U.S.: Possible UN censure of settlements 'not helpful' to peace process
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
January 20, 2011 - 1:00am

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict should be resolved through direct peace negotiations, not by submitting resolutions to the UN Security Council condemning Israeli settlements, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Thursday. The United States has opposed a move by Arab countries to bring a resolution condemning the settlement, but has not said it would use its veto to block passage.

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The immorality of Assaults on Christians in Arab/Muslim Societies
Media Mention of Ziad Asali In Tikkun - January 20, 2011 - 1:00am

We at Tikkun/NSP who often critique the extremism and violence that characterizes Israeli attacks on Palestinians and Arabs have an equal responsibility to critique the extremists in the Arab world. Ziad Asali, former chair of the ADC (Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee), was an honoree at a Tikkun/NSP conference in D.C. in 2004. Asali and Ibish present a critique of extremist ideas in the Arab and Muslim world that should be taken seriously by Arabs and Muslims around the world.

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Obama at Half Time: Two Years in the Middle East
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Council on Foreign Relations
by Elliott Abrams - (Blog) January 19, 2011 - 1:00am

There will be many assessments of what President Obama has achieved in the Middle East during his two years as President, and few will be positive.

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Foreign Ministry talks break down; sanctions to intensify
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Herb Keinon - January 19, 2011 - 1:00am

Talks between the Finance Ministry representatives and Foreign Ministry workers broke down in a late night session Tuesday. The Foreign Ministry workers were expected to announce an intensification of sanctions as part of the labor dispute, Channel 10 reported. The meeting convened Tuesday night focused on trying to put an end to the workers sanctions that claimed another victim – cancellation of a large UN meeting planned for Israel in March. Representatives of the ministry’s workers were meeting for the third time in as many days with Ilan Levin, the Treasury’s wages director.

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Does Arab Money Fund Left-wing Israeli NGOs?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward
by Nathan Jeffay - January 19, 2011 - 1:00am

In the context of Israeli politics, it is the most incendiary charge made thus far against human rights groups and other left-wing nongovernmental organizations: that some of the money that funds their work comes from Arabs — or even from terrorists. As the Knesset steams ahead with plans to probe the country’s human rights groups, critics of the NGOs are now seeking to advance this charge with a study that purports to supply supporting data.

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The lost art of stepping down
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Asharq Alawsat
by Abdul Rahman Al-Rashed - (Opinion) January 19, 2011 - 1:00am

Former Arab leaders who can peacefully walk the streets of the country they once ruled are something of a rarity. In fact, there are very few former Arab leaders around today. Everyone highlights the example of [Abdel Rahman] Swar al-Dahab, who ruled Sudan for less than one year [1985-86], before voluntarily handing power over to his successor, and returning to his normal life. It is true that al-Dahab is an exception to my earlier statement, but we should not also forget that he came to power via a military coup.

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Egyptian website removes gunman shooting news
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
January 18, 2011 - 1:00am

Egypt's Ahramonline website removed a news item about a gunman's shooting from its website half an hour after it was published. A security source told Xinhua the shooting might not have happened. The website said in its deleted news that a masked gunman opened fire at a police station in Giza's Haram district on Tuesday, and killed a policeman.


Israel concerned Russia will recognize Palestinian state
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Barak Ravid - January 18, 2011 - 1:00am

Israeli officials fear that Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will announce on Tuesday during a visit to Jericho that Russia recognizes a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders. Medvedev is to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. The Russian president's planned visit to Israel was canceled due to the Foreign Ministry strike.

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Before the UN makes a decision for us
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Uriel Reichman - (Opinion) January 18, 2011 - 1:00am

On November 29, 2011 the UN General Assembly decided by a large majority to recognize a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders. This scenario, despite American efforts (as of now) to prevent it, is becoming increasingly real. It is even possible that the vote at the UN will take place earlier, and it is not impossible that it will include elements that are problematic for Israel, such as the return of refugees and decisions regarding Jerusalem and the timetable for implementation.

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Russia reaffirms recognition of Palestinian state
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News
January 18, 2011 - 1:00am

The Russian president, on a rare visit to the West Bank, has reaffirmed Moscow's recognition of an independent Palestinian state. Dmitry Medvedev said Russia had recognised the state in 1988 and his country's position remained unchanged. The Russian premier's visit seeks to revive a collapsed peace process. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is seeking the country's support for a tougher stance towards Jewish settlements at the UN Security Council.

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