Report: Israel rejects 1967 borders ‘precondition’

Published on May 3, 2013

Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, has reportedly refused to accept the 1967 border as the basis for a final Israeli-Palestinian border prior to negotiations.

China offers to broker Abbas-Netanyahu meeting

Published on May 3, 2013

China offered to broker a meeting between Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

Hamas rejects Arab League’s Israeli-Palestinian peace plan

Published on May 3, 2013

Islamist Hamas's leader in the Gaza Strip on Friday rejected a revised Middle East peace initiative put forward by the Arab League, saying outsiders could not decide the fate of the Palestinians.

Netanyahu says he would put peace deal to referendum

Published on May 2, 2013

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday he would put any peace deal with the Palestinians to a referendum, raising expectations that direct negotiations might soon resume following a two-year stalemate.

Ergogan disregards Kerry request to postpone Gaza visit

Published on April 22, 2013

Turkey's prime minister will go ahead with a planned visit next month to Gaza, despite a request from US Secretary of State John Kerry to postpone.

Report: Western pressure halted Fayyad resignation

Published on April 12, 2013

The United States and Europe are pushing to tamp down an internal Palestinian power struggle, Palestinian sources say.

Kerry, Netanyahu meet in Jerusalem to discuss restarting peace talks

Published on April 9, 2013

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in Jerusalem to discuss restarting negotiations with the Palestinians.

Russian Jews urge Netanyahu to ignore U.S. Jews’ call for ceding land

Published on April 9, 2013

One hundred Russian Jewish notables urged Benjamin Netanyahu to ignore recent pleas by American Jews calling on the Israeli prime minister to cede land for peace.

Kerry, Abbas discuss reviving peace talks but offer no details

Published on April 8, 2013

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday discussed reviving Israeli-Palestinian peace talks but neither side offered details on how, when and whether that might happen.

Why Israel Isn’t More Thrilled About the Death of the ‘Settlement Freeze’

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on April 3, 2013

Abbas, Jordanian king sign agreement to defend Jerusalem

Published on April 2, 2013

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Jordanian King Abdullah II signed an agreement to coordinate efforts to defend Jerusalem and its holy sites.

Path to peace: J Street

Published on March 28, 2013

Opponents of J Street consistently argue that our positions are somehow radical, strange and way out of the Israeli or American-Jewish mainstream.

Path to peace: StandWithUs

Published on March 28, 2013

On Monday evening, March 11, I had a public discussion with Jeremy Ben-Ami, founder and president of J Street, at Temple Isaiah in Los Angeles. The topics included how American Jews should approach pro-Israel advocacy, whether peace is currently attainable between Israel and Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas, and what American Jews can do to help the two sides reach an agreement.

Analysis: Obama scores unexpected successes on Middle East trip

Published on March 22, 2013

U.S. President Barack Obama flew out of Israel in a duststorm on Friday, leaving behind a trail of symbolic gestures and fine oratory that should help preserve the status quo at a time of regional upheaval.

In Ramallah, Obama implies settlement freeze not needed

Published on March 21, 2013

President Obama implied during a news conference in Ramallah that a settlement freeze should not be a precondition for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.

Obama: Israeli settlement building not constructive to peace

Published on March 21, 2013

U.S. President Barack Obama said on Thursday he had told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that continued Jewish settlement activity was not constructive and did not "advance the cause of peace".

Palestinians vent frustration at brief Obama visit

Published on March 21, 2013

Palestinian protesters raised their hands and tried to wave away the helicopter that brought U.S. President Barack Obama to the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Thursday, accusing him of siding with Israel.

Obama’s visit to Israel: a new kind of hope

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on March 20, 2013

Abbas wants peace talks with Israel this year

Published on March 14, 2013

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said on Thursday he hoped peace talks with Israel would restart this year although the chances of a resumption seemed slim.

Washington Diary: Worry About Hagel-Out, Worry About Kerry- In

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on March 6, 2013

Analysis: Tzipi Livni faces rough road in peace push with Palestinians

Published on February 20, 2013

Tzipi Livni's coalition pact with right-winger Benjamin Netanyahu speaks volumes about the obstacles ahead for the moderate former Israeli foreign minister in her new task of pursuing peace with the Palestinians.

