Turkey’s prime minister set to visit Gaza

Published on May 8, 2013

Political observers in Turkey expect Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to reaffirm his support for Palestinians with a visit this month to Gaza, marking the third anniversary of a deadly Israeli raid on a Turkish aid flotilla bound for the disputed territory

World Bank: Palestinian economy in decline

Published on March 12, 2013

During President Obama’s visit to Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) next week, he will visit the West Bank towns of Ramallah, where he will meet PA leader Mahmoud Abbas, and Bethlehem, to see the Church of the Nativity. A new report by the World Bank says he will see an economy that is in steady decline and losing its competetiveness.

EU condemns Israeli settlements, seizure of PA funds

Published on December 12, 2012

The European Union (EU) called on Israel to cancel planned construction in West Bank settlements and “avoid any step undermining the financial situation of the Palestinian Authority” (PA).

Abbas seeks talks if Israel halts West Bank construction

Published on December 10, 2012

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas reportedly said he wanted to negotiate with Israel it if freezes construction for six months in the West Bank and Jerusalem.

Peace and protection

By Rabbi Mordecai Finley
Published on November 29, 2012

I have tried to figure out why Rabbi Sharon Brous’ thoughts left me empty when I read them. As Rabbi Daniel Gordis has written, there is nothing objectionable in them.

Americans for Peace Now backs Palestinian U.N. bid

Published on November 27, 2012

Americans for Peace Now called on President Obama to support the Palestinians’ bid to upgrade their status in the United Nations to non-member observer state.

Israel-Gaza conflict: Low expectations

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on November 20, 2012

No one knows for sure why the Gaza hostilities began. We know that there had been weeks of intensifying rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip, rockets fired by various Palestinian groups that were tolerated, even encouraged by the governing Hamas.

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.

The Palestinian great escape?

Published on October 8, 2012

Abdullah Ashee, a 45-year old investor, is wanted in the West Bank for alleged fraud. But two years ago, while his case was being considered in a court in the West Bank city of Ramallah, he fled to neighboring Jordan. He says he entered Jordan legally and that he fled his home because he does not trust the Palestinian Authority’s legal system.

Palestinian street begins to sound like Spring

Published on October 4, 2012

Since the beginning of the Arab Spring almost two years ago, the West Bank and Gaza Strip have been remarkably quiet. There have been no large demonstrations against what Palestinians call the ongoing Israeli occupation; or against President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.

World Bank: Urgent action needed to avoid PA fiscal crisis

Published on September 21, 2012

The World Bank called on donors to act “urgently” to prevent a “deepening fiscal crisis” in the Palestinian territories.

PA opposes moment of silence for slain Israelis

Published on July 26, 2012

The Palestinian Authority opposed a moment of silence at the London Olympics for the 40th anniversary of the Palestinian “Black September” terrorist group’s killing of 11 Israeli team members in Munich, Palestinian Media Watch reported.

House Middle East subcommittee considers PA corruption

Published on July 11, 2012

The House Middle East subcommittee considered reports of Palestinian corruption and how the reports should affect U.S. assistance to the Palestinians.

PA minister: Abbas rejected Netanyahu’s offer to release prisoners for peace talks

Published on July 9, 2012

Palestinian minister for prisoner affairs confirms Haaretz report that Netanyahu offered to release initially 25 prisoners convicted of murdering Israelis, and another 100 by the end of 2012.

PA says it’s facing ‘worst financial crisis’

Published on July 2, 2012

The Palestinian Authority is facing its “worst financial crisis” yet, according to a PA official, because of a foreign aid shortfall and the rejection of a $100 million loan by the International Monetary Fund.

Clinton unfreezes Palestinian aid despite congressional objection

Published on April 17, 2012

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton overruled a hold by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) on Palestinian aid, allowing $147 million U.S. funds to flow to the West Bank and Gaza.

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.

Lawmakers query Obama officials on P.A. funding, statehood push

Published on March 20, 2012

Top Obama administration officials faced tough questions from lawmakers on funding for the Palestinian Authority and its efforts to seek statehood recognition.

The Real “Machine Gun Preacher”: Unorthodox Atonement

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on October 4, 2011

U.S. scrambles to keep Palestinian aid flowing

Published on October 3, 2011

The Obama administration is lobbying Congress to unblock $200 million in aid for the Palestinian Authority that was frozen due to its bid for U.N. recognition of statehood over U.S. and Israeli objections.

Israel wants peace - friend request pending [VIDEO]

Published on September 20, 2011

Israel's attempts at making friends.

Obama administration argues for PA aid

Published on July 14, 2011

The Obama administration argued in Congress for continued funding for the Palestinian Authority.

Israel will transfer collected tax money to PA

Published on May 16, 2011

Israel will resume the transfer of collected tax funds to the Palestinian Authority, its finance minister said. Yuval Steinitz, saying he was satisfied that none of the tax transfers would be given to the government's new partner Hamas or any other terrorist group, confirmed on Sunday night to reporters that his ministry would begin transferring the approximately $88 million in customs and other taxes that it collects for the Palestinians.

EU covers Israel’s suspended tax money to PA

Published on May 6, 2011

The European Union approved an extra $124 million in emergency aid to the Palestinians to supplement tax moneys frozen by Israel. "It is important that access to essential public services remains uninterrupted and the right to social services is respected," Reuters on Friday quoted Catherine Ashton, the E.U. foreign policy chief, as saying.

U.S. praises PA security progress

Published on March 22, 2011

The Obama administration lauded the progress of Palestinian security services. "The program has witnessed increased coordination of activities amongst international donors, and is achieving notable progress on security, justice, corrections, and other new fronts," the U.S. State Department said in a statement issued Sunday.

Israel bans PA prime minister

Published on November 1, 2010

Israel has banned the Palestinian Authority prime minister from attending an official PA event in eastern Jerusalem.

Clinton to P.A.: talk

Published on April 15, 2010

Hillary Rodham Clinton urged the Palestinian Authority to join negotiations with Israel.

Specter Switches Sides!

By Raphael J. Sonenshein
Published on April 28, 2009