanyahu's foreign policy ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Crispian Balmer - (Opinion) January 23, 2013 - 1:00am   A weaker-than-expected showing by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel's election might limit his room for manoeuvre against Iran and put his hardline stance toward Palestinian statehood under renewed pressure. » Read more

Break All the Rules ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Thomas L. Friedman - (Opinion) January 22, 2013 - 1:00am   » Read more

Abbas: We're ready to talk to any Israeli government that recognizes Palestine ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz January 23, 2013 - 1:00am   The Palestinians welcome peace talks with any Israeli government that recognizes a Palestinian state, President Abbas’ spokesman said on Wednesday, after the results of the Israeli elections were announced. » Read more

Hamas official: No dispute over Abbas heading unity govt ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency January 23, 2013 - 1:00am There is no disagreement within Hamas about Mahmoud Abbas heading a unity government to be formed later this month, deputy head of Hamas politburo Mousa Abu Marzouq said Tuesday. » Read more