Jewish approval of Obama unaffected by Israel tensions, poll shows
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA)
July 5, 2011 - 12:00am

President Obama's status among American Jews remains unaffected despite recent tensions with Israel's government, according to a Gallup Poll. Obama's approval rating among U.S. Jews was 60 percent in June, the polling company said, consistent both with earlier months. Also, Jews still consistently approved of the president's performance at an average of 14 percentage points above the general public, Gallup said in its release Tuesday. Obama's overall approval rating in June was 46 percent.

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Flotilla to sail 'very soon' despite snags
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
by Mya Guarnieri - June 30, 2011 - 12:00am

Organizers of a US boat participating in the Gaza-bound flotilla said Thursday afternoon that they hoped to sail "very very soon," with some expecting an immanent departure. Speaking to reporters and passengers alongside the ship, organizer Anne Wright said "we will sail to challenge the naval blockade of Gaza ,we have ten ships, we have passengers aged 22-87 ... we have carpenters, retirees, acupuncturists; these are the people that the state of Israel fears."

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Friends of Israel to PM: Accept Obama terms, restart talks
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Gil Shefler - June 30, 2011 - 12:00am

Members of the International Council of Jewish Parliamentarians gathered at the King David Hotel on Tuesday for a candid conversation closed to journalists dealing with the considerable challenges facing Israel in the international arena. During the event, speakers pledged support for Israel, vociferously defending it against its critics, but in between the words of praise some genuine concern could also heard.

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A message for Israel and Evangelicals: Genesis isn’t a policy guide
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Christian Science Monitor
by Walter Rodgers - (Opinion) June 27, 2011 - 12:00am

I recently passed a local evangelical church here in rural New England with a sign that read: “We Love You Israel. Hold God’s Land.”

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Obama's fake promises of peace
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Gulf News
by Marwan al-Kabalan - (Opinion) June 24, 2011 - 12:00am

As the attention of the world is focused on the Arab region and its overdue democratic transition, the Middle East peace process seems to have completely disappeared from the international agenda and particularly that of the US. When Barack Obama was elected President of the US two and a half years ago, he seemed intensely interested in solving the Arab-Israeli conflict and establishing a Palestinian state. As he approaches his final year in office, nothing of these proclaimed promises has materialised.

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Off the record: Poisoned atmosphere in Mid-East peace efforts
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News
by Paul Danahar - (Opinion) June 23, 2011 - 12:00am

"If you're going to crucify yourself, don't do it on a small cross." An interesting metaphor particularly when it is addressed to the prime minister of Israel. This advice, I'm told, was from US Vice President Joe Biden to Benjamin Netanyahu. It was a little while ago, but there's been no sign since of the PM wandering around the Jerusalem forest looking for tall trees. The message from his speech to the US Congress last month suggested he's not ready for self-sacrifice yet. There were no concessions to US President Barack Obama or the Palestinians.

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Ross: In changing ME, waiting things out is no option
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Herb Keinon - June 22, 2011 - 12:00am

The greatest risk at a time of sweeping change in the Middle East is to think that this is the time to sit still and “do nothing," Dennis Ross, the White House's chief Middle East advisor said Wednesday. Ross, speaking at the Presidential Conference in Jerusalem, said that while he understands the impulse to “stand pat" and avoid taking risks, certain realities -- such as demographic trends that will present Israel with the dilemma of being either a Jewish or a democratic state - cannot be “wished away.”

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Obama warns of new US tactical spats with Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
June 21, 2011 - 12:00am

US President Barack Obama warned that new "tactical" disagreements loomed between Israel and Washington, but vowed to leverage his administration's "creative powers" in the cause of peace. Obama, who has had a difficult relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, spoke at length on the stalled peace process at a fundraiser for his 2012 re-election campaign with the Democratic friends of Israel group.

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US waits for Israel's Godot
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Gulf News
by Adel Safty - (Opinion) June 20, 2011 - 12:00am

A few days ago I read an article in the leading Israeli newspaper Haaretz about US President Barack Obama's recent initiative which suggested that Israelis and Palestinians use the 1967 lines as a starting point for a negotiated delineation of borders between Israel and the future Palestinian state. The article pointed out that the Palestinian leadership had accepted the Obama initiative but that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had reacted furiously, and publicly rejected Obama's initiative, was somehow expected to give a formal answer.

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Obama tells Jewish donors he strongly backs Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
by Patricia Zengerle - June 20, 2011 - 12:00am

U.S. President Barack Obama reassured Jewish donors on Monday he strongly supports Israel, stressing close ties between the United States and the Jewish state, but also emphasizing that changes in the Middle East will require a fresh look at the region. "Both the United States and Israel are going to have to look at this new landscape with fresh eyes. It's not going to be sufficient for us just to keep on doing the same things," Obama said at the first of two big-ticket fund-raisers where he was speaking on Monday evening.

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