State Department Special Envoy Dennis Blair will visit the Gulf and Egypt next week in a likely effort to obtain support for U.S. initiatives aimed at curbing the Iranian nuclear program. While the State Department did not specify the details of issues to be discussed, Ross may also attempt to enlist support for a resolution […]
The transition from Memorial Day directly into Israeli Independence Day remains analogous to the historical evolution of the country. Tonight, Israelis gather across the state, paying homage to the sacrifices of fallen soldiers in defense of the country during multiple wars over the last 61 years. Tomorrow, the entire demeanor of the country changes, with […]
Palestinian unity talks between Fatah and Hamas scheduled for today were delayed again pending additional internal consultations. The two groups indicated that negotiations in Cairo would potentially resume tomorrow, with both sides adamant that they seek a reconciliation. In the event that Hamas joins the Fatah-led government, Congress could complicate aid to the Palestinians due […]
Testifying yesterday before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton indicated an increased effort to conduct oversight on funds delivered to Palestinians. Throughout the 1990s and into the 21st century, funds provided to the Palestinians often went unchecked, leading to corruption, mismanagement, and embezzlement of economic support. […]
Coincidentally, I live fairly close to the Turkish embassy in Tel Aviv. A group of approximately 60 protesters, when I walked by, stood across the street from the embassy waving Armenian flags and holding signs condemning the Armenian genocide. Turkey-Israel ties remain strained since Operation Cast Lead that Turkish officials repeatedly criticized as tantamount to […]
Despite tensions between Israel and Egypt over the appointment of Avigdor Lieberman toForeign Minister due to comments he previously made telling Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to “go to hell,” the controversial politician met with Egyptian Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman on his recent trip to Israel. Suleiman, potentially the next Egyptian president, also met with Israeli […]
Over the last 90 days, since the beginning of the Obama Administration, the pro-Israel lobby and establishment appeared quite regularly in the news for treating the government like a marionette. First, Charles Freeman withdrew his nomination for chairman on the National Intelligence Council due to concerns that he sympathized with Arabs and did not espouse […]
As expected, it appears the post-Passover unemployment numbers will rise in the coming months due to the global economic downturn. The Israel Employment service estimates that 130,000 layoffs will occur between now and the end of the year. In order to curb the rise in unemployment rates, some industry officials advocate mandating ‘buy-Israel’ maneuvers similar […]
The White House will host separate meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in order to advance the peace process, according to White House spokesperson Robert Gibbs. While the White House has yet to release the specific dates for all the meetings, anticipated before mid-June, […]
As the media continues to condemn Israel for alleged human rights violations in the recent Gaza operation, the Washington Post‘s Richard Cohen instead focuses his attention on inhumane acts committedby Hamas. His column uses evidence from a recent Human Rights Watch report that includes horrific stories regarding Hamas security forces’ treatment of Palestinians. Cohen contends […]
Feel free to compare reaction to the Ahmadinejad speech at Durban II courtesy of Haaretz and then Iranian television that apparently shows primarily the Iranian delegation reaction.
Via the Associated Press. countries boycotting Durban II are: Australia Germany Canada Israel Italy Netherlands New Zealand Poland United States Countries who walked out after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad attacked Israel are: Austria Belgium Britain Bulgaria Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Greece Hungary Ireland Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Portugal Romania Slovakia Slovenia Spain […]
Delegates from multiple Western countries walked-out of the UN anti-racism Durban II conference in the midst of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s comments condemning Israel. Representatives from at least England, France, and Canada left the room.
As the Durban II anti-racism conference kicks off on the eve of Holocaust Memorial Day, tensions already accelerated between Israel and some nations. Following a meeting between the Swiss president and Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Israeli government recalled its ambassador to Switzerland, citing the meeting with the Iranian holocaust denier as cause. The Swiss government […]
The Palestinian Authority refuses to acknowledge Israel’s right to a Jewish state while Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu mandates the statement prior to the resumption of any peace process. Palestinian officials contend that the PLO already acknowledged Israel’s right to exist in the Declaration of Principles while Netanyahu refuses to support the Palestinians’ right to a state. […]