June 17, 2008

Middle East News: World Press Roundup

The New York Times reports on progress being made by Israel on three diplomatic fronts (1). Israeli police arrest the two Jewish settlers involved in a recent assault on Palestinians that was caught on film (4). Reuters reports that a truce between Hamas and Israel has been reached and will begin on Thursday (5). Though the prospects for the success of the truce seem somewhat tenuous (9) (10). Claude Salhani reports on a relatively new Los Angeles based organization called the Israeli Palestinian Confederation (6).

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What Ehud Olmert Should – But Probably Didn't – Tell George Bush

WASHINGTON—What Ehud Olmert should – but probably won’t - tell George Bush last Wednesday in the White House.

Thanks for seeing me, George. This may be my last meeting with you as Israel's prime minister.

I'm in a pinch, you know, and I'm fighting to save my political life. All these calls in recent days for me to resign have broadened my perspective. They have actually inspired me to speak bluntly to you.

Our Position: Secretary Rice Was Right To Call Israel On Adding Its Footprint To Disputed Land

If the Bush administration is to have any hope of succeeding in its belated push for a peace deal between Israelis and Palestinians, the United States must be seen as an honest broker. That's why it was important for Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to criticize Israel this week for its plans to add hundreds of new homes to land claimed by the Palestinians.

West Bank 'attackers' Arrested

Israeli police say they have arrested two Jewish settlers over an apparent assault of Palestinians that was filmed as part of a human rights project.

An adult male and a minor were arrested in Susia settlement overnight and will appear in court on Tuesday.

B'Tselem human rights group has been giving Palestinians video cameras as part of its Shooting Back scheme.

The footage shot on 8 June shows four masked figures walk up to some shepherds and attack them with clubs.

Gaza Truce To Begin Thursday: Palestinian Official

GAZA (Reuters) - A ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip will begin on Thursday, Egypt said after mediating a deal that could ease a crippling Israeli blockade of the Hamas-controlled territory.

"Both sides have pledged to halt all hostilities and all military activities against each other," Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hossam Zaki said in Cairo on Tuesday, after weeks of separate talks with Israel and Hamas.

A New Kid On The Peacemaking Block

There is a relatively new group on the Middle East peacemaking block who go by the name of The Israeli Palestinian Confederation. The Los Angeles-based IPC has been kicking around the idea for the last three years of a confederation between Israelis and Palestinians as a means to resolve the 60-year-old dispute that has been at the center of the Middle East's turmoil.

Palestinians Killed In Gaza Raids

Six Palestinians have been killed in three Israeli air strikes targeting the Gaza Strip, according to medics and witnesses.   Five people were killed and several others were wounded on Tuesday in one air raid near Qarara village east of the southern town of Khan Yunis, Muawiya Hassanein, the head of Gaza emergency services, said. 

37 Palestinians Arrested Near Umm Al-fahm

Thirty-seven illegal Palestinian aliens were arrested near Umm al-Fahm in an operation conducted by the northern Border Police near Umm al-Fahm and Baka Al Garbia. Five of the detainees have limited access to Israel and another one is wanted by the Shin Bet. The six were turned into questioning and the rest of the detainees were sent back to PA territories.

Take Advantage Of Ceasefire: If We Don’t Use Lull In Order To Advance Peace Talks, We’ll Play Into Hamas’ Hands

The decision has apparently been taken. After we already tried all other solutions, perhaps we have come to realize that the best way to stop the attacks on the western Negev is to reach a ceasefire. This is no great bargain, and certainly no substitute for peace. The fact that we are forced to reach either a direct or indirect agreement with Hamas is unpleasant.

Senior Idf Officer Warns Lull Will Be Temporary, Fragile

IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Gabi Ashkenazi spoke before the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Tuesday and said that while the IDF is giving the ceasefire between Israel and the militant groups in Gaza a chance, it will continue preparing for an operation in the Gaza Strip.

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