Netanyahu's Palestine Speech Angers Both Sides

(NEWSER) - Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu today called for the creation of a limited Palestinian state for the first time, saying it would have to be disarmed. Netanyahu spoke during a major policy speech about his Mideast peacemaking intentions, in which he called on Palestinian leaders to restart peace negotiations. "In any peace agreement, the territory under Palestinian control must be disarmed, with solid security guarantees for Israel," he said. More»

... after 7 Israelis were killed in morning attacks

(NEWSER) - Israel retaliated over terror attacks earlier today by launching airstrikes into Gaza that claimed the lives of six people, CNN reports . Palestinian authorities say the strikes, just west of Rafah near Egypt's border, killed five members of Popular Resistance Committees and the son of one member. Israeli defense forces say the members organized today's terror attacks with the hope of kidnapping an Israeli soldier or civilian. Seven Israelis were killed. More»

Palestine not happy with latest announcement

(AP) - Israel's interior minister gave final authorization to build 1,600 apartments in disputed east Jerusalem and will approve 2,700 more in days, officials say, detailing a plan that could complicate diplomatic efforts to dissuade Palestinians from declaring statehood at the United Nations. The announcement drew immediate criticism from the Palestinians, and from Israel's leading anti-settlement group, which accused the government of seizing on mass protests over housing costs to give economic justification to the always explosive issue of building in the holy city. More»

Official gives details of proposed deal

(NEWSER) - Despite the angry-sounding words recently exchanged between President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over planned Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem, Netanyahu has reportedly agreed to push for a new settlement freeze. Under the proposed deal, Netanyahu will ask his cabinet to freeze construction for just 90 more days so that Palestine will resume peace talks. Once a peace agreement is signed, the US will give Israel a $3 billion package of security incentives and fighter jets, the New York Times reports. More»

But Mahmoud Abbas not leaving peace talks yet

(NEWSER) - Bulldozers were already working to construct Jewish West Bank settlements this morning, after Israel’s construction freeze expired at midnight, but Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas did not immediately abandon the peace talks as he had threatened. Abbas will instead consult with Arab leaders and allow another week before making a decision, as the US continues working toward a compromise. Meanwhile, building of more than 50 new housing units has already begun, the Jerusalem Post reports. More»