Daily News Feed
Stream ATFP's Middle East News: World Press Round up and stay up to date with the latest news concerning the Isareli-Palestinian issue.
Browse the World Press Round Up Archives

News:
Pres. Peres says a 2011 peace agreement he had secretly negotiated with Pres. Abbas was blocked by PM Netanyahu. (AFP/Ha’aretz/JTA)
An aide to Abbas, Mohammad Al-Madani, confirms Peres account of a peace deal three years ago. (Times of Israel)
Israel’s National Security Advisor Cohen urges the US and the EU to blame Palestinians for the failure of the peace talks. (Ha’aretz)
NSA Rice is holding meetings in Israel. (AP/Reuters/AFP/Ynet/Jerusalem Post/JTA)
Israel is reportedly spying on the US at an “alarming level.” (AFP/Ha’aretz)
Israel rejects reports of its “extensive espionage” on the US. (Xinhua)
US Congress prepares hearings to reconsider aid to the PA after the agreement between Fatah and Hamas. (Jerusalem Post)
Israel transfers Palestinian tax revenues to the PA. (Reuters)
FM Lieberman criticizes Palestinian citizens of Israel who joined the “Nakba” protests. (AFP)
The EU demands greater transparency from Palestinians if they expect aid money to continue. (JTA)
The EU urges Israel to halt home demolitions in Area C. (Ma’an)
Hamas ends a ban on a West Bank newspaper. (AP/Reuters/Xinhua)
Israeli Chief Negotiator Livni holds an emergency meeting on how to stop “price tag” attacks. (Jerusalem Post)
Jewish “price tag” extremists vandalize the window of a Druze business in Israel. (Ha’aretz)
Egyptian authorities close the Rafah crossing. (PNN)
The conflict between Palestinians and settlers stalls a solution to the sewage crisis in the occupied West Bank  (AP)
The PA is “pressuring” Lebanon to allow entry of Palestinian refugees fleeing Syria. (Ma’an)
Syrian rebels begin evacuating the city of Homs. (AP/Reuters/New York Times/Xinhua)
Pres. Obama will meet with Syrian opposition leader Jarba. (AP)
Field Marshall Sisi says US tried to delay former Pres. Morsi’s ouster. (New York TImes)
Security authorities arrest 62 militants for allegedly having ties to Syrian and Yemeni terrorists in Saudi Arabia. (AP)
Commentary:
Munib al Masri says the main Palestinian players all seek a historic agreement with Israel.  (Ha’aretz)
Yossi Mekelberg says its Israel’s national interest and moral obligation to make peace with the Palestinians. (Al Arabiya)
Emily Hauser says the “iNakba” app is a brilliant idea. (Jewish Daily Forward)
Zvi Bar’el says Israel is maintaining an “ugly occupation,” not “apartheid” in the Palestinian territories. (Ha’aretz)
Ron Kronish says Israelis need to demand “quick action” from their government to fight “price tag” attacks. (Times of Israel)
Marwan Muasher explains how Arabs can defeat sectarianism. (New York Times)
Michael Young says the Obama administration’s behavior in the Middle East is paradoxical. (The National)
Osama Al Sharif says although Sisi will likely win the upcoming presidential election, it will not be an easy victory. (Jordan Times)
Mshari Al-Zaydi asks if the Arab world is currently living through the era of the second “fitna.” (Asharq al-Awsat)
Hassan Hassan says Syria’s rebels may be transforming and gaining ground. (The National)
News:
State Department denies reports that Sec. Kerry is dismantling his Middle East peace team. (Jerusalem Post/AFP)
Hamas says it will not oppose Hamdallah as unity government PM. (Xinhua)
Hamas releases six Fatah members. (Ma’an/Ha’aretz)
Pres. Peres says Israel must work hard to make peace with its neighbors. (Ha’aretz)
The majority of Israeli Jews support legislation that would authorize FM to reduce government funding to institutions which mark Nakba day. (Ynet)
The “iNakba” app finds former Palestinian towns in modern-day Israel. (AFP/Ha’aretz/The National)
The US upgrades the diplomatic status of some Syrian opposition groups. (AP/Reuters/New York Times)
A bomb kills a leader of the Al-Nusra Front. (AP)
Human Rights Watch criticizes Lebanon for returning Palestinian refugees to Syria. (Daily Star)
The Damascus opera suffers under mortar strikes. (AP)
An Egyptian court bans NDP officials from upcoming elections. (AP/Reuters)
Field Marshall Sisi says the Muslim Brotherhood will never return as an organization in Egypt. (AP/Reuters/New York Times/The National)
PM Maiteeq says he wants to engage all political forces in forming a “crisis government” in Libya.
Jordan and the US sign a $1 billion loan guarantee agreement. (Xinhua/Jordan Times)
Commentary:
The Jordan Times says Israel’s plans to recruit Christians Palestinian citizens of Israel to the army is an attempt to divide Palestinians. (Jordan Times)
Jalal Safadi says if Palestinian citizens of Israel maintain their Arab identity and integrate into Israel, they can create a better future for themselves. (Ynet)
Bernard Avisahi looks at Israel’s independence day and its future. (New Yorker)
Adnan Abu-Amer interviews Hamas leader Abu Marzouk. (Al-Monitor)
David Horovitz interviews Peres. (Times of Israel)
Ben Caspit says, with the breakdown of the peace talks, PM Netanyahu is composing a new public agenda. (Al Monitor)
Naomi Chazan says the majority of Israelis, who claim to support a two-state solution, have done very little to promote this goal. (Times of Israel)
Faisal Al Yafai says Saudi Arabia wants to establish an independent Gulf defense strategy. (The National)
The National says, before Qatar launches another tv news station, it should offer an explanation to its neighbors about why it backed the Muslim Brotherhood. (The National)
Hassan Barari says neither the West nor Arab countries can normalize relations with an Assad-led Syria. (Jordan Times)
Abdul Rahman Al Rashed says Syrian opposition leader Jarba is attempting to acquire anti-aircraft missiles in his visit to the US. (Al Arabiya)
Nathan Brown grades Egypt’s roadmap toward democracy. (Foreign Policy)

