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OPT: Olmert rules out ceasefire, strikes on Hamas continue
The Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, on Sunday ruled out ceasefire negotiations with the Islamist movement Hamas and said his military was fighting a "true war" against armed groups in Gaza.
An Israeli air strike on central Gaza leaves two deaths
Israeli war planes launched early on Monday morning an air strike on central Gaza Strip, leaving two people dead.
Chairman of PFLP's armed wing dies of wounds sustained months ago
Mu'in Al-Masri, 40, died Saturday night in the northern Gaza Strip from wounds sustained several months ago, Palestinian sources reported.
Shalit to be released in return for Palestinian detainees, says a well-informed source
A well-informed source, speaking in a condition of anonymity, told Maan News Agency on Sunday that Israeli soldier, Gil'ad Shalit, captured by Hamas in Gaza, will expectedly be released soon, within a Hamas-Israeli deal.
Palestinian FM: No progress in peace talks until Israel halts settlement activity
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki said Monday there would be no progress in the recently revived peace talks with Israel until Jerusalem halts all settlement activity.
Report: Palestinian shepherds displaced by Israeli military
According to a new report by the United Nations information service (IRIN), a community of Palestinian shepherds numbering 272 people in 37 families were forced off their land in Khirbet Qassa village by the Israeli military several weeks ago, and are currently wandering the area with no place to go.
Israeli military prosecutors uphold use of cluster bombs in Lebanon
Israeli military prosecutors have concluded that Israel's use of cluster bombs during last year's war in Lebanon was legal under international law, military officials said Monday. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity under army regulations, said there will be no indictments issued for the use of the bombs and the matter is now closed.
Israel unveils more illegal settlement plans on peace talks eve
Israel unveiled plans on Sunday to build hundreds of new homes illegally on occupied land near Jerusalem next year, drawing protests from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on the eve of renewed peace talks.
Israel moves to expand settlements; Rice says 'she understands'
Days after U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice criticized Israel for approving the expansion of settlements on stolen Palestinian land in the West Bank, she abruptly changed her position when Israel refused to back down. Now, as Israeli authorities announce further expansion of settlements than what was originally criticized, Rice compliantly responded that 'she understands' Israel's position now, adding that Israeli officials have shown her that they are serious about their responsibilities in the so-called 'peace process'.
Legal effort slows building for Arabs in E. Jerusalem village
A plan to build 2,000 apartments in the East Jerusalem village of Isawiyah has hit a potential snag: Lawyers for several Jews have applied to the municipality's planning and building subcommittee to delay the plan's submission for public perusal.
Gov't may declare intention to evacuate outposts ahead of Bush's visit
Ynet learns government officials, settler leaders agree on peaceful evacuation of several illegal outposts ahead of US president's visit in country in two weeks' time, in bid to alleviate American pressure.
'Worsening crisis' in Gaza Strip
Mr Alexander said it is imperative to find a way forward for the region
The humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip is "getting worse by the day," International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander has warned. He said inhabitants of the Palestinian enclave are now struggling to find medical supplies, fuel and clean water. But Mr Alexander also said 2008 held "grounds for cautious optimism" in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
Refusing to accept apartheid in Beit Jala
The wall runs through the agricultural lands in Beit Jala. Last night the rains finally arrived in Beit Jala, a small town in the West Bank, one kilometer west of Bethlehem and about eight kilometers south of Jerusalem. Its alluring hills are covered with olive trees, vineyards and apricots. In 1967 Israel confiscated 22 percent of Beit Jala's land. Now, the construction of Israel's separation wall is in full swing and will cut off another 45 per cent of Beit Jala's land. We went to visit the area to feel the impact of the wall and listen to the stories of the farmers who didn't sell their land and choose to resist the its confiscation.
Palestinian Security forces deploy in Bethlehem
Just as the Palestinian Christians and Christians from around the world gather in Bethlehem for this year's Christmas celebration, five hundred newly-hired Palestinian security officers loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas deployed in the city on Sunday.
Tearful Eid at Rafah Crossing
Amid sepulchral silence from the international community, the stranded Palestinians have no option but to start manning their own affairs all by themselves. ARISH, Egypt —Mahmoud Abu Ali wished that `Eid Al-Adha would not come this year, being one of hundreds of Palestinians stranded on the Egyptian side of Rafah far away from his wife and four kids, which twisted the knife further in his wound.
"It is breaking my heart that I can't be with them in these days," Abu Ali told IslamOnline.net, his voice breaking.
Israeli military kills, wounds 49 Palestinians during Eid Al-Adha celebrations
Gaza (Palestine) : Israel recent escalation against the Gaza Strip since the Eve of the Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) on Tuesday killed 22 Palestinians and wounded 27, a Palestinian human right centre said on Sunday. The Palestinian human losses are caused by the Israeli sudden assassinations and missile attacks carried out by the Israeli troops in Gaza over the past few days, the Palestinian Center of Al-Mizan for Human Rights said in a statement.
