Prisoners slated for release gathered in Ketziot
The Israel Prisons Service have begun gathering the Palestinian prisoners chosen to be released early next week in Ketziot, a Negev desert military detention camp in the south of Israel.…
Shas threatens to break coalition negotiations
Ultra-orthodox Shas party leader Eli Yishai expressed Wednesday impatience with coalition negotiations, warning that Shas might call over talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s representatives. ‘If no clear answers…
Army freezes plans for Philadelphi moat
Israeli army and security forces decided to freeze plans for a water channel along the Gaza strip borders with Egypt. {mosimage}The decision followed successful talks between Israel and the Palestinians…
Sharon promised Abbas to free more prisoners with `blood on their hands’
{mosimage}Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told Israeli newspaper Haaretz on Wednesday that he promised Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during the Sharm A-Sheikh summit that he would increase the number of…
Sharon: no referendum on pullout; will put an end to threats
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon affirmed Wednesday that a referendum on the disengagement plan will not happen. Speaking to Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Sharon accused that calls for the referendum are…
Sharon to appoint Yuval Diskin as the new Shin Bet chief
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is expected to officially announce on Thursday the appointment of Yuval Diskin as the next Shin Bet security service chief. Current Shin Bet chief Avi…
Hamas demands an explicit, signed truce document
The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas is demanding a written and explicit Israeli announcement of a cease-fire vis-a-vis Palestinian resistance groups. Hamas spokesmen in Gaza and Damascus said that the wording…
Palestinian youth killed in Rafah
A medical source at Abu Yousef Al-Najjar hospital in Rafah reported that Fathi Abu Jazar, 20, died of wounds sustained Wednesday afternoon in Rafah. {mosimage}Abu Jazar was seriously injured in…
Sha’ath: ‘No promises to dismantle resistance’
After the concluding of Sharm A-Sheikh summit the Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Nabil Sha’ath stated that the issue of dismantling the Palestinian resistance groups was not discussed. {mosimage}’We…
US: `“Cease fire is a step towards disarming terrorist organization`
The US Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Adam Arly, praised what he described as the “courageous leadership†of the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon. Arly said that the Palestinian leadership needs to…
Israel to release 350 Palestinians from Desert Prison
Palestinian sources reported that 350 Palestinian prisoners will be released from the desert detention camp, Ansar 3, in the Negev desert. {mosimage}The source said that the prison administration handed a…
Peres attacked by right wingers in Sderot
Shimon Peres, in a conference, held in the Negev Israeli town of Sderot said that “the right wing in Israel cause huge damage to the state of Israel , after…
`“We dealt with Rabin, now with Sharon `
Graffiti, ostensibly written by right wing Jewish groups in Ra’nana, in Tel Aviv, threats Sharon with the same “treatment given to Rabin’, “i.e. assassinationâ€Â. The graffiti describes Sharon as a…
International Welcoming of the Summit results
The Mideast Summit held in Sharm A-Sheikh on Tuesday and joined the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas with the Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon with an Egyptian and Jordanian Presence, was…
Pullout compensation bill passed by Arab MK vote
Israeli Education Minister Limor Livnat called the vote legal, but not legitimate, creating uproar among opposition groups. {mosimage}Livnat to ld Israeli army radio that she felt ‘uncomfortable’ knowing that passage…
U.S. Leans to send PA reforms’ envoy, not an overall peace one
The Bush administration is considering naming an official to help coordinate Palestinian economic and political reforms, U.S. diplomatic sources said on Tuesday. EU and other countries in the region…
Israeli Gestures limited to work permits
Following the Sharm summit, Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz Tuesday approved a list of ‘gestures’ towards palestinians. With the exception of allowing Palestinian public transportation through the Gush Katif junction…
Against Sharon’s will, Shalom to lead campaign for referendum
Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said Tuesday he intends to lead the campaign for holding a referendum on disengagement; an idea that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon vehemently oppose. Shalom,…
Egypt and Jordan to return ambassadors to Israel
Jordan and Egypt announced Tuesday they were sending their ambassadors back to Israel. The announcement followed the declaration of a mutual cease-fire at Sharm Al-Shaeikh summit earlier in the day.…
