A summer camp for political dissenters in Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Christian Science Monitor
by Danna Harman - August 26, 2008 - 8:00pm

Weeks before her scheduled conscription into the Israeli army, at a time when most other 18-year-olds were gearing up for mandatory service, Saar Vardi was in the forest – talking about pacifism. One of a small group of Israeli conscientious objectors, Ms. Vardi spent her last days of summer at a unique camp – counseling others who might follow in her activist footsteps.

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Hamas: Gilad Schalit May Become Ron Arad 2
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
August 21, 2008 - 12:00am

"If the enemy continues with its stubborn attitude, Gilad Schalit will become a second Ron Arad," a spokesman for Izzadin Kassam, Hamas\'s armed wing, said Wednesday, after the group held a large-scale drill on the site of the ruins of the former Gaza settlement of Netzarim. Schalit has been held captive in Gaza for over two years. Arad is an IAF navigator who parachuted into Lebanon in the 1980s and was captured by the Amal Shi\'ite group, but went missing some years later. His fate is unknown.

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Hamas: Gilad Schalit may become Ron Arad 2
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
August 19, 2008 - 8:00pm

"If the enemy continues with its stubborn attitude, Gilad Schalit will become a second Ron Arad," a spokesman for Izzadin Kassam, Hamas's armed wing, said Wednesday, after the group held a large-scale drill on the site of the ruins of the former Gaza settlement of Netzarim. Schalit has been held captive in Gaza for over two years. Arad is an IAF navigator who parachuted into Lebanon in the 1980s and was captured by the Amal Shi'ite group, but went missing some years later. His fate is unknown.

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Olmert: Barak Blocking Cabinet Debate On Defense Issues
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
August 18, 2008 - 12:00am

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Sunday accused Defense Minister Ehud Barak of blocking cabinet debate on issues of security. "Because of you, it is impossible to conduct a serious discussion on the defense establishment," Olmert told Barak during the cabinet's weekly meeting in Jerusalem.

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Olmert: Barak blocking cabinet debate on defense issues
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Tal Levy - August 16, 2008 - 8:00pm

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Sunday accused Defense Minister Ehud Barak of blocking cabinet debate on issues of security. "Because of you, it is impossible to conduct a serious discussion on the defense establishment," Olmert told Barak during the cabinet's weekly meeting in Jerusalem. The criticism came amid debate on the 2009 defense budget, which according to Olmert, was never even raised for cabinet discussion, after National Infrastructure Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer attacked the Treasury's proposal the cabinet decides whether to invest in defense or welfare.

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Israel’s Livni faces tough battle to win Olmert’s job
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from United Press International (UPI)
by Martin Sieff - July 30, 2008 - 8:00pm

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni is the front-runner to succeed her boss, Ehud Olmert, as prime minister of Israel, but she could lose out to tough old Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz, and, even if she wins, she isn't likely to keep the job long. Olmert, the most unpopular and discredited prime minister in Israel's entire history, announced Wednesday he would resign in September as a corruption probe that could put him in court to face possible bribery charges crawls ever closer.

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Turning Words Into Concrete Actions
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Middle East Progress
by Brigadier General (ret.) Ilan Paz - (Interview) March 27, 2008 - 12:17pm

Q: What is your current assessment of the Israel-Palestinian track since the Annapolis conference?

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The Recent Gaza Escalation
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Common Ground News Service
by Americans For Peace Now - March 7, 2008 - 6:29pm

Over the past few days Israelis, Palestinians, and the world have witnessed the unfolding of a serious and dangerous military escalation between Israel and Hamas. This crisis is a symptom of failed policies, irresponsible actions, and a lack of strategic thinking. Further escalating the violence in Gaza may deal a fatal blow to the credibility and viability of the peace process, and would erode support for the peace process among both Israelis and Palestinians.

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On The Path To Bitter Disappointment
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Uzi Benziman - (Opinion) March 3, 2008 - 7:02pm

It was hard not to be confused yesterday by the reports and statements concerning the aims of the Israel Defense Forces operation in the Gaza Strip. Defense Minister Ehud Barak explained on Israel Radio that the operation is meant "at the end of the day" to stop the Qassam rocket attacks, but in and of itself it will not end the shooting. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was even more unequivocal: During the cabinet meeting he stated, "Israel has no intention to end the fighting against terror," and that "over the coming days we will hold security discussions...

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Thousands Rally Across Mideast To Protest Idf Attacks On Gaza
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
March 3, 2008 - 6:56pm

Tens of thousands of Syrians filled the central square of Damascus Monday to protest ongoing Israel Defense Forces operations in the Gaza Strip that have killed more than 100 Palestinians, while elsewhere in the region thousands others also demonstrated. The Syrians chanted slogans against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and called on Arab leaders to take a tough stand on U.S. support for Israel as it continues its air and ground offensive against Palestinians in Gaza. "With soul and blood we sacrifice ourselves for you Palestine," the crowd

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