The Middle-East Observer
Benjamin Netanyahu
What Israeli hasbara won’t hide
Doron Rosenblum argues that contrarily to Netanyahu’s views, Israel is not getting stronger but in fact weaker or as he puts it “more fragile”. Rosenblum says that Israel “appears enclosed in a bizarre egocentric bubble” and is suffering from “existential anxiety”, because it sees every move or political process to critic the government as a conspiracy against the … Continue reading
Netanyahu, up to his neck in settlements
Shaul Arieli argues that by strengthening the settlements, the Netanyahu government is contributing heavily on the failure of the peace process. He says that this government, like many others before, is making false promises to dismantle Israeli settlements in the West Bank if a peace deal is reached even thought they are fully aware that … Continue reading
Interview: Ilan Baruch, former Israeli ambassador
Ilan Baruch, former Israeli ambassador, resigned a year ago, saying he could no longer defend his government’s policies Russia Today, Russia
Netanyahu to Abbas: ‘You Can’t Have it Both Ways’
Benjamin Netanyahu has warned Palestinian Authority’s leader Mahmoud Abbas that reconciliation with Hamas will take Israel away from its willingness to talk for peace. Netanyahu said “the Palestinian Authority must choose between an alliance with Hamas and peace with Israel.” However, Netanyahu’s resistance to the formation of a Fatah-Hamas unity cabinet is based on Hamas’s … Continue reading
UN Chief Ban Ki-Moon urges Israel settlement freeze
UN Chief Ban Ki-moon called on Israel to put a halt to its settlement activity as a ‘goodwill gesture’ to the Palestinian Authority. Ban is visiting Israel and the Palestinian Territories to meet with both sides and convince them to go on with the low-key talks they started last month. The UN considers all settlement … Continue reading
If Israel is an ally, press them for peace, Abbas urges Canada
Mahmoud Abbas is looking to Israel’s new best friend; Canada, to pressure Israel into peace talks with the Palestinian Authority. Yesterday, Canada’s Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird were meeting with Mr. Abbas and his adviser Majdi al-Khaldi in Ramallah before moving on to Jerusalem to meet with Benjamin Nethanyahu and … Continue reading
U.S. criticizes Israel plan to subsidize West Bank settlement construction
The United States have criticized the plan of Netanyahu’s government to subsidize construction in 557 rural settlements, of which 70 are deep inside the West Bank. State Department spokesman Mark toner calls the move “unconstructive and unhelpful”, adding that these kinds of actions can hamper the process of getting Israel and Palestine back to direct … Continue reading
PM Appoints Panel to Write Definitive Report on ‘Outpost’ Status
Hoping to stave off the potential falling of his government, Benyamin Netanyahu has formed a panel to establish a definitive standing on West Bank Outposts. With the planned March demolition of the Israeli settlement of Migron, the panel is intended to form a governmental policy on the issue which will satisfy nationalists in both the … Continue reading
Netanyahu big winner of Likud primaries
Netanyahu has received over 70% of the votes during the Likud party’s primaries on Tuesday, confirming his leadership over the party. “The real Likud won today. We proved that our strength lies in our unity. We will continue to show responsible leadership and take the lead in education, the economy, and security for the sake … Continue reading
Hard-line Israeli settler challenges Netanyahu for ruling Likud Party leadership
A hard-line leader of the Israeli settler movement, Moshe Feiglin, is challenging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the upcoming Likud primary elections. Feiglin, a settler himself, is adamantly opposed to the prospects of a two-state solution, claiming that there should not be a “terrorist state” in the “heart of the land of the bible.” Instead, Feiglin supports … Continue reading
Report: Amman talks to continue until March
After five meetings between Israeli and Palestinian representatives in Amman, and despite low expectations from both sides on the outcome of the negotiations, the peace talks will continue until March though they were supposed to end on January 26. ”The Palestinian Authority decided to continue talks with Israel, being conducted by Saeb Erekat and Prime Minister [Binyamin Netanyahu]‘s … Continue reading
Analysis: Election fever grips Israel as Netanyahu maneuver expected
Though Israel’s current ruling coalition is the most stable the country has had in decades, election fever has gripped the country as many believe Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may be preparing for early elections. Netanyahu’s Likud and the largest opposition party Kadima both announced they would be holding primaries in the coming weeks, while left-win g … Continue reading
Israel presents the Palestinians with its stance on borders
Israel has presented the Palestinians with its position on borders for what would be a Palestinian state, in accordance with the Mideast Quartet’s January 26 deadline. It marks the first time the current Netanyahu government has agreed to discuss the future parameters of a Palestinian state. Molho, Netanyahu’s envoy, presented Saeb Erekat, the chief Palestinian … Continue reading
Israel condemns Palestinian cleric over sermon
Speaking at a rally celebrating the 47th anniversary of Fatah’s founding, the Mufti of Jerusalem, Mohammed Hussein, read a traditional text attributed to Mohammed: ”The hour of judgment will not come until you fight the Jews. The Jew will hide behind the stone and behind the tree. The stone and the tree will cry, ‘Oh Muslim, Oh … Continue reading
Likud activists: Boycott Netanyahu
In response to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s call on the residents of the illegal West Bank outpost Migron to accept a compromise offer by which permanent structures would be relocated to State-owned land, a campaign was launched by the Likud’s rightist camp calling on voters to boycott the party’s primaries. Members of the Likud National … Continue reading
Israel’s Lieberman looking to avoid fraud charges
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman’ lawyers will attempt on Tuesday to prevent the indictement of the ultra-nationalist leader by Israel’s attorney general. Lieberman, who is accused of fraud, breach of trust, money laundering and witness tampering, denies any wrongdoing. If indicted, Prime Minister Netanyahu will likely dismiss him, therefore triggering early elections. Reuters, United States Click … Continue reading
Netanyahu to unveil political plan in March?
Following a third meeting between Israeli and Palestinian envoys in Amman, both sides have agreed to meet again for a fourth time on January 25th, a day before the Quartet’s deadline. Before the last meeting, Israeli officials said they would try to arrange a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President … Continue reading
Israel, PLO to meet Saturday
Representative from the PLO and Israel will meet for the third time in Amman this saturday as exploratory discussions continue. The Quartet, which brought the two sides to Amman, is hoping these discussions will lead to a new round of peace negotiations. Palestinian Authority President Abbas has downplayed the outcome of these talks and has … Continue reading
Netanyahu mulls gestures toward Palestinians to keep peace talks going
Netanyahu mulls gestures toward Palestinians to keep peace talks going
Israel ‘breaks settlement building records in 2011′
Israel ‘breaks settlement building records in 2011′
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