June 25, 2008

Middle East News: World Press Roundup

An article by Prinecton professor Bernard Chazelle examines the prospects of the Two-State Solution (1). The Quartet lends their support to Tuesday’s Berlin Conference (4). Controversy continues to surround the Hamas-Israel cease fire and its recent breach (5) (6). French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s pledges to aid the Palestinians are welcomed (7) (11).

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In Jerusalem, Even A Bridge Divides

Poking out of a jumble of drab apartment buildings, office blocks and hotels, a soaring suspension bridge designed by an internationally celebrated architect is reshaping the main entrance to Jerusalem, generating debate about modern urban aesthetics in a city of timeless shrines.

Israel's Olmert Averts Early Poll

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has struck a last-minute deal with the Labour party to save his coalition and avert fresh elections.

Labour's leader, Defence Minister Ehud Barak, has agreed not to support an opposition bill to dissolve parliament.

In return, Mr Olmert will hold elections for a new head of his Kadima party by September, which analysts say he is likely to lose.

Mr Olmert is under investigation for alleged corruption.

He denies wrongdoing and has not been charged.

Quartet Gives Support To Berlin Meeting To Help Palestinians

The four-member diplomatic group on the Middle East peace process gave support Tuesday to the conference held in Berlin, which aimed to assist the Palestinian Authority achieve statehood.

The Berlin Conference in Support of Palestinian Civil Security and the Rule of Law was focusing on building a Palestinian police and justice sector, which is a part of efforts toward Palestinian state-building.

Hamas Says It Will Not Police The Cease-fire With Israel

The Hamas militant group said it remains committed to a cease-fire with Israel, but will not act as Israel's police force" in confronting militants who breech the truce.

The comments by Hamas leader Khalil al-Haya came shortly after Gaza militants fired three rockets into southern Israel Tuesday, lightly wounding two Israelis. It was the first attack since the truce took effect last Thursday.

Israel Closes Gaza Crossings After Rocket Attack

Israel kept its border posts with the Gaza Strip closed yesterday, calling the move a response to a Palestinian rocket salvo that breached an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire.

The posts were to have opened at 8am (0500 GMT) to allow for imports to reach the impoverished territory. But Israeli military liaison official Peter Lerner said they would stay closed until further notice.

"Any reopening will be in accordance with security considerations," he told Reuters.

French Contribution To Mideast Peace

French President Nicolas Sarkozy laid it on the line to his hosts when he addressed the Israeli Knesset on Monday. The building of illegal settlements on the West Bank has to stop. Without this there could be no viable two-state solution and no peace. Sarkozy further urged Israeli legislators to backup legislation to encourage settlers to quit Palestinian territory and relocate to Israel in return for compensation.

Bolton: Israel To Attack Iran After Us Elections

John Bolton, the former American ambassador to the United Nations, has predicted that Israel could attack Iran after the US presidential election in November, but before George W. Bush's successor was sworn in.

The Arab world would be "pleased" by Israeli strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities, he said in an interview with The Daily Telegraph.

"It [the reaction] will be positive privately. I think there'll be public denunciations but no action," he said. Israel had a determination to prevent a nuclear Iran, he said.

Hope Thrives Amid Israeli-palestinian Violence

"Islamic Jihad has just fired several rockets into Israel," the U.N. World Health Organization representative told the Middle East Times at the Gaza-Israel border crossing as a convoy of U.N. vehicles and a delegation from the humanitarian organization Oxfam were waiting for Israeli security clearance to cross back into Israel yesterday.

The tentative ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, which began at the end of last week, was already looking shaky with seasoned analysts questioning just how committed both sides were to ensuring its success.

Prc: Shalit Will Not See Light Of Day Unless Our Demands Are Met

Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) spokesman Abu Mujahid told Ynet Wednesday that the demands posed by the groups holding IDF soldier Gilad Shalit will not change and that "Israel must comply with our demands otherwise Shalit will not see the light of day.

"We demand Israel comply with all of our demands. We demand the release of the prisoners who were sentenced to long jail terms. Without their release, Shalit will remain in our hands for many years to come," said Abu Mujahid.

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