Israel's feeling of isolation is becoming more pronounced
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post
by Janine Zacharia - June 22, 2010 - 12:00am

An Elton John concert ordinarily isn't front-page news. But in Israel, where many feel more shunned than they have in decades, the legendary pop icon's decision to perform in Tel Aviv last Thursday was cause for celebration. After weeks of dreary reports about artists caving to calls to boycott Israel, Israeli diplomats being expelled by friendly allies, and even pressure from the United States to change course in Gaza, John allowed Israel an opportunity "for three hours," as one music reviewer put it, "to be a normal country."

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Clipped wings
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Ze'ev Segal - (Opinion) June 21, 2010 - 12:00am

The Turkel Committee that is investigating the handling of last month's Gaza-bound flotilla - otherwise known as the "independent public committee" - convened last week for a preparatory meeting. The committee is a kind of Israeli council of sages whose purposes are to examine whether the naval blockade and the way it was enforced were compatible with international law, and to placate the world, especially the United States.

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Israeli political reform has become a life or death matter
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Star
by Adi Mintz - (Opinion) June 18, 2010 - 12:00am

What is wrong with Israel? In the last few years, the country seems to have done more than all of its combined enemies to delegitimize itself in the eyes of the world. The apparent inability of its leaders to think in strategic terms, and their indifference to the tribunal of global public opinion, is resulting in growing frustration among its citizens. And what may be more dangerous in this, such behavior is also deepening Israel’s international isolation.

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Israel announces let-up to Gaza siege - but only in English
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Barak Ravid - June 18, 2010 - 12:00am

The Prime Minister's Office announced on Thursday that the security cabinet had agreed to relax Israel's blockade on the Gaza Strip, but as it turns out, no binding decision was ever made during the cabinet meeting. The Prime Minister's Office issued a press release in English following the meeting, which was also sent to foreign diplomats, was substantially different than the Hebrew announcement – according to the English text, a decision was made to ease the blockade, but in the Hebrew text there was no mention of any such decision.

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The seven pillars of wisdom: Who's who in Israel's decision-making forum
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Doron Rosenblum - June 18, 2010 - 12:00am

As to the Rock of Gibraltar, which thrusts, stable and trustworthy, out of the tempestuous waters below, so the eyes of the Jewish nation are uplifted in these turbulent times to the Ministerial Forum of Seven.

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Beyond the Gaza blockade: What drives Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Christian Science Monitor
by Ilene Prusher - June 18, 2010 - 12:00am

It was one of those moments in Israeli politics – any nation's politics – in which the numbers just don't add up. Lawmakers had been toiling all night trying to fashion a budget. Now night had turned into dawn and debate into occasional tempestuousness when, at 7 a.m., Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strode into the Knesset in his trademark crisp white shirt, designer tie, and dark suit.

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Allegiance to Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Asharq Alawsat
by Osman Mirghani - June 17, 2010 - 12:00am

"It would have been hypocritical for me not to speak out about Israeli violations of international law simply because I am Jewish." This is what Judge Richard Goldstone said in self-defense against the violent attack that he faced from South African Jewish leaders and Israel as a result of his report on the Gaza War.

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Twins under siege
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Ari Shavit - June 17, 2010 - 12:00am

Two or three times a week Defense Minister Ehud Barak's bureau receives a telephone call from the White House. On the line is Biden - Vice President of the United States Joe Biden. The conversation between Joe and Ehud is almost always friendly, almost always solving difficult problems amicably. Joe is what America used to be and Ehud is what Israel used to be. Together they're trying to restore the American-Israeli alliance to what it used to be.

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Arab Israeli the most hated person in Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Globe and Mail
by Patrick Martin - June 15, 2010 - 12:00am

Two weeks ago, she was virtually unknown. But after travelling aboard the Gaza-bound Mavi Marmara, on which nine Turkish citizens were killed when Israeli commandos stormed the boat, Hanin Zoaby, a 41-year-old, first-term Knesset member, has become the most hated person in Israel. As an Arab Israeli, she also has found herself at the centre of a new political force with which Israel will have to contend.

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Shin Bet Chief: Hamas buying land within Jerusalem
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Jonathan Lis - June 15, 2010 - 12:00am

Shin Bet security service director Yuval Diskin said on Tuesday that the Islamist group Hamas was busy buying up land within the municipal territory of Jerusalem. Speaking at the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Diskin added that the central forces currently operating in East Jerusalem were the Palestinian Authority, Hamas and the Islamic Movement. He explained that they were competing with each other over influence and presence in the area.

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