UN envoy: All settlements contrary to international law
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
June 8, 2012 - 12:00am

The UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process on Thursday reiterated the international community's view that settlements in occupied Palestinian territory are illegitimate. In a statement, Robert Serry said that Israel's settlements were contrary to international law "whether on private Palestinian land or elsewhere in occupied Palestinian territory."

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Processing Delay
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Foreign Policy
by Elliott Abrams - (Opinion) June 8, 2012 - 12:00am

Summer 2012. Israel's elections have been delayed until late next year by the formation of a new coalition government. The "Arab Spring" is producing Muslim Brotherhood victories, Salafi gains, chaos in Syria, disorder in Egypt, tremors in Jordan. Iran's nuclear program moves steadily forward despite tougher sanctions and ongoing negotiations between Iran and the world's major powers. In the United States,

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Palestinian President Abbas 'would accept' UN upgrade
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC World News
June 8, 2012 - 12:00am

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas says he is ready to accept "non-member state" status at the United Nations, if Israel does not resume peace talks. He made the comments as French President Francois Hollande lent his support to Palestinian aims for UN state recognition. Last September the Palestinian bid for full member status fell apart when the United States said it would veto it. Security Council backing is required for bids for full UN membership.

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U.S. Aides in Israel Give Assurances About Iran
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Mark Landler - June 6, 2012 - 12:00am

President Obama and his senior advisers have said little publicly about Iran since the resumption of negotiations over its nuclear in April, preferring to let the diplomats hash out the issues in the hope that tensions with Tehran can be managed, at least until the election in November.

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Far-right Europeans and Israelis: this toxic alliance spells trouble
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian
by Rachel Shabi - (Opinion) June 6, 2012 - 12:00am

Last month, demonstrations against African refugees in Tel Aviv turned violent. Protesters looted shops, broke windows and firebombed buildings, including a nursery. Days ago, arsonists torched the home of 10 African migrants in Jerusalem, injuring four, and leaving the unequivocal graffiti: "Get out of the neighbourhood."

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Camp David Pact May Be Revised No Matter Who Wins Egypt Vote
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-Monitor
by Ashraf Khalil - (Opinion) June 6, 2012 - 12:00am

Egyptians are a domestically-obsessed population right now. It’s understandable given the state of the country 15 months after Hosni Mubarak was ousted from power.

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Germany and Israel's 'special relationship' in spotlight
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News
by Stephen Evans - June 5, 2012 - 12:00am

If ever there were two countries with a truly "special relationship", they are Germany and Israel. For obvious reasons of history, they are bound together. The genocidal madness of a previous generation of the one and the suffering of the victims of a previous generation of the other make them intertwined in a way no other two countries are. But is the relationship changing? There are certainly signs that it is being re-examined in Germany. What was taken as a given in the past is now up for questioning.

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Israel's 'draconian' measures will not deter African migrants
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National
by Vita Bekker - June 5, 2012 - 12:00am

Refugee advocates yesterday criticised as "draconian" Israel's announcement that it would begin jailing African asylum-seekers for up to three years, saying the measure would do little to deter more migrants from entering Israel illegally. In another development that reflected hostility towards the newcomers arriving through the Israeli-Egyptian desert border, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli premier, said yesterday that Israel will step up deportation plans for 25,000 of the migrants.

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Egyptian status quo ends for Israelis, Palestinians
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
by Crispian Balmer - (Opinion) June 5, 2012 - 12:00am

Far apart on so many issues, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas almost certainly see eye to eye on the Egyptian presidential election. Both would like Ahmed Shafiq, a former air force chief who served as Hosni Mubarak's last prime minister, beat the Muslim Brotherhood's anointed candidate, Mohamed Mursi, in the June 16-17 ballot.

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US: Israel "supportive" on future Iran sanctions
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
by Dan Williams - June 4, 2012 - 12:00am

The United States is conferring with Israel about new sanctions planned against Iran should international negotiations this month fail to curb the Islamic Republic's nuclear programme, a U.S. official said on Monday. The comment offered a strong hint that Washington is continuing to apply the brakes on any plan by Israel to attack Iranian nuclear facilities preemptively.

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