Good morning, Abbas-stan
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Aluf Benn - (Opinion) February 17, 2013 - 1:00am

All indications are that the Palestinians are set to return to the top of Israel’s priority list, despite the evident boredom of the public and the politicians with what is euphemistically called in Hebrew “the diplomtic issue.” Here a muttered comment about peace by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, there a demand during coalition negotiations for renewed negotiations; U.S. President Barack Obama’s visit to Israel is approaching, while in the background the calm of the status quo is weakening and a third intifada looms more threateningly than usual.

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Israelis, Palestinians and ‘managing the crisis’
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News
by Hassan Barari - February 17, 2013 - 1:00am

A few days ago, the Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman said that chances to reach an agreement with the Palestinians on the issue of permanent borders would be modest. He argued that whatever happens, parties will be left only with “managing the crisis.” Difficult as it may look, Liberman has articulated what many observers already know. Ever since the peace process has run aground following the advent of Sharon’s first government, events unfolded have only reinforced what Liberman had said.

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It's the hard drugs that matter
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Ari Shavit - (Opinion) February 14, 2013 - 1:00am

 

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Seven decisions the U.S. must make to jumpstart Middle East peace
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Daniel Kurtzer - (Opinion) February 14, 2013 - 1:00am

 

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Palestine ready to engage in peace process: Palestinian FM
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
February 14, 2013 - 1:00am

Palestinian Foreign Affairs Minister Riad al-Maliki said here Thursday that Palestine was willing and ready to engage in peace process with Israel if it could show more of readiness in the process. Al-Maliki made the remarks at a press conference after the first meeting of the Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestine Development (CEAPAD). He said Palestine has been "very much willing and ready to engage into peace process with Israel," but emphasized that the process depends on the attitude of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

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PA official: Israel continues to withhold tax revenue
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
February 13, 2013 - 1:00am

Israel is still withholding Palestinian tax revenue breaching the 2004 Paris agreement, an official in the Palestinian Ministry of Finance said Tuesday. Spokesman Rami Mahdawi told Ma'an that the ongoing breach "confirms that Israel is going on with its piracy on Palestinian money."

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Palestinian president welcomes Obama's visit to Mideast
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
February 13, 2013 - 1:00am

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed on Tuesday a planned visit by U.S. President Barack Obama to the Middle East region slated for next month. "We welcome this important visit for Obama, and also the U.S. efforts to break the ice in the peace process between the Palestinians and Israel," Abbas said following a meeting held here with U.S. Consul General Michael Ratney in Jerusalem.

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Status quo of Israel’s West Bank occupation is catastrophic illusion
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Carlo Strenger - (Opinion) February 13, 2013 - 1:00am

Obviously Israel’s political attention is focused on the ongoing negotiations for the next coalition. This may be the reason why one of the most important opinion pieces that have been published here in the last years went all but unnoticed, Ruth Gavison’s ‘By Ignoring International Law Israel only Hurts itself’. 

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Encountering Peace: Netanyahu, the peace maker
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Gershon Baskin - (Opinion) February 13, 2013 - 1:00am

 

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PLO officials say expectations low for Obama visit
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
February 12, 2013 - 1:00am

Palestinian officials said Tuesday that the upcoming visit by US President Barack Obama is unlikely to aid the peace process. Obama plans to visit the region in spring, a White House official said last week, in his first trip to the region since taking office. Secretary-General of Palestinian People's Party Bassam al-Salhi told Ma'an that the visit may create the "illusion" of returning to negotiations, but would have no impact on the peace process as Israel has consistently violated its principles, with US complicity.

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