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1. Palestinians Say Israeli Move Could Kill Peace Process
November 18, 2009
Palestinian leaders are warning Israel that its approval of 900 new housing units in a disputed area of Jerusalem may kill the peace process. The warning came after the United States condemned the Israeli decision. The Palestinians want Washington to toughen its approach on Israel. Palestinians attend a rally against the building of Israeli settlements in the West Bank village of Burin, near Nablus, 18 Nov 2009The response from Palestinian officials contained no surprises after Israel said this week it would go ahead with construction of 900 new units in Gilo, a Jewish community in East Jerusa... (read more)
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2. Obama: Israeli Settlement Construction Could be 'Dangerous'
November 18, 2009
A Palestinian boy sits in the yard of his house with a new housing development in east Jerusalem's Jewish neighborhood of Har Homa in the background, 21 Sep 2009U.S. President Barack Obama says Israel's latest decision to authorize the construction of new settlements in occupied east Jerusalem does not make Israel safer, and could complicate peace efforts.In an interview Wednesday with U.S. news station Fox News, Mr. Obama said additional settlement building could make it harder for Israel to make peace with its neighbors.He added that he thinks such action, in his words, "embitters the Palest... (read more)
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3. US Dismayed at Israeli Building Plan for East Jerusalem
November 17, 2009
The United States says it is dismayed that Israel has authorized the
construction of new housing units in occupied east Jerusalem.A Palestinian boy in the yard of his house in front of a new housing development in east Jerusalem's Jewish Har Homa neighborhood, 21 Sep 2009Israel has approved construction of 900 new units in mostly
Arab east Jerusalem despite objections by the United States and the
Palestinians.Speaking to reporters at the U.S. State
Department, spokesman Ian Kelly says the Obama administration is deeply
disappointed by the Israeli decision."We
believe that neither party should ... (read more)
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4. EU says it is Not Time to Recognize Palestinian State
November 17, 2009
The European Union has followed the United States in saying it is not ready to recognize Palestinian statehood, after Palestinian leaders declared they would seek that status at the United Nations. Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt (file photo)Speaking to reporters in Brussels, Foreign Minister Carl Bildt of Sweden, which holds the rotating European Union presidency, said the time is not right for recognizing a Palestinian state. "I do not think we are there yet," he said. "I would hope that we would be in a position to recognize a Palestinian state, but there has to be one first. So ... (read more)
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5. Palestinians, Israelis Threaten Each Other Over Unilateral Plans for Statehood
November 16, 2009
Palestinian leaders say they are pushing efforts to have the U.N. Security Council endorse the creation of a Palestinian state out of frustration over the stalled peace process. Israel has threatened to take its own unilateral steps if the Palestinians move ahead with plans for statehood on their own. It was a swift and angry reaction from Israel when the Palestinians said this week they would push unilaterally for the U.N. Security Council to endorse an independent state for them. Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu during his address before the 2009 General Assembly of The Jewish Fede... (read more)
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6. Palestinians to Seek UN Endorsement of Independence
November 15, 2009
A Palestinian official says the Palestinian Authority is planning to ask the United Nations to endorse its quest for independence without Israel's consent.Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, right, consults with his aide Saeb Erekat, left, during a press conference (File)Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat told Israel's Army Radio Sunday that Palestinians are losing hope they can achieve their desires through peace talks with Israel. The two sides have not held talks since last December.Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak told the Israeli Cabinet Sunday that it is in the nation's i... (read more)
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7. Palestinian Elections Postponed Indefinitely
November 13, 2009
Palestinian elections, originally set for early next year, will not
take place on schedule. The elections were postponed because of divisions
between rival Palestinian factions: the Fatah movement that controls
the West Bank and the Islamic militant group Hamas that rules the Gaza
Strip. Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of
Fatah had ordered the Central Election Commission to conduct national
elections on schedule in January. But commission chairman Hanna Nasser
blamed Hamas for refusing to cooperate and forcing the postponement. "We
have found there are obstacles in certain a... (read more)
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8. Abbas Renews Call for Settlement Halt
November 11, 2009
Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas (File)Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has repeated a call for Israel to halt settlement activity in order for peace negotiations to resume.Mr. Abbas issued the call Wednesday at a gathering in the West Bank marking the fifth anniversary of the death of his predecessor Yasser Arafat. Commemorations for Mr. Arafat have been banned in the Gaza Strip, which is ruled by Hamas - the rival of Mr. Arafat's Fatah movement.The anniversary comes during a difficult time for the Middle East peace process, and the settlement issue is a key sticking point.Earlier this w... (read more)
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9. Officials Warn of Possible Collapse of Palestinian Authority
November 10, 2009
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, right, consults with his aide Saeb Erekat, left, during a press conference (File)Palestinian officials have warned that the stalled Middle East peace process and the threatened resignation of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas could result in the collapse of the Palestinian Authority.Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat was quoted Monday as warning that frustration over the lack of progress toward a Palestinian state could prompt Palestinians to dismantle the authority.President Abbas said last week he has no intention of running for re-election in a p... (read more)
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10. W. Bank Palestinians Tear Down Segment of Barrier Wall
November 09, 2009
Picture combo of activists pulling down part of Israel's controversial separation wall in Qalandia, West Bank, 09 Nov 2009 Palestinian activists tore down a section of the Israeli-built barrier that cordons off the West Bank, in a protest that coincides with the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.Rock-throwing demonstrators cheered Monday as they used a truck to pull down a segment of the wall. Israeli troops used tear gas to disperse the protesters.The structure is a combination of concrete barriers, fencing and barbed wire that will measure about 700 kilometers long once const... (read more)
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11. UN Endorses Israel-Palestinian War Crimes Report
November 06, 2009
Palestinian woman walks past house destroyed during Israel's 22-day offensive in Jabalia in northern Gaza Strip, 15 Feb 2009 After two days of debate, the U.N. General Assembly has overwhelmingly endorsed a report from the Human Rights Council calling for domestic investigations into alleged war crimes committed by both Israel's military and Palestinian militants during the Gaza conflict that began last December. The final vote was 114 in favor, 18 against and 44 abstentions.Strong support came from the Arab and non-aligned countries, many of whom co-sponsored the draft resolution. Pales... (read more)
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12. Bethlehem - Is it the True Manger of Christ?
November 06, 2009
We arrived in the Holy Land after a ten hour bus ride and two weeks in Egypt. We left most of our Astara tour of 100 people. Twenty two of us stayed on to visit Jerusalem. I really didn't understand the politics of the region until I got there. We had a Palestinian tour guide and so we were to stay in "occupied territory." This territory was actually the Mount of Olives where Jesus ascended into heaven and where he suffered alone in the Garden of Gethsemane. Those 2000 year old olive trees still produce olives. Before I left on the trip my Israeli friend told me that we must be stayi... (read more)
Author: Merry C. Battles
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13. UN Takes up Gaza War Crimes Report
November 04, 2009
The United Nations General Assembly is meeting to discuss a U.N. report that alleges both Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas committed war crimes during their conflict in the Gaza Strip.The assembly Wednesday debates a resolution on the report, and a vote could come as early as Wednesday evening.South African judge Richard Goldstone wrote the report based on a U.N. fact-finding mission on the Gaza conflict. It recommends that Israel and Hamas face potential prosecution in The Hague if they do not conduct credible investigations within six months.Both Israel and Hamas have denied ... (read more)
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14. Clinton Tries to Reassure Arab Leaders on Israeli Settlements
November 04, 2009
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Cairo, Egypt, 04 Nov 2009U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has met with Egypt's president as she tries to reassure Arab leaders the Obama administration stands firmly against Israeli settlement activity on occupied Palestinian land. Secretary of State Clinton said Washington remains committed to the principle of ending Israeli construction on Palestinian territory."Our policy on settlements has not changed. We do not accept the legitimacy of settlement activity, and we have a very firm belief that ending all settlement activity, current an... (read more)
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15. Clinton Calls Israeli Settlement Activity Illegitimate
November 04, 2009
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the United States does not accept the legitimacy of Israeli settlement activity on Palestinian territory.
