May 13, 2008

Middle East News: World Press Roundup

The Bush Administration leads today’s roundup as President George W. Bush returns to Jerusalem this week (1-3, 10). The Wall Street Journal highlights economic development efforts in Palestine, including the U.S. Palestinian Public Private Partnership (4). ATFP provides a translation of an Al-Ayyam article by Hassan Khader (8). Wilson Center Scholar Aaron David Miller discusses the application of U.S. power in seeking an Israeli-Arab Peace (11). Daniel Kurtzer, an advisor to Democratic candidate Barack Obama, argues that Jerusalem must be included in any peace deal (13).

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Bush: Israeli Peace Independent Of Olmert

U.S. President George W. Bush said in interviews published Tuesday ahead of a visit to Israel that the country's peace process with the Palestinians does not depend on embattled Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

Police suspect Olmert illictly took hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash from an American fundraiser. The Israeli leader has said he would resign if indicted.

Rice: Mideast Peace 'not Impossible'

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Tuesday peace in the Middle East may be "improbable" but "not impossible."

In a taped interview in Washington on CBS's "The Early Show," Rice said she remains convinced her upcoming trip to the Middle East with U.S. President George Bush will push the process forward. The trip begins Tuesday.

"Well, if the parties want to do this and will put the energy and the will into it, I think they can do it (reach a peace agreement)," Rice said.

Israel To Relax West Bank Restrictions, Says Blair

Israel has agreed to ease severe travel and trade restrictions on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, the Middle East envoy Tony Blair said today.

In an announcement aimed at bolstering forthcoming peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, Blair described the breakthrough as a "significant first step".

The news came on the eve of a visit by the US president, George Bush, to Israel to celebrate its 60th anniversary.

Hamas Rejects Israeli Truce Terms

Hamas has said that the release of Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier captured in 2006, will not form part of any truce agreement with Israel.

Israel has said a ceasefire deal must include the release of the soldier.

Cpl Shalit was seized in a cross-border raid two years ago by Palestinian militants, including members of Hamas.

Egyptian intelligence chief was in Jerusalem on Monday talking to Israeli officials about a ceasefire offer by the Gaza Strip's militant groups.

Tony Blair Unveils Deal To Boost Palestinians

ony Blair today unveiled the first fruits of his labours as Middle East peace envoy, outlining an economic deal between Israel and the Palestinians which he claimed would boost the West Bank.

The former Prime Minister said that Israel had agreed to remove trade and travel barriers for Palestinians in order to allow the territory to grow economically ahead of a final peace deal between the sides.

The Other Nakba

(ATFP Transation by Mike Husseini)

Israel Sets Terms For Gaza Truce

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert asked Egypt’s intelligence chief yesterday to tell Gaza fighters a truce would be conditional upon progress being made toward freeing a captive Israeli soldier.

Olmert also asked Omar Suleiman to tell the Palestinian armed factions they would have to stop smuggling arms into Gaza if they want Israel to accept the Egyptian-brokered proposals to halt the violence in the besieged territory.

Right Of Reply: We Simply Support Peace Negotiations

Isi Leibler does not miss an opportunity to misrepresent the positions or purpose of the Israel Policy Forum (IPF), as he has done once again in his April 29 Candidly Speaking column, "With Friends like These..."

Obama Advisor: Jerusalem Must Be Included In Peace Talks

Daniel Kurtzer, former ambassador to Israel and advisor of U.S. presidential hopeful Barack Obama, said Tuesday that Jerusalem must be included in peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

"It will be impossible to make progress on serious peace talks without putting the future of Jerusalem on the table," Kurtzer said in a conference organized by the Jewish People Policy Planning Institute (JPPPI).

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