Lieberman takes first foreign trip as minister
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National
by Vita Bekker - May 4, 2009 - 12:00am

vigdor Lieberman embarks today on his first official European tour since becoming Israel’s new foreign minister as his hardline government bids to mitigate escalating tensions with the European Union, prompted by its resistance to the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel. The top diplomat, who has drawn fire for controversial statements against Israel’s Arab minority and his opposition to making territorial concessions in exchange for peace, will meet his counterparts in Italy, France, the Czech Republic and Germany this week.

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AIPAC delegates to lobby for two-state solution
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Hilary Leila Krieger - May 4, 2009 - 12:00am

While Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is refusing to explicitly endorse a two-state solution to resolve the Palestinian conflict, participants at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee Policy Conference will this week be urging their elected representatives to press President Barack Obama for precisely that.

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The Dangers of the US Submission to the Accomplished Fact with Iran and Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Dar Al-Hayat
by Raghida Dergham - (Opinion) May 1, 2009 - 12:00am

'Reassurance' could be the title of the current phase of Barack Obama's administration, in anticipation of what strategies it will disclose for the Middle East region, including Iran, Israel, and Pakistan, as well as Iraq, Palestine, and Lebanon.

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Peres to Meet Obama Next Week
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP)
April 29, 2009 - 12:00am

Israeli President Shimon Peres will visit the United States next week where he will meet President Barack Obama in the first high-level meeting between the two allies since the new US administration took office. Peres will leave this weekend for Washington to represent Israel at the annual conference of the pro-Israeli lobby AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee), his office said in a statement. “During his stay in Washington, Peres will hold talks with US President Barack Obama,” it said, without providing a date.

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Probable Pick For New Israeli Envoy Often at Odds With U.S.
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward
by Nathan Guttman - April 29, 2009 - 12:00am

Michael Oren, a prominent historian widely seen as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s imminent pick to represent Israel in Washington, is a highly regarded writer and an articulate and telegenic speaker. But his public viewpoints on a number of key issues clash sharply with those of the Obama administration, to which he soon may be credentialed.

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Israel worried over US move on PA gov't
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Hilary Leila Krieger, Haviv Rettig - April 28, 2009 - 12:00am

Senior Israeli officials said Monday they were "concerned" at the prospect that the US may approve funding for a Palestinian Authority government that includes Hamas. The concern arose after it became known that the Obama administration had asked Congress for minor changes in US law that would allow the continued provision of funds to the PA even if Hamas officials became part of a Palestinian unity government. The Jerusalem Post has learned from a highly placed source that Israeli officials are very troubled by the possibility of US funds going to a government that includes Hamas.

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PM aide: Netanyahu's Mideast policy likely by time of U.S. visit
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Gidi Weitz - April 28, 2009 - 12:00am

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's review of Israel's policy on the Middle East is expected to be completed by the time he visits the United States next month, an aide to the premier said Tuesday. Defense Minister Ehud Barak told Haaretz on Monday that he believes Netanyahu will present the U.S. administration a diplomatic plan in line with the principle of "two states for two nations" during his upcoming visit to Washington.

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‘All roads lead to Jerusalem'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times
April 28, 2009 - 12:00am

His Majesty King Abdullah once again called for American leadership in bringing about serious negotiations to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict based on the two-state solution. In an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press”, aired Sunday at the conclusion of his visit to the US, King Abdullah said that, historically, both sides have always come to the negotiating table with an excuse not to go the last mile.

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Middle East peace requires joint effort
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Gulf News
April 28, 2009 - 12:00am

In order to find a just and lasting peace and end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it is crucial that all concerned parties become engaged in the process. It is vital that the major powers, and the United States in particular, take on and continue to support a dialogue for peace between the two sides.

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ATFP Senior Fellow Debates ADL’s Dallas Director on Middle East Peace
Press Release - Contact Information: Hussein Ibish - April 27, 2009 - 12:00am

On April 21, ATFP Senior Fellow Hussein Ibish debated the Dallas regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, Mark L. Briskman, on the future of peace and conflict between Israel and the Palestinians at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Ibish emphasized the strong need both parties have for a peace agreement and the important role the Obama administration should play in helping them move forward. Ibish said the conflict was driven by the occupation and that ending it was the key to any viable peace agreement. Mr.



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