Are Renewed Talks Over Truce or Temple Mount?

With violence continuing and an election battle heating up back in Israel, US officials on Tuesday held preliminary discussions with Israeli and Palestinian negotiators in Washington aimed at securing a cease-fire and paving the way for resumption of final-status talks. Israeli media, however, is filled with talk of new Israeli concessions in Jerusalem.

Peres Ponders a Three-Way Race for Prime Minister

After the Knesset voted early Tuesday morning not to dissolve, the special Israeli election for prime minister only appeared to come down to a race between incumbent Ehud Barak and Likud chairman Ariel Sharon. But prominent dove Shimon Peres looked at his numbers in the polls and announced on Wednesday he plans to run as well, adding more pressure on Barak to seal a quick peace deal in renewed talks with the Palestinians.

Clinton Passing Bush Hot Baton in Mideast

The renewal of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks in Washington on Tuesday comes just as US President-elect George Bush and his growing list of apointees arrive in town to pick up the scrambled pieces of American diplomacy in the Middle East left by the Clinton Administration.

No Let-Up in Palestinian Uprising

Despite the announcement by both sides of a resumption of negotiations, the violent Palestinian intifada continued to claim life and limb over the weekend.

Knesset to Decide Special or General Elections

Its another long, testy day in the Knesset, which is scheduled to decide late Monday evening between two bills that will determine whether Israelis will vote just for prime minister in a few months, or also for a new parliament.

Israel, PA Giving Clinton One Last Chance

The Palestinian uprising is still raging and he may only head a caretaker government, but Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has decided to urgently re-engage the Palestinians in negotiating a peace agreement before the end of the Clinton Administration. While it is unclear if the apparent movement is serious, Palestinian Authority chairman Yasser Arafat is in trouble with his people for agreeing to play along.

Barak Still Letting Waqf Build on Temple Mount

Leading Israeli archaeologists are charging Prime Minister Ehud Barak with continuing to turn a blind eye to extensive construction activity on the Temple Mount by the Moslem Waqf, which is destroying valuable antiquites buried there and violating Israeli law.

Israel Rebuffs One-Sided UN Resolution

In an uncharacteristically strong statement, Israel’s Foreign Ministry rejected the UN Security Council’s unbalanced resolution blaming Israel for using “excessive force” in the recent Palestinian uprising. The statement dated 8 October 2000 also contains veiled criticism of the US for refusing to veto the harsh measure.

Mitchell Committee Tries to Reassure Both Sides

As the international community scrambles to develop plans for inserting an observer force in the disputed territories, the US-led fact-finding committee came and went with little fanfare, leading many in Israel to wonder if the committee will really help reduce the Palestinian violence.

Mofaz Confirms Swap Talks with Hizb’allah

IDF Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Shaul Mofaz confirmed Tuesday that “significant” indirect contacts have been made with Hizb’Allah through German mediators over a prisoner exchange for three kidnapped Israeli soldiers, but played down reports of an imminent deal.

Barak Taking One Last Stab at a Deal with Arafat

With Israel now definitely heading into a campaign season, rumors are flying again that Prime Minister Ehud Barak is conducting secret negotiations with the Palestinian Authority in hopes of reaching an election-eve peace deal that will save his political career.

Heavy Clashes and Widespread Shootings in Yesha

Not even heavy rains were able to dampen the Palestinian uprising, as Tuesday saw widespread terrorist shootings against Israeli targets and today was marked by an intense nine-hour gun battle in southern Gaza.

Netanyahu on Track for Rematch with Barak

Friends and even foes of former Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu are smoothing the way for him to timely mount a challenge against current premier Ehud Barak in a special election in early February. The remaining quandry, however, is whether the Knesset also will dissolve itself and allow voters to truly reflect the huge rightward shift in Israeli public opinion caused by Camp David and the Palestinian uprising.

Progress Reported Over Release of Kidnapped IDF Soldiers

After Lebanese reports of an impending deal between Israel and Hizb’Allah terrorists to exchange captives and detainees, Israeli security sources have confirmed that Jerusalem is continuing to try various channels in an effort to find a solution.

Israelis Escape Several Close Calls

Ever since the heavy death toll in the Palestinian uprising on Friday, there have been several incidents of foiled bombings and narrowly averted disasters over the weekend, including one involving Israel’s Chief Rabbi.

Arab Reaction to Barak Resignation

Upon hearing of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak’s sudden resignation over the weekend, Palestinian officials gloated that the renewed intifada had brought him down, but also lamented over the resulting delay caused by new elections.

Ready for Reconciliation in Indonesia?

AMBON, Indonesia (Compass) — “It is disappointing that the suffering of the Christians due to the conflict in the Malukus has been insufficiently exposed in various reports on a national and international level,” stated the U.S. Consul General Robert Pollard.

Christians Fear Further Violence in Irian Jaya

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya, November 30 (Compass) — A smouldering civil unrest that has troubled the eastern Indonesian province of Irian Jaya for years threatens once again to harm Christians and others caught in the war between a growing independence movement and the Jakarta government.

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