Bseso: `“The summit is a positive beginning`
Sakher Bseso, member of the Fatah revolutionary council said that Sharm Al-Sheikh summit is considered a positive starting point to put the peace process back to track, and to show…
Nazzal: `“The P.A disappointed the Palestinian people`
Mohammad Nazzal, one of the leaders of Hamas, said that the Palestinian Authority disappointed the Palestinians, and not only Hamas, and that the summit did not achieve any progress to…
Israeli army invades Nablus
Tuesday afternoon, Israeli soldiers, supported by two tanks and a number of Jeeps invaded the northern West Bank city of Nablus, and detained residents and students for several hours. {mosimage}Earlier…
Israel to annex lands south of Hebron
Israeli soldiers handed residents form the village of Yatta , east of Hebron , military orders to annex family farmlands in the areas of Tal Al-Tawani, and Um Sabba. {mosimage}Moshe…
Sharm Summit: Cease-fire declared, Gaza pullout will be part of the Road Map
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon declared Tuesday they would stop all resistance and violent military activity against each other, pledging to break the four-year cycle…
Procession in support of releasing the Palestinian detainees
Thousands of residents and leader of Palestinian factions gathered in front of the Palestinian legislative Council in Gaza city in support of the Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons and detention…
Israeli High court allows the construction of the Wall north west of Jerusalem
The Israeli High Court allowed, on Tuesday, the resumption of the construction of the annexation wall, North West of Jerusalem. The new decision cancels an interim injunction freezing the construction…
Commander `“in confirm kill` scandal released
The Israeli online daily Haaretz that captain R, from the Givati Brigade at the Israeli army, who repeatedly shot a 13-year-old girl in Gaza was released from custody, but will…
Unauthorized Outposts to be removed only after Pullout
A senior Israeli security officials said on Monday that Israel will evacuate unauthorized settlers outposts in the West Bank after the implementation of the unilateral disengagement plan {mosimage}A senior Israeli…
Extreme-right faction fails to win seats in Likud secretariat
Likud secretariat election ended with a major failure for the far-right Jewish Leadership faction, as Moshe Feiglin’sm the main candidate failed to win representation, Israel Radio reported on Tuesday. However,…
Assad extends support to Sharm’s summit
According to the Egyptian daily Al-Ahram, Syrian President Bashar Assad sent a letter to Egyptian President Husni Mubarak, praising his efforts to promote peace. Egyptian media sources reported Monday that…
Bush: Praises Abbas
U.S. President George Bush said Monday that he hopes to meet with the new Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in the White House this spring. Speaking to reporters, Bush was full…
Abbas’ Truce Open, Sharon’s Conditional
According to Israeli and Palestinian sources, at the Sharm Al-Sheikh summit, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will announce a cease-fire, but Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will only promise to end…
Palestinian sentenced to 20 years in Prison
The Israeli central court in Ten Aviv sentenced of Monday a Palestinian to twenty years after convicting him of attacking three Israelis with an axe last year in Ramat Gan…
Palestinian Egyptian meeting to rehabilitate the P.A security
Palestinian officials met on Monday with the Egyptian security delegate, headed by Mustafa Al-Boheiry, deputy chief of the Egyptian intelligence, who is currently visiting the Gaza Strip. The meeting, which…
Rice: `“leveling the settlements in not a good idea`
An Israeli source said on Monday evening that the U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice hinted during her meetings with Israeli officials that she does not support leveling the settlements…
500 detainees to conduct hunger strike on Tuesday
At least 500 detainees in Ohali Qidar detention Bir Shiva announced on Monday evening that they will conduct hunger strike on Tuesday, in protest to the Sharm Al-Sheikh summit which…
Israel , PA to officially declare truce at summit
The Israeli online daily Haaretz reported in Monday at night that the Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and the Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas will declare a “formal end to more…
Hamas, Islamic Jihad demand Abbas to consult with Palestinian factions prior to announcing truce
The Islamic resistance movement Hamas, and the Islamic Jihad stressed on the importance of discussing the truce with the Palestinian factions prior to announcing it. Mahmoud Zahhar, a prominent Hamas…
Military Court Releases soldier charged with killing Gaza 13-year Girl
The military court of the southern command’s division at the Israeli army decided in Sunday, to release a military officer charged with killing a 13-year-old girl in Rafah at “point-blank…
Bashar Assad: We Want Peace
