Clinton: UNESCO should rethink vote to admit Palestine
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
October 6, 2011 - 12:00am

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday that the UN cultural agency UNESCO should "think again" on plans to vote on Palestinian membership, noting that such a move could cause the United States to cut funds for the organization. Clinton, speaking to reporters in the Dominican Republic where she was on an official visit, said she found it "inexplicable" that UNESCO would consider moving ahead on a Palestinian vote while the issue was still before the United Nations Security Council.

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Hamas popularity hits a new low after opposing UN statehood bid
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Christian Science Monitor
by Kristen Chick - October 6, 2011 - 12:00am

Of the many complaints in Gaza, one has become a popular refrain: the increasing taxes levied by Hamas. Fathi Abu Gamar, a gas station owner in Jabaliya refugee camp, readily joins the chorus: The Islamist movement that rules this tiny coastal territory takes more than half his revenue from gas sales, he says, leaving him with a tiny profit.

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Palestinian anger at US rising over UN veto threat
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Statesman
by Mohammed Daraghmeh - October 6, 2011 - 12:00am

Palestinians have long been skeptical of America's ability to help them win independence. But low expectations have turned into frustration and in some cases outright anger after the U.S. threatened to derail a bid for U.N. recognition of an independent state and Congress put a hold on $200 million in badly needed aid.

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Ex-Israeli officials: 'Price tag' attacks could start intifada
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
October 6, 2011 - 12:00am

Following a recent increase in 'Price tag' attacks on Palestinian holy sites, former high-ranking Israeli security officials warned of the risk of a surge in violence across the region. The attack this week on a mosque in the village of Tuba-Zangariya in northern Israel, where the interior prayer hall and religious emblems were set on fire, was the most recent in a series of attacks that Jewish settlers label "Price Tag" attacks, signifying payback for any Israeli curbs on settlements in the West Bank.

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Israel may increase PA control in goodwill gesture
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Yaakov Katz - October 6, 2011 - 12:00am

The government is considering a Palestinian request to transfer security control of additional territory in the West Bank to PA security forces as a goodwill gesture to President Mahmoud Abbas. The initiative may be linked to efforts to get Abbas to agree to renew negotiations. The territory under consideration to be transferred is in Area B (assigned under the Oslo Accords to PA civil and Israeli security control) and Area C (assigned under the Oslo Accords to full Israeli control).

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Europeans want another settlement freeze from PM
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Herb Keinon - October 6, 2011 - 12:00am

Some of Israel’s best friends in Europe, such as Germany and the Netherlands, are urging Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to freeze construction across the Green Line as a way to bring the Palestinian Authority back to talks, western diplomatic officials told The Jerusalem Post Wednesday. The idea, according to the officials, is for Israel to refrain “from provocative action” in order to pave the way for the Palestinians to accept the new Quartet proposals and get them back to the negotiating table.

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Sarkozy: It is silly to talk about a Jewish state
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Lior Zilberstein - October 6, 2011 - 12:00am

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has always described himself as a true friend of Israel. However, according to unusual statements attributed to him in the French magazine Le Canard Enchaîne, he unequivocally sides with the Palestinians. The paper quotes comments made by the French leader during a cabinet meeting held upon his return from last month's UN General Assembly, Yedioth Aharonoth reported.

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Is Israel Its Own Worst Enemy?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Nicholas D. Kristof - (Opinion) October 6, 2011 - 12:00am

For decades, Palestinian leaders sometimes seemed to be their own people’s worst enemies. Palestinian radicals antagonized the West, and, when militant leaders turned to hijackings and rockets, they undermined the Palestinian cause around the world. They empowered Israeli settlers and hard-liners, while eviscerating Israeli doves.

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Anwar Sadat's vision for Egypt
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times
by Scott MacLeod - (Opinion) October 6, 2011 - 12:00am

Egyptians have hardly noticed as the 30th anniversary of Anwar Sadat's death approached this week. It isn't only because they're too busy with ongoing political protests and labor strikes as the country zigzags toward democratic elections. They just don't care.

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Turkey’s potential as Middle East leader marred by Israel dispute
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Christian Science Monitor
by John Hughes - (Opinion) October 6, 2011 - 12:00am

If asked which Muslim country in the Middle East is most significant to them, many Americans might cite Saudi Arabia because of its oil. Some might suggest Egypt because it is the heart of the Arab world. But the fact is that Turkey, perhaps with memories of past Ottoman glory, seems intent on becoming the most influential leader in the greater Middle East, and might overtake Saudi Arabia and Egypt in significance regionally, and for the United States.

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