News:

Unnamed American officials reportedly primarily blame Israel’s continued settlement expansion for the failure of the peace talks. (Ynet/Times of Israel)

Pres. Abbas and Hamas leader Meshaal will hold talks in Doha. (Ma’an/AFP)

Palestinians are pushing to internationally brand Israel as the “occupier of Palestine.” (New York Times)

PM Netanyahu defends his plans for law defining Israel as a “Jewish state.” (AFP/Ynet)

Special Envoy Indyk may resign. (Ha’aretz)

The PLO joins five UN global treaties. (JTA)

Jewish “price tag” extremists vandalize a car in Israel and uproot olive trees in the occupied West Bank. (Ma’an/Ha’aretz)

DM Ya’alon calls on Israeli authorities to crack down on perpetrators of “price tag” attacks. (Times of Israel)

Islamic Jihad gains new traction against rivals Hamas in the Gaza strip. (New York Times)

3,000 PA police may begin to operate in Gaza as part of the unity deal. (Ma’an/Ha’aretz)

Israel remembers its fallen soldiers. (AP/Ha’aretz/Jerusalem Post) 

Israeli soldiers express frustration about their service in the occupied West Bank. (AP)

A new Yeshiva will open in occupied East Jerusalem. (Ynet/Reuters)

Ramallah celebrates Palestine Fashion Week 2014. (AP)

A PLO delegation heads to Syria to check on the conditions of Palestinian refugees. (Ma’an)

Syrian government forces kill 21 rebels in Aleppo. (AP)

Pres. Assad will face two other candidates in the Syrian Presidential election. (AP)

Persistent differences between Saudi Arabia and the US are hurting Syria policy. (Reuters/The National)

Turkey builds a wall to secure the border with Syria. (Reuters)

Educated women in Jordan face a shortage of jobs. (New York Times)

An Egyptian al-Qaeda inspired group claims responsibility for two attacks. (AP/Xinhua)

The Libyan Parliament swears-in new PM Ahmed Matiq under highly controversial circumstances.. (AP/Reuters/New York Times/The National)

The World Health Organization says polio is spreading at an alarming rate. (New York Times)

Qatar will launch a new tv satellite station to be run by Azmi Bishara. (The National)

Commentary:

Hussein Ibish says Palestinian unity agreement faces significant obstacles. (The National)

Rami Khouri says this a time of opportunity for Palestinians on three important fronts. (Daily Star)

Baraka El-Farra and Amine Kammourieh debate if Israel alone, or Sec. Kerry also, are responsible for undermining peace talks. (Asharq al-Awsat)

The Washington Post says its time for “a more pragmatic approach” in the Middle East. (Washington Post)

