A new INSS report outlines recent changes in the motives of Israeli Arabs who assist terrorist organizations. In the past, many of these Israeli-Arab spies were motivated by promises of money and/or drugs. However, the recent arrest of Rawi Sultani indicates a shift from monetary to nationalistic motives. While attending a camp run in Morocco […]
He didn’t go to the Gulf or any other Arab nation…. maybe. Reports surfaced yesterday of an alleged secret trip by Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to an Arab country without direct ties to Israel. The reports indicated that Netanyahu attempted to forge a strategic partnership with an Arab country in order to thwart Iranian […]
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu generally spends his time in Jerusalem running the government. He occasionally takes trips abroad to discuss the peace process or the Iranian threat with allied governments, such as the recent visit to the United States. Today, the Prime Minister’s Office’s official schedule placed on him on a tour of a […]
Bitterlemons has a great series on the feasibility of unilateral peace, a concept where only one side attempts to forge a climate for peace regardless of the other party’s actions. Israel arguably embarked on a unilateral peace process through the Ariel Sharon-ordered disengagement from the Gaza Stip that led to the Hamas coup of the […]
If you’re for an Israeli freeze on settlements, there is some good and bad news for you (and if you’re opposed to a freeze, just swap the two headings). The good news: Some reports indicate that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu intends to initiate a settlement freeze in the West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem construction. The […]
The Iranian government supplied the terrorist group Hezbollah with chemical weapons and weapons of mass destruction protective gear, according to officials quoted in a Kuwaiti daily today. Hezbollah reportedly stored the chemical weapons in a warehouse that exploded in mid July, killing eight terrorists. The terror group refused to grant Lebanese military and UN workers access to […]
High-ranking Israeli and Palestinian officials met in Jerusalem today to discuss administrative issues, such as visas to the West Bank, medical treatment for Palestinians, and other export/import issues. The meeting between Palestinian Minister of National Economy Bassem Khoury and Israeli Vice Prime Minister and Minister for Regional Development Silvan Shalom marks the first direct high-level talks since […]
Up until the recent past, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) dominated the discourse in Washington as the voice of pro-Israel advocates and (unofficially) Jews in America. Because of AIPAC’s arguable reputation as a “right-wing” organization that places Israel’s interests above all else, a new group sprouted to woo moderate and left wing Jews […]
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu touted economic development in the West Bank as the strategy to obtain a political resolution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict. By increasing the standard of living in the territories and focusing on economic stimulus, the peace process could progress even if political disputes, such as the status of Jerusalem, remain as significant hurdles. […]
Today’s State Department press briefing included a light quip at the expense of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict following questions regarding the recent political instability in Honduras. After a few minutes of back-and-forth, State Department Spokesman Ian Kelly and reporters had the following exchange: QUESTION: Well, but by declaring it a military coup and, you know, taking […]
The latest issue of the City Journal includes an article on the unmatched economic and scientific accomplishments achieved by Israel in its short history. The high-tech industry dominates the Israeli economy and the author includes some interesting statistics regarding the country’s global standing in the technology sector. As of 2007, Israel houses more foreign NASDAQ-traded […]
The new issue of Bitterlemons International includes two great articles on the relationship between Israel and Egypt. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak touts his role in the peace process, negotiations for the return of abducted IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, and Palestinian reconcilliation. Moreover, as Mubarak faces growing opposition from the Muslim brotherhood, the Egyptian leader has […]
Last week, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak masqueraded around Washington puffing up his chest as a major broker in the Middle East peace process. In interviews, he accentuated his role in attempting to forge an agreement to renew Israel-Palestinian peace talks, to secure the release of abducted IDF soldier GiladShalit, and broker reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas. Mubarak intends on fixing the […]
A conflict is escalating between Israel and its long time enemy Sweden… What?!?!?! A previously irrelevant Swedish newspaper published an article last week accusing the Israeli military of harvesting Palestinian organs. The Israeli government condemned the publication as antisemtic and requested an apology from the Swedish government alongside a formal censure of the article. Many […]
The mediating role of the United States in the Israel-Palestine peace plan seems to -slowly- be picking up steam. President Obama met with PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Following the latter meeting, Obama called Jordanian King Abdullah and now sent the U.S. regional envoy George Mitchell […]