Barak reveals doubts Israeli cabinet can make peace
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
March 3, 2011 - 1:00am

Defence Minister Ehud Barak said on Thursday he thought Israel's right-wing dominated government was "not really conducive to making diplomatic progress" with the Palestinians." In an interview with Israel's Channel 10 television, Barak said he feared what he called "a tsunami approaching," or "growing international pressure to delegitimise Israel" over a six month stalemate in U.S.-brokered talks with Palestinians.

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PM likely to unveil diplomatic initiative in DC in May
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Herb Keinon - March 3, 2011 - 1:00am

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s new diplomatic initiative is likely to be unveiled in Washington in May, possibly during an address to Congress. In the meantime, his envoy Yitzhak Molcho is expected to ask Quartet representatives traveling to Jerusalem next week to refrain from issuing statements fundamentally changing the Quartet’s position on the conflict, until Netanyahu unveils his new initiative.

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Rather Than Defend Obama, J Street Is Now Pushing Him
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward
by Nathan Guttman - March 2, 2011 - 1:00am

Shifting sands in the Middle East and new political realities in Washington are forcing J Street to recalibrate its strategy. The dovish Israel lobby, whose supporters gathered recently in Washington for its second national conference, had previously tried to provide political cover for President Obama as he pushed for a speedy resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But now J Street finds itself prodding a reluctant administration to take a more assertive approach.

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Rather Than Defend Obama, J Street Is Now Pushing Him
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward
by Nathan Guttman - March 2, 2011 - 1:00am

Shifting sands in the Middle East and new political realities in Washington are forcing J Street to recalibrate its strategy. The dovish Israel lobby, whose supporters gathered recently in Washington for its second national conference, had previously tried to provide political cover for President Obama as he pushed for a speedy resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But now J Street finds itself prodding a reluctant administration to take a more assertive approach.

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If not now, then when?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons
by Elias Samo - March 2, 2011 - 1:00am

The Arab Peace Initiative, unanimously approved at the 2002 Beirut Arab League summit, is divided into two operative parts. The first, paragraph 2, which represents minimum Arab demands, calls for full Israeli withdrawal and a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem its capital. The second, paragraph 3, which represents the maximum Arab offer to Israel, affirms a commitment to consider the "conflict ended and enter into a peace agreement with Israel".

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Netanyahu has failed to recognize his weakened status
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Alon Idan - March 1, 2011 - 1:00am

Last week Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called German Chancellor Angela Merkel. He phoned to say he was disappointed that Germany's had voted for a UN Security Council condemning the settlements. Merkel reportedly responded: "How dare you. You are the one who disappointed us. You haven't made a single step to advance peace." In response to Merkel's aggressive remarks, Netanyahu promised to deliver a new speech about the peace process within two or three weeks.

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Merkel chides Netanyahu for failing to make 'a single step to advance peace'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Barak Ravid - February 25, 2011 - 1:00am

A crisis erupted between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. During a telephone call this week, Merkel told Netanyahu that he had disappointed her and had done nothing to advance peace, sources told Haaretz. The prime minister tried to persuade Merkel that he was about to launch a diplomatic initiative, explaining he is making a speech in two weeks in which he will outline a new peace plan.

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Ian McEwan donates Jerusalem Prize money to Israeli-Palestinian peace group
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Maya Sela - February 25, 2011 - 1:00am

The British author Ian McEwan, who received the Jerusalem Prize at this year's International Book Fair, said he will be donating the $10,000 award to Combatants for Peace. The group was founded by Palestinians and Israelis who had previously taken an active part in fighting each other. Its representatives said they are committed to working to end the occupation and achieve a two-state solution. McEwan met Thursday with group representatives Bassem Ararmin, Muhammed Aweida, Yoni Yahav and Roi Amit to hand them the prize money.

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Path of peace is Israel's only choice in new Mideast
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Yoel Marcus - February 25, 2011 - 1:00am

President Shimon Peres, an incorrigible optimist, promised us a new Middle East. He even predicted that the day would come when Gaza would turn into the Singapore of the Middle East. He was also the first to encourage an alliance of security interests between secular Turkey and Israel. Like many of us, he too believed that so long as Mubarak stayed in power, the peace agreement would last. He was also confident that Mubarak's corrupt son would perpetuate his father's policies. After all, billions of dollars of American aid should not be taken lightly.

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Path of peace is Israel's only choice in new Mideast
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Yoel Marcus - February 25, 2011 - 1:00am

President Shimon Peres, an incorrigible optimist, promised us a new Middle East. He even predicted that the day would come when Gaza would turn into the Singapore of the Middle East. He was also the first to encourage an alliance of security interests between secular Turkey and Israel. Like many of us, he too believed that so long as Mubarak stayed in power, the peace agreement would last. He was also confident that Mubarak's corrupt son would perpetuate his father's policies. After all, billions of dollars of American aid should not be taken lightly.

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