Middle East News: World Press Roundup

An opinion by Yossi Alpher in BitterLemons requests Palestinians be given the opportunity to implement their ‘road map’ obligations (1). In the Baltimore Sun, Richard Boudreaux reports that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has suspended mideast talks with Israel (2). The International Herald Tribune warns that another mideast peace plan is slipping away (3) while the international community rips Israel over Gaza in the Daily Star (7). The Jordan Times asserts that more forceful action is needed by the UN in regards to the situation in Gaza (8).

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Abbas Halts Mideast Talks ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Baltimore Sun by Richard Boudreaux - March 3, 2008 - 6:49pm Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas suspended peace talks with Israel yesterday amid growing international criticism of the Jewish state's incursion into the Gaza Strip. Mounting casualties in Gaza drew protests from European and Arab capitals and sent thousands of Palestinians into the streets across the West Bank, where Israeli troops killed a teenager during a demonstration. » Read more

Another Mideast Peace Plan Slipping Away ATFP World Press Roundup Article from International Herald Tribune (Opinion) March 3, 2008 - 6:50pm For the first time, an Israeli leader and a Palestinian leader seem genuinely committed to peace. They set a deadline for a deal by year's end. Yet the likelihood of achieving the two-state solution they have embraced diminishes with every rocket lobbed into Israel from Hamas-controlled Gaza and with every Israeli military strike or squeeze on civilian life in Gaza. The political and security situation is growing more desperate. » Read more

Israelis Show Declining Zest For Military Service ATFP World Press Roundup Article from McClatchy News by Dion Nissenbaum - March 3, 2008 - 6:53pm Throughout Israel's short, turbulent history, the nation has grown cynical about almost every sector of society but one: its military. Though the Israeli military has been buffeted by political scandal, castigated for enforcing a 40-year occupation of the Palestinians, and humbled during its 34-day war in 2006 against Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon, most Israelis never seemed to lose faith in their citizen soldiers. But, under the surface, something has been slowly shifting in Israel as the nation prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary May 14. » Read more

Thousands Rally Across Mideast To Protest Idf Attacks On Gaza ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press March 3, 2008 - 6:56pm Tens of thousands of Syrians filled the central square of Damascus Monday to protest ongoing Israel Defense Forces operations in the Gaza Strip that have killed more than 100 Palestinians, while elsewhere in the region thousands others also demonstrated. The Syrians chanted slogans against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and called on Arab leaders to take a tough stand on U.S. support for Israel as it continues its air and ground offensive against Palestinians in Gaza. "With soul and blood we sacrifice ourselves for you Palestine," the crowd » Read more

International Community Rips Israel Over Gaza ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Star March 3, 2008 - 6:57pm Leaders around the world condemned Israel's attacks on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip over the weekend, calling on both sides to end the recent escalation in violence. EU president Slovenia said on Sunday that Israel's attacks were disproportionate and violated international law. » Read more

Israel Defiantly Continues Gaza Attacks Amid International Outcry ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Middle East Times by Sakher Abu El Oun - March 3, 2008 - 6:58pm GAZA CITY (AFP) Israel continued to hammer Gaza on Monday after vowing to press its campaign against militants despite an international outcry over the deadly onslaught that prompted even the moderate Palestinian leadership to cut off all peace talks. Five Palestinian activists were killed early Monday in raids by Israeli aircraft and shelling of the Gaza Strip by the Israeli navy, Palestinian security officials said. » Read more

More Forceful Action Needed ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times (Opinion) March 3, 2008 - 7:00pm It is indefensible if the UN Security Council fails to adopt an appropriate resolution on the latest Israeli violence against the Palestinians in Gaza. As it convenes today to consider an Arab-sponsored draft resolution condemning the Israeli attacks and calling for an immediate ceasefire, the Security Council should, for once, exercise its responsibility and prerogative, and force Israel to cease its barbaric onslaught on the Palestinians. » Read more

A Dark Overcast Warm Winter ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Miftah by Dr. Bernard Sabella - (Opinion) March 3, 2008 - 7:02pm The weather here in Jerusalem and Gaza is overcast with many a dark cloud. It mirrors what is felt inside by so many Palestinians whose loved ones have been killed or injured by Israel’s army “Warm Winter” campaign against Gaza. The 110 Palestinians killed so far since Wednesday February 27th include at least ten children, the youngest a few months old, and an equal number of women. “Warm Winter” continues and it has put all of us Palestinians in a state of shock. » Read more

On The Path To Bitter Disappointment ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Uzi Benziman - (Opinion) March 3, 2008 - 7:02pm It was hard not to be confused yesterday by the reports and statements concerning the aims of the Israel Defense Forces operation in the Gaza Strip. Defense Minister Ehud Barak explained on Israel Radio that the operation is meant "at the end of the day" to stop the Qassam rocket attacks, but in and of itself it will not end the shooting. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was even more unequivocal: During the cabinet meeting he stated, "Israel has no intention to end the fighting against terror," and that "over the coming days we will hold security discussions... » Read more

Israeli Exit From Gaza's Maze ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Christian Science Monitor (Opinion) March 4, 2008 - 6:24pm Israel long ago figured out how to protect itself from stone-throwing Palestinians and, to some degree, suicide bombers. It's made a formal peace with two Arab states and tacitly with others. Can it now stop Islamic rulers in nearby Gaza from raining small rockets on Israeli civilians in the name of terror? The aerial attacks by Hamas have escalated in recent weeks, largely for two reasons: » Read more

Seeking Alternatives ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons by Ghassan Khatib - (Opinion) March 4, 2008 - 6:31pm Most Palestinians, from the general public to officials, have already concluded that the current negotiations, initiated at the Annapolis conference, have very little or no chance of success. For that reason, several debates have been held and initiatives offered to find an alternative strategy for the Palestinian leadership to pursue. » Read more

Kosovo Raises Some Relevant Issues ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons by Yossi Alpher - (Opinion) March 4, 2008 - 6:35pm If the current Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations fail--at the time of writing they have been suspended by the Palestinian side in protest at Israel's military response to rocket fire from Gaza--the Palestinian leaders in Ramallah ostensibly have a number of options. They can launch a third intifada in the West Bank. They can petition the international community to compel Israel to accept a single bi-national state solution. And they can declare independence. » Read more

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