Abbas: Decision on government soon
Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, has hinted that he could sack the Hamas government but that any decision he might take could lead to a referendum. Abbas also promoted the…
UNRWA concerned over humanitarian crisis in Gaza Strip
Director of the United Nations Relief Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Gaza Strip, John King, held a meeting Tuesday to appeal for aid to the Palestinians. “The Palestinian…
UNRWA Speaks out Against Humanitarian Disaster in Occupied Territories
Palestinians are experiencing a humanitarian disaster on all levels, according to UNRWA. The director of UNRWA operations in the Gaza Strip, John Ging, insisted that the international community lift the…
In-depth look into suffer of Palestinian women under Israeli Occupation
Counselor Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the United Nations, Nadya Rasheed, presented the UN on Wednesday with an in-depth look into what Palestinian women face living under Israeli occupation.…
Danish representative office in Ramallah received Death-threat
The Danish representative office to the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah said that they have received a death threat by phone on Thursday morning. Employees told IMEMC that at around 9:35…
Al-Hayat newspaper: `“Hamas willing to accept previous agreements with Israel`
The London-based Al Hayat newspaper reported that the Hamas party is willing to recognize peace deals signed between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. The paper said that this position was…
Presidential Advisor says six-point plan for coalition government failed, but new plan in the works
Presidential Advisor Nabil Amr told a press conference in Ramallah Tuesday afternoon that the national initiative has failed due to Hamas not accepting the six-point plan negotiated by Qatar. …
Lebanese Defense Minister: Army Confiscated Hezbollah Arms
The Lebanese army has confiscated arms belonging to Hezbollah in accordance with a U.N. truce resolution, Lebanese Defense Minister Elias Murr said for the first time on Tuesday. Asked about…
Hamad: `“National Unity talks did not fail`
The Palestinian government spokesperson, Dr. Ghazi Hamad, from the ruling Hamas party, said that talks on the formation of a national unity government did not fail, and that the government…
National Unity Talks Going Nowhere
The political deadlock between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ and Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh’s efforts to form a national unity government between Hamas and Fatah continues. Hope that the Qatari Foreign…
Six-point plan offered by Qatari Foreign Minister to solve Palestinian internal crisis
The Foreign Minister of the Gulf State of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasim Al Thani, on Monday offered the Palestinian leadership a 6-point plan aimed at ending the internal feud…
Qatar Enters as Mediator Between Hamas and Fatah
Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasim Al Thani has entered talks to form a unity government as a mediator between Hamas and Fatah, the leaders of which he will…
Analysis: Mideast Policy Comes Full Circle
Having ignored him for over a year, now all of sudden the world and his dog wants to talk to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. It’s astonishing how short memories can…
Secret meeting between Abbas, Olmert aides ends with failure
The Palestinenet news website reported that a secret meting that included aides of the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, and aides of the Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, was conducted two…
Haniyya: `“We will not recognize the occupation, we offer an extended truce for a Palestinian State
The Palestinian Prime Minister, Ismail Haniyya, a member of the Hamas party, said during a speech in front of tens of thousands of residents in Gaza that Hamas will not…
Peretz: `Easing condition in P.A area is an Israel’s security interests`
During his Thursday meeting with the U.S Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, Israeli Defense Minister, Amir Peretz, said that easing restrictions imposed on the Palestinians is an Israeli security interest,…
Rice’s Visit To Middle East: Palestinian Question At Core of Middle East Conflict
In a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the Jordanian foreign minister, Abdel Ilah Khatib, said, "Jordan and other Arab countries will insist that priority be given to…
Six Palestinian factions call for ending internal clashes
Six Palestinian political factions called on the Palestinians and the clashing Hamas and Feteh members to end the internal clashes adding that a failure of restoring calm and protecting the…
Habib: `“Gaza internal clashes, free gift for the occupation`
Khader Habib, a leader of the Islamic Jihad Movement, said on Monday that the internal clashes in the Gaza Strip are considered a “free gift’ for the Israeli occupation in…
Abbas: `“No breakthrough on National Unity Government talks`
Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, said that there has been no progress in talks with the Hamas party on the formation of a National Unity Government. He told the Qatar based…
U.S. Consul General in Jerusalem expresses concern about Israeli refusals to issue visas
The U.S. Consul General in Jerusalem Jake Walles expressed concern about the continuous Israeli denial of entry to several internationals including, Americans, and Palestinian Americans. Representatives of the Campaign for…
Hamad: `“talks with between Abbas and the government are positive`
Official spokesperson of the Hamas government, Dr. Ghazi Hamad, said that the coming hours might carry indications for a possible solution for the current crises between the president and the…
On six year anniversary of initifada, prospects look bleak for Palestinians
Six years ago today, on September 29th 2000, the uprising known as the 'Al-Aqsa Intifada' began in the Palestinian Occupied Territories after then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon paid a provocative visit…
Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns that Palestinian Cabinet could soon be hand-picked by US
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on the media to expose the intentions of the United States administration. The patronage of the US to Israel is well known, but…
UN Envoy for Human Rights: `“Israeli actions in Gaza can be described as ethnic cleansing`
Special Envoy for the United Nations in occupied Palestinian territories, John Dugard, said on Tuesday that the Israeli actions and attacks in the Gaza Strip can be described as ethnic…
Christian Politicians Show Solidarity With Israel
Christian politicians from different countries will meet with Israeli Members of Knesset Wednesday to show their support for Israel. The Knesset’s Christian Allies Caucus will host 50 Christian politicians from…
Zahhar: `“Hamas will not recognize Israel, meeting with Abbas was delayed not canceled`
Palestinian Foreign Minister, Mahmoud Zahhar, from the Hamas party, said that Hamas will not recognize Israel since it is an occupying country, and will not stop resisting the occupation. Referring…
Salhi: `“Abbas is not heading to Gaza to meet Haniyya`
Palestinian Legislator, Bassam Salhi, secretary-general of the Palestinian People Party and head of the leftist Badeel Bloc at the Legislative Council, said on Monday that the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas,…
U.S. Double standards: Israeli-Americans rewarded, Palestinian-Americans punished
Despite stipulations in the U.S. Constitution that there is to be no discrimination against Americans based on their country of origin, the very real double standard in U.S. policy towards…
EU starts paying allowances to Palestinian Employees
The European commission has started social allowance payments to the Palestinian people, an EU source said on Monday. In a statement on Monday the commission said 40,000 of the neediest…
EU starts paying allowances to Palestinian Employees
The European commission has started social allowance payments to the Palestinian people, an EU source said on Monday. In a statement on Monday the commission said 40,000 of the neediest…
Salhi: `“Abbas is not heading to Gaza to meet Haniyya`
Palestinian Legislator, Bassam Salhi, secretary-general of the Palestinian People Party and head of the leftist Badeel Bloc at the Legislative Council, said on Monday that the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas,…
Salhi: `“Abbas is not heading to Gaza to meet Haniyya`
Palestinian Legislator, Bassam Salhi, secretary-general of the Palestinian People Party and head of the leftist Badeel Bloc at the Legislative Council, said on Monday that the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas,…
Israeli military court rejects the release of Hamas lawmakers
An Israeli military court ruled on Monday that eighteen Palestinian legislators from the ruling Hamas party will remain imprisoned until their trial is over and a ruling is passed. The…
Palestinians want Marwan Barghouti released as part of deal to release captured Israeli soldier
The Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas stated Sunday that the Palestinian Authority (PA) is asking for the release of Fatah party leader Marwan Barghouti, imprisoned by Israel since July 2004, and…
Haniyya: `“We have serious intentions to form a national unity government`
Palestinian Prime Minister, Ismail Haniyya, from the Hamas party, said on Sunday that the movement has serious intentions to form a national unity government, and that the movement is interested…
Abbas` `“Talks for a national unity government back to square zero`
Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, said on Saturday that talks for the formation of a National Unity Government have collapsed back to square zero. The statements of Abbas came after the…
Stalemate on Palestinian unity government talks after Abbas returns from U.S. with new ‘orders’
The Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, is being challenged by the Palestinian government of acting as a mouthpiece for the United States government, and misrepresenting the Palestinian demands during his visit…