The Syrian President Bashar Assad told the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in a letter on Sunday, ‘We want peace.’ This statement by Assad comes one day prior to the Sharm…
A New Palestinian Cabinet within 24 hours
A Palestinian political source voiced some expectations that a new Palestinian Cabinet will be announced within the coming 24 hours. The source said that some ministerial changes took place where…
Revlin to Gush Katif settlers: `“It’s over`
Members of the Israeli Foreign and Security committee met with dozens of settlers in the Gush Katif settlement bloc in the Gaza Strip, head of the Knesset, Reovin Revlin, who…
Dahlan- Weisglass understandings concerning the wanted resistance fighters
The ArabYnet news website published in Sunday the document reached between Mohammad Dahlan and Sharon’s advisor Dove Weisglass concerning the wanted resistance fighters. The Two parties agreed to transfer the…
Abbas: `“We arrived to an agreement with the Palestinian factions`
One day before the Sharm Al-Sheikh summit, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, Abu Mazen, met on Monday afternoon, with Condoleezza Rice, the U.S. Secretary of State, and announced in a press…
US to dispatch a security coordinator
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Monday that the states will conduct active involvement in the Middle East peace process, and that the states will dispatch a security…
Worries in Likud of Right-Wing take over
Some Likud ministers said they are concerned that right-wingers might take over the party, ahead of Monday’s elections for members of the Likud secretariat, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported on Monday.…
Rice: ‘Don’t undermine him’
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urged Israel on Sunday to take steps to strengthen Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, so as not to miss the opportunity created by his election.…
Egyptian Delegation in Gaza for Security Talks
The Egyptian delegation security delegation met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and senior PA security officials in Gaza on Sunday to discuss PA security needs and a comprehensive Palestinian security…
EU to push for ceasefire
The foreign ministers of Canada and France and the European Union’s commissioner for external affairs will arrive in Israel on Monday in an attempt to persuade Israel to accept a…
Israel: Hague ruling on Wall is irrelevant
The Israeli state prosecution claims the opinion of the International Court of Justice at the Hague on the separation wall was partially based on outdated information, therefore is irrelevant. This…
Al-Aqsa brigades rejects moving its fighters to Palestinian controlled cities
Ala ‘ Sanaqra, a prominent leader of Al-Aqsa brigades, the military wing of Fatah, said that the brigades’ rejects moving its fighters to Palestinian controlled cities after the Israeli army…
Mubarak might visit Israel after Sharm Al-Sheikh summit
Israeli military radio reported that the Egyptian president Hosney Mobarak might conduct his first official visit to Israel after Sharm Al-Sheikh summit next Tuesday. The Radio stated that Mobarak told…
Israeli Security heads Disagree on policy towards PA
Heated disputes among Israeli security and army officials over Israel’s security policy in light of the new Palestinian leadership moves to restore calm and revive diplomatic efforts. {mosimage}According to Israeli…
Mofaz says army suspends targeted killings
Israeli defense minister Shaul Mofaz told Israeli cabinet ministers on Sunday that army operations against wanted Palestinians have been temporarily frozen. {mosimage}He also said that he had granted approval to…
Truce bending Assurances on Prisoners’ release
Various Palestinian resistance groups affirmed Saturday that a mutual truce is only possible if assurances for the release of all Palestinian prisoners are provided. {mosimage}Hamas and Islamic Jihad affirmed on…
Egyptian troops to secure the Philadelphi route
A senior official in Egypt told the Egyptian official news agency on Saturday, the his country and Israel agreed to sign an agreement of Thursday which enables the Egyptian army…
P.A releases DFLP officials arrested on Saturday morning
The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine said that the Palestinian security released two of its three leaders arrested on Saturday morning. {mosimage}Saleh Zeidan, one of the leaders of…
The two Palestinians Killed on Friday were unarmed
After a thorough combing, An Israeli army source said Saturday that the two Palestinians who were killed on Friday by Israeli soldiers near Neir Amm settlement were unarmed. {mosimage}The same…
PA arrests DFLP officials in Gaza Strip
Palestinian security forces arrested on Saturday three top officials of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine in the Gaza Strip. Palestinian security forces arrested on Saturday three top…
Al-Aqsa Brigades denies ties to arms found in a kid’s bag
