February 12th, 2013

Hard Questions, Tough Answers with ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Americans For Peace Now by Yossi Alpher - (Opinion) February 11, 2013 - 1:00am Alpher discusses the interaction of the dynamics of President Obama coming to Israel shortly after PM Netanyahu is expected to present his new coalition, where does Netanyahu's coalition-forming project currently stand, the positions Netanyahu and Obama will present to one another on the key issues at stake, and what should the administration consider proposing when Obama comes to Jerusalem, in order to ensure a degree of harmony and the prospect of progress on the Palestinian issue.  » Read more

On My Mind: Peace expectations ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Kenneth Bandler - (Opinion) February 11, 2013 - 1:00am With the Israeli-Palestinian peace process stuck in neutral for so long, any ostensibly positive development is assumed to signal a possible opportunity to advance. Some observers contend that Israel’s recent elections provide such a turning point. The New York Times, for instance, argued in an editorial that the results set the stage for a breakthrough in moribund peace negotiations. » Read more

Liberal Zionists Should Support BDS ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Beast by Jerry Haber - (Opinion) February 11, 2013 - 1:00am Liberal Zionists want to end Israeli control of the West Bank and Gaza, abolish institutional discrimination between the Jewish and non-Jewish citizens of Israel, and witness the establishment of a Palestinian state that will allow Palestinians to live as a free and secure people in their own homeland. As liberals, they insist on preserving the civil and human rights of both Israeli Jews and Palestinian Arabs. » Read more

PLO officials say expectations low for Obama visit ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency February 12, 2013 - 1:00am Palestinian officials said Tuesday that the upcoming visit by US President Barack Obama is unlikely to aid the peace process. Obama plans to visit the region in spring, a White House official said last week, in his first trip to the region since taking office. Secretary-General of Palestinian People's Party Bassam al-Salhi told Ma'an that the visit may create the "illusion" of returning to negotiations, but would have no impact on the peace process as Israel has consistently violated its principles, with US complicity. » Read more

Obama's Israel visit itinerary released ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Itamar Eichner - February 12, 2013 - 1:00am Jerusalem and Washington have set the itinerary for President Barack Obama visit to Israel. Obama is scheduled to land in Ben Gurion International Airport around noon on Wednesday, March 20.   » Read more

U.S. Assistance to the Palestinians ATFP World Press Roundup Article from United States State Department (Press Release) February 12, 2013 - 1:00am Question: What is the status of the funding Congresswoman Granger approved for the Palestinian Authority? » Read more

Only by fear of international sanctions ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Yitzhak Laor - (Opinion) February 11, 2013 - 1:00am It's doubtful if there was such foolishness in global politics since World War II as the settlement enterprise. The fact that the Israeli political leadership has engaged in it since 1967 makes the pill all the more bitter. » Read more

Kerry seeks to unblock $700 million in aid for Palestinians ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP) February 11, 2013 - 1:00am Secretary of State John Kerry is working to try to free up almost $700 million in aid for the Palestinians which has been held up in Congress, a top US official said Monday. “The secretary feels extremely strongly that it is time now to get this support to the Palestinian Authority,” State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said. » Read more

Arabs Look for Decisive Obama in Palestinian-Israeli Negotiations ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Asharq Alawsat by Michel Abu Najm - February 11, 2013 - 1:00am Following the announcement that US President Barack Obama will visit Israel and Palestine for the first time next spring, Arab ministerial sources warned Asharq Al-Awsat that the US president has only a short window to advance peace. They said: "Obama has 18 months to achieve something on the question of peace between the Palestinians and Israelis. Afterward, there will be the midterm elections and the presidential campaign, which will lead to a decline in interest in this issue." » Read more

Palestinian leadership condemns Israeli settlement plans ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua February 11, 2013 - 1:00am The Palestinian leadership said Monday Israel was signaling "negative" indications by planning more settlement constructions ahead of U.S. President Barack Obama 's visit. "This is another negative message to the U.S. administration," chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said, speaking of Obama's upcoming visit to the region in March. "This is a deliberate declaration by the Israeli government that it insists to destroy what has been left of the peace process, " Erekat told Xinhua. » Read more