Peres meets Abbas on sidelines of General Assembly meetings
Israeli Vice Prime Minister, Shimon Peres, met on Thursday with the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Peres told Abbas…
Solution to Middle East conflict requires new global strategy, French President tells UN
Voicing dismay that the conflict in the Middle East has become "the epicentre of global instability," French President Jacques Chirac told world leaders who gathered today for the United Nations…
Livni: `“Two-state solution does not mean withdrawing to the borders of 1967`
Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, addressing the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday in New York, said that the solution of the Palestinian cause does not mean an Israeli withdrawal…
Abbas meets foreign and Arab officials at the UN Headquarters
Abbas met foreign officials Wednesday to discuss the current social and political situation in the Occupied Territories as it relates to Israel. The President met with leaders from Spain, the…
Bush meets Abbas in New York
Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas met on Wednesday with the US president, Georg W. Bush, in New York, and held talks on efforts to revive the stalled peace process, the National…
Investigators have enough proof to charge Katsav
The Israeli police team investigating charges of sexual harassment against against the Israeli President, Moshe Katsav, estimated that they have enough evidence to press charges against him. The charges include…
Following visit to Syria, two Arab legislators banned from Knesset
Israeli Knesset “Ethics Committee “ decided to ban Arab members of Knesset Jamal Zahalka and Ibrahim Sarsour from the Knesset for three days over a trip they made to Syria…
Israel must recognize the Palestinian government
Despite the rising tension this past weekend between Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and the Hamas movement, it is safe to assume that soon a government of national unity…
Halutz: `“Troops to leave Lebanon in coming days`
Israeli online daily Haaretz quoted Meretz member of Knesset Ran Cohen stating that Israeli Army Chief of Staff, Dan Halutz, said on Tuesday that the Israeli soldiers will pull out…
Abbas and Livni meet for first time in four months
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni met at the UN headquarters in New York Monday to discuss the current political situation in Israel and Palestine. Considered…
PLC cancels its session after clashes between PM guards and angry Public sector employees
The Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) in Gaza canceled its session on Monday after clashes between angry public sector employees and guards of the Palestinian Prime Minster Ismail Haniyya. Earlier, hundreds…
Palestinian PM: prisoner release efforts still underway
Substantial efforts to secure the release of the Israeli soldier are underway, said the Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh Sunday. The soldier, 19-year old Gilad Shalit, was captured while invading…
Abbas expected to meet Bush next week to discuss unity government
Palestinians sources reported on Saturday that the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, is expect to meet the U.S president, George W. Bush next week in New York on the sidelines of…
PLO to once again become the peoples’ representative, this time with Hamas and Jihad in the fold
Palestinian parties are making contacts Saturday to implement the coalition government now that Fateh and Hamas have agreed on the composition. Prime Minister Ismail Haniya said yesterday that he has…
PLO to once again become the peoples’ representative, this time with Hamas and Jihad in the fold
Palestinian parties are making contacts Saturday to implement the coalition government now that Fateh and Hamas have agreed on the composition. Prime Minister Ismail Haniyya said Friday that he has…
European Union vows support for Palestinian national unity government
As Palestinian lawmakers reach the final stages of their negotiations for a 'national unity government' that they hope will provide legitimacy in the world arena and end an economic blockade…
U.N. Conference on Rights of Palestinians adopts action plan
A two-day United Nations (U.N.) International Conference of Civil Society in Support of the Palestinian People concluded in Geneva today with the adoption of a Plan of Action aimed at…
Majority of world’s countries demand Israeli withdrawal from Gaza
In a summit in Havana, Cuba, the Movement of Non-Aligned countries, which respresents 118 of the 192 recognized sovereign states on earth, agreed overwhelmingly to support a document condemning Israel…
Arab members of Knesset arrived in Lebanon
Arab Lawmakers at the Israeli Knesset arrived on Thursday in Lebanon for a two-day visit that will include a meeting with the Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora on Friday. Three…
Palestinian government strongly condemns uncompromising position of U.S.
