News on Israel

Obama, pushing back at Republicans, defends Israel

2011-12-16T16:30:32Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama assured Jewish voters on Friday he remains committed to Israel's security and a two-state solution with the Palestinians as he defended himself against attacks on his policy from Republican presidential challengers.

Obama,...

Obama, pushing back at Republicans, vows support for Israel

2011-12-16T15:30:48Z

Obama,...

Democrat faces close race in New York stronghold

2011-09-07T07:30:22Z

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The election to replace Anthony Weiner, who resigned from Congress after being revealed as an internet womanizer who used Twitter to send lewd pictures of himself, is more competitive than anyone expected.

Republicans are hoping for an upset in...

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

2011-08-24T02:31:04Z

Raise taxes and make sensible cuts

I'm getting tired of people constantly complaining about the lack of action by Congress. If they want someone to blame, they should look in the mirror.

The solution for America's financial problems is simple: Raise taxes and make judicious cuts in spending. But if a member of Congress stood in front of his or her constituents and told them they'd have to pay more in taxes while seeing their benefits reduced, that politician woul...

Netanyahu to address US Congress May 24: speaker

2011-05-10T15:30:37Z

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address a joint session of the US Congress on May 24, Republican House Speaker John Boehner announced Tuesday.

"It will be an honor to welcome Prime Minister Netanyahu to the Capitol on May 24 as part of his official visit to the Israel over the next two years, was approved last week by the US Congress, the Israeli correspondent of Defense News reported.

The upgrade will see the value of US military...

Why the US should support Pan-Arabism

2010-11-29T15:42:58Z

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AIPAC rules the Capitol Hill: Reflections on this pro-Israeli lobby's influence on the US government

2010-11-29T15:43:00Z

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Some good news for Obama from Israel "Tea Party"

2010-10-31T13:00:24Z

TEL AVIV (Reuters) - A "Say No to Obama" event in Israel drew only 100 supporters on Sunday to the launch of an Israeli version of the Tea Party movement that is challenging the President in Tuesday's mid-term elections.

There were no security po...

ISRAEL IN WAR AGAIN

2010-11-03T03:10:19Z

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What I Believe Obama's Plans For Jewish People Are

2010-11-03T03:13:19Z

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Helen Thomas - She Ain't What She Used To Be - Or Is She

2010-11-03T00:13:41Z

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Barocky and the 2012 bout

2010-11-03T00:17:30Z

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Gaza Thugs

2010-10-27T09:06:32Z

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US House Speaker: Flotilla raid shows need for Mideast peace

2010-06-01T16:15:29Z

President Barack Obama's top ally in the US Congress, Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, called Tuesday for a "credible and transparent" probe into Israel's deadly raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla.

"I regret the loss of...

Celebrating Israel at 62 -- Yom Ha'atzmaut 2010

2010-10-25T14:30:52Z

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Israeli leader gets warmer welcome in Congress

2010-06-26T03:20:47Z

Amid tensions, Netanyahu embraced by US lawmakers, prepares for White House talks with Obama

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received a warmer public reception from Congress than from the Obama administration, with a top Democrat and Republican joining Tuesday to praise a...

Health win shows Obama mettle on Mideast: Clinton

2010-06-26T03:18:57Z

Hillary Clinton said Monday President Barack Obama's triumph over health care proved he could stick with a tough job -- suggesting he would bring similar resolve to ensuring Israel's security.

On a more personal level, the US secretary of state also offered Obama a hug following his victory, after she tried and failed to p...

No new top level US-Israeli contact: White House

2010-06-26T03:13:56Z

The Obama administration has had no fresh top-level contact for 24 hours with Israel, as it awaits answers on its criticism of Israeli settlement policy, the White House said Thursday.

Officials were also unable to say whether President Barack Obama would meet

Palestinians question US on reviving peace talks

2010-04-16T07:11:19Z

Palestinians seek details from US on proposal for indirect talks with Israel through envoy

The Palestinians have asked the Obama administration to clarify a U.S. envoy's proposal to restart long-stalled peace talks with Israel indirectly by shuttling between the two sides, the Palestinian president said Saturday.

The talks collapsed a year ago during Israel's ...

Israel to build more homes in East Jerusalem

2010-04-16T07:54:08Z

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's Jerusalem municipality has approved construction of four apartment buildings next to a Jewish seminary in East Jerusalem, officials said on Tuesday, a project Palestinians called an attempt to undermine peace moves.

Palestinian President Mah...

Obama raises arms smuggling with Lebanese President

2010-04-16T08:24:05Z

US President Barack Obama on Monday asked Lebanese President Michel Sleiman in White House talks to take action against arms smuggling into Lebanon which he said threatened Israeli security.