Mahmoud Jaraba and Lihi Ben Shitrit say the latest escalation in the Abbas-Dahlan dispute highlights the “bitter succession” fight in Fatah. (Daily Star)

Uzi Baram explains why he thinks Zionism has become a “dirty word.” (Ha’aretz)

Amer Al Sabaileh says Palestinian reconciliation is in everybody’s interest. (Jordan Times)

Samih Shabib and Khalil Shaheen debate if the Gaza agreement will result in a real unity government. (Asharq al-Awsat)

Sharif Nashashibi says we must acknowledge Israeli “apartheid,” (Al Arabiya)

Hussein Abu Hussein says Palestinian citizens of Israel wonder why Israel’s law enforcement’s resourcefulness disappear when it comes to “price tag” attacks. (Ha’aretz)

Amira Hass asks if Israeli authorities are really against “price tag” attacks. (Ha’aretz)

Fred Hiatt asks why the US stands by so “idly” on Syria. (Washington Post)

Abdul Rahman Al Rashed says Iraqi political pluralism, and the real diversity of top figures and parties, are worth appreciating. (Al Arabiya)

NEWS:
Sec. Kerry says the Middle East peace process is on a "pause." (AP)
UNSG Ban warns Israel and the Palestinians against unilateral moves. (Times of Israel)
Unnamed Hamas sources give their spin on the agreement with Fatah. (Al Monitor)
Palestinians seek greater authority in "Area C." (The Media Line)
Kerry's comments about potential "apartheid" in Israel tap into an ongoing Israeli debate. (AP)
A PLO official says PM Netanyahu is using proposed "Jewish state” legislation to permanently kill peace. (Ha'aretz)
Increasing numbers of Palestinian citizens of Israel are condemning the proposed legislation. (YNet)
Arab women are attacked and a cemetery vandalized in the latest "price tag" attack by Jewish right-wing extremists. (YNet)
Israeli police subject to the State Department's inclusion of settler violence in its new terrorism report. (AFP)
Israel's public security minister says the attacks are terrorism, and Israel knows who is responsible. (Ha'aretz)
Jewish-American groups strongly condemn "price tag" violence. (YNet)
Israeli police suspect potential terrorism in the murder of an Israeli woman. (Jerusalem Post/Times of Israel)
Israel is reportedly angered by a new report on boycotts by the British Methodist Church. (Ha'aretz)
Israel says a rocket fired from Gaza lands in southern Israel without incident. (AFP)
Unemployed Gaza workers dream of new jobs. (Xinhua)
AIDS patients in Gaza face isolation and humiliation. (Al Monitor)
A Palestinian citizen of Israel is placed under arrest for questioning on Facebook conscription orders for Christians. (Ha'aretz)
Israel's population is now estimated to be 8.2 million. (AFP)
Samaritan men in the West Bank are looking for brides in the former Soviet Union. (Christian Science Monitor)
Dozens are killed in an airstrike in Syria. (New York Times/AP)
At least 11 of the dead are reported to be children. (BBC)