Watch the Clinton Interview
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks during press conference in Cairo, Egypt 4 Nov 2009Clinton delivered her remarks Wednesday in Cairo after talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak about Middle East peace efforts.She said the U.S. would like to s... (read more)
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16. Palestinian Farmers in Olive Oil Boom
November 03, 2009
As Israel's army removes more checkpoints in the occupied West Bank, many Palestinians are experiencing an economic boom. Some of that growth has come from the production of olives, a staple in the region since ancient times. Many think olive oil exports from the West Bank could be a foundation for the economy of a future Palestinian state. Some entrepreneurs in the northern West Bank village of Berqin are discovering a new kind of oil wealth. Mahmoud Samara picking olivesMoney does grow on trees for Mahmoud Samara and his clan. The family is harvesting olives, like it has done for cent... (read more)
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17. Clinton Tries to Appease Arab Anger About Praise for Israeli Settlement Offer
November 03, 2009
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is trying to quiet Arab complaints about her praise for an Israeli offer to limit Jewish settlements on the West Bank. Palestinian leaders say the Israeli offer does not go far enough.US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers her speech at the opening of the World Policy Conference in Marrakech, Morocco, 03 Nov 2009Secretary of State Clinton tried for a second day to address Arab complaints that her praise for an offer to limit settlements encourages Israel to sidestep a 2003 promise to end those settlements.In Jerusalem Saturday, Clinton sa... (read more)
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18. Clinton Says Israel Should Reciprocate Palestinian Moves
November 02, 2009
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says Palestinian authorities
have made positive steps to improve security and those moves should be
reciprocated by Israel. Clinton had angered Palestinian leaders with earlier comments
praising an Israeli offer to limit the expansion of Jewish settlements.US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) with Moroccan Foreign Minister Taib Fassi Fihri before their bilateral meeting Marrakesh, 02 November 2009Clinton says Palestinian President Mahumd
Abass has shown "leadership and determination" to improve security and
that Israel "should reciprocate."Clinton s... (read more)
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19. Clinton in Morocco for Talks on Middle East
November 01, 2009
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in Morocco for a meeting of foreign ministers from the Middle East and the world's leading industrialized nations. They will discuss democracy in the region and ways to resolve the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) is greeted by her Moroccan counterpart Taib Fassi Fihri upon her arrival at Marrakech airport, 01 Nov 2009Secretary Clinton came to Marrakech for the sixth Forum for the Future, which joins civil society groups and the private sector with foreign ministers from the Group of Eight leading industrialized ... (read more)
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20. Palestinians Accuse US of Damaging Peace Process
November 01, 2009
Palestinian leaders are voicing frustration after U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton praised Israel for making what she said are unprecedented concessions in efforts to restart peace negotiations. Israeli leaders are keeping up their calls for the Palestinians to drop all preconditions. Palestinian leaders on Sunday stuck to their demands that Israel stop all settlement activity before any resumption of peace talks that have been stalled since December.Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu reacts with US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, right, seen during a press conference in Jerusale... (read more)
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21. Huge Gaps Ahead as Clinton Pushes for Resumption of Israeli-Palestinian Talks
October 31, 2009
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas (L) meeting with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (R) in the Emirati capital of Abu Dhabi, 31 Oct 2009U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has arrived in Jerusalem for talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the resumption of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. The top U.S. diplomat has met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Abu Dhabi before shuttling to JerusalemU.S. officials have
acknowledged early on that bringing the Israelis and Palestinians back
to negotiations will be a long and complex process. Secretary
of State ... (read more)
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22. Clinton Holding Mideast Peace Talks
October 31, 2009
US Secretary of State Clinton (file photo)U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is holding talks with Israeli
and Palestinian officials on relenting the Mideast peace process.Clinton,
joined by U.S. envoy George Mitchell met Saturday with Palestinian
President Mahmoud Abbas in the capital of United Arab Emirates, Abu
Dhabi.She is also scheduled to hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel.The
Israeli leader said Friday he looked forward to discussions on resuming
peace negotiations with the Palestinians "as soon as possible." Prime
Minister Netanyahu spoke followin... (read more)
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23. Israeli Police Storm Disputed Jerusalem Holy Site
October 25, 2009
Israeli forces stormed the Jerusalem's holiest shrine, Sunday, firing stun grenades to disperse hundreds of Palestinian protesters, Jerusalem, 25 Oct. 2009There was violence today at the most sensitive holy shrine in Jerusalem revered by both Muslims and Jews. At least 15 Palestinians were arrested, but there were no serious injuries. Israeli police stormed into a disputed holy place in Jerusalem's Old City and threw stun grenades to disperse Palestinian stone throwers. The clash took place at the Mosque of Al Aksa, the third holiest place in Islam. Jews call it the Temple Mount, the site o... (read more)
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24. Abbas's Call for Elections Deepens Palestinian Divisions
October 24, 2009
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (File)The Palestinian Authority has announced a date for elections, throwing
a wrench into national unity talks with its Islamic militant rivals.
Western-backed
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas signed a decree that presidential
and parliamentary elections will take place on January 24. But the
announcement only deepened Palestinian divisions. The vote is
supposed to take place in the West Bank, which is controlled by Mr.
Abbas, and the Gaza Strip which is ruled by its rival faction Hamas.
But Hamas quickly rejected the call for elections, saying it is ill... (read more)
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25. Israel Condemns UN War Crimes Resolution
October 16, 2009
Israel comdemns the United Nations Human Rights Council's approval of the Goldstone Report which accuses Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas of war crimes during the Gaza conflict in January. Israel says the resolution is biased and one-sided, and the charges of war crimes are outrageous. "This diktat is phrased in very extreme terms that try to impose rules that will make it impossible for any country to defend themselves against terror," said Israeli spokesman Yigal Palmor. Israel says its three-week assault on the Gaza Strip was an act of legitimate self-defense in response to... (read more)
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