Live updates on Israel, regional security, U.S.–Israel relations, and developments affecting the Body of Christ in the Middle East.
Cease Fire Agreed To, But Will It Be Implemented?
Posted on Saturday, September 1, 2001
With CIA chief George Tenet threatening to pack his bags and leave, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat gave reluctant approval to the US cease-fire plan in a late-night meeting.
Sharon and Bush Disagree On How To Move Forward
Posted on Saturday, September 1, 2001
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and President George W. Bush expressed sharply differing views yesterday during a photo opportunity at their meeting at the White House. The brief exchange with reporters highlighted a disagreement over how to proceed with…
The Spark: Sharon or the Muslim Firebrands
Posted on Saturday, September 1, 2001
The growing conflict started last Thursday morning, when Sharon ascended the Temple Mount on the eve of the Jewish New Year holiday to exercise his right to visit Judaism's holiest site like anyone else. Sharon announced his plans…
Adding Fuel to the Fire
Posted on Saturday, September 1, 2001
The demonstrations quickly spread on Friday and Saturday to Judea/Samaria and Gaza, where IDF outposts and Israeli civilians came under attack from stone-throwing youths, as well as gunfire from armed Fatah activists (the "Tanzim") and even PA security…
The Diplomatic War
Posted on Saturday, September 1, 2001
The Clinton Administration announced today that Israeli and Palestinian leaders have agreed to attend soon a US-mediated session in the region aimed at rooting out the cause of the violence. The clashes are Clinton's worst nightmare, as he…
Focus: The Riots in Nablus
Posted on Saturday, September 1, 2001
The outbreak of Israeli-Palestinian clashes has been particularly intense around Joseph's Tomb in Nablus, a site of fierce fighting in the "tunnel riots" of 1996, with one Israeli soldier shot dead over the weekend inside the synagogue.
Focus: The Riots in Hebron
Posted on Saturday, September 1, 2001
Violence erupted in Hebron late Friday afternoon, just as the local Jewish community began celebrating the Jewish New Year. Rocks and fire-bombs were hurled at Israeli security forces guarding the borders between PA and Israeli-controlled neighborhoods and burning…
Saudis Pressing Bush To Meet With Arafat
Posted on Friday, August 31, 2001
Facing a mounting backlash in the Arab/Islamic world for his apparent tilt towards Israel in recent weeks, US President George W. Bush is reportedly considering holding his first meeting with PLO chief Yasser Arafat on the sidelines of…
Mubarak Pressing Case for Palestinian Jerusalem
Posted on Friday, August 31, 2001
Worried that his own regime may be at stake, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has warned that it is "now or never" for a landmark Mideast peace deal over the explosive issue of Jerusalem and placed the onus on…
The Leaning Wall of Jerusalem
Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2001
Israeli officials have offered to assist the Islamic Waqf in shoring up the endangered southern retaining wall of the Temple Mount compound from collapse, but it appears the Muslim authorities have little interest in preventing a disaster that…
German Official Urges Freeze on EU Funding of PA Schools
Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2001
A German member of the European Parliament said on Sunday that European Union funding for the Palestinian Authority's education system should be frozen after he was confronted with proof of "anti-Semitic" schoolbooks in Palestinian classrooms.
Israeli Leaders Take Diplomatic Battle to US
Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2001
As Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon prepares for what should be a warm reception in Washington on Monday, Foreign Minister Shimon Peres made an advance foray to New York on Thursday to head off Palestinian efforts at the…
New E-Mail Virus Plugs Palestinian Cause
Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2001
A nondestructive e-mail virus sent around the world yesterday to trumpet the cause of the Palestinians could lead to an escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian cyber-war, computer security experts said Tuesday.
UN Still Haggling Over PLO Call for Observer Force
Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2001
The United Nations Security Council has been holding marathon negotiations, but has yet to agree on a draft resolution ahead of the Arab League summit on Tuesday that addresses calls for a force of armed observers to "protect…
Israel To Use Photos of Slain Baby to Show PA’s True Colors
Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2001
Israel's Foreign Ministry has instructed its missions abroad to make extensive use of photographs of the 10-month-old Jewish baby girl killed by Palestinian sniper fire in Hebron on Monday to show the world the brutal campaign of violence…
Sharon Returns Vowing to Fight Mounting Terror
Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2001
After receiving clear backing from the Bush Administration for his guarded approach with the Palestinians, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon returned home amidst escalating violence on Thursday and swore to get tough soon.
Fatah Worried Intifada May Be Running Out of Gas
Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2001
Marwan Barghouti, the senior Fatah leader in the "West Bank," is having a hard time explaining how a "popular" Palestinian uprising is not so popular among the public anymore.
Arafat Agrees to Implement Sharm Truce, but Rioting Continues
Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2001
Early Thursday morning, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak suspended a series of military strikes on Palestinian targets planned in retaliation for the death of three IDF soldiers yesterday, after cabinet minister Shimon Peres met late last night in…
Tempers Flare At Or Commission Hearings
Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2001
The Or Commission hearings into the violent riots last October that left 13 Israeli Arabs dead halted its proceedings on Thursday after a police officer was assaulted while on the witness stand.
