Foreign Policy Blogs

Israel

Pal. Unity Talks Progress

 Even though the United States pledged $900 million for Gaza reconstruction and to assist the Palestinian Authority, Congress may not approve the funding unless its recipients acknowledge Israel’s right to exist, a valid concern if Fatah and Hamas reunite. Palestinian reconcilliation talks are “60-percent” complete and may conclude by next Wednesday. Dr. Yasser Al Wadeya, […]

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Bank of Israel Presents Econ. Plan; Freeman Withdraws

At a press conference yesterday, the Bank of Israel released its policy to mitigate the effects of the global financial crisis on Israel. Bank officials stated that its impossible to reverse the effects of the recession, but only prevent it from worsening. Officials estimated that unemployment would top 8-percent and GDP will drop 1.5-percent. In […]

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Carnegie Report on European Involvement in the M.E.

The new Carnegie report describes European initiatives and priorities towards the Middle East, placing an emphasis on the need to resolve the Israel-Palestine conflict first. The report emphasizes the need to pursue the process and ideas from the Annapolis summit, improve conditions in the territories, enhance the security situation, and bolster democratic efforts.

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Palestinian Reconciliation Talks Begin; Shalit Inclusion Questioned

Palestinian faction reconciliation talks resumed in Cairo with meetings of five committees to negotiate details between Hamas and Fatah. The talks will continue for ten days and may result in an agreement, the chances of which bolstered following the past weekend’s resignation of pro-Western Palestinian Prime Minister Salaam Fayyad. Turkish officials declared the need to […]

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Syria Peace Plausible While Domestic News Dominates

Syrian President Bashir al-Assad declared normal relations with Israel as a distinct possibility in the future and not a pie-in-the-sky dream. He even confirmed his willingness to work with any Israeli government, regardless of its composition. However, he indicated that Israel must first resolve its dispute with the Palestinians and come to a coherent and […]

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Palestinian PM Resigns

In an effort to improve the relationship between Fatah and Hamas through the pursuit of reconcilliation talks, Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad resigned yesterday, effective at the end of the month. Hamas demanded his resignation due to his pro-U.S. stances opposed by the radical Islamic group. President Mahmud Abbas, however, requested that Fayyad continue fulfilling […]

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Lieberman as FM; Israel-Mauritania Break Up

With coalition talks continuing and Kadima likely to lead the opposition, right-wing hardliner Avigdor Lieberman seeks the foreign minister post to add his party, Yisrael Bieteinu, to the Likud-led government. In demanding the post, Lieberman requested ‘full autonomy’ to prevent portions of his portfolio to fall under the jurisdiction of another cabinet position. Aside from […]

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Questions Remain Post Clinton Visit

The recently concluded trip of Secretary of state Hillary Clinton to the Middle East solidified U.S. positions on the peace process while leaving extensive questions regarding the Administration’s posture towards Israel and the Palestinians. During comments with a variety of Israeli officials, Clinton emphasized the “shared values” of the two nations and their common interests. […]

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Turkey-Israel Relations Strong

Dr. Ofra Bengio outlines the historical ties between Israel and Turkey along with recent clashes between the two governments. Even though the recent tifts may tense relations in the short term, the two countries share a common bond and mutual need that ensures strong ties well into the future, although repairing the recent disagreements may take […]

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Israeli Relations With Iran/Syria/Turkey

With Iran continuously threatening Israel, including statements claiming its missiles can reach the Dimona nuclear facility, Israel may be increasing preparations for a unilateral strike. Meanwhile the Obama administration continues diplomatic efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, including discussions with Russia to prevent their technical and material assistance to Iran. Following his […]

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Gaza Conference Fallout

Gaza reconstruction conference attendees heralded the need for opening border crossings and an end to any aggression on the Strip. Moreover, attendees called for immediate Palestinian reconcilliation between Fatah and Hamas, although the two groups did not reach any conlcusive agreements following a conference last week in Cairo attempting to bring them together. After leaving […]

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Gaza Conference a Success

The Gaza reconstruction conference held in Cairo raised far more funds than anticipated, totalling $4.4 billion, according to Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abdul Gheit. The total could even reach $5.2 billion if previous promised funding actualizes. Initially, the Palestinian Authority requested approximately $2.7 billion, with about half towards Gaza and the remainder for PA programs, […]

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Gaza Rehab Conference Begins

The Gaza Strip rehabilitation conference begins today in Cairo, with the Palestinian Authority requesting $2.7 billion in donations, $1.326 billion to assist Gaza recovery and $1.415 billion for the PA. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced the U.S.  intention of supporting Palestinian with $900 million in aid, $300 towards humanitarian assistance to Gaza and $600 […]

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Abu Marzuk in Gaza

For the first time in 30 years, Hamas Deputy Chief of the Political Bureau Abu Marzuk briefly entered the Gaza Strip at the Rafah border crossing. His visit could correlate to the recent debate on returning abducted IDF soldier Gilad Shalit before truce talks with Israel.  He recently attended reconciliatory discussion in Cairo between Hamas […]

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UPDATE: U.S. Boycotts Durban II

UPDATE: See the State Department release here. It’s official. The United States will officially boycott the United Nation’s anti-racism conference held in Durban this April. After attending plenary sessions for the conference, U.S. negotiators deemed draft resolutions anti-Semitic and singled out the Israel-Palestine conflict. Israel pressured the United States to boycott and join a growing […]

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