Emanuel: This is Israel's moment of truth
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Yitzhak Benhorin - May 4, 2009 - 12:00am

US President Barack Obama plans to act firmly and decisively in order to reach durable peace, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel said Sunday night in a closed forum attended by 300 of the biggest donors of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). The event was held as part of the pro-Israel's lobby annual conference in Washington.

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Israel to EU: Criticism of Netanyahu government unacceptable
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Barak Ravid - April 30, 2009 - 12:00am

A Foreign Ministry official has been warning European countries that unless they curtail criticism of Benjamin Netanyahu's government, Israel will block the European Union from participating in the diplomatic process with the Palestinians. The main target of the offensive is EU External Affairs Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner, who recently called for a freeze in upgrading ties with Israel over its peace process policies.

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Israel, EU to postpone summit while Netanyahu makes policy
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Gulf News
April 30, 2009 - 12:00am

Israeli officials said the European Union has accepted an Israeli request to delay a high-profile summit in order to give Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu time to formulate his Middle East peace policy. The delay comes ahead of a planned trip to Europe next week by Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman. The minister's critical comments about Arabs and the Middle East peace process have raised international concerns about the new government's intentions. Netanyahu has so far refused to endorse the idea of an independent Palestinian state.

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100 days on
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times
(Opinion) April 30, 2009 - 12:00am

Yesterday marked President Barack Obama’s first 100 days in office. An entirely arbitrary construct to evaluate a leader’s performance, it is nevertheless irresistible when it comes to Obama, of whom expectations are so high. His first priority was always going to be the global financial crisis. The massive stimulus package has yet to work its way down and out and it is impossible to say anything other than that Obama has tackled the crisis immediately and with enthusiasm.

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Amman, Riyadh seek peace within regional context
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times
April 30, 2009 - 12:00am

DAMMAM (Petra) - His Majesty King Abdullah held talks with King Abdullah Ben Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia on Wednesday on efforts to launch serious and effective negotiations to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the basis of the two-state solution within a regional context. His Majesty briefed the Saudi leader on his talks with US President Barack Obama in Washington last week, which tackled the need for immediate action to launch negotiations in accordance with the agreed-on terms of reference, especially the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative.

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ATFP Senior Fellow and Israel’s Consul General in “Mock Peace Summit” on NPR
Press Release - Contact Information: Hussein Ibish - April 30, 2009 - 12:00am

On Tuesday, April 28 2009, ATFP Senior Fellow Hussein Ibish and Jacob Dayan, the Consul General of Israel to the Southwest US, took part in a “mock peace summit" at the Japanese American National Museum in downtown Los Angeles. The program was broadcast on KPCC-FM’s AirTalk show and was hosted by the noted radio journalist Larry Mantle. The event was co-hosted by Community Advocates Inc., a nonprofit organization that advocates innovative approaches to human relations and race relations in Los Angeles.


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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Barak: Israel can and must make peace within three years
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Gidi Weitz - April 28, 2009 - 12:00am

"I am certain it is possible and certainly necessary to act with all our might to achieve peace even before I turn 70, which will be in three years," said Defense Minister Ehud Barak in his first extensive interview since joining the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

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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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