Middle East peace process: Netanyahu offers much and nothing
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Telegraph
by Anthony Billingsley - (Blog) August 2, 2011 - 12:00am

Israel's Prime Minister, Benyamin Netanyahu, is reported to have offered to resume negotiations with the Palestinians to address the borders between Israel and a future Palestinian state. These negotiations would be based on the borders that existed before the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. According to media reports, Netanyahu would be willing to consider a formula on borders "that would be difficult for Israel to accept".

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Israel, US race to avert Palestinian UN bid
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
by Josef Federman - August 2, 2011 - 12:00am

JERUSALEM — Israel is working with the United States to find a way to revive peace negotiations with the Palestinians in a desperate attempt to avert a diplomatic showdown at the U.N. next month, an Israeli official confirmed Tuesday. The talks, meant to provide a framework for negotiations, are focusing on two of the most sensitive issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: the borders between Israel and a future Palestine, and Israel's demand that the Palestinians recognize the country as the Jewish homeland.

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Editorial: A conjurer’s trick
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News
(Editorial) August 2, 2011 - 12:00am

It is reported that, as a result of pressure from Washington, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is now willing to negotiate the border that will separate Israel and the future Palestinian state. It is being said that this represents both a breakthrough and a climb down by him.

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AN ISRAELI VIEW Only by prioritizing the issues
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons
by Yossi Alpher - (Opinion) August 1, 2011 - 12:00am

It is not too late to create a Palestinian capital in Jerusalem alongside Israel's capital--unless this arrangement has to be part of a comprehensive, end-of-claims settlement between Israelis and Palestinians. In that case it is, and probably always has been, impossible.

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PM: Abbas set on bringing Palestinian state to UN vote
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Lahav Harkov - August 1, 2011 - 12:00am

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is determined to bring Palestinian statehood to a UN vote in September. "Abbas made a strategic decision to go to the UN, because the price for him will be low," Netanyahu said. "For us, recognition of a state will only pass through the security council." He added: "We are working to ensure a US veto in the UN Security Council, but that will not prevent a majority in the General Assembly."

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Palestinians plan mass demonstrations against Israel on eve of UN vote
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
August 1, 2011 - 12:00am

Palestinian officials said Monday they plan to begin mass marches against Israel's occupation of the West Bank on September 20, the eve of a largely symbolic UN vote expected to recognize their independence. Palestinian official Yasser Abed Rabbo said leaders hope to attract millions, and the protest will be the first of a prolonged effort. He said the campaign would be called "Palestine 194," since the Palestinians hope to become the 194th member of the United Nations.

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Peres holds secret talks with Palestinians in bid to restart negotiations
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Akiva Eldar - July 29, 2011 - 12:00am

President Shimon Peres has been holding intensive talks with Ramallah in an effort to resume negotiations and head off a unilateral Palestinian statehood bid at the UN in September. The meetings are being held in complete coordination with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

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Something's Got to Give
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Foreign Policy
by Marwan Muasher - (Opinion) July 27, 2011 - 12:00am

Something -- or someone -- has got to give. With international momentum building for a U.N. resolution recognizing Palestinian statehood, Washington is finally coming to the realization that the Israeli-Palestinian status quo is unsustainable.

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Palestinian UN Vote No Longer A Certainty
Media Mention of Ziad Asali In ATFP - July 27, 2011 - 12:00am

As the Palestinians prepare to unveil Thursday a draft of their resolution requesting United Nations’ recognition next month of an independent Palestinian state, many analysts believe such UN action is not inevitable.

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PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES: Abbas not deterred by U.S. threats regarding Palestinian state recognition
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times
by Maher Abukhater - July 27, 2011 - 12:00am

Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority, does not seem deterred by U.S. threats of financial cuts or political castigation if he proceeds with plans to ask the U.N. for recognition of a Palestinian state in September. Abbas Wednesday summoned his Palestine Liberation Organization’s Central Council, a 120-strong legislative body in exile, to ask its blessings for his plans.

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