Israel makes Church of the Holy Sepulcher and Church of Nativity off limits to Christian Clergy
(Bethlehem, Palestine - 24 Dec 2007) As the world celebrates this holiday season, Israel is blocking clergy from reaching their churches and Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem and elsewhere in the Holy Land. These Israeli actions are in blatant violation of international humanitarian law, block the right for religions to practice in the Holy Land, and defy every notion of basic common sense.
Jerusalem Patriarch's Christmas Message
"There Has Been No Peace Because There Has Been No Willingness to Make It" Here is the text of the Dec. 19 Christmas message from the patriarch of Jerusalem, Archbishop Michel Sabbah.
Christians in Gaza want cheer back in the Holy Land
In the Palestinian territories, being a Christian is not so easy this Christmas. Christians in the Gaza Strip have been attacked, and in Bethlehem - as in the rest of the West Bank - the number of Christians has been dwindling. But some brave Christians are attempting to bring a little cheer to the Holy Lands. In the run-up to Christmas, it is an unseemly sight - a dozen Santas ending up in a scuffle with Israeli troops.
Shadow over Bethlehem
At this time of year, faced with occupation and threats from extremists, Palestinian Christians have little to celebrate
Ben White. Writing for The Times recently, Michael Gove lashed out at the seasonal focus on contemporary Bethlehem's plight under Israeli occupation. "Demonising" Israel, apparently, has become as festive as "eggnog lattes". Gove is at least partly correct. Christmas is an obvious opportunity for Bethlehem's residents and their supporters to raise awareness. Gove mentioned the latest work done by graffiti artist Banksy, but the Palestine Solidarity Campaign also recently held a concert in London, while the Amos Trust has a downloadable pack for use in churches around the country.
In the same prison together
As Christmas approaches this year, the thoughts of Christians all over the world will once again turn to Bethlehem, the holy town where Jesus was born over two millennia ago. Voices will be raised in joyful celebration and children everywhere will recreate the Christmas story to help us remember the circumstances in which the Christ child was born.
Meanwhile, in the West Bank
Don't let the quiet fool you: It is imaginary. While all eyes are on Gaza, the impression has been created, under the aegis of a media turning a blind eye, that the West Bank is quiet. That's where the "good guys" are in charge, those with whom we went to Annapolis, those who will be getting the money from the donor nations, and life there is great, so it seems.
A Fierce Independent Against Despotisms of Every Sort, Thinking of Edward Said
I think of Edward Said often, especially, but not only, when I read of the sordid deals in which the PLO is engaged with Israel and its US backers. I miss Edward's impetuosity and righteous indignation. He would have had no truck with the shrivelled little Bantustans that the PLO wants to accept and would have morally destroyed the apologists for such a scheme or those intellectual fellow-travellers who think that defending the idea of a secular Palestine means remaining silent on the US-EU embargo on Hamas and who, exhausted by years of struggle and the receipt of handsome cheques from some corrupt NGO, are yearning for an accommodation with the enemy on almost any terms.
The Strategic Aim of Israel in Gaza is to Break Hamas
Forget the Qassams. Forget the mortar shells. They are nothing compared with what Hamas launched at us this week: The chief of the Hamas government in the Gaza Strip, Ismail Haniyeh, has approached an Israeli newspaper and proposed a cease-fire. No more Qassams, no more mortars, no suicide bombings, no Israeli military incursions into the Strip, no "targeted liquidations" of leaders. A total cease-fire. And not only in the Gaza Strip, but in the West Bank, too.
'Bad for the Jews'
Today's topic is the paradox--or one of them, anyway--of American Jewish political behavior. No, it's not that hoary old cliché that they "earn like Episcopalians but vote like Puerto Ricans." Rather, it's that they think like enlightened liberals yet allow belligerent right-wingers and neocons who frequently demonize, distort and denounce their values to speak for them in the US political arena.
What Will Israel Do?
A unilateral military strike against Iran is much more likely following the latest intel report about Tehran's nuke program.
Israel preparing public for war
Israel's Home Front Command is preparing the public for possible war scenarios. The Home Front Command on Sunday launched a public information campaign, during which every Israeli household will receive a manual titled "Being Protected and Prepared." The manual, which is available in several languages, instructs the public on subjects such as the type of rockets that might be fired at Israel during a future war and where to seek shelter.
Israeli delegation heads to U.S. to argue Iran still seeking nuclear arms
Israel has dispatched an unscheduled delegation of intelligence officials to the U.S. to try to convince it that Iran is still trying to develop nuclear weapons - contrary to the findings of a recent U.S. intelligence report, security officials said.
'Israel could survive nuclear war'
If a nuclear war between Israel and Iran were to break out 16-20 million Iranians would lose their lives - as opposed to 200,000-800,000 Israelis, according to a report recently published by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), which is headed by Anthony H. Cordesman, formerly an analyst for the US Department of Defense. The document, which is largely theoretical due to the lack of verified knowledge in some areas - specifically in terms of Israel's nuclear capability - paints various scenarios and attempts to predict the strategies of regional powers, as well as the US.
Aliya to Israel drops to 20-year low
Jewish immigration into Israel dropped 6% in 2007, reaching a 20-year low of just under 19,700 immigrants, the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption announced Monday.
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