A cease-fire is reportedly reached in the embattled city of Homs. (AP)
A suicide bomber kills an Egyptian soldier and three others in the Sinai Peninsula. (Reuters/AP)
Egypt faces a growing energy crisis. (New York Times/AP)
The UN says 750 people were killed in violence in Iraq in April. (Xinhua)
COMMENTARY:
Hussein Ibish joins Omri Ceren and Yosi Mekelberg to discuss the future of Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts. (VOA/On The Line)
Bakir Oweida says Palestinians shouldn't despair, they should redouble their commitment to peace. (Asharq Al Awsat)
Marc Schneier says Israelis and other Jews should welcome Pres. Abbas' strong statements about the Holocaust. (The Forward)
Saeb Erekat says Israel has rejected peace because it is happy with the status quo. (Time)
The Jerusalem Post says Israel could lash out at the PA, but can't risk its collapse. (Jerusalem Post)
Shlomi Eldar agrees that Israeli sanctions against the PA could backfire. (Al Monitor)
Efraim Halevy says Israel has an opportunity to totally destroy Hamas. (YNet)
Zoher Bahalul says Jewish "price tag" extremists are trying to provoke another Palestinian intifada. (YNet)
Michael Pizzi looks at controversy over Kerry's use of the term "apartheid" regarding Israel and the occupation. (Al Jazeera America)
Akiva Eldar says that indeed Kerry's strong warning to Israel has been lost in a furor over the word "apartheid." (Al Monitor)
Michael Cohen says Israel is lucky to have a "straight talking friend" like Kerry. (Foreign Policy)
David Weinberg says Israel's choices are not as stark as Kerry andothers think. (Jerusalem Post)
Anshel Pfeffer says Israel needs to start living for itself, notfighting empty battles over PR problems like "apartheid." (Ha'aretz)
Christopher Fettweis says, in order to move forward, both Israelis and Palestinians have to overcome their victim mentalities. (Los Angeles Times)
Ron Kampeas says J Street's failed effort to join the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations still shows it has gained mainstream acceptance. (JTA)
Robert Kagan says the US should not support the interim Egyptian government. (Washington Post)
The National says Congress is making a huge mistake by potentially interfering with the resumption of US aid to Egypt. (The National)
Mary Fitzgerald looks at the potential future for the Muslim Brotherhood in Libya. (Foreign Policy)
Abdelkader Cheref asks what's next, now that Pres. Bouteflika has been sworn in for another term in Algeria. (The National)
Youssef Cherif says Tunisia can and should play a role in mediating disputes in Libya. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
News:
PM Netanyahu says he will introduce legislation to define Israel as a “Jewish state.” (Reuters)
The State Department’s terror report says “price tag” attacks by Jewish extremistsagainst Palestinians went largely unpunished in 2013. (Ha’aretz/Ynet) 
Netanyahu condemns recent “price tag” attacks.  (Ha’aretz/Ynet)
Palestinian citizens of Israel accuse Israeli authorities of not trying to find “price tag” perpetrators. (Ha’aretz)
Finance Minister Lapid says “price tag” extremists who vandalized a mosque in northern Israel are being treated as terrorists. (Times of Israel)
Hamas says its Gaza forces will not take orders from Pres. Abbas. (Times of Israel)
Israel returns remains of Hamas militants killed in 1988. (The National)
Israeli forces enter a border area in southern Gaza. (Ma’an)
The PA ships medical equipment to Gaza. (Ma’an)
An Israeli soldier who was filmed aiming his rifle at Palestinian youth becomes a “facebook hero.” (Ha’aretz)
Jerusalem residents have to boil their water due to contamination. (Ha’aretz/Jerusalem Post)
Muslim scholars end a ban on visiting Al Aqsa mosque under occupation. (Jordan Times)
The Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish American Organizations reject J Street’s membership bid. (JTA/Jerusalem Post)
The search has started for a replacement for UN Syria mediator Brahimi. (Reuters)
An airstrike on a Syrian school kills 19. (AP/New York Times)
PM Maliki welcomes the high turnout for the parliamentary elections. (AP)
Egyptian Presidential candidate Sabahi lowers his expectations for the election. (New York Times/Washington Post)
Egypt’s Justice Minister Osman rejects criticism of mass death sentences against alleged Muslim Brotherhood members. (Xinhua)
US military aid to Egypt is in doubt over the mass death sentences. (The National)
Commentary:
Ali Jarbawi looks at why Abbas reconciled with Hamas. (New York Times)
Michael Young says Israel is creating a reality that makes peace impossible. (The National)
Peter Beinart says Sec. Kerry is wrong, because “apartheid” already exists in the occupied West Bank. (Ha’aretz)
David Landau says Kerry’s “apartheid” warning is clear. (Ha’aretz)
Ha’aretz says the reality described by Kerry must be altered by implementing the two-state solution. (Ha’aretz)
Gershon Baskin says Netanyahu is leading Israel to a “pariah state status.” (Jerusalem Post)
Aluff Benn says Netanyahu should be considered the hero of the binational state. (Ha’aretz)
Ben Caspit says Israel is worried that Special Envoy Indyk will resign. (Al-Monitor)
John Whitbeck says Israel’s “brutal occupation” must end. (Jordan Times)
The National says the fragmented approach to refugees in the Middle East is unsustainable. (The National)
Michael Young says Lebanese politician Geagea is lost between the national interest and his personal interests. (Daily Star)
The Daily Star says Lebanese Maronites lack “strength and cohesiveness.” 
Eyad Abu Shakra says in the Arab world democracy does not mean the rule of the people. (Asharq al-Awsat)
Abdallah Schleifer writes a letter to Field Marshall Sisi. (Al Arabiya)
Zaid Al-Ali says Maliki has been an “utter failure” in restoring actual security to Iraq. (Foreign Policy)
Joyce Karam asks if an Iranian nuclear agreement can save Pres. Obama’s legacy. (Al Arabiya)
Browse the World Press Round Up Archives

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