The Bush Administration leads today’s roundup as President George W. Bush returns to Jerusalem this week (1-3, 10). The Wall Street Journal highlights economic development efforts in Palestine, including the U.S. Palestinian Public Private Partnership (4). ATFP provides a translation of an Al-Ayyam article by Hassan Khader (8). Wilson Center Scholar Aaron David Miller discusses the application of U.S. power in seeking an Israeli-Arab Peace (11). Daniel Kurtzer, an advisor to Democratic candidate Barack Obama, argues that Jerusalem must be included in any peace deal (13).
The Bush Administration pushes Israelis and Palestinians toward compromise
(1). In the Washington Post, Lally Weymouth interviews Israeli President
Shimon Peres (2) and Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayaad (3). ATFP
Board Member Daoud Kuttab writes about the practical reality of the Right of
Return (4). Negotiations continue on a Gaza cease-fire (7) even as Israel
weathers scandal allegations (6) and political unrest (12). In Haaretz,
Akiva Eldar argues that U.S. president Bush should avoid visiting Israel
(13).
The Economist looks at recent legislation concerning Jewish refugees from
their April edition. (1) The Associated Press reports on a Fatah victory in
Hebron (3). Tony Blair calls on Israel to work to improve Palestinian
lives(4)as Daniel Levy discusses checkpoints (6). Former President Jimmy
Carter speaks out against conditions in Gaza in a Daily Star Op-Ed (9).
ATFP President Dr. Ziad Asali argues for empowering moderates over extremists in the Arab News (1). Israel¹s 60th anniversary is marked with
reflection (2, 4, 6, 10). Israelis and Palestinians mull the effect of
corruption allegations against Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (7,9). In the New York Times, Ethan Bronner examines the Palestinian citizens of Israel. (2).
The Christian Science Monitor examines growing cultural competition between Fatah and Hamas (2). Sami Abdel-Shafi takes the Guardian’s readers inside the Gaza humanitarian crisis (5). In last week’s Bitter Lemons, Ghassan Khatib called for the U.S. to monitor Israeli roadblocks (9); it seems that someone was listening (4). Political turmoil embroils Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (7, 12). In the Jerusalem Post, David Kimche defends J-Street from charges of anti-Zionism (13)
ATFP President Ziad Asali concludes his week-long guest spot in Rosner’s Domain (1). MJ Rosenberg discusses the tragedy of the Holocaust and its relation to the current conflict (2). Kim Sengupta of the Independent offers an glimpse into Gaza City (3). ATFP Senior Fellow Ghaith al-Omari dissects the question of engaging Hamas (4). YNet News reports on a new deployment of Palestinian Policemen in Jenin (8). Haaretz’s Akiva Eldar questions the authenticity of Israeli-Syrian negotiations (10).
ATFP President fields a question on the nuances between Palestinian and U.S. positions on the peace process (1). Reuters previews U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice return trip to the Middle East (4) as the Daily Star opines on the fading credibility of the peace process (10). The British Government urges Israel to lift the Gaza Blockade (9). ATFP Board Member George Hishmeh pens a column on the current state of the negotiations (5). Finally, Gershom Gorenber looks at the online war of words to define narrative in the American Prospect.