Despite souring relations with Israel, Europe not about to boycott settlement goods, sources predict
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Times of Israel
by Raphael Ahren, Joshua Davidovich - December 6, 2012 - 1:00am

Sources in the European Union on Thursday played down a report in the Hebrew daily Maariv that Europe was seeking to pass a series of harsh sanctions against Israel following Jerusalem’s announcement last week of plans to expand settlement construction. That move by Israel came in response to the upgrading of the Palestinians’ status the previous day at the UN.

»

Seize the opportunity
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Ami Ayalon - (Opinion) December 6, 2012 - 1:00am

If there is one conclusion that can be drawn from the UN General Assembly vote on accepting Palestine as a non-member observer state, it is that the direct negotiations paradigm failed and has been replaced by a new concept: Constructive unilateralism.

»

We're going to pay
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Shimon Shiffer - (Opinion) December 6, 2012 - 1:00am

In the past, prime ministers would react with scorn and contempt to the UN and European resolutions against Israel. "Um-Shmum," David Ben-Gurion said angrily (um is the Hebrew acronymic pronunciation for 'UN', and the 'shm'-prefix signifies contempt or irony). "Those anti-Semites," Yitzhak Rabin said of the Europeans. And Menachem Begin said after the Sabra and Shatila massacre: "What does the world want from us?

»

Israel bars academic from Berlin diplomatic event
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
by Amy Teibel - December 6, 2012 - 1:00am

JERUSALEM — Israel barred a dovish Israeli academic from taking part in a science symposium in Berlin on Thursday that was part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Germany, drawing renewed charges that his government has little tolerance for dissent.

»

Jordanian king carries U.S. assurances to Abbas: official
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
December 6, 2012 - 1:00am

RAMALLAH, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Jordanian King Abdullah II conveyed U.S. assurances to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that Washington will not allow a new Israeli settlement plan to pass, a Palestinian official said Thursday.

»

Germany's Merkel cautions ally Israel on settlements
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
by Alexandra Hudson - December 6, 2012 - 1:00am

BERLIN (Reuters) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday to avoid "one-sided moves," amid uproar over Israeli plans to build 3,000 settler homes in a highly sensitive area of the West Bank.

»

The right is a danger to Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Ari Shavit - (Opinion) December 6, 2012 - 1:00am

Let's set aside values. Are we indeed prepared to reinforce our status as an occupying state that controls another people for a prolonged period? Let's set aside justice and morals. Are we indeed prepared to turn Zionism into an apartheid movement that denies millions of residents their basic rights? Let's set aside identity. Are we indeed prepared to exchange a Jewish democratic state for a state of ultra-nationalist zealotry that tramples on its minorities?

»

We're going to pay
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Shimon Shiffer - (Opinion) December 6, 2012 - 1:00am

In the past, prime ministers would react with scorn and contempt to the UN and European resolutions against Israel. "Um-Shmum," David Ben-Gurion said angrily (um is the Hebrew acronymic pronunciation for 'UN', and the 'shm'-prefix signifies contempt or irony). "Those anti-Semites," Yitzhak Rabin said of the Europeans.

»

Merkel to warn Netanyahu: Promote peace process or face world seclusion
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Barak Ravid - December 5, 2012 - 1:00am

With Israel and European Union states embroiled in a diplomatic crisis, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel Wednesday night in Berlin.

»

How Obama Can Get Tough With Bibi
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Beast
by Lara Friedman - (Opinion) December 5, 2012 - 1:00am

Recently, the European Union adopted harsh new Iran sanctions, strongly supported by Israel. Shortly thereafter, Israel announced new East Jerusalem settlement construction. The EU’s top official Catherine Ashton, who was about to visit Israel, condemned the announcement in measured terms; Israel’s Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, publicly told her, in effect, to shove it.

»


American Task Force on Palestine - 1634 Eye St. NW, Suite 725, Washington DC 20006 - Telephone: 202-262-0017