Israeli Army arrested 15-year-old Mahmoud Al-Tabbouk at Huwwara checkpoint near the West Bank city of Nablus, said was carrying a bag with two explosive belts, a hand gun and some…
Sharon’s Aid to Cairo, No Agreement on freeing Prisoners
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon top adviser Dov Weisglass, will leave to Cairo on Sunday for consultations with Egyptian officials, two days prior to Tuesday summit meeting. Israeli Prime Minister…
Israeli official: `“Abu Mazin is exactly what we were hoping for`
An Israeli source reported that a senior military official in the Israeli army told the military Radio that Israeli should be “generous with Abu Mazin since he is exactly what…
Anti wall protest in a village near Hebron
At least ten international peace activists joined on Friday hundreds of the residents of the village of Kharas near Hebron, south of the West Bank. {mosimage}Among the protesters were owners…
Israeli authorities release Mervat Taha and her child
Thursday afternoon, Israeli authorities released Mervat Mahmoud Taha, from Jerusalem, after she spent nearly three years in Israeli jails, with her baby boy Wael, who she gave birth to while…
Mashal: ‘summit, a test to Israel’s real intentions’
Translated by Saed Bannoura-IMEMC Head of Hamas political bureau, Khaled Mashal said that Hamas considered Sharm Al-Sheikh summit as a positive step which enables the Palestinians examine the real Israeli…
When Democracy becomes a pretext
The campaign against Israeli disengagement from the Gaza Strip and four marginal settlements in the Westbank is gaining momentum. Right-wing Zionist and ultra-orthodox religious activists are joining forces to derail…
Prison administration denies a detainee the needed treatment
Family of detainee Jawad Abdul-Latif Eshteyya, 29, from the village of Tal, west of the northern West Bank city of Nablus said that prison administration in Shatta detention rejected to…
Egypt to send Security delegation to Gaza for further truce talks
Senior Egyptian intelligence officials will arrive in Gaza on Sunday, in order to advance cease-fire talks with Palestinian resistance groups, Israel radio reported Friday. Meanwhile, the Fatah central committee expressed…
Two Palestinians killed in Beit Hanoun
Friday at night, Israeli soldiers killed two residents close to Kibbutz Nier Am, near Beit Hanoun, in the northern Gaza Strip. Army claims that the two residents attempted to infiltrate…
Only Abbas is willing to take risks
Would it work? A pre-mature answer would be: ‘very unlikely’ {mosimage}The current optimism over a likely solution to the Palestinian-Israeli crisis is based on two unusual moves; an Israeli unprecedented…
Sharon: Palestinians are not doing enough to stop attacks
The Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon claimed on Friday that the Palestinians are not working enough to stop attacks against Israel, and must do more for the peace process to…
Rice won’t join Tuesday’s summit
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Friday she does not plan to attend next Tuesday’s Middle East summit meeting in Egypt. ‘Not every effort has to be an American…
Jordan: decision on Ambasador return to follow summit
Jordinina Foreign Minister Hani Fawzi Mulki said Friday that Jordan would hold off on deciding whether to return its ambassador to Israel until the outcome of next Tuesday’s Sharm el-Sheikh…
PLC implements proportional representation, removes women quotas
The Palestinian Legislative Council agreed to implement a proportional representation system and to remove of the quota for female legislators. The Council also agreed to increase the number of its…
Palestinian Families will lose 6000 Dunams for ‘Ariel’ Wall
Palestinian sources reported that at least 6000 Dunams (1500 Acre) will be lost from Palestinians villages in the northern West Bank for Israel to build the wall around the Jewish…
Rice Suggests to turn Palestinian Operatives on Pension
The U.S. secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice proposed establishing ‘pension fund’ for at least one thousand Palestinians who would agree to give up their weapons for the PA, Israeli sources…
Free for all
Contemplating Bush’s speeches there is the temptation to discuss words and their meanings. But Bush does not write his own speeches. Commentaries on his inaugural address of 20 January in…
Free for all
Contemplating Bush’s speeches there is the temptation to discuss words and their meanings. But Bush does not write his own speeches. Commentaries on his inaugural address of 20 January in…
Mashal: `“The Israeli position will be examined in Sharm Al-Sheikh summit`
Translated by Saed Bannoura-IMEMC Head of Hamas political bureau, Khaled Mashal said that Hamas considered Sharm Al-Sheikh summit as a positive step which enables the Palestinians examine the real Israeli…
Army patrol ambushed, Four soldiers wounded near Hebron
Four Israel soldiers were wounded Thursday night when an army patrol came under fire near the settlement of Eshkolot, southwest of Hebron. Two of the soldiers suffered serious wounds and…
Erikat: releasing prisoners serving short term only is not acceptable
