The Middle-East Observer
Palestinian state
Peace Without Partners
Ami Ayalon, Orni Petruschka and Gilead Sher have all come to believe that a peace agreement between the Israelis and the Palestinians cannot be achieved now. Citing a major lack of trust from both parties, making negotiations impossible, they argue that Israel needs a “radically new unilateral approach”. Saying it would help the peace process … Continue reading
Opinion: How to save the two-state solution
Observing the deadlock in negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians, and arguing that this deadlock may lead to a renewal of violence, Anders Persson asks the question: what can the European Union do to help bring about a resolution of the conflict? The author advises for the EU to: a robust process of delegitimization of the … 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
Palestinians Nix Plans for Income Taxes
Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad has suspended his plan to start collecting income taxes, after widespread protests erupted across the West Bank over the plan. The income was meant to make the Palestinian Authority less dependable on foreign aid. Since the Palestinian bid to win statehood recognition from the UN, the PA has received less … Continue reading
King Abdullah of Jordan receives Hamas chief in presence of Qatar crown prince
On Sunday, Hamas leader Khaled Mishaal had a meeting in Amman, Jordan, with King Abdullah II of Jordan and Qatari Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim Ben Hamad Al Thani. King Abdullah stressed Jordan’s continuing support for the establishment of a Palestinian state based on 1967 borders with East-Jerusalem as its capital. This aim can only be achieved through negotiations … Continue reading
Peres in Davos: Palestinian state already established
A discussion between Israeli president and Palestinian PM took place last Thursday, at the World Economic Forum in Davos. In the discussion, which aimed at restarting the stalled peace process, Peres said that the Palestinians had effectively established a state while peace negotiations were still ongoing and praised the work by Prime Minister Fayyad and … Continue reading
Palestinians say Israeli proposals suggest West Bank barrier as border
After Israel presented for the first time last week its position on the borders of a future Palestinian state, Palestinian officials said the proposal falls short of what the Palestinian side can accept, especially in regards to the status of East Jerusalem, over which Israel wants to keep sovereignty. The officials said Israel essentially proposed … Continue reading
Opinion: Water for all: The case for a one-state solution
Ramzy El Houry, author of this article, argues for Palestinian negotiators to stop pushing for a two-state solution and start looking into a one-state solution with Israel. He uses water resources as the main example to prove the ‘impossibility’ of the two-state solution: ” It is on this basis - the basis that Israel cannot accept a sovereign … Continue reading
Barghouti sent to isolation after Israel comments
Marwan Barghouti, the jailed Palestinian leader, was sent to solitary confinement as a result of the remarks he recently made, according to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society. The former secretary-general of Fatah in the West Bank is widely considered as a potential successor to Mahmoud Abbas as President of the Palestinian Authority, but is serving five life sentences … 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
Interview: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
President Mahmoud Abbas says the response of Israel to the Palestinian proposal on borders and security is “worthless”. Abbas also says the purpose of his European tour is to look at different routes in case the current talks between negotiators fail. Abbas said “We want to live side-by-side with Israel, but we want to isolate Israeli … Continue reading
Debate: The U.N. Should Admit Palestine as a Full Member State
On September 23, 2011, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas appeared before the U.N. General Assembly to request full membership for the State of Palestine. America’s veto power renders their bid largely symbolic, but there could be leverage gained – like indirect recognition of statehood – in the process. After 20 years of failed talks with Israel, … Continue reading
Thailand officially recognizes Palestinian statehood
Thailand’s foreign ministry has informed member states of the United Nations and the Palestinian delegation to the UN that they have recognized Palestine as an independant state. The declaration came from Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongphakdi on Friday. The move comes shortly after the U.S. warned Thailand of an imminent terrorist attack on Bangkok’s tourist … Continue reading
Another day, another damning EU report on Israel
The European Union has renewed its accusation against Israel of trying to destroy the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state and of achieving peace through continued settlement building in East Jerusalem. A report by the EU mission to Ramallah in December 2011 said that ”if current trends continue, the prospect of Jerusalem as the future capital … Continue reading
EU on verge of abandoning hope for a viable Palestinian state
An internal EU report seen by The Independent argues that Israel is making it nearly impossible to obtain peace with the Palestinians. The report says “the window for a two-state solution is rapidly closing with the continued expansion of Israeli settlements and access restrictions for Palestinians in Area C [which] compromises crucial natural resources and land … Continue reading
Opinion: Is there a peace partner?
Rabbi Dr. Donniel Hartman, president of the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem, says Israeli needs to stop examining the Palestinians’ readiness to come to the negotiating table and take a long hard look at their own readiness. Hartman mentions three areas in which Israelis need to change their rhetoric and actions in order to see … Continue reading
Netanyahu mulls gestures toward Palestinians to keep peace talks going
Netanyahu mulls gestures toward Palestinians to keep peace talks going
Rebel without a state: Ismail Haniyeh, Prime Minister of Gaza
As prime minister of Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh is one of the world’s most controversial politicians. In this interview, he talks about the Arab Spring, suicide bombing, the Israeli blockade – and the elusive prospect of peace. The Independent, United Kingdom Click here for the full story
Israeli, Palestinian envoys agree to meet again in Jordan next week
After a meeting that lasted more than three hours in Amman, Palestinian and Israeli envoys agreed on Tuesday to meet again next week in the Jordanian capital. This meeting represented the first time under PM Netanyahu Israel agreed to accept Palestinian documents concerning the borders of a future Palestinian state. Haaretz, Israel Click here for … Continue reading
Debate: Middle East talks: The US in the backseat
As the US begins an election year, we ask what the future holds for America’s Middle East policy. So can the US lead a Middle East peace process? Guests: Robert Malley, a special assistant to President Bill Clinton on Arab-Israeli affairs; Daniel Levy, a former Israeli negotiator who worked in the government of Ehud Barak and … Continue reading
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