Despite vowing support for Lebanese democracy, Obama said there were ...

50 New Right-Wing Militia Groups Form In United States

2010-10-26T23:23:02Z

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50 New Right-Wing Militia Groups Form In United States

2010-10-26T23:23:05Z

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Obama delays moving US Embassy to Jerusalem

2010-04-16T08:41:32Z

Obama follows previous presidents, delays moving US Embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv

President Barack Obama is delaying moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv.

A 1995 Berkley says she has a responsibility to advocate for IsraelÕs right to grow

WASHINGTON On her latest trip to the Middle East, Rep. Shelley Berkley burnished her credentials as one of the leading Democrats in Congr...

Body Shots Early Cinemas Incarnations

2010-10-22T11:04:20Z

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Peter Paul ODwyer

2010-10-22T09:24:22Z

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Jerusalem

2010-10-22T08:58:42Z

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Obama sees 'serious progress' for Mideast peace

2010-04-16T11:56:23Z

Obama says drive for peace in Mideast can make `serious progress this year'

Trying to defy decades of disappointment in the Middle East, President Barack Obama raised hopes Friday for "serious progress this year" in the elusive search for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

"The moment is now for us to act," Obama declared at a news conference w...

Democrats rebuff Obama's Israel comments

2010-06-25T22:03:34Z

On the eve of his major address to Muslims, President Barack Obama faced criticism at home Wednesday from some fellow Democrats who believe he has gone too far in pressuring Israel to freeze settlements.

"I think the president went beyond where I think it was appropriate for us to go in dealing with another de...

History Has Been Made - Viva President Barack Obama

2010-09-22T04:16:42Z

Currently many Kenyan citizens are still taking about Barrack Obama's presidency considering his father was Kenyan. The latest news has been his planned tour to Africa, many had thought that Kenya would be his obvious destination, there are speculations flying all over but the reasons raised are "here nor there". The reality is that his move has been precipitated by the glaring failure of Kenyan leadership in governance.

Barrack's victory truly is an African victory and being an Africa...

Clinton: Israel must halt West Bank settlements

2010-06-25T22:10:05Z

In unusually explicit terms, Clinton urges Israel to freeze settlements in the West Bank

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton urged Israel in unusually blunt terms Wednesday to completely halt settlements on land that Palestinians claim as part of a future state of their own.

In remarks to reporters ...

A look at pro-Israel lobbying by J Street, AIPAC

2010-06-25T22:12:16Z

A comparison of the resources and techniques of 2 pro-Israel lobbying organizations

A comparison of the approaches and resources used by two pro-Israel lobbying organizations: the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a well-established group that emphasizes support for Israel, and J Street, a liberal, year...

US to reassure Arabs on diplomacy with Iran

2010-04-16T12:32:09Z

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he will seek to reassure Saudi and Egyptian leaders this week that Washington's diplomatic approach to Iran will not jeopardize long-standing ties to Arab states in the region.

Speaking to reporters aboard his plane ahead of a visit to

US seeks to reassure Arabs on diplomacy with Iran

2010-04-16T12:32:38Z

Speaking to reporters aboard his plane ahead of a visit to

US to join UN rights body that Bush rejected

2010-04-16T15:52:05Z

US President Barack Obama's administration announced Tuesday it will run in May for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council -- a body the Bush administration had shunned.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the US ambassador to the President Barack Obama's administration announced it will run in May for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council -- a body the Bush administration had shunned.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the US ambassador to the Middle East envoy George Mitchell met Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah on Sunday on the last leg of a Middle East tour aimed at reviving the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

Mitchell, the new Barack Obama administration pointman for helping revive peace ...

Mitchell sent to Mideast to bolster Gaza truce

2010-06-11T22:46:21Z

US envoy George Mitchell will leave Monday for Israel, the Palestinian West Bank and Arab states to bolster a truce in Gaza, respond to humanitarian problems and "reinvigorate the peace process," a spokesman said Monday.

Mitchell, representing an aggressive push for peace by

US envoy Mitchell sent to Mideast to bolster Gaza truce

2010-06-11T22:27:50Z

Mitchell, representing an aggressive push for peace by

US-Saudi ties under threat: Saudi prince

2010-04-16T15:11:51Z

The close relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia is under threat after Washington supported Israel's onslaught on the Gaza Strip, a senior Saudi prince warned on Saturday.

US President Barack Obama picked two high-powered peacemakers for the Middle East as well as Afghanistan and Pakistan, in yet another swift break with Bush administration policy.

In an aggressive push for peace in the world's most intractable hot spots, Obama named

Obama names top envoys to hotspots in new break with Bush

2010-04-16T15:13:14Z

US President Barack Obama on Thursday picked two seasoned and high-powered envoys to the Middle East and Afghanistan and Pakistan, making another swift break with Bush administration policy.