Netanyahu: Hamas could take over Palestinian Authority

Published on January 2, 2013

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed concern that Hamas would take over the Palestinian Authority before or after a peace agreement.

EU, Russia condemn Israeli settlement expansion plans

Published on December 21, 2012

The European Union and Russia on Friday denounced Israel's plans to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank and urged Israelis and Palestinians to take "bold and concrete steps towards peace."

Palestinians outline Israel isolation strategy

Published on December 20, 2012

The Palestinian Authority is considering a multi-pronged strategy to isolate Israel, including seeking redress in international courts and ceasing security cooperation.

Netanyahu: Israel will build in Jerusalem despite criticism

Published on December 19, 2012

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday his government would press ahead with expanding Jewish settlements around Jerusalem despite Western criticism of its plan to build 6,000 more homes in territory Palestinians seek for a state.

Israel moves ahead with E1 settlement plans; EU summons envoy

Published on December 5, 2012

Israel moved ahead with plans to build 3,000 settler homes in one of the most sensitive areas of the West Bank, as the European Union summoned Israel's envoy to add its voice to a storm of international protest.

Palestinians warn Israel must be held accountable over settlements

Published on December 4, 2012

The Palestinians accused Israel in a letter to the United Nations of planning to commit further "war crimes" by expanding Jewish settlements after the Palestinians won de facto U.N. recognition of statehood and warned that Jerusalem must be held accountable.

Israel faces European backlash over settlement plan

Published on December 3, 2012

Israel faced concerted criticism from Europe on Monday over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to expand settlement building after the United Nations' de facto recognition of Palestinian statehood.

Israel to expand settlements after U.N.‘s Palestine vote

Published on November 30, 2012

Israel plans to build thousands of new homes for its settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, an Israeli official said on Friday, defying a U.N. vote that implicitly recognized Palestinian statehood there.

Netanyahu: No Palestinian state until negotiations, despite U.N. vote

Published on November 29, 2012

The Palestinians will not achieve a state without first recognizing Israel as a Jewish State and sitting down to direct negotiations, Benjamin Netanyahu said.

Strong European support for Palestinian statehood bid

Published on November 28, 2012

A Palestinian bid for indirect U.N. recognition of statehood received vows of support from more than a dozen European nations as of Wednesday, and diplomats said this backing may deter Israel from harsh retaliation against the Palestinian Authority for seeking to upgrade its U.N. status.

Israel hits Hamas government buildings, reservists mobilized

Published on November 17, 2012

Israeli aircraft bombed Hamas government buildings in Gaza on Saturday, including the prime minister's office, after Israel's cabinet authorized the mobilization of up to 75,000 reservists in preparation for a possible ground invasion.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry: Oslo Accords could be canceled over Palestinians’ U.N. bid

Published on November 14, 2012

A document being circulated by Israel's Foreign Ministry instructs its envoys to warn their host governments that the Oslo Accords could be canceled over the Palestinian Authority's attempt to upgrade its status at the United Nations.

Gaza militants signal truce with Israel after rockets

Published on November 12, 2012

Palestinian militants indicated they were ready for a truce with Israel on Monday to defuse a growing crisis after four days of rocket strikes from the Gaza Strip into the south of the Jewish state.

Palestinian U.N. status likely to be debated in November

Published on October 4, 2012

The United Nations is likely to hold a debate on whether to upgrade the Palestinians' U.N. status to a sovereign country in mid-November - after the U.S. election, the president of the 193-member U.N. General Assembly said on Wednesday.

Palestinians seek U.N. upgrade opposed by U.S. and Israel

Published on September 20, 2012

The Palestinians will ask the United Nations to upgrade their status in the world body by year's end, enabling them to pursue Israel through the international courts, a senior Palestinian official said on Thursday.

Palestinian money woes

Published on September 19, 2012

Could the Palestinian Authority’s budget woes end up costing Israel?

Israeli panel backs legalizing settler outposts

Published on July 9, 2012

A government-appointed committee on Monday proposed granting official status to dozens of unauthorized settler outposts in the West Bank, challenging the world view that Israeli settlement there is illegal.

Putin: Russia already recognizes Palestine

Published on June 28, 2012

Russian President Vladimir Putin told Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas that Moscow already has recognized a Palestinian state.

Palestinian official: Abbas to meet Mofaz

Published on June 28, 2012

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will meet with Israeli Vice Premier Shaul Mofaz on Sunday, a Palestinian official said, in the highest-level meeting between the sides since peace talks broke down in 2010.

Putin, under fire backing Assad, to visit Israel

Published on June 13, 2012

Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to visit Israel, Israel's Foreign Ministry announced.

Nakba Day marked with rioting, rock throwing

Published on May 15, 2012

Palestinians in Israel marked Nakba Day with riots and rock-throwing.

Palestinian leaders reject Netanyahu letter to Abbas

Published on May 14, 2012

Palestinian leaders reportedly have rejected the contents of a letter delivered by Benjamin Netanyahu's personal envoy Isaac Molho to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah.

Palestinians escalate hunger-strike in Israel jails

Published on May 11, 2012

Hundreds of Palestinians on hunger strike in Israeli jails said on Friday they would shun vitamin supplements and prison clinics in an escalation of their mass protest against detention conditions.

Hamas says it will not go to war for Iran

Published on May 10, 2012

The Islamist movement Hamas will not let itself be dragged into a war against Israel if it attacks the nuclear facilities of Hamas ally Iran, Gaza leader Ismail Haniyeh said on Thursday.

Abbas says he’s ready to engage with Israel

Published on May 8, 2012

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said on Tuesday he was ready to engage with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a Middle East peace agreement if he proposes "anything promising or positive."

PA’s Fayyad is no-show at scheduled meeting with Netanyahu

Published on April 17, 2012

Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad refused to attend a scheduled meeting with his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu.

Palestinians to deliver Netanyahu ultimatum on talks

Published on April 16, 2012

The Palestinian prime minister plans to use a rare meeting set for Tuesday with Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu to deliver a letter detailing Palestinian grievances on stalled peace talks.

Palestinian Authority blames Gaza for deficit mess

Published on April 11, 2012

Paying for the upkeep of the Gaza Strip while its political rival actively blocks revenues flowing back is taking its toll on the deficit-racked Palestinian Authority.

Netanyahu, Fayyad to meet later this month

Published on April 4, 2012

The Israeli and Palestinian prime ministers will meet later this month, officials said on Wednesday, but the rare talks may only sharpen differences that have brought peace negotiations to a standstill.

Opinion: Rebels with a cause

By David Suissa
Published on February 8, 2012

“Leon Klinghoffer’s blood cries out from the depth of the ocean,” the 23-year-old law student told the Israeli Supreme Court in 1995. “We will not withdraw our complaint.”

Palestinian rivals agree to form unity government

Published on February 6, 2012

The leaders of rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas signed a deal in Qatar on Monday to form a unity government of independent technocrats for the West Bank and Gaza, headed by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

Ban Ki-moon calls on Israel to make gestures for peace

Published on February 1, 2012

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on Israel to make some positive moves toward the Palestinians in order to bring them back to the negotiating table.

Netanyahu pessimistic on Mideast peace prospects

Published on January 29, 2012

Peace prospects with the Palestinians are looking poor, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday after exploratory talks aimed at relaunching negotiations ended in deadlock.

Palestinians unmoved as Israel presents border ideas

Published on January 27, 2012

Israel has presented Palestinians with its ideas for the borders and security arrangements of a future Palestinian state, in a bid to keep exploratory talks alive, Palestinian and Israeli sources said on Friday.

Must Read, January 18, 2012

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on January 18, 2012

Obama, Netanyahu talk Iran, Middle East peace

Published on January 12, 2012

President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed recent Israeli-Palestinian talks on Thursday as U.S. officials signaled that a Jan. 26 target date for the two sides to exchange proposals could slide.

Israeli, Palestinian peace negotiators to meet on Monday, U.S. says

Published on January 5, 2012

Israeli and Palestinian peace negotiators will hold their second round of face-to-face talks within a week on Monday in Amman, a U.S. State Department spokeswoman said on Thursday.

West Bank mosque set alight following outpost razing

Published on December 15, 2011

A mosque in the West Bank was set alight hours after Israeli soldiers demolished two structures in an illegal outpost.

Opinion: Unintended consequences... or not

By Douglas Bloomfield
Published on November 29, 2011

In his zeal to punish Mahmoud Abbas for assorted affronts real and imagined, Benjamin Netanyahu may be Hamas' most important benefactor.