Category: Diplomacy

   

The United Arab Emirates officially denied reports published by the Israeli media concerning opening an Israeli diplomatic mission in Dubai, and confirmed its commitment to the Arab Peace Initiative which…

Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that Israel opened recently a secret diplomatic trade mission in Dubai in the Arabic Gulf, which operates in accordance of preconditions set by the authorities…

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will meet with the Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon at the end of September, after they return from the United Nations general Assembly meeting, scheduled for…

Israeli newspaper Maariv reported on Thursday that intensive secret talks are ongoing between Jordan and Israel, to prepare for an expected visit of King Abdullah of Jordan, to Israel. High…

The Israeli Knesset approved on Wednesday on Wednesday the Israeli – Egyptian Philadilphi deal, to deploy 750 Egyptian troops at the Philadilphi route, on the Gaza Egypt borders, after Israeli…

Egyptian intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman is currently formulating a proposal which he claims will end the Palestinian – Israeli dispute over the freedom of movement of Palestinian residents and goods through the…

The United States has rescinded its demand for Israel to implement the joined, U.S. – Israeli marking of the boundaries of the Israeli settlements in the West Bank, Israeli and…

The Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine denied reports which were published by the media regarding its intention to run in the upcoming Palestinian Legislative elections, scheduled for January 25, 2006.…

Top aides of the Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, believe that he should quit the Likud party and form a new one to participate in the upcoming Knesset elections. Sharon…

Palestinian Labor Minister, Hasan Abu Libdeh, said on Monday that his ministry is planning a huge employment project which will provide 10.000 residents with job opportunities. “The Labor Ministry is…

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that the parliamentary elections will be held on January 25, 2006. “The Parliamentary elections will be held in all of the Palestinian areas on Wednesday,…

Head of the Higher Elections Committee, Jamal Shobaky, said that the committee decided to postpone the local election in 27 areas out of 132 in the West Bank and the…

The Islamic Jihad movement in Palestine called on the Palestinian Authority, especially the Legislative Council, in order to close the political detainees file, and release them from Jericho detention facility.…

Secretary General of the Arab League, Amr Mousa said that there are no new Arab initiatives for peace in the Middle East other than the one presented in Beirut, Palestine…

Amr Mousa, Secretary General of the Arab League, said on Monday that the peace initiative that was approved by the Arab summit in Beirut in March 2002 and officially confirmed…

The Palestinian Ministry of the Interior and National Security reported on Monday that General Jamal abu Zayed, deputy minister of the interior, and Israeli Defense Ministry Deputy Director General Moshe…

The Fateh Central Committee met on Sunday evening to discuss preparations for ensuring security in the Palestinian areas during the Israeli withdrawal and other security issues in the Gaza Strip.…

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) announced that it will begin its process of ‘progressive engagement’ – a process that could ultimately lead to divestment – with five companies it says contribute…

Palestinian Cabinet Minister Saeb Erekat said on Thursday that the Israeli decision to construct a new settlement in Jerusalem is a direct violation of international law and negatively affects the…

Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, met with James Wolfensohn, the Quartet’s disengagement envoy, in Gaza, in order to coordinate between the Palestinian Authority and Israel to ensure a ‘peaceful’ withdrawal from…

Dr. Ghassan Hamadan, head of the Nablus office of the Palestinian Medical Relief, said that the Spanish authorities detained him for more than eight hours at the Madrid Airport without…

The U.S. administration has deepened the crisis with Israel over the Israel’s weapon-related exports by refusing to rescind the sanctions against Israel, Ze’ev Schiff, a prominent military expert wrote in…

At least 65 people were killed in a series of powerful explosions that rocked the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el Sheik early Saturday, Egypt’s interior minister said. There…

Blasts at Underground stations and on a bus caused panic in London last night just two weeks after fatal attacks that claimed the lives of 56 people and wounded hundreds.…

