The Washington Post reports on the trip by President Bush to Israel/Palestine and statements he made regarding progress towards Israeli-Palestinian peace in 2008 (2.) The Christian Science Monitor reviews reaction in Israel to the Bush visit (5.) The Jewish Telegraphic Agency examines statements made by President Bush to the Israeli and Palestinian leaderships regarding a Palestinian state, settlements and security (7.) The Financial Times (UK) reports on the words of caution President Bush offered the Israelis regarding undermining Palestinian security measures and West Bank checkpoints (9.) The Guardian (UK) looks at how the issue of Israeli settlement expansion in parts of the occupied territories continues to create difficulties with the Palestinians and with American policy (10.) The Times (UK) examines statements by President Bush regarding the issue of the contiguity of a future Palestinian state (12.) A Haaretz (Israel) editorial is critical of Israeli policies in Gaza preventing humanitarian and medical cases from seeking treatment outside the territory (14.) A Gulf News (UAE) opinion by George Hishmeh analyzes the motivations behind the Bush Mideast visit (17.)
USA Today analyzes whether the United States can still be an effective peace broker between Israelis and despite events that have deteriorated the standing of the U.S. in the region in the light of the current trip by President Bush to the region (2.) The Washington Times looks at how tunnels from the Sinai into southern Gaza are able to sustain a basic economy in the strip (4.) A Baltimore Sun opinion by Emily Hauser examines how the volatility and steady rise in the price of oil is linked continuing Israeli-Palestinian tensions (6.) The Christian Science Monitor gauges the reactions of Gazans to the Bush Mideast visit (7.) Also in the Monitor is an opinion by former Mideast correspondent George Moffett in which he outlines Israel's interests in a 2-state solution and the importance of the U.S. in reaching one (8.) A Financial Times (UK) opinion by Zbigniew Brzezinski urges President Bush,as the leader of the only nation able to do so, to spell out the framework of a comprehensive Mideast peace based on four principles (10.) In a Times (UK) comment, Stefanie Marsh encounters despondency and hopelessness during a visit to Gaza (12.) An Arab News (Saudi Arabia) editorial is skeptical of President Bush's ability to achieve a legacy with Israeli-Palestinian peace (14.) In Miftah (Palestine) Joharah Baker is doubtful that the visit of President Bush will yield anything tangible for the Palestinians (15.) A Haaretz (Israel) editorial concludes that the Bush trip is meaningless if facts on the ground, such as outposts, are not being addressed (16.)
The Christian Science Monitor examines how Bush administration goals and policies for the Middle East have evolved over the years (2.) The Washington Post looks at the different reasons for the faltering peace process following the Annapolis meeting (4.) The Los Angeles Times reports on mixed feelings among Israelis regarding his support for Israel and the consequences of U.S. Mideast policies for their country (5.) In the New Republic, WINEP counselor and fellow Dennis Ross urges President Bush to work with Israelis and Palestinians on adopting modest and achievable steps towards peace that can be built upon with progress and revive both publics' faiths in a negotiated settlement (7.) The Jewish Telegraphic Agency examines how this week's trip to Israel and Palestine by President Bush might be used to exert some pressure on Israel on the issue of settlements (8.) The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) looks at the Israeli Defense Ministry's opposition to the publication of an official government report revealing greater settlement activity than admitted (9.) BBC (UK) analyzes the timing of the Bush trip to Israel and Palestine, seven years after he became president (11.) Asharq Alawsat (pan Arab) examines how efforts to reconcile Fatah and Hamas have not yielded progress to-date (14.) A Haaretz (Israel) editorial is critical of the Olmert government for only utilizing military means to deal with the Hamas issue while neglecting offering Palestinians a diplomatic horizon to a future state (16.)
McClatchey Newspapers contrasts the very different morning commutes for an Israeli and a Palestinian to illustrate how lack of Palestinian freedom of movement is one of the major obstacles to peace (1.) A Los Angeles Times opinion by Professors Walt of Harvard and Mearsheimer of Chicago University label as 'false friends of Israel' U.S. presidential candidates that facilitate self-destructive policies by offering unconditional political and financial support (3.) The Washington Post examines expectations in the Middle East regarding the visit of President Bush to the region this week (4.) Editorials in the Baltimore Sun (6) and Boston Globe (7) urge President Bush to use the influence of the U.S. to do all that is necessary to achieve progress in Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations (6.) An Independent (UK) editorial faults the Bush administration for its belated engagement in Mideast peacemaking while acknowledging that an opportunity exists for it if serious effort is applied (10.) BBC (UK) looks at why the Har Homa settlement issue has become such a flash-point for Israeli-Palestinian relations and the future of peace negotiations (13.) Arab News (Saudi Arabia) examines how Israel's 'absentee law' is used to expropriate Palestinian land in Bethlehem and East Jerusalem for the building of the Har Homa settlement (15.) A Haaretz (Israel) opinion by Akiva Eldar is critical of the continuing Israeli settlement enterprise in the occupied Palestinian territories as a danger to Israel's future existence (16.) Also in Haaretz, an opinion by Tel Aviv university senior political science lecturer Eyal Chowers suggests a new paradigm for Israelis and Palestinians to express their national identities through (18.)
Reuters reports on criticism by Palestinian PM Fayyad of continuing raids by the Israeli military into the West Bank city of Nablus that are ruining his security plan for the city (2.) Also in Reuters, in an interview President Bush calls ISraeli settlement expansion as an 'impediment' to current peace efforts (3.) The Christian Science Monitor examines the different challenges and responsibilities facing the Palestinians in disbursing the funds pledged recently by the international community (5.) In the National Interest, USIP fellow Barbara Slavin suggests a new course for U.S. Mideast foreign policy (6.) The Jewish Telegraphic Agency examines comment by President Bush and his national security advisor Hadley on the issue of settlements and other obstacles to Mideast peacemaking (8.) In Israel Policy Forum, MJ Rosenberg analyzes how the one uniting issue for Arab and Muslim anger worldwide is the issue of Palestine, and how the exercise of U.S. presidential will can address that issue (9.) The Economist (UK) assesses the prospects for President Bush of nudging along Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking efforts during his trip to the region next week (11.) An Arab News opinion by Fred Schlomka, board member of the Israeli Committee Against Home Demolitions, reports on Israeli policies detrimental to its Bedouin citizens (13.) A Haaretz (Israel) opinion by Century and New America Foundation senior fellow Daniel Levy suggests a list of talking points for Israeli PM Olmert's upcoming meeting with President Bush (14.) A Yedioth/Ynet News (Israel) opinion by Sever Plocker cautions that the time for implementing a two-state solution is running out as the bi-national state concept is gaining ground (15.)