As the democratically-elected Palestinian government is going through the last stages of negotiations needed to reach a national unity power-sharing agreement, the U.S. administration's dismissal of these compromises has led…
Israeli prosecution appeals against releasing PLC head, ministers and legislators
The Israeli prosecution appealed on Thursday morning against the decision of the judge of Ofer Israeli Military Court to release twenty Hamas legislators and ministers, including head of the Palestinian…
Hamas: New Government will negotiate with Israel
Dr. Ghazi Hamad spokesperson of the Palestinian government told Al-Jazeera on Thursday, that Hamas will not accept that the new government recognizes Israel saying that Israel does not recognize the…
U.S. rejects Palestinian ‘unity government’ even before it has completed being formed
In its latest rejection of democracy in the Middle East, the United States has taken a stand rejecting the Palestinian attempts to form a national unity government, despite the fact…
Ben-Eliezer calls on Halutz to resign
Israeli National Infrastructure Minister, Benjamin Ben-Eliezer, said on Wednesday that the Israeli Army Chief of Staff, Dan Halutz should follow the footsteps of I Northern Command Chief Maj.-Gen. Udi Adam,…
Yousef: `“EU to lift boycott after National Unity Government is formed`
Ahmad Yousef, political advisor to the Palestinian Prime Minister, Ismail Haniyya, said that European countries have hinted that they intend to lift the economic embargo on the Hamas-led Palestinian government…
Israel decides to release 15 legislators and 3 ministers
The Ofer Israeli military court decided on Tuesday to release three ministers and fifteen members of the Palestinian Legislative Council whop were taken prisoners by Israeli after resistance fighters abducted…
Abbas calls on international community to lift the siege
After his meeting at the presidential compound, on Monday night, with the Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyya, president Mahmoud Abbas called on the International Community to lift the siege which…
Abbas, Haniyya agree to form a national unity government
After his second meeting with the Palestinian Prime Minster Ismail Haniyya, from the Hamas party, Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, said on Monday that the efforts to form a national unity…
Blair meets Olmert, plans to meet Abbas on Sunday
Israeli Prime Minister met on Saturday evening with the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair. The later plans to meet the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday but will not meet…
More troops arrive to bolster ceasefire in Lebanon; Syria agrees to patrol its border
In accordance with an agreement made with United Nations (UN) chief Kofi Annan, the Syrian President Bashar Assad agreed to deploy a battalion of Syrian troops along the Syria-Lebanon border…
Prisoner swap talks reached dead end, say Hamas sources
Sources in the ruling Palestinian Hamas party said on Saturday that prisoner swap talks between Israel and the Palestinians have reached a dead end due to the Israeli rejection of…
UNIFIL says Israeli sea blockade over Lebanon ended
Major General, Alain Pellegrini, head of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), stated on Friday afternoon that Israeli had lifted the sea blockade over Lebanon. The Israeli government…
Israel building electric fence along Egypt border
While continuing construction on the massive concrete Wall and series of electric fences and trenches in the West Bank and Gaza, Israel is now announcing the construction of another massive…
Arab members of Knesset to visit Syria, Israel says this violates its law
Arab members of Knesset, Jamal Zahalka and Wasal Taha, members of the Balad Faction in Israel, headed to Damascus on Thursday for meetings with the Syrian leadership. Israel considered the…
With 200,000 unexploded cluster bombs in southern Lebanon, six nations call for ban
Cluster bombs, manufactured mainly in the United States and in Israel, are small bombs that splinter into many pieces, raining shrapnel upon an area 2-3 kilometers from where the bomb…
Palestinian notables: ‘Tony Blair: You are not welcome in Palestine’
In an ad today in al-Ayyam newspaper, a group of independent Palestinians published a letter stating, "We, the signatories… notables, intellectuals and political figures declare that Tony Blair [the British…
Livni calls for direct talks with Abbas
Israel's Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, said during a press conference in Haifa that Israel should hold direct talks with the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, adding that direct talks will enable…
EU: Israel should free captured Palestinian government officials; halt settlement expansion
The President of the European Union (EU) announced in a statement Wednesday evening that Israel should commit to restarting the Middle East peace process by freeing the dozens of Palestinian…
Israel to Lift Air and Sea Blockade on Lebanon at 6 p.m. Thursday
Israel will lift the air and sea blockade imposed on Lebanon at 6 p.m. Thursday after receiving international assurances over an arms embargo on Hezbollah, the prime minister's office said.…
Israel boycotts ‘peace mission’ of Irish leader
Gerry Adams, the head of the Irish Sinn Fein party and a key player in the 'Good Friday' agreement that secured peace in volatile Northern Ireland in 2000, arrived in…
Former Iranian President says Iran would recognize a two-state solution to Israel-Palestine conflict
In an interview with London's Financial Times on Tuesday, Mohammed Khatami, former president of Iran, said that if the Hamas-led Palestinian government were to agree to a two-state solution with…
