Netanyahu is biting off the U.S. hand that feeds him
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
(Editorial) September 8, 2011 - 12:00am

Robert (Bob ) Gates was one of the most experienced and sophisticated figures in the U.S. administration. Through his skills and connections he became head of the CIA, won the confidence of presidents and members of their inner circles as far back as the Carter administration and was appointed the second secretary of defense in the George W. Bush administration. Gates was the only top Bush aide who was asked, and agreed, to remain in his post in the Obama administration as a Republican among Democrats.

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Israel faces perfect storm in shifting region
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Alertnet
by Crispian Balmer - (Analysis) September 8, 2011 - 12:00am

Militarily strong, Israel is battling a diplomatic storm as Arab uprisings upset once-stable relationships and worsen the Jewish state's isolation in its conflict with the Palestinians. Domestic political pressures are exacerbating the problems, as is the perceived weakness of Israel's main ally, the United States, which is itself struggling to adapt to the consequences of the turbulence that has swept the Arab world this year.

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Fanatics, let’s separate
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Einat Barzilay - (Opinion) September 8, 2011 - 12:00am

In recent days I found two words to hate – price tag. Once upon a time it used to be in the fashion context and pertained to expensive blouses I could never afford, yet now it’s much more painful, because the despicable term is linked to kippas and biblical excerpts, the materials comprising my faith. I too squirmed when I saw the demolition of the homes in Migron, even though in my view it would have been better not to build there illegally to begin with, as not to face such painful situations later on. Yet nonetheless, the people of Migron are my brothers.

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Encountering Peace: The loss of youth
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Gershon Baskin - (Opinion) September 5, 2011 - 12:00am

One of the most uplifting characteristics of summer 2011 in Israel was the realization of the leadership of Israel’s youth. Inspiring! There is no better word to describe how uplifting it was to see our young people take to the streets and demonstrate their leadership. Their organization, supported by their command of new technologies and new media and augmented by their energy and optimism, swept across the land, and their enthusiasm captured the very spirit of Israel.

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Borderline Views: Freedom of expression in danger
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by David Newman - (Opinion) September 5, 2011 - 12:00am

I write a column in a newspaper for two purposes. One is to inform, the other is to contribute to the public debate by presenting views which are not always popular to the specific readership, but which are designed to raise questions and debate. I write as an individual and am personally responsible for the views expressed in my columns.

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Israelis seek EU passports amid existential angst
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Statesman
by Dan Perry - (Analysis) September 2, 2011 - 12:00am

TEL AVIV, Israel — Despite their country's turbulent history, Israelis enjoy a fairly secure existence: they have military might, a world-class high tech industry powering a strong economy, and America as a solid ally. Yet in recent years, tens of thousands have requested and received the citizenship of European countries like Poland and Germany, which were killing fields for Jews just decades ago. On the surface, the attraction is practical: An EU passport enables free travel and work in the entire union of 27 nations, giving access to high quality and subsidized higher education.

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Israel may have missed its chance for Mideast peace
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Yoel Marcus - (Opinion) September 2, 2011 - 12:00am

We have five submarines and some of the most sophisticated planes in the world, with the last word - the F-35 - on the way. According to foreign sources we also have a nuclear capability. But still one Arab equipped with a knife can cause havoc in an entertainment district in south Tel Aviv. Nobody sent him, it came from his heart. We have one of the best armies and intelligence services in the world, and still terrorists set up a bloody ambush on the road to Eilat and catch us unprepared.

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Why Palestinians can't recognize a 'Jewish state'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Hassan Jabareen - (Opinion) September 2, 2011 - 12:00am

In his speech before the U.S. Congress last May, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posed a serious challenge to the Palestinian Authority: If the PA would just say, "We recognize Israel as a Jewish state," this would be sufficient to end the conflict. Israel, said Netanyahu, would be the first to vote for Palestinian statehood in the United Nations. The response of PA Prime Minister Dr. Salam Fayyad, in a recent interview with Haaretz, was that, "Israel's character is its own business. It is not up to the Palestinians to define it."

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Hardliner and Tent City Leader Tell Tale of Two Israels
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Forward
by Leonard Fein - (Opinion) September 1, 2011 - 12:00am

There is a man in Israel of whom you most likely have never heard, though he is among the noisiest people in the country. His name is Danny Danon. He’s 40 years old, has been in the Knesset for all of two years, yet serves as deputy speaker and chair of its Committee for Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs, as well as sitting on a plethora of other committees, including those dealing with foreign affairs and women’s and children’s issues. He is also chair of World Likud — and a close friend, so both of them say, of Glenn Beck.

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Fate of the Egyptian – Israeli peace treaty
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Asharq Alawsat
by Bilal Hassen - (Opinion) September 1, 2011 - 12:00am

The Eilat (Um al-Rushrash) Fedayeen [commando] attack on a number of Israeli targets which took place on 18 August 2011 [Southern Israel cross-border attacks], and the implications of this, continue to gather pace like a snowball rolling down a mountainside. Information surrounding this attack remains vague, and there is no concrete information about those who carried it out, or where they came from. Israel claim that the perpetrators came from Gaza, crossed the Sinai Peninsula, entered Egyptian territory, and attacked Israeli targets from Egyptian soil.

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