Israeli Ministers Approved Bill Prohibiting Pardon of Terrorists
On Sunday, ministers in Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet approved a bill that prohibits presidential pardons for terrorists convicted of murdering Israelis.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu: Hamas is Taking Control of Judea and Samaria
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.
First Palestinian Unity Government Crisis Averted for Now
The first crisis facing the Palestinian unity government was apparently solved over the weekend as Qatar pledged to pay salaries of thousands of Hamas public servants in the Gaza Strip.
Tensions Grow Between Washington and Jerusalem
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 the latter’s decision to recognize the new Palestinian government.
Australia: East Jerusalem is not ‘occupied’
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?
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
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 shovel ever breaking its ground. But an improbable turn of events has allowed historians a glimpse into the monument’s mighty bowels.
Israeli Defense Minister: Abbas Must Disarm Hamas
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
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.”
Chief PLO Negotiator Warns: We’re Preparing Legal Action Against Israel (Video)
Palestinians will pursue Israel in the international legal arena — for war crimes and for apartheid acts — if it takes punitive measures against the newly unified Hamas-Fatah government, warned chief PLO negotiator Saeb Erekat.
U.S. and Israeli Diplomatic Relationship Hits New Low
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
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
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
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 is unacceptable.
Israel: The Land Flowing with Milk and Honey
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 million liters, a 2 percent increase over 2012.
President Obama Breaks Campaign Pledge Not to Deal with Hamas
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 Obama’s presidential candidacy and when Goldberg asked him about it, Obama responded emphatically: My position on Hamas is indistinguishable from the position of Hillary Clinton or John McCain. I said they are a terrorist organization and I’ve repeatedly condemned them. I’ve repeatedly said, and I mean what I say: since they are a terrorist organization, we should not be dealing with them until they recognize Israel, renounce terrorism, and abide by previous agreements.
New Palestinian Government Faces Punitive Actions by Israel
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
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 statements by the US and the EU Monday that they would recognize the new leadership in Ramallah, much to Israel’s chagrin.
Bennett: PA Government Made Up of ‘Terrorists in Suits’
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
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 it has Hamas support.