If Obama Can Bring Change to DC, Why Not Middle East?

Ignore the cynics, Obama urges

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama gave his second speech to the UN General Assembly today, and spent most of his time calling for support for the US’ latest stab at peace in the Middle East. “Peace must be made by Israelis and Palestinians, but each of us has a responsibility to do our part as well,” Obama said, according to Politico . “Now I recognize many are pessimistic about this process,” he allowed. “But consider the alternative.” More»

Ban on weapons remains in force

(NEWSER) - Israel will allow goods to enter Gaza by land but will continue to ban the importation of weapons and will maintain its naval blockade on the area, CNN reports . Rather than listing what's allowed in , Israel will permit everything other than " weapons and material that Hamas uses to prepare and carry out terror ," PM Benjamin Netanyahu tells Reuters . The move comes 3 weeks after Israeli troops stormed aid ships and 10 pro-Palestinian activists died. More»

Israeli PM confronts fallout from deadly raid

(NEWSER) - Benjamin Netanyahu has cut short a visit to Canada and canceled a planned meeting with President Obama to return to Israel in the wake of this morning's deadly raid on aid-laden ships bound for Gaza . The Israeli PM "realized that he had to be there in order to manage the fallout," a source tells the Washington Post of the commando action, which has drawn international condemnation. More»

President, Israeli PM will discuss settlement dispute

(NEWSER) - Now that his Asia trip is postponed, President Obama will be available to meet with Benjamin Netanyahu next week to discuss recent tensions over settlement plans in East Jerusalem. The Israeli PM has already apologized for the timing of the settlement announcement, which occurred during Joe Biden’s recent visit to Israel. More»

(AP) - In a White House meeting today, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he is ready to resume peace talks with the Palestinians immediately, but any agreement is contingent on their acceptance of Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state. Netanyahu and President Obama met for more than two hours and focused on Mideast peace talks, Iran's nuclear program, and the US-Israeli relationship. More»