Shimon Peres defends Israel's policies as vital to security
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times
by Edmund Sanders - (Interview) June 23, 2010 - 12:00am

Reporting from Jerusalem Israeli President Shimon Peres said Tuesday that his nation's policy on the Gaza Strip has not yielded the results the government expected, and he criticized municipal plans to tear down 22 Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem to make way for redevelopment. But the 86-year-old former prime minister vigorously defended Israel's overall policies as vital to its security, saying international critics don't face the daily threat of terrorism. He spoke with the Los Angeles Times on Tuesday in his Jerusalem office.

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Palestinian settlers?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
by Akram Baker - June 23, 2010 - 12:00am

The question of Israel's illegal settlements in occupied Palestine is one of the core issues of the conflict. In blatant violation of international law, the continuing expansion of new and existing settlements by consecutive Israeli governments has caused a major rift between Israel and the Obama administration. And while the entire world (with the notable exception of Israel) is in agreement that the settlements must to a large extent be dismantled in any peace agreement, the question of what to do with the settlers themselves is even thornier.

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Israel slams Palestinians for lack of direct talks
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
June 23, 2010 - 12:00am

JERUSALEM, June 22 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed the Palestinians on Tuesday for the absence of direct peace talks and insisted negotiations should resume right away "without delay and without preconditions". Israeli-Palestinian talks were renewed on an indirect basis last month under U.S. sponsorship, after an 18-month hiatus since a war in Gaza and disputes over Jewish settlement building in occupied land.

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The way forward
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Gershon Baskin - (Opinion) June 22, 2010 - 12:00am

Under the public radar and due to extreme amounts of skepticism, George Mitchell’s mediation efforts continue without public debate or concern. The silence is because almost no one believes they will be constructive, and the media blackout imposed by Mitchell. Four rounds of talks have taken place. The parameters have been set, the process has begun, and now it is time to get serious. The proximity talks can produce agreements; this is how I think they should proceed:

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Jerusalem revives plan to raze Palestinian homes
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Statesman
by Amy Teibel - June 21, 2010 - 12:00am

A Jerusalem planning body on Monday approved a plan to raze 22 Palestinian homes in east Jerusalem to make room for an Israeli tourist center, a decision that could raise tensions in the divided city and deepen the conflict with the Obama adminstration. Back in March, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had pressured Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat to hold up the plan so authorities could consult with Palestinians who would lose their homes — a delay that appeared to be aimed at fending off criticism from the U.S.

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Asali addresses The Israel Project
Speech by Ziad Asali at National Press Club - June 21, 2010 - 12:00am

Dear Jennifer, Thank you and the board and staff of The Israel Project for inviting me to address this distinguished audience. For those of us working here in the United States towards a reasonable and final end of conflict agreement between Israel and the Palestinians, the challenge is more daunting than in most contexts, and the stakes are higher. Those of us who care deeply about peace, Israel, the Palestinians and, above all, our own country, understand that it is our historic mission at this time to spare no effort and to work together towards achieving this crucial goal.

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East Jerusalem Building Plan Advances
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Isabel Kershner - June 21, 2010 - 12:00am

Jerusalem’s city hall advanced rezoning and development plans on Monday for a hotly contested area of East Jerusalem, another example of an awkwardly timed, seemingly bureaucratic Israeli maneuver that could upset fragile peace efforts.

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Palestinian politicians reject Israeli deportation order
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post
by Samuel Sockol - June 21, 2010 - 12:00am

Four Palestinian politicians affiliated with the Islamist Hamas party on Monday rejected an Israeli order that they relocate to the West Bank. Israel revoked the Jerusalem residency status of the three members of the defunct Palestinian parliament and a former cabinet minister after they refused to resign from their positions and were deemed "disloyal" to the state. The move stripped them of their ability to live in the city legally.

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Gaza, Through Fresh Eyes
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Ethan Bronner - June 11, 2010 - 12:00am

For some, it’s the relative modernity — the jazzy cellphone stores and pricey restaurants. For others, it’s the endless beaches with children whooping it up. But for nearly everyone who visits Gaza, often with worry of danger and hostility, what’s surprising is the fact that daily life, while troubled, often has the staggering quality of the very ordinary.

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Charlie Rose Interview With President Abbas
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from PBS - Charlie Rose
(Interview) June 10, 2010 - 12:00am

Transcript of June 9, 2010 Abbas Interview with Charlie Rose on PBS below: Charlie Rose: You met with the president. What came out of that meet something did you get what you wanted? And what did he want from you?

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