The Wall Street Journal published today an op-ed from Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on the future of the peace process. Amidst false claims regarding the success of Egypt as a peace broker, Mubarak asserts the need for Israel to make a few concessions while the Palestinians must obtain a unity government. The piece, and Egyptian stance […]
Generally when we think of Israel and discrimination, we consider the treatment of Arabs, Palestinians, and immigrant communities. However, a new restaurant opening up in Tel Aviv portrays quite the opposite sentiment. The new restaurant, founded by a group of vegan anarchist activists, aims to oppose any type of oppression, directed at human or animal. […]
Hizballah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah met Thursday night with Druze leader Walid Jumblatt to discuss the aftermath of the June 7 parliamentary elections. The apparent Shiite/Druze reconciliation comes nearly two weeks after Hizballah’s March 8 block failed to win a majority in parliament. Hizballah candidates had a solid showings in their districts, however, and its […]
In order to understand the influence of religion in legislation considered by the Knesset, take a look at an anti fur-importation bill intended to promote humane treatment of animals. The legislation would mandate one year prison sentences for any individual caught importing dog, cat, and rabbit fur. Proponents of the bill claim that some animals […]
A new report from the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs evaluates the new, hastily put together Palestinian Authority government led by Prime Minister Salam Fayyad. The article outlines opposition to Fayyad and illustrates the inability of any leaders in the West Bank and Gaza Strip to generate support. Instead, the backing for any leader remains fickle […]
Within one week of each other Iran and Lebanon held national elections, the outcomes of which could not be more different. In volatile Lebanon, the chance for trouble before, during, and after the polling was high. With so many religious sects, ethnicities, and political parties, as well as its recent history of violence between them, […]
The Los Angeles Times published today the latest critique of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s speech from earlier this week, calling the statesman a “roadblock to Middle East peace.” Even though Netanyahu acknowledged his support for a Palestinian state, the editorial team contends that he placed far too many preconditions that would make independence unfeasible. Notably, […]
The Israeli military continues to develop some interesting gadgets for multiple battlefield objectives,most recently a robotic snake for search and rescue, assassinations, and reconnissance applications. The newest device uses a robot that looks and moves like a snake in order to stealthily slither into hostile areas or through wreckage. The snake contains a camera and […]
Former President Jimmy Carter arrived today in the Gaza Strip as Hamas leaders welcomed him with open arms, but he left the territory amidst an assassination attempt using a road-side bomb. On his brief day-trip, Carter met with ousted Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh and handed him a letter for abducted IDF soldier Gilad Shalit from […]
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu affirmed his desire to resume negotiations with Palestinians in order to pursue a peace process that would result in a “demilitarized” Palestinian state, he said in a highly anticipated speech last night at Bar-Ilan University. In many ways, the speech offered the same pro-settlement rhetoric and hard-line stances expected from […]
This survey conducted by INSS provides a good backdrop to the speech from Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to the nation tonight. The speech will address the two-state solution and potential either solidify or fragment the Likud-led coalition. Moreover, as the United States continues pressuring Israel to freeze all settlement activity, in direct contradiction to […]
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem points out several obvious but oft-overlooked truths in an interview with Foreign Policy. Firstly, he notes that keeping Syria on a state-sponsors of terror list while asking the Assad regime to assist in combating terrorism in Palestine. His point, most likely, was that Syria is too important for the United […]
The votes have been counted, the results have been reported, and the triumphant victory speeches have been delivered. Now the real work begins. As the pro-March 14 celebrations are dying down around Lebanon- as well as Washington and Riyadh- the nation’s politicians are gearing up for the next battle. Saad Hariri and his Sunni and […]
What Middle Eastern city held today a gay pride parade attended by thousands and protected by the municipal police? No, not Riyadh. Today marked the 11th annual gay pride parade in Tel Aviv as the streets filled with supporters and activists attempting to express support for the Israeli gay community. Parade attendees decorated floats and flew flags […]
The U.S. House of Representatives passed today the Foreign Relations Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011 (H.R. 2410) that includes extensive support for Israel and may foreshadow coming debates between the White House and Congress. Even though the bill would regulate the State Department and ensure Congressional oversight of various programs, authorization bills do […]