Middle East Update

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas is standing firm in his refusal to recognize Israel as a Jewish State. Abbas visited Egypt and Jordan for talks and was headed to Saudi Arabia when, speaking to reporters, he said

“Historically there are two states, Israel and Palestine. Israel is inhabited by Jews and others. We are willing to [...]

The US has asked the United Nations Security Council to endorse by resolution this week’s Annapolis understanding between Israel and the Palestinians to reach a peace settlement by the end of 2008. Meantime, Israeli defense sources are voicing concern that the new US special security envoy to the region, retired general James Jones, will spend [...]

A day after Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said that east Jerusalem is the key to a lasting agreement with Israel, Prime Minster Ehud Olmert stated that the Temple Mount will remain under Israel sovereignty, and that it was not up for discussion. A senior Palestinian negotiator has called Olmert’s claims “absolutely false,” [...]

Herb KeinonSpeaking with reporters following his final meeting with President Bush at the White House on Wednesday November 28, Prime Minister Olmert said Israel had not committed itself to any deadline whatsoever to reach an agreement with the Palestinians.

by Gil Ronen
The attack on a Hamas terrorist position in Khan Yunis Wednesday afternoon November 28, which killed two was the first sign of a new IDF policy regarding Gaza terrorists. Military sources told Maariv/NRG that from now on, the IAF will attack a random Hamas target in Gaza every time a mortar shell [...]

by Hillel Fendel
Just one day after the Annapolis conference at which the PA recognized the State of Israel’s right to exist in peace and security, the PA’s official television station screened a map that shows a Palestinian state in place of Israel

Israeli security assessment dampens post-Annapolis mood
The Annapolis conference may have just proclaimed the birth of a Palestinian state in 2008, but an Israel security official said on Wednesday November 28 that it will also be the year of a new war in Gaza. Israel TV Channel 10 carried the dour assessment just hours after the [...]

Barak RavidThe Israeli cabinet is expected to approve shortly the establishment of a “negotiations administration” that will include 14 working groups, before negotiations start on December 12. (Ha’aretz)

by Gil Ronen
At the ceremonial opening of the international summit at Annapolis, U. S. President George W. Bush read aloud a joint statement agreed upon by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. The statement included a commitment by both sides in the conflict over the Land of Israel to “make every effort” [...]

by Hana Levi Julian
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert informed American Jewish leaders Monday November 26, that Jews outside of Israel have no right to intervene in any decision regarding the status of Jerusalem. Rabbi Pesach Lerner, Vice President of the National Council of Young Israel, told hundreds of Jews in Chicago Monday night that

“Yerushalayim [...]