General Mustafa Boheiry, assistant director of the Egyptian intelligence, met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, on Sunday, in an attempt to reduce tension and violence between Hamas fighters and Palestinian Authority security…

U.S secretary of State Condoleezza decided to visit Israel and the Palestinian territories this week, after she altered her scheduled visit in response to the escalating violence in the area.…

Palestinian Ministry of Interior accused Israel of violating the Sharm al-Sheikh understandings, and lack of seriousness in implementing key points of the agreement. The ministry said that Israel did not…

Palestinian Minister of Economy Mazin Sinnukrut said on Thursday that the Quartet envoy to the Middle East, James Wolfensohn, informed him that there is a progress in Israel’s attitude towards…

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called on Arab countries to grant citizenship rights to Palestinian refugees, saying that the move would not undermine the refugees’ right of return. In a TV…

European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana slammed Israel for the Wall Israel is building around and through Jerusalem. The 60-kilometer section of the wall is half built. Two days…

British Prime Minister Tony Blair said Saturday that the situation in the Middle East was one of the essential causes of Thursday’s London bombings. ‘The solution cannot only be security…

The General Assembly of the United Church of Christ, (UCC) decided in it 25 convention to selectively divest from companies involved with Israel’s occupation of the west bank and Gaza,…

In their summit, the G8 leaders approved $3 billion in aide to the Palestinian Authority to support the economy over the next three years. The plan was submitted to the…

Head of the metropolitan Police, Sir Ian Blair, said in the wake of the London bombing that it will be very difficult now to determine the death toll, but it…

At least 2 people have been killed in a series of explosions that rocked the British capitol of London on Thursday morning, a ccording to the BBC news website. Blasts occurred between Aldgate…

Following the death of Palestinian veteran leader Yasser Arafat, most world leaders are pointing to a window of opportunity in the Palestinian-Israeli crisis. Some believe that lifting the ban imposed…

Leaders of Hamas and other Palestinian factions based abroad are planning to move to the Gaza Strip after the Israeli withdrawal, a senior Palestinian source reported on Monday. Senior officials at…

Palestinian and Israeli sources reported on Saturday that the two sides agreed to close the Rafah Border Crossing in the Gaza Strip for departures and keep it opened to arrivals.…

The Anglican Consultative Council, A leading body for Anglican Christians, unanimously passed a resolution to put pressure on firms that support Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories. Meeting in the central…

Thursday morning, American diplomats were allowed to drive in West Bank areas after the US State Department changed its warning, but the officials were warned of violent settlers. The diplomats…

U.S. diplomats visit the Gaza Strip breaking 18-month-boycott following the killing of three U.S. gecurity Guards in October 2003 by a roadside bomb near the Erez military crossing.  USAID donated…

The United States is putting together a $3 billion international aid package for the Gaza Strip after Israeli withdrawal, according to a Friday’ New York Times report. The U.S. hopes…

During a joint press conference held in Ramallah on Saturday after U.S. secretary of state Condoleezza Rice met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Rice described the disengagement plan as the best…

U.S. secretary of state Condoleezza Rice told Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz that the U.S. expects Israel to make more goodwill gestures toward the Palestinians in the coming days. During…

Saturday afternoon, Palestinian legislators passed a new election law setting a later date for the legislative election originally slated for July 17, 2005. The law was proposed by the Palestinian…

Israeli sources reported U.S. security of State Condoleezza Rice has arrived in the country early Saturday.  The source said that Rice is en-route to Ramallah as she is scheduled to…

The Israeli-Palestinian security committee continues its meetings in bid to coordinate the intended Israeli pullout from the Gaza Strip, Wednesday night, while the Palestinian Authority is preparing to welcome the…

In a move described as a political-strategic turnaround with respect to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the European Union decided to renew low-level talks with Hamas, Israeli sources reported. The EU has…

The Palestinian Foreign Minister Nasser Al-Kidwa on Tuesday was pessimistic about the chances for the upcoming Sharon-Abbas summit meeting saying it he does not expect a diplomatic breakthrough. However, Al-Kidwa…