Peres says Abbas and Olmert will start talks after the release of Shalit
Israeli Vice Prime Minster Shimon Peres said Tuesday that once the captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit is released, the Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, would start talks with the Palestinian…
Peres says Abbas and Olmert will start talks after the release of Shalit
Israeli Vice Prime Minster Shimon Peres said Tuesday that once the captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit is released, the Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, would start talks with the Palestinian…
The Silent Expulsion
In the middle of the conversation in the spacious CEO's office at the Palestinian National Beverage Company in Ramallah 10 days ago, Zahi Khouri's mobile phone danced on the table.…
Prisoners swap deal could be reached soon
Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, said on Tuesday that progress has been made in the issue of a prisoner swap deal for the release of the captured Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit.…
European nations decide not to allow stop-overs of Israeli arms flights
After its 34-day war with Lebanon, in which Israeli forces killed an estimated 1,000 civilians, the Israeli government has been taking a good deal of criticism internationally. One of the…
Dahlan heads to Egypt for talks on possible Prisoner swap deal
Head of Security Committee at the Palestinian Legislative Council, and a senior Fateh leader, Mohammad Dahlan, headed to Egypt for talks on a possible prisoners swap deal with Israel. Dahlan…
Palestinian National Unity government might be formed in ten days
A spokesperson of the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, said on Saturday that a Palestinian National Unity Government might be formed in ten days. Meanwhile, Abbas met in Gaza with the…
Retired Lebanese General challenges Israeli account of seizure of two soldiers on July 12th
The government of Israel claimed that it sent its troops to war against Hezbollah in Lebanon seven weeks ago after the militant organization had crossed the border onto Israeli territory…
Israeli delegation in Egypt to discuss a possible deal for releasing 1000 detainees in Shalit Swap
A Saudi Newspaper, Okaz, reported that a senior Arabic source said that an Israeli security delegation is currently visiting the Egyptian capital, Cairo, to discuss a possible deal for the…
Germany attempting to broker prisoner swap between Israel and Hezbollah
Israeli sources reported that German security officials are expected in Beirut this week in an attempt to mediate between Hezbollah and Israel on a prisoner swap deal. Israeli online daily…
Israel rejects to end air and sea blockade over Lebanon
Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, met on Wednesday with the UN secretary-general, Kofi Annan, and said that Israel will not end its air and sea blockade over Lebanon until “all…
Annan arrives in Israel after visiting Lebanon
After visiting Lebanon, United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, arrived in Israel on Tuesday afternoon, for talks to strengthen the fragile truce that ended the 34-day war between Israeli and Hezbollah.…
Annan Tours Devastated South Lebanon Before Heading to Israel
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan visited U.N. peacekeepers in south Lebanon on Tuesday, a day after Italy and Turkey moved to join the international force there. Annan and his entourage left…
Lebanese television channel airs new pictures of Ron Arad
The Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation (LBC) displayed new footage and photographs Monday of missing Israel Air Force navigator Ron Arad, who disappeared in 1986 when his plane was shot down over…
Annan arrives in Beirut, start Mideast tour to strengthen ceasefire
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan arrived in Beirut Monday to start a tour that aims to strengthen the cease-fire in Lebanon saying that it was "a very critical time" for…
Fateh: Israel is trying to make sure only its version of events is seen
Fateh party spokesperson in the West Bank, Fahmi Al Zarir, condemned Israel’s continual targeting of Palestinian journalists. Although the latest attack came in the early morning hours in Gaza City,…
Egypt, Pakistan point to Israeli Occupation of Palestine as root cause of Mid-East conflict
Egyptian foreign minister Ahmed Abul Ghait and Pakistan's United Nations representative Imtiaz Hussain both made statements Friday tying violence in the region to Israel's occupation of Palestine. Said Hussain, "Clearly,…
Israeli government facing both internal and external criticism for war performance
Hundreds of Israeli army reservists marched in Jerusalem today calling for the resignation of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert due to what they see as mis-handling of the war in…
Palestinian gunmen blow hole in border wall after 60-day Israeli closure of Rafah crossing
Dozens of armed Palestinians blew a large hole in the wall between Egypt and the Gaza Strip on Thursday. Angry gunmen gathered near the Rafah Crossing and detonated a large…
Israeli officials: Gearing up for ‘next round’ of war with Lebanon
A few hours after drawing international concerns over its violation of the UN-brokered end of hostilities with Lebanon, Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz and others said recently that they are…
Arabs Formally Request U.N. Ministerial Meeting to Bring Peace to the Middle East.
On Wednesday, ‘s acting ambassador, who currently chairs the Arab Group at the United Nations, formally requested that the U.N. Security Council hold a ministerial meeting in September to launch…