February 6, 2008

Middle East News: World Press Roundup

The BBC reports that Israel has approved the construction of a fence along its border with Egypt (2) while reports issued by The Media Line and MIFTAH detail the growth in the economy of the West Bank (4) and the political opinions of educated, youth and women Palestinians (5) respectively. An editorial in the Jewish Daily Forward wonders why Israel continues not to explore Hamas’ standing offer of a cease-fire (8). In the Daily Star, Rami Khouri comments on the declining power of the Arab state (9). Finally, Amira Hass of Haaretz discusses what the PA can do to increase its support among current Palestinians on strike.

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Israel Plans Egypt Border Fence

The measure was agreed by a security cabinet meeting following the temporary breach of the Gaza-Egypt border, when thousands left Gaza unchecked.

Plans for a fence were dropped years ago because the multi-million dollar price tag was deemed too expensive.

Israel was struck by its first suicide bombing for more than a year on Monday.

Initial speculation that the assailants were Gazans who arrived via the largely unguarded 230km (150-mile) Egyptian border was quashed on Tuesday when Hamas movement said the attackers had come from the occupied West Bank.

Blair Calls For ‘urgency’ In Mideast Talks

Tony Blair has warned that the current round of Middle East peace talks must be pursued with ”greater urgency and greater focus” if Israelis and Palestinian are to achieve their goal of a peace agreement by the end of the year.

West Bank Economy Shows First Signs Of Growth

Things feel different these days in Ramallah, the de facto and economic capital of the Palestinian Authority, and its seat of government. The markets are crowded with shoppers. Stores are well-stocked with goods, dozens of brand new cars have appeared on the streets. And all over downtown Ramallah are banners and posters heralding the launching of new businesses—like flowers after rain.

New Revelations On The Opinions Of Youth, Women And Educated Palestinians

Youth and the Educated Palestinians are Becoming Less Supportive of Hamas and More Supportive of Fateh
Women are still more Supportive of Hamas

Arab World for Research and Development (AWRAD) had conducted an opinion poll dated 16-18 January 2008 after and during the latest Gaza attacks. A representative sample, of 3200 Palestinians, was interviewed in all West Bank and Gaza districts. The main results were published on January the 23rd showing a decline in the support for Fateh and a slight increase in the support for Hamas.

Olmert Too Weak To Deliver

n the intricate and volatile workings of Israeli politics a day is a lifetime and the chances of survival are measured not by how many are on one’s side but by the weakness or strength of one’s opponents. Thus Ehud Olmert finds himself relatively stronger after the final findings of the Winograd Commission on the 34-day-war with Lebanon’s Hezbollah in the summer of 2006 were published last week.

How About An Obama About-face?

he arcane American election process can drive a saint crazy, certainly the average American, "on what could be the most significant night of the 2008 campaign to date."

Recognising this, The New York Times, took the unprecedented step of warning its reader in its lead article on the front page to "brace yourself".

The Gaza Fence

Gaza’s convulsions have kept much of the world community riveted in horrified fascination for the past month, wondering what it all means and what could possibly happen next. Scenes of Palestinians leveling the barrier wall along the Gaza-Egypt border, flooding across by the tens of thousands and overwhelming Egyptian security forces, have provided some of the strangest news reports in years.

Arab State Power Is On The Defensive

The twin issues of the legitimacy and efficacy of power and authority are becoming more clear and urgent throughout the Arab world. This is the big ongoing story of our day, as a region of centrally controlled, mostly autocratic states evolves into a patchwork of different sources of power and authority. If we wish to address problems of violence and instability in many Arab quarters, we must grapple with the issue of the legitimacy of power that remains one of the few enduring taboos in the region.

Self-defense, Not Occupation

In my January 30 op-ed in The Jerusalem Post, I contended that our settlements weaken rather than strengthen us by seriously eroding both our own and the world's belief in the justice of our cause. That cause is asserting the right of the Jewish people to a sovereign state in their ancient homeland.

In over 100 "talkbacks" on jpost.com, letters to the editor, and some personal communications, my views were mostly attacked, though occasionally supported. Let me address some of the criticisms of my argument.

Mk Elon: Int'l Body Must Resettle Palestinians

In a novel Israeli approach to one of the prickliest issues facing Israeli and Palestinian negotiators, MK Benny Elon (NU-NRP) is proposing the establishment of an international body in lieu of UNRWA to deal with the resettlement of Palestinian refugees over the next decade.

The proposal, part of the hawkish parliamentarian's alternate peace plan known as "The Israeli Initiative," is meant to be "a first step" towards resolving one of the most difficult final status issues.

Democratic Suspicion

A Palestinian public sector strike, such as the one that began yesterday and is expected to continue today, is the type of news that here is considered a purely "internal Palestinian matter," lacking any media importance. But beyond the basic fact that the modest wage demands are a direct result of the policy of closure and economic attrition on the part of the true sovereign - Israel - the strike presents a genuine challenge to the stability and strength of Salam Fayyad's government, and demonstrates the erosion of its public credibility.

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