Israel ambassador to the United Nations, Dan Gillerman will be the next vice president of the United Nations General Assembly, Israeli sources reported on Tuesday. The source also said that…

Farouq Qaddoumi, head of the political bureau of the Palestinian Liberation Organization, PLO, head of the Fatah Central Committee, said that that the position of the Palestinian vice president should…

Ahead of the summit that will join the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, scheduled for June 21, several diplomats are planning meet with both…

The US Congressional House International Relations Committee, on June 8, approved a bill that calls for specific reforms at the United Nations. Congress demanded the United Nations General Assembly to…

The Palestinian Ministry of Interior and National Security, expressed concerns that Israeli might launch a wide scaled military operation in the Gaza Strip. The ministry said that Israeli military planes…

Palestinian Minister of Civil Affairs, Mohammad Dahlan, said that the Israeli government is obstructing its own withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and obstructing cooperation with the Palestinian Authority. Dahlan added…

Arab MKs boycotted Monday a special meeting of the Knesset plenum held to mark “Jerusalem day” on the 38th anniversary of announcing the unification of the city following the 1967…

The Palestinian National Authority intends to collect the personal belongings and possessions of the late Palestinian president, Yasser Arafat, for a museum for his memory, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas said…

American officials expressed concerns over Hamas’ electoral rise in the Palestinian areas saying this poses a dilemma in defining ‘terrorists.’ Hinting that U.S. funding will be affected if Hamas wins…

Arab member of Knesset, Issam Makhoul, from the Hadash-Ta’al party, said that there is no possible comparison between those who reject the occupation, and those who reject to end it.…

Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom discussed with the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan in a Friday meeting the possibility of an Israeli seat on the UN Security Council. ‘The…

The Israeli Ynet news website published documents which showed that the US government estimated that Israel was misleading it and acting to acquire nuclear armaments. The documents show that the…

Israeli military sources were quoted as saying that Syria has test-fired Scud missiles last Friday, the New York Times reported. The military source also claimed one of the missiles broke…

In a two-day meeting opening, European Union foreign ministers and their counterparts from Arab countries and Israel debated political and economic cooperation between Europe and the Middle East. Observer described…

The U.S. Justice Department is expected to file indictments against two former senior American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) staffers – Steve Rosen and Keith Weissman. According to sources in…

According to Israeli media sources, U.S. President George Bush told Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that if the Palestinian Authority (PA) disarms Palestinian resistance groups, he would pressure Israel to dismantle…

Canada pledged, on Saturday, $9.7M aid to the P.A which to be used in housing projects, scholarships for Palestinian women living in Lebanon, and to improve the situation in the…

The United Nations labor agency said Friday that unemployment among Palestinian workers had hit a peak of 224,000 during the year 2004, indicating that approximately half the Palestinian population still…

The U.S. administration, in response to concerns expressed Friday by Israeli officials over pledges made to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, clarified that the United States has not changed its position…

The Association of University Teachers (AUT) voted on Thursday to end its boycott of two Israeli universities, put in place last month, a step described as a victory to the…

An Israeli official source in the Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s office said on Thursday that the United States President George W. Bush rejected a demand by the Palestinian President Mahmoud…

In an interview to Haaretz, the Palestinian Foreign Minister Nasser Al-Kidweh warned U.S. President George W. Bush that not resolving the Palestinian problem would endanger his plans in the Middle…

Israeli sources said on Thursday that the U.S. administration will not push the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to disarm resistance groups until after the Palestinian parliamentary elections are over. Abbas…

Leader of the Lebanon based Hezbollah party, Sheikh Hasan Nasrallah, said on Wednesday that his party owns 12000 rockets capable of hitting “every area of northern Israel”. “Every area in…

Amnesty International accused Israel of war crimes and crimes against humanity in an annual report published Wednesday morning. The report revealed that during the past year, Israeli army soldiers have…

