Palestinian democracy activist Mustafa Barghouti discusses the effect of Netanyahu returning to the PMO. Essentially, he asserts that Netanyahu will not seek to further the peace process and an alliance with right wing parties can only be detrimental to regional stability.
A new Carnegie report describes the need for U.S. leadership in an Israel-Syrian peace. Incentives for Syria include the return of the Golan Heights and an end to political isolation. The U.S. would benefit by involving itself in the process due to demands it can make on Syria to distance itself from Iran and refrain […]
President Obama’s first budget proposal reveals the possibility for increased non-military involvement in the Middle East and potential for additional aid to the Palestinian territories, with the State Department and other international programs receiving $51.7 billion, $4.5 billion more than 2009 estimates and nearly $10 billion more than 2008. The 142-page document briefly mentions the […]
Kadima is likely to lead the opposition against a Likud dominated government, according to recent reports. The main sticking point in coalition building discussions focused on Palestinian statehood, with Kadima Chairman Tzipi Livni mandating a two state solution and Likud Chairman Binyamin Netanyahu insisting limited sovereignty in the territories. Some analysts are at odds over […]
U.S. officials intend on continuing pressuring Israel to improve aid shipments and living conditions in the Gaza Strip. Along with the type of aid permitted into Gaza, U.S. officials criticized the number of aid trucks allowed daily into the Strip, urging 500 shipments instead of the current 200 daily. Moreover, the proposed $900 million aid […]
Kadima number two Shaul Mofaz harshly criticized party Chairman Tzipi Livni yesterday for refusing Likud Chairman Binyamin Netanyahu’s initial call for a unity government. Netanyahu offered Kadima prime ministerial portfolios and Kadima officials desire these positions as opposed to being relegated to the opposition. Netanyahu may tap Nathan Sharansky for Foreign Minister if Kadima and […]
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert ousted the lead negotiator for an Egypt-brokered truce deal with Hamas. Negotiator Amos Gilad criticized the government’s strategy last week, stating that preconditioning the release of abducted IDF soldier Gilad Shalit is an insult towards the Egyptians. Conversely, Olmert continues to assert the need for Shalit’s release before any truce could […]
Likud Chairman Binyamin Netanyahu, tapped last week to attempt and form a coalition, met with Kadima Chairman Tzipi Livni and reportedly offered her party two top portfolios. He supposedly even offered Livni “full partnership” in the government including input on the government’s policy statements. However, Netanyahu said that he would not be “bullied” into a […]
A rocket fired from Lebanon landed in northern Israel overnight, with the IDF returning fire and holding the Lebanese government responsible for the blasts. The attack comes approximately a week after the anniversary of the assassination of Hizballah military chief Imad Mugniyah, citing in Israeli security circles as a reason to elevate caution and expect […]
The State Department spokesman said, regarding the completion of plenary events for Durban II to which the U.S. delegation attempted to address concerns of anti-Semitism: “I believe the meetings have ended now in Geneva. Part of our delegation is – of course, is based in Geneva and part of the delegation is on its way […]
Likud Chairman Binyamin Netanyahu officially received a mandate from President Shimon Peres to form the next government. While Peres urged the creation of a broad national unity government, Netanyahu and Kadima Chairman Tzipi Livni intend to discuss a coalition on Sunday. However, Kadima officials persistently send mixed messages regarding the party’s intention to join a […]
The Obama Administration faces its first truly divisive decision regarding its relationship with Israel and promises for a changed U.S. posture towards the Arab World. Delegates from the U.S. Department of State attended this week preparatory and planning sessions for the second antiracism Durban Review Conference in April, a forum largely heralded as a platform […]
Shimon Peres intends to stress the importance of a moderate unity government with Kadima Chairman Tzipi Livni and Likud Chairman Benyamin Netanyahu tomorrow. Netanyhu is slowly solidifying a coalition that now includes Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman, who backed Likud yesterday. Due to this rightwing partnership, Kadima has virtually no viable coalition partners, leaving Livni […]
As the Durban II antiracism conference plenary sessions near conclusion, the U.S. delegation continues to attempt to change the agenda. The first conference elicited strong back lash from the United States and Israel, with Israel and some members of Congress encouraging the United States not to participate in this year’s events. During a State Department […]
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s attempts of tying a Gaza truce deal to the return of abducted IDF soldier Gilad Shalit has created dissent both within Israel and from Hamas. The National Security Cabinet debated a measure to continue the blockade on Gaza until the release of Shalit, while Israeli protesters declared that Olmert continues […]