Palestinian Authority

The decline of the Israeli political left?

Helena Cobban of the Boston Review recently published an article charting the decline of the political left in Israel, and examined how this affects the peace process.

A Palestinian View: The stick-and-stick approach has failed

As attempts to revive a political process between Palestinians and Israelis gather steam, it is useful to look at past, failed attempts to draw lessons. One conclusion that can be reached is that not only should Hamas be part of a political process; any such process will not be successful without the movement.

Salam Fayyad: "In Another Two Years The Palestinian State Will Be Established"

Salam Fayyad delivered a speech to students at Al Quds University calling for the acceptance of two states for two people and any other demands made by the international community. He also discussed the PA's responsibility in developing the Palestinian state, and the need for a unified Palestinian government. This speech was made in response to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's speech at Bar Ilan University last Sunday.

Settlement Freeze: No Exceptions

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington was pretty much a bust. That is because the definition of a successful meeting between world leaders is one where some sort of agreement is reached. Netanyahu's discussions with President Barack Obama (and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, among others) resulted in little meeting of the minds. The two governments strongly disagree on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Their differences were neither narrowed nor widened this week, they were only more clearly delineated. We now know where each side stands.

Obama-Netanyahu: The First Inning

INSS Insight No. 109, May 21, 2009

After a long meeting that exceeded its scheduled time, President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke with the press together yet addressed completely different audiences. President Obama spoke to the international community and the Arab states. With the exception of some small audiences in the United States, it is hard to imagine that the American public was waiting for the outcome of the meeting with bated breath. By contrast, Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke to approximately fifty - or fewer - Members of Knesset who are in his coalition.

An Israeli View: Something to build on

Israeli security officials avow that the West Bank security situation has not been this good for 15 years. Much of this can be attributed to the deployment of newly-trained Palestinian security forces throughout West Bank cities in the course of the past year. This has made a major contribution to the restoration of law and order and the prevention of terrorism.

State Department Report: Palestinian Authority Counterterrorism Efforts Improve

Every year the State Department publishes a series of Country Reports on Terrorism detailing the world-wide terror threats and counterterrorism efforts of the previous year. The 2008 report was released yesterday.

IPF Welcomes Subtle Shift in American Policy toward Hamas

Earlier today, IPF issued a statement welcoming the Obama administration's shift in policy toward Hamas.

 "Israel Policy Forum welcomes the subtle but noteworthy shift in American policy toward Hamas and the Obama administration's reported request of Congress for changes in U.S. law that would permit aid to Palestinians to continue even if Hamas members become part of a unified Palestinian government.

It's now or nothing for Palestine peace

The recent Israeli attack on Gaza made little strategic difference leaving Hamas still in charge of the strip, diminished militarily but arguably strengthened politically. Israel's use of disproportionate military force yielded political and public relations setbacks, with the captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit still in captivity and occasional rockets still being fired from Gaza.

Israel and the Palestinian Authority: Cooperating on Guns and Fighters

Israel recently granted amnesty--a pledge that it won't go after militants if they put down their guns--to 20 members of the Al Aqsa Brigade (Fatah-aligned).

Additionally, Alex Fishman reports in Yediot Acharonoth today, that Israel will return arms to the Palestinian Authority that it has previously seized: