ANALYSIS
Dem to meet key Jordanian, Palestinian, Israeli figures; street expects little change
New York Times Jul 22, 08 1:27 PM CDT
(Newser)
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With the war leg of his foreign tour behind him, Barack Obama must next navigate the Middle East peace process. He’ll meet with top Israeli and Palestinian leaders tomorrow, the New York Times reports, and will visit the rocket-bombarded town of Sderot. US Jewish voters will be particularly attentive after the Democrat’s recent slip over the status of Jerusalem.
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Israel, in particular, presents tricky schedule for Democrat
USA Today Jul 18, 08 5:50 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Barack Obama’s team released a few details about their candidate's trip abroad today, but the time frame remains tightly under wraps. Israel in particular presents a maze of meetings for the Democrat, who’ll see not only president Shimon Peres, but scandal-plagued prime minister Ehud Olmert and three potential replacements. Obama will also meet with the Palestinian president and prime minister, USA Today reports.
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'Gesture of peace' launches new 43-nation group
AFP Jul 14, 08 7:15 AM CDT
(Newser)
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The inaugural meeting yesterday of the Union of the Mediterranean, which brought together the 27 EU countries and their neighbors to the south, kicked off discussions about a number of mutual projects. But French President Nicolas Sarkozy used it as an opportunity to flex some diplomatic muscle by bringing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad out of isolation and by hosting a sit-down between Israeli PM Ehud Olmert and the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
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Notorious killer will be released
BBC Jul 8, 08 3:45 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Israel has signed a prisoner exchange deal with Hezbollah which includes the release of a terrorist who has been in an Israeli prison for 29 years. The release of Samir Qantar, who took part in a terror raid in which a child was murdered, is the most controversial element of the deal for Israelis, reports the BBC.
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Hezbollah hails swap as evidence of its growing power
Reuters Jun 29, 08 7:33 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Israeli officials today approved a prisoner swap with Hezbollah to release the bodies of two soldiers whose capture triggered a 2006 war, Reuters reports. In return, Hezbollah secured the freedom of five gunmen, including one of Israel’s “most notorious convicts,” the New York Times says. Israeli PM Ehud Olmert said he “vacillated deeply” over the deal, which Hezbollah touted as a victory.
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Deal means PM will face leadership challenge this fall
Haaretz (Israel) Jun 25, 08 5:38 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Ehud Olmert narrowly averted the collapse of the Israeli government today by pledging that his party would hold a leadership election by late September, Haaretz reports. In exchange, Labor Party withdrew its support for a motion of non-confidence. Olmert is facing investigation in connection with $150,000 he took from an American financier before becoming prime minister.
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Airport incident spurs assassination fears
Jerusalem Post (Israel) Jun 24, 08 12:33 PM CDT
(Newser)
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An elite Israeli border policeman shot himself in the head today in the middle of a departure ceremony for Nicolas Sarkozy. Security officers, worried about a possible assassination attempt, rushed Sarkozy and wife Carla Bruni onto their plane, while others spirited away Ehud Olmert and Shimon Peres, who were there to see the French president off.
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Disputed sliver along border on table; offer follows Rice visit to region
New York Times Jun 18, 08 2:06 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Israel today invited the Lebanese government to direct negotiations, adding that it would be willing to discuss all issues, including a long-disputed area along their border, the New York Times reports. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who visited both nations earlier this week, is attempting to use negotiation over Shabaa Farms to kick-start wider talks.
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Exchange could foreshadow more controversial deals
Independent (UK) Jun 2, 08 3:39 PM CDT
(Newser)
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The weekend swap of a Hezbollah spy for the remains of two kidnapped Israeli soldiers has whipped up speculation about the release of more Lebanese prisoners, the Independent reports. Although Israel denied the return of the remains was negotiated, the German foreign minister has been facilitating talks between the parties, which may be addressing the fate of 10 Lebanese operatives and two Israeli soldiers.
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Threatens to leave
gov't coalition; US businessman says he gave PM wads of cash
BBC May 28, 08 6:41 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Israel's defense minister told Ehud Olmert to take a leave of absence or step down while he battles corruption charges, reports the BBC, and threatened to leave the country's governing coalition if he refused. "The prime minister needs to disconnect himself from the day-to-day management of the government," said Ehud Barak. A US businessman testified yesterday that he gave $150,000 in contributions to Olmert in the last 15 years, the Guardian reports.
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Olmert ready to give
up Golan; Israelis
may disapprove
BBC May 21, 08 7:26 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Israel and Syria have been holding secret peace talks, with Turkey as the middleman, the two sides announced today, acknowledging for the first time the long-rumored negotiations. Syria is technically at war with Israel over the Golan Heights, which the Israelis seized in 1967. Israel is ready to give the Golan back, the BBC reports, if Syria will sever ties with Iran and Hezbollah.
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Skepticism surrounds his efforts as weakened Olmert faces possible ouster
Reuters May 14, 08 7:49 AM CDT
(Newser)
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President Bush arrived in Israel today to celebrate the Jewish state’s 60th birthday and try again to spur peace talks with Palestine. Ehud Olmert says he and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas have reached an understanding on several key points, but Olmert is embroiled in a corruption scandal, and could soon be out as prime minister. Bush and Olmert are also expected to discuss Iran.
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