In an aggressive push for peace in the world's most intractable hot spots, Obama na...

Completing its objectives

2010-04-16T15:18:05Z

Israel’s bid for lasting peace won’t occur until Hamas terrorists are disarmed

The Hamas terrorist regime that runs Gaza has proven to fellow Palestinians and the world that it has a cowardly militia that — unprovoked — fires rockets at Israel and then, by hiding among its own people, uses Palestinian noncombatants as human shi...

US, Israel sign deal to boost Gaza truce effort

2010-04-16T15:18:28Z

US, Israel sign agreement to cut off Hamas weapons supplies, boost Gaza cease-fire effort

On its final working day, the Bush administration signed a last-minute deal with Israel aimed at cutting off the supply of smuggled weapons to Hamas and boosting Egyptian efforts to broker a cease-fire to end fighting in Gaza.

Shortly...

Obama team takes new tack on Iran amid Mideast peace push

2010-06-26T01:13:42Z

The Obama administration has vowed to take a new tack toward ending Iran's nuclear quest and its backing of radical groups, while promising to "make every effort" for Arab-Israeli peace.

Hillary Clinton, President-elect Barack Obama's choice for secretary of state, told a Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday that it sought d...

Analysis: Mideast diplomacy looms for Obama

2010-04-16T15:22:51Z

Analysis: Mideast black hole of diplomacy awaits Obama; new, lowered expectations loom

The Mideast foreign policy black hole has relentlessly sucked in American diplomacy for more than a half century and now awaits Barack Obama even as he refuses to show his hand before taking office.

While the Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip puts the perennial regio...

Obama vows to tackle Middle East 'on day one'

2010-04-16T15:23:18Z

US president-elect Barack Obama on Sunday vowed to take swift action on the Middle East peace process and Iran's nuclear ambitions but played for time to shut down the Guantanamo Bay prison camp.

In an interview with ABC's This Week program broadcast Sunday, Obama defended hi...

US House joins Senate to back Israel over Gaza

2010-12-14T07:37:02Z

The US House of Representatives on Friday joined the Senate in offering staunch support to Israel as the conflict rages on in Gaza, calling on Hamas to end rocket attacks.

"Today, we reaffirm that Israel, like any nation, has a right to self-defense when und...

Congress offers staunch support to Israel

2010-12-14T07:36:46Z

The US Congress is set to offer staunch and unwavering support for Israel as the Gaza conflict rages, recognizing its "inalienable right" to defend itself from attacks by Hamas.

Democratic and Republican leaders united to introduce a resolution backing Israel in

Obama has little breathing room with Gaza mess: analysts

2010-04-16T15:25:55Z

When he becomes president in two weeks, Barack Obama will have little breathing room to deal with "the horrible mess" left by his predecessor George W. Bush over Israel's war in Gaza, analysts say.

After refusing to comment on the 12-day war on the constitutional premise th...

Joe the Plumber to become war correspondent

2010-04-16T15:26:25Z

Joe the Plumber to become war correspondent in Israel for conservative Web site

Joe The Plumber is putting down his wrenches and picking up a reporter's notebook.

The Ohio man who became a household name during the presidential campaign says he is heading to Israel as a war correspondent for the conservative Web ...

Analysis: In Gaza fight, Iran lurks in background

2010-04-16T15:27:03Z

Analysis: Larger stakes seen in Israel-Gaza fight with Iran in the background

Israel's fight with Hamas in Gaza, like the war with Hezbollah in Lebanon two years ago, is not just a struggle over...

Weekend in Review: Richardson Steps Out, Bloomberg Goes to Israel, Maloney Heads Upstate

2010-06-25T18:22:11Z

Bill Richardson withdrew his name from nomination for commerce secretary.

Gary Ackerman, Ray Kelly and Michael Bloomberg are in Israel today, back tomorrow.

They were at on...

US: Hamas to blame for Mideast violence

2010-06-26T01:24:30Z

Bush administration blames Hamas militants for violence, blocks UN cease-fire effort

Avoiding any criticism of Israel, the White House said Hamas rocket attacks were to blame for the escalating violence between the Palestinians and Israelis and blocked approva...

Israeli Gaza 'massacre' must stop, Syria's Assad tells US senator

2010-06-25T23:26:47Z

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad called on Tuesday for Israel's "massacres" in the Gaza Strip to stop, as he met visiting US Senator Arlen Specter, the official SANA news agency reported.

Assad "underlined the necessity for halting the ...

Analysis: Gaza crisis may hurt Obama peace efforts

2010-04-16T13:40:05Z

Analysis: Gaza crisis likely to complicate Obama peace efforts in Mideast

Israel's military onslaught against the militant Hamas movement will probably make it harder for President-elect Barack Obama to fulfill a campaign pledge of early and vigorous Mideast peacemaking, an...

