A Life of Unrest
In the News
Palestinians never used to do these things to one another. Putting bullets in the back of the heads of men on their knees. Shooting up hospitals. Killing patients. Knee-capping doctors. Executing clerics. Throwing handcuffed prisoners to their deaths from Gaza’s highest (and most expensive) apartment buildings. There is a madness in Gaza now. Hamas — a religious political-military organization that dominated the last Palestinian elections — claimed it was fighting infidels, with a holy sanction to kill.
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Israel’s economic growth defies experts
In the News
While Israeli and Palestinian negotiators grope their way towards a US-sponsored peace meeting in Annapolis later this year, investors and economists are struggling with a different problem: how to justify the strength of the Israeli economy. Last year’s botched war in Lebanon, the escalating conflict with Islamist militants in the Gaza Strip, the threat of Iran’s nuclear programme and the weakness of an unpopular and fractious government at home – nothing has so far managed to throw the economy off its high-speed track.
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U.S. official: $20M smuggled into Gaza monthly
In the News
An estimated $20 million is smuggled into the Gaza Strip each month through the Philadelphi Route, according to Democratic Representative Gary Ackerman, chairman of the U.S. House Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia. In an interview with Haaretz on Monday, Ackerman pointed an accusing finger at Egypt, arguing that Cairo's failure to control the Sinai border with the Gaza Strip helps to empower Hamas.
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Abbas talks with Hamas officials
In the News
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has met Hamas officials for the first time since the militant group's takeover of the Gaza Strip in June. The meeting, at the presidential compound in Ramallah, included former Hamas Deputy PM Nasserdine al-Shaer.
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Abbas optimism for Mid-East talks
In the News
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has said he believes there is a "real possibility" of achieving a peace deal with Israel. Progress was being made towards a US-sponsored Middle East peace conference expected later this year, Mr Abbas said.
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U.S. pressuring Israel to quit W. Bank outposts
In the News
The U.S. has renewed pressure on Israel to evacuate illegal outposts in the West Bank and has asked Jerusalem to broaden efforts to help West Bank Palestinians in the run-up to the Annapolis peace summit next month. During talks in Jerusalem late last week, National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley said the U.S. expects Israel to take measures that will assist Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.
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Israel threatens Gaza invasion
In the News
Israel has escalated threats to invade the Gaza Strip over Palestinian rocket fire after planned economic sanctions drew objections from legal experts and foreign powers. Since occupation forces withdrew from Gaza in 2005, Israel has mounted regular raids and air strikes on the territory, but has failed to stop rocket fire over the border.
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Israeli strike kills four in Gaza
In the News
Four people have died in an Israeli strike on a Hamas-run police station in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, Palestinians say. The Israeli military said in a statement it had targeted a rocket crew position in southern Gaza.
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American firms to advise Palestinians on security forces
In the News
American firms selected by the the U.S. administration will advise the Palestinian Authority on the organization, training and equipment of its security forces, according to Jacob Walles, American consul general in Jerusalem. The U.S. diplomat added that the American security assistance will be carried out in consultation with the U.S. security coordinator in the territories, General Keith Dayton. Walles said that the U.S. sees a considerable improvement in the performance of the Palestinian security forces.
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Ashrawi: Palestinians face one of most difficult phases in their history
In the News
The Palestinian people have plunged into a deep depression with
unemployment and poverty at record levels, and peace with Israel is the only answer, longtime Palestinian lawmaker Hanan Ashrawi said Monday. "Palestinians are experiencing one of the most difficult phases in our history," said Ashrawi, an elected member of the Palestinian Legislative Council and an active voice in the Mideast peace process.
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