Palestinian cabinet minister Saeb Erakat said Friday that Israel proposes to free prisoners serving relatively short terms only, but hinted that the dispute around the prisoners issue is possible to…
New Settlers’ Tactic to Oppose Pullout
A number of Gush Katif settlers are looking into forfeiting their Israeli citizenship in order to stay in their settlements even if the disengagement is implemented. {mosimage}’If it comes to…
Immediate U.S. $41 million aid to Palestinians
The Bush administration informed the Congress on Thursday it would provide an initial $41 million in aid to the Palestinians in a show of support for President Mahmoud Abbas. The…
Mazuz Vows administrative detention against Pullout Resisters
Israeli Attorney General Menachem Mazuz said Thursday that administrative detention would be increased as punishment for settlers who resist the pullout decision. Mazuz explained that Jews could be arrested if…
Pressure to hold referendum on Pullout, Mounting
Ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism (UTJ) MK Avraham Ravitz, a partner in the governmental coalition, announced Thursday that he would support holding a national referendum on the disengagement plan. Ravitz spoke…
Israeli High Court approves land annexation for bypass road to Rachel’s Tomb
Thursday, the Israeli High Court of Justice rejected a petition filed by Bethlehem and Beit Jala municipalities against the path of the annexation Wall surrounding Rachel’s Tomb. Lawyer Arieh-Cohen who…
Israeli High Court approves land annexation for bypass road to Rachel’s Tomb
Thursday, the Israeli High Court of Justice rejected a petition filed by Bethlehem and Beit Jala municipalities against the path of the annexation Wall surrounding Rachel’s Tomb. Lawyer Arieh-Cohen who…
Palestinian Policemen head to Egypt for training
42 Palestinian policemen from different security devices left to Egypt on Thursday to receive training there, in order to control the security in the Gaza Strip prior to the Israeli…
Egyptian Ambasador Might Return to Tel Aviv Soon
Israeli political sources predicted that Egypt will officially announce the return of its ambassador to Israel during the Sharm Al-Sheikh summit, next Tuesday. Israeli predicts that after the Egyptian president…
Bush vows to increase aid to the Palestinians
The American president George W. Bush pledged on Wednesday $350 million in aide to the Palestinian authority in order to support the economic and security development, in order to show…
Rightest Campaign Targetting Religious Officers
Concerns by the Israeli Army and Shin Bet are increasing regarding the series of harassment acts by extreme right-wing activists aimed at religious officers who live and are station in…
Israel to release 500 Palestinian prisoners, Strict Attitude against the ‘wanted’
An Israeli media source reported that the special ministerial committee will discuss the release of 500 Palestinian prisoners as the Israeli-Palestinian- Egyptian summit meeting in Sharm a-Sheikh approaches. In addition,…
Resident dies of wounds sustained in Beit Lahia
Dr. Moawiya Hassanen, head of the emergency unit at the ministry of health reported on Thursday, that a resident oh Khan Younis died of critical injures sustained during the last…
Dahlan: `“Truce will be under international supervision`
Mohammad Dahlan, former Palestinian security minister said that the Abbas-Sharon summit aims to specify the right basis in order to resume the peace process on solid basis. Dahlan told reporters…
Five West Bank cities to be under P.A responsibility, 500 detainees to be freed
An Israeli special ministerial team decided on Thursday afternoon a draft of arrangements with the Palestinian Authority, the draft will be presented by Sharon on Tuesday’s summit with Mahmoud…
Bush’s State of the Union , state of the ME speech
 Gglobal war against ‘Terrorism’ U.S. president George Bush affirmed advancing his global war against terrorism through fighting ‘terror groups, enhancing domestic and global security, acting forcefully against ‘tyrant regimes’…
The long waited summit – Analysis
Upoun the initiative of the Egyptian President Husni Mubarak, leaders from Israel, Egypt, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority will hold a summit meeting in the Egyptian Sharm Al-Sheikh resort on…
Summit in Sharm a-Sheikh on Tuesday
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Jordanian King Abdullah II, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will hold a summit meeting in the Egypt’s Red Sea resort of…
PA said to have destroyed arms tunnel
Palestinian security announced Thursday that security forces have destroyed a weapons smuggling tunnel Wednesday along the Gaza-Egypt border. The tunnel was destroyed by filling it with water and sand, Israeli…
Peace Now: Settlement construction continued in 2004
Despite the government’s commitment to dismantle unauthorized settlers’ outposts, Settlement and settlement outpost construction continued in 2004, according to Peace Now’s annual outpost report published Wednesday. According to Peace…