Middle East News: World Press Roundup

The National Journal examines the rapidly approaching crisis in the viability and credibility of negotiations towards a two state agreement (1), while an op-ed by Saeb Erakat, chief Palestinian negotiator, urges swift action to save the peace process in light of the new Netanyahu government (5) (6). The Arab League tells Israel that it must move towards the Arab Peace Initiative or it will be rescinded (2). Several senior Israeli military officials meet with the press in an attempt to explain civilian deaths in Gaza (3). A senior Israeli intelligence official admits that smuggling of weapons into Gaza has continued despite the recent war (4). Haaretz reports that construction activity in West Bank settlements has increased since the Israeli general elections in February (7).

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United They Fall; Divided They Stand ATFP World Press Roundup Article from National Journal by James Kitfield - March 28, 2009 - 12:00am Israelis and Palestinians are rapidly approaching a fork in the road between a two-state division or an enforced, unsteady unity that redefines Zionism, democracy, and the meaning of Israeli citizenship. CYCLE OF VIOLENCE: » Read more 1 attachment

Arab League tells Israel: Accept Saudi initiative now or never ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Yoav Stern - March 30, 2009 - 12:00am Arab leaders in Qatar for the Arab League summit sent Israel an ultimatum Sunday: Accept the Saudi Peace Initiative or it will be rescinded. The draft proposal of the statement states: "The peace initiative being proposed today will not be on offer for a long time. Arab commitment to this initiative is dependent on Israeli acceptance." The draft proposal was formulated by the Arab foreign ministers, and will be presented to the Arab League's leaders Monday for approval. » Read more

Israeli military in PR offensive to explain civilian deaths in Gaza ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Independent by Donald MacIntyre - March 30, 2009 - 12:00am The Israeli military has moved to deflect a mounting barrage of criticism over the deaths of hundreds of civilians during its 22-day offensive in Gaza. The public relations drive by the Israeli Defence Force has been given impetus by allegations made by some soldiers that permissive rules of engagement failed to protect civilians. » Read more

'No halt' to Gaza arms smuggling ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News March 30, 2009 - 12:00am The flow of explosives and weapons smuggled into Gaza has continued since Israel's military operation, a senior Israeli intelligence official has said. Shin Bet security service head Yuval Diskin said 22 tonnes of explosives, dozens of rockets and hundreds of mortar rounds had entered Gaza. But he said rockets attacks were reduced and Egyptian attempts to combat the smuggling had improved. Israel said the offensive aimed to cut down Palestinian rocket attacks. » Read more

Israel's Step Back From Peace ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post by Saeb Erakat - March 28, 2009 - 12:00am Emphasizing diplomacy and engagement over isolation and confrontation, President Obama has spoken eloquently of a new era of American leadership. Of the changes he has promised, the most important to Palestinians is his commitment to reinvigorating the Middle East peace process. » Read more

PA: Netanyahu peace plan will prolong occupation ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz March 28, 2009 - 12:00am Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu's plan for "economic peace" will only prolong Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories, the chief Palestinian negotiator wrote in an opinion piece published Saturday. "Rather than ending the occupation, Netanyahu has proposed an 'economic peace' that would seek to normalize and better manage it," wrote Saeb Erekat in the Washington Post. "Instead of a viable Palestinian state, his vision extends no further than a series of disconnected cantons with limited self-rule." » Read more

Settlers using government transition to step up construction ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Amos Harel - March 29, 2009 - 12:00am Construction activity on West Bank settlements has increased in the transition period between the February general election and the formation of the new government, Haaretz has learned. One notable example is the extensive earthworks being carried out in preparation for the construction of a road connect the settlement of Eli, north of Ramallah, with the Hayovel outpost Yuval, just south of the Arab city. » Read more

New government to be sworn in at 5 pm Tuesday ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Atilla Somfalvi - March 30, 2009 - 12:00am Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu has officially asked the Knesset hold a swearing in ceremony for his new government at 5 pm Tuesday. Cabinet Secretary-designate Zvi Hauser has already been asked to see that a new government table, big enough to accommodate all of the ministers, would be installed. Netanyahu will summon senior members of the Likud to his new Knesset chambers Monday and inform each of them which office they have been assigned. » Read more

Olmert's years in office were much ado about nothing on peace ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Star by Yossi Alpher - (Opinion) March 30, 2009 - 12:00am Perhaps the most inexplicable aspect of Ehud Olmert's largely failed three years as prime minister of Israel was his extensive yet totally unproductive series of meetings with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Not a great deal appears to have happened there. » Read more

ANALYSIS / Neither Hamas nor Israel can surrender now ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Amos Harel - March 30, 2009 - 12:00am It seems there won't be a last-minute miracle in negotiations to bring Gilad Shalit home. True, the talks have restarted, but that's not enough to clinch a deal, especially after Prime Minister Ehud Olmert laid out his red lines around two weeks ago. Olmert's refusal to release 125 prisoners whom Hamas wants freed and the publication of part of the list by Olmert's office has backed the negotiating partners into a corner. » Read more

Palestinians celebrate Land Day ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National by Jonathan Cook - March 30, 2009 - 12:00am Arrabeh, Israel // Palestinians across the Middle East were due to commemorate Land Day today, marking the anniversary of clashes in 1976 in which six unarmed Palestinians were shot dead by the Israeli army as it tried to break up a general strike. Although Land Day is one the most important anniversaries in the Palestinian calendar, sometimes referred to as the Palestinians’ national day, the historical event it marks is little spoken of and rarely studied. » Read more

Biberman & Co. of Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News by Uri Avnery - March 30, 2009 - 12:00am Is this the government of Biberman (Bibi Netanyahu and Avigdor Liberman) or perhaps of Bibarak (Bibi and Ehud Barak)? Neither. It is the government of Bibiyahu. Benjamin Netanyahu has proven that he is a consummate politician. He has realized the dream of every politician (and theatergoer): A good place in the middle. In his new government he can play off the fascists on the right against the socialists on the left, Liberman’s secularists against the orthodox of Shas. An ideal situation. » Read more

There will be no peace without unity ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National (Editorial) March 30, 2009 - 12:00am The focus of this year’s Arab League summit, which begins today, is expected to be a push for greater unity among member states. A host of diplomatic initiatives hinge upon the Arab nations’ ability to set aside political and ideological differences. On the issue of the Palestinian peace process, for example, the divide between nations is deep and long standing. A draft declaration released ahead of the conference renews calls for Israel to adopt the Arab Peace Initiative, while cautioning that it will not remain on the table for much longer. » Read more

State: No reason to disqualify Lieberman from office ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews March 30, 2009 - 12:00am The State Prosecutor's Office informed the High Court of Justice on Monday that it found no legal grounds to contest appointing Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman as Israel's next foreign minister. The State was responding to a petition filed by the Movement for Quality Government in Israel, demanding Lieberman be disqualified from office due to the police investigations against him. » Read more

Hamas: Netanyahu will get identical prisoner list ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Ali Waked - March 30, 2009 - 12:00am With a new Israeli government a mere day away, a Hamas source said Monday that the Islamist group "is undeterred by (Prime Minister-designate Benjamin) Netanyahu. He, as well as (Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor) Lieberman and their other partners, will have to discuss our prisoners list." Should the negotiations on the prisoners Hamas wants released as part of an exchange deal meant to secure the release of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit stall, warned the source, Netanyahu "may find himself with a new, harder to swallow list." » Read more

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