http://israel.foreignpolicyblogs.com The World Affairs Blog Network Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:36:26 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en The Washington Post's David Ignatius casts another vote in support of Palestinian Prime Minister Salaam Fayyad's institution building plan. While nothing new, Ignatius' op-ed provides some interesting context of the state building initiative and distinguishes it greatly from the unilateral declaration of Palestinian independence currently being floated by some PLO ... http://israel.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2009/11/19/another-vote-for-the-fayyad-plan/ A new British documentary on the pro-Israel lobby in England should re-title itself to "This Is How Lobby's Work." The documentary, aired on the Dispatches program, explores the use of money and luncheons to gain influence in British politics. Well, I hate to break it the show's producers, but that's ... http://israel.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2009/11/18/british-documentary-takes-cheap-shots-on-israel/ The row between Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's government and the Obama Administration flared up again today, as the Israeli government approved a plan to build 900 homes in Gilo, a disputed Jewish settlement outside Jerusalem on the Palestinian side of the Green Line. Increased settlements in Gilo serve two ... http://israel.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2009/11/17/israel-us-dispute-over-jlem-construction-rekindled/ As debate swirls on the ramifications and reality of a unilateral declaration of independence by the Palestinians, speculation and analysis revolves around how the United States should react to the move. State Department spokesman Ian Kelly expressed support for a Palestinian state through negotiations, and not unilateral declarations. He said: "We support the creation ... http://israel.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2009/11/16/a-us-approach-to-palestinian-unilateralism/ Comments made by Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat indicate that the Palestinians will unilaterally declare independence from Israel along the June 4, 1967 border, effectively on the green line that would include Jerusalem in the sovereign country. Palestinian leaders are actively lobbying countries for their support on the proposal and reports indicate that ... http://israel.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2009/11/14/a-unilateral-declaration-of-independence/ President Barack Obama intends to nominate Hannah Rosenthal to serve as the administration's Special Envoy for Global Anti-Semitism, an ambassador-at-large position within the State Department. She will largely work towards combating anti-semitic views throughout the world, an issue directly related to Israel as many countries in Europe propose or have ... http://israel.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2009/11/13/anti-semtism-special-envoy/ Generally, when we conjure up thoughts on the potential downfall of Israel, we consider images of an Iranian nuclear weapon striking the heart of Tel Aviv, increases in terror that would make the land unlivable for Jews, or even the existential threat of non-Jewish Arabs overtaking Jews as the majority. ... http://israel.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2009/11/11/a-threat-to-israel/ The Washington Post's "On Faith" series included today two articles written on the "despair" of Israelis and Palestinians. Abraham Cooper and Harold Brackman, of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, write: "Yet what has been the reaction to Israel's defense of itself against Hamas whose founding Charter cites the genocidal Protocols of the Elders of Zion as ... http://israel.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2009/11/10/wapo-on-faith-addresses-israel-palestine/ President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu met at the White House earlier today with some media reports implying tension between the two leaders. A White House statement read: "The president reaffirmed our strong commitment to Israel's security, and discussed security cooperation on a range of issues... The president and prime ... http://israel.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2009/11/10/obama-bibi-meet-again/ The resignation of Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas revealed another round of ramifications, this time potentially destroying the entire Palestinian leadership in the West Bank or, conversely, reigniting the peace process. (see my previous post on other issues involved regarding the Abbas resignation.) Abbas' threatened resignation may actually serve to resolve the same ... http://israel.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2009/11/09/more-ramifications-of-the-abbas-resignation/