On eve of the Wednesday Palestinian-U.S. summit, Palestinian Authority officials expressed concerns that the visit will not yield any significant achievements, Palestinian sources said on Tuesday. During his meeting with…

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Tuesday that a coordinated disengagement could signal a "new era of trust" with the Palestinians.  Addressing the audience in the AIPAC conference in Washington…

Ahead of his visit, to start on Thursday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas complained Tuesday about ’Israel’s incitement against him and its lack of cooperation with the Palestinian Authority, saying he…

U.S. President George W. Bush will insist that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas dismantle all “terrorist” networks in Palestinian areas, said U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.   "The president will…

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is seeking American assurances that implementation of the road map will begin as soon as Israel completes its withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, Abbas, who will…

United States’ first lady, Laura Bush visited the Haram Al-Sharif area in Jerusalem despite discomfort by Palestinian officials, for such a move. Bush who is the U.S.’s new goodwill ambassador…

According to United Arab Emirates’ newspapers, Senior Hamas and Hizbullah leaders received official letters from the U.S administration and British government. According to the Al-Bayan Saturday edition, the U.S. sent…

The U.S. administration is divided on what sort of gesture to offer to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who is scheduled to meet with President George W. Bush on Thursday at…

The Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas demanded the US president George Bush to take a clear stance on the Road Map plan after Israel completes its Gaza Withdrawal. Abbas said that…

Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei met in Amman with the Israeli Vice-Premier Shimon Peres to discuss promoting peace efforts in the region, Israeli sources reported on Saturday. The meeting, which…

Jordan and Israel announced Friday that they will jointly participate in a European-Mediterranean trade system that will allow the both countries to boost duty-free exports to Europe. Israeli Deputy Prime…

The U.S. government intends to replace traditional diplomacy conducted through U.S. embassies with an interventionist foreign policy that focuses on political and economic reform, Robert Zoellick, the U.S. Deputy Secretary…

U.S. government investigators are focusing on conversations that two top American Israel Public Affairs Committee staffers allegedly had with a Washington Post reporter and an Israeli diplomat Apparently, the investigation…

Kieran Prendergast, undersecretary-general for political affairs at the UN, warned of the increasing violence in the Palestinian territories, urging the Palestinian Authority to ‘end all violence acts”, and called on…

A source at the Palestinian Authority reported on Wednesday that a Palestinian-Egyptian summit will be held in Sharm al-Sheikh resort in Egypt next Saturday. The summit will discuss preparations for…

Speaking at a press conference in Tokyo, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that the PA was cooperating with Israel to facilitate the upcoming pullout, and that Hamas may join the…

Israeli army soldiers delayed for five hours former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad at a border crossing before allowing him to enter the Palestinian areas, sources at the former leader’s…

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said following his meeting with the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Tokyo that Japan will give USD 100 millions, additional funds to the Palestinian Authority.…

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has begun questioning reporters who had contact with Pentagon official Lawrence Franklin, who has been charged with disclosing classified information to officials of the…

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas plans to visit Washington for talks with President George W. Bush on May 26, diplomatic sources said on Friday. Bush has invited Abbas to the White…

In an interview with London-based newspaper al-Sharq al-Awsat, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas charged Israel was inciting against him but said that despite the smear campaign he does not intend to…

The Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the decision by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) to take part in the upcoming parliament election scheduled for July 17, Palestinian sources reported. Abbas…

The U.S. Episcopal Church, considering a review of investments in companies that do business with Israel. A church fact-finding team, who recently visited the West bank, came back deeply disturbed.…

The foreign ministers of the European Union’s three biggest powers, France, Britain and Germany sent a strongly worded letter to Hassan Rohani, Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator, warning that resuming nuclear…

The first South American-Arab summit gave support for the Palestinians in their fight for an independent state and called for dismantling all Jewish Settlements and the Wall built in the…