Live updates on Israel, regional security, U.S.–Israel relations, and developments affecting the Body of Christ in the Middle East.
Netanyahu: Hamas is Taking Control of Judea and Samaria
Posted on Sunday, June 8, 2014
International hopes that a Palestinian unity government would strengthen the position of the Palestinian Authority in the Gaza Strip; however Hamas is taking control of Judea and Samaria, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his cabinet on Sunday.
Tensions Grow Between Washington and Jerusalem
Posted on Saturday, June 7, 2014
The ministerial team tasked by the government with devising countermoves to the newly formed Hamas-Fatah unity government is scheduled to hold its first meeting Sunday, as Israel's relations with the United States have become strained once more over…
Australia: East Jerusalem is not ‘occupied’
Posted on Saturday, June 7, 2014
The Australian government has stopped using the term "occupied" when referring to east Jerusalem, Australian media outlets reported on Thursday.
Is Israel planning a unilateral withdrawal in the West Bank?
Posted on Saturday, June 7, 2014
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu left Knesset members in shock this past Monday by suggesting that Israel would have to "separate" from the Palestinians, according to a report which appears in Friday editions of the nationalist-religious newspaper Makor Rishon.
Temple Mount Archaeological Project Yields Unearthed Treasures
Posted on Saturday, June 7, 2014
For three of the world's faiths, the Temple Mount bears special sanctity and significance. For archaeologists, the 3,000-year-old holy site is both an El Dorado and a Holy Grail, for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict precludes a scientist's pick and…
Israeli Defense Minister: Abbas Must Disarm Hamas
Posted on Friday, June 6, 2014
Israeli Minister of Defense Moshe Ya’alon called on Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to disarm Hamas and take control of the Gaza Strip after creating a unity government with Hamas.
EU ‘deeply disappointed’ by settlement announcement
Posted on Friday, June 6, 2014
The European Union said Thursday it was "deeply disappointed" over the Israeli announcement to commence construction of thousands of new homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and called on the government to "reverse this decision."
U.S. and Israeli Diplomatic Relationship Hits New Low
Posted on Thursday, June 5, 2014
Washington's support for a new Palestinian government which includes Hamas, a terrorist organization, has left Israel feeling betrayed, triggering a new diplomatic crisis with its closest ally.
Obama Administration Condemns New Settlement Building Plans
Posted on Thursday, June 5, 2014
The US ambassador to Israel condemned Thursday a plan to build 1,500 housing units in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, announced as a retaliatory measure to the formation of a Palestinian unity government earlier this week.
Kerry: US Does Not Recognize Palestinian State
Posted on Wednesday, June 4, 2014
US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Wednesday the United States would work with the new Palestinian unity government "as is appropriate" but would be monitoring its commitment to continued cooperation with Israel.
Netanyahu ‘Deeply Troubled’ by Acceptance of PA Leaders
Posted on Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday he is “deeply troubled” by the US decision to maintain relations with the new Palestinian unity government, urging Washington to tell the Palestinian president that his alliance with the Hamas militant group…
Israel: The Land Flowing with Milk and Honey
Posted on Wednesday, June 4, 2014
The land of milk and honey is still living up to its name, according to data the Central Bureau of Statistics released Monday ahead of the Shavuot holiday. In 2013, total milk production in Israel stood at 1,435…
President Obama Breaks Campaign Pledge Not to Deal with Hamas
Posted on Tuesday, June 3, 2014
During the 2008 presidential campaign, as it became clear that Barack Obama would be the Democratic nominee, he granted an interview with Jeffrey Goldberg in an attempt to establish pro-Israel bona fides. A Hamas official had recently endorsed…
New Palestinian Government Faces Punitive Actions by Israel
Posted on Tuesday, June 3, 2014
In an apparent punitive move following the swearing in of a Palestinian unity government, Israel has revoked special travel permits for all Palestinian Authority officials other than President Mahmoud Abbas, a Palestinian official said Tuesday.
UN Chief Welcomes New Palestinian Government
Posted on Tuesday, June 3, 2014
The United Nations on Tuesday welcomed the new Palestinian unity government and said it was ready to lend its full support in efforts to reunite the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, a spokesman said. The announcement followed…
Bennett: PA Government Made Up of ‘Terrorists in Suits’
Posted on Tuesday, June 3, 2014
The swearing in of a new Palestinian unity government on Monday elicited strong reactions from Israeli leaders, with right-wing cabinet ministers condemning the alliance of "terrorists in suits," and centrists urging a more cautious approach.
Israeli ambassador rebukes US for backing PA unity
Posted on Tuesday, June 3, 2014
In tough language rare for an Israeli diplomat in Washington, Israeli ambassador to the US Ron Dermer said Tuesday that Israel was "deeply disappointed" in the State Department's decision to continue dealing with the Palestinian Authority now that…
