Senate amendment penalizing Palestinians for U.N. status does not pass
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA)
December 5, 2012 - 1:00am


WASHINGTON (JTA) -- A U.S. Senate amendment that would have penalized Palestinians for seeking non-member state status at the United Nations was not attached to its intended law.


Israel, Palestinians escalate settlement showdown
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
by Amy Teibel - December 5, 2012 - 1:00am


JERUSALEM — Palestinians and Israelis hardened their positions Wednesday over a contentious new settlement push around Jerusalem, with Israel going full throttle on plans to develop the area and the Palestinians trying to block it through an appeal to the U.N. Security Council.


Hamas chief to make first visit to Gaza on Friday
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
by Nidal al-Mughrabi - December 5, 2012 - 1:00am


GAZA, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal will make his first visit to the Gaza Strip on Friday to attend the Palestinian Islamist group's 25th anniversary rally, Hamas sources said on Wednesday.


Israel’s missing peace offensive
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times
by Shlomo Ben-Ami - (Opinion) December 5, 2012 - 1:00am


Even before the latest ceasefire took hold, it had become clear that the dilemma facing Israel in Gaza entails more than simply developing military answers to the challenge posed by Hamas.


Netanyahu says Israel still committed to Palestinians peace deal
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
December 5, 2012 - 1:00am


PRAGUE, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Israel remains committed to a negotiated settlement with the Palestinians, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday, despite worries among the Jewish state's European allies over its plans to build more settlements.


Merkel to warn Netanyahu: Promote peace process or face world seclusion
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Barak Ravid - December 5, 2012 - 1:00am


With Israel and European Union states embroiled in a diplomatic crisis, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel Wednesday night in Berlin.


Israel faces lowest point in Europe relations in decades
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Christian Science Monitor
by Christa Case Bryant - December 4, 2012 - 1:00am


Jerusalem-The unusually strong European rebuke of Israel’s plans to tighten its grip on land sought for a Palestinian state marks at least a 30-year low point in relations, say Israeli foreign policy scholars. While the nature of Europe’s complaint is not new, the tone reflects both heightened urgency about salvaging the two-state solution, and accumulated impatience with a government seen as diplomatically tone deaf.


Palestinians warn Israel must be held accountable over settlements
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
December 4, 2012 - 1:00am


UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -- The Palestinians accused Israel in a letter to the United Nations of planning to commit further "war crimes" by expanding Jewish settlements after the Palestinians won de facto UN recognition of statehood and warned that Israel must be held accountable.


PA to use new UN status to create 'international front'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
(Analysis) December 4, 2012 - 1:00am


BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) – The Palestinian Authority will seek to take advantage of the qualitative support by some European countries against Israel’s policies in the Palestinian territory through creating an international front to urge countries to take more strict positions against Israel, says the Palestinian minister of foreign affairs.


Cheering U.N. Palestine Vote, Synagogue Tests Its Members
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Joseph Berger, Sharon Otterman - December 4, 2012 - 1:00am


Congregation B’nai Jeshurun, a large synagogue on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, is known for its charismatic rabbis, its energetic and highly musical worship, and its liberal stances on social causes.



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