White House blames Hamas for new Mideast violence

2010-04-16T13:40:24Z

The Bush administration called Monday for an end to the new flare up in Mideast violence, saying Hamas has "once again shown its true colors as a terrorist organization" with attacks on Israel.

White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said the Hamas organization had chosen not t...

Obama stays silent over Tel Aviv's actions

2010-10-21T10:30:00Z

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Obama sits on sidelines over Gaza air strikes

2010-10-21T10:30:06Z

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Gaza complicates Obama's policy in Mideast

2010-04-16T13:40:53Z

Heavy violence in Gaza further complicates Obama's efforts to forge a Mideast peace

The deaths of hundreds of Palestinians in Israel's deadliest-ever air assault on the militant Hamas further complicates President-elect Barack Obama's challenge to achieve a Israel can no longer expect "blank cheques" from Washington once president-elect Barack Obama's administration takes over in January, a former US ambassador to the Jewish state said on Sunday.

"The era of the blank cheque is over," said

Olmert praises Clinton's nomination as top US diplomat

2010-04-16T14:03:15Z

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert praised the nomination Monday of Hillary Clinton as the next US secretary of state, saying the New York senator would ensure close US-Israeli ties.

"Senator Clinton is a friend of the state of Barack Obama on Thursday to move the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, which the international community does not recognise as the capital of the Jewish state.

The move would make the Barack Obama's new chief of staff Friday apologized to a US organization defending Arab rights after his father made derogatory anti-Arab comments to a major Israeli daily.

Rahm Emanuel called the Ameri...

Editorial Roundup

2010-04-16T14:28:14Z

Editorial Roundup: Excerpts From Recent Editorials in Newspapers in the US and Abroad.

Excerpts from recent editorials in newspapers in the United States and abroad:

Nov. 7

The Dallas Morning News, on President-elect Barack Obama's next moves:

In hir...

After years of Bush, Arabs see hope in Obama

2010-04-16T14:37:05Z

In Mideast, where anger at US runs highest, Arabs hope Obama will bring dramatic changes

An Arab news network blared U.S. election coverage in a Cairo hair salon, and the barbers and beauticians watched the images of Barack Obama's victory in amazement. Then it cut to scenes from the latest Israeli-Palestinian violence and the funeral of Barack Obama's election victory, but warned against hopes of rapid or radical policy change in the region ravaged most by his predecessor.

Newspaper editorials hailed Obama's historic win as a welcome change for the United States after eight years of George W. Bush...

US forces kill eight in helicopter raid on Syria

2010-04-16T12:42:17Z

American helicopters flying from Iraq landed inside Syria yesterday and dropped special forces who killed eight people, the Damascus government said last night, as Washington admitted it had targeted "foreign fighters."

Syria w...

Obama, Jackson disavow column about Israel

2010-04-16T12:54:54Z

Obama rejects column quoting Jesse Jackson on his views about Israel; so does Jackson

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's campaign sharply rejected on Wednesday a conservative columnist's report that civil rights leader Jesse Jackson expects Obama to reduce Israel's clout at the Syrian Ambassador Says He Would Advise His Country Against Attending U.S. Peace Meeting

Syria's ambassador to the United States belittled a Mideast peace conference that the Bush administration is trying to organize as a "waste," saying Wednesday that he would counsel his country against attending it.

"We don't seriously believe that this is a peace conference...

Mideast Israel Palestinians

2011-01-04T09:32:05Z

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convenes the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Ronen Zvulun, Pool)

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Mideast Israel Palestinians Solar Eclipse

2011-01-04T02:31:18Z

A view of a partial solar eclipse as seen from the town of Givatayim near Tel Aviv, Israel, Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2011. A partial solar eclipse began Tuesday in the skies over the Mideast and will extend across much of Europe. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

Copyright 2011 Israeli President Moshe Katsav, center, leaves a court in Tel Aviv, Israel, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2010. Former Israel President Moshe Katsav was convicted Thursday of raping an employee when he was a Cabinet minister, the most serious criminal charges ever brought against a high-ranking official and a case that stunned the nation. (Israeli President Moshe Katsav, center, leaves a court in Tel Aviv, Israel, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2010. Former Israel President Moshe Katsav was convicted Thursday of raping an employee when he was a Cabinet minister, the most serious criminal charges ever brought against a high-ranking official and a case that stunned the nation. (Nigerian tourists sit inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the site traditionally believed by Christians to be the tomb of Jesus, in Jerusalem's Old City, Monday, Dec. 27, 2010. Israel expects 2010 to be a record year for tourism, with 3.4 million visitors. Tourism Minister