With Palestinian elections scheduled for January, the big question is on every one’s mind- will Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas run for re-election? The Fatah leader’s popularity is low… and dropping. However, speculation remains that he will likely top the his party’s ticket for the presidency. Hamas leadership has said that the terror organization will […]
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton traveled to Israel this weekend and met with both Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas before making controversial remarks on preconditions for negotiations that led to condemnation from the PA. Speaking with Netanyahu yesterday, Clinton affirmed the U.S. stance on the need to halt settlement activity […]
Had the urge to go on that all-expenses paid 10-day tour of Israel? Or, conversely, had the urge to shove a group of 30 Americans out of the way while trying to walk to the market in Tel Aviv? The program, Birth Right, has been accused of having a not-so-hidden agenda to encourage ties between […]
This week’s JStreet conference led to proponents and opponents of the new group to claim victory. Supporters of the conference applauded the high levels of publicity and attendance at the event, while opponents used the speakers list and comments heard at the conference to reinforce their criticisms of the self proclaimed “pro peace, pro Israel” lobby. […]
On the 15 year anniversary of the Israeli-Jordanian peace treaty, the focus is on how much has not changed and how much more work needs to be done. Namely, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to destabilize the region and prevent cooperation between every country. In an interview with Middle East Progress, Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, Jordan’s […]
The Palestinians recently embarked on another effort to search for a real leader that can unite all factions, work effectively with Israel toward a resolution, and maintain international legitimacy as a pro-democratic figurehead. Although that might be a little too much to ask. The Palestinian Authority announced last week its intention to hold presidential and legislative […]
The latest round of bitterlemons opinions includes a wide array of opinions on the impact of Palestinian reconciliation on the peace process and relations with Israel. Ghassan Khatib’s article describes reconciliation as “against Israel’s interests,” with the author stating: “Israel doesn’t want Palestinian unity, because that would shift the political balance of power more in […]
Check out fellow FPA blogger Sean Murphy’s recent post on a movie regarding the Second Lebanon War. By Sean Patrick Murphy Sunday, October 25 7:34 pm EST In the summer of 2006, southern Lebanon was under a barrage of Israeli firepower. The war was nominally between Israel and Hezbollah operating out of Lebanon. What this film […]
The Washington Post published two somewhat informative interviews today, one with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and the other with Palestinian Prime Minister Salaam Fayyad. The significantly more interesting interview with Fayyad largely deals with his role and his vision for the establishment of institutions for a future Palestinian state. He stresses that Israel had […]
Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman will testify next week before a House subcommittee on the region. Whatever he on Israel and the Palestinians may not make headlines, but watching the webcast may prove insightful to the administration’s views. However, testimony from the White House, which has taken the lead on Israel-Palestine talks, […]
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas officially called for Parliamentary and presidential elections to be held January 24 of next year, a move rebukes Egyptian efforts to reconcile Palestinian factions. Abbas said: “The Palestinian people in Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip are called to take part in the general presidential and parliamentary election on Sunday, […]
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice lauded Israeli President Shimon Peres at a speech today in Jerusalem. Some of the notable comments include: “Meir Dizengoff, the founder of Tel Aviv, was once asked how does one become the Mayor of a city in Israel. He replied, “First, you build the city.” Well, the […]
Rep. Robert Wexler, who recently announced a pending resignation to join the Center for Middle East Peace as their new president, expressed support today for President Barack Obama’s approach to the Middle East conflict that includes a broad approach involving the whole Arab world, not just Israel-Palestine. His comments, delivered at the Center for American Progress, […]
Israel can’t catch a break this month. Even though the Israeli government did no wrongdoing, one former U.S. government employee attempted to sell secrets to the agents that he believed worked for Israel. The man, Stewart David Nozette, worked at the Department of Defense, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the Department of Energy, the […]
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas faces increased domestic opposition for his ordering of a delayed consideration of the Goldstone report into alleged war crimes during the Gaza War. Abbas defended his actions, stating: “I gave directives to [PLO Ambassador] Ibrahim Khreisha to find a way to re-submit the Goldstone report, and a week later he […]