Middle East Post

Netanyahu, left, and Mubarak discussed issues including a prisoner exchange deal [EPA]
Israeli and Egyptian leaders have met in Cairo to discuss US-backed efforts to relaunch peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

Neither Binyamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, nor Hosni Mubarak, Egypt’s president, spoke to journalists after the meeting on Tuesday, though the Israeli PM’s office said “talks were in-depth and friendly”. Read more…

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By Haaretz Service
In an unusual step, the state announced on Tuesday its plan to promote planning and construction in the northern West Bank settlement of Kiryat Netafim, Army Radio reported Wednesday.

Left wing human rights group Peace Now petitioned the High Court of Justice recently against the construction of 14 structures that were illegally Read more…

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Six Palestinians were killed in two separate incidents by the Israeli forces in Gaza and the West Bank. Three of the Palestinians were assassinated in Nablus at the West Bank. According to Israeli sources, Ghasan Abu Sharkh, Raed Sarkaji and Anan Suboh took part in the last attack which resulted in killing an Israeli settler in the West Bank. Read more…

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One of the most amazing things which we do in life is the way we think and the things which interest us. Everyday we find ourselves busy thinking about our life, the way we want to live, our dreams, needs, and many other things. Some of us are not satisfied by only thinking of the usual things we do everyday. Larger things such as the reason we exist and the search for ways to achieve what we dream of are subjects which we think of. Read more…

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By Ziad Khalil Abu Zayyad
Middle East Post
Recently the prisoner’s exchange which is being negotiated between Israel and the Palestinians became an interest for both sides. The Israeli rightist government found itself in a place where it cannot decide whether to make the deal or not. Prime Minister Netanyahu Is known for his statements abut the importance of not negotiating with what Israel considers “terrorist” groups. At the same time Prime Minister Netanyahu finds himself under the pressure of the Israeli public opinion who demands for the release of the imprisoned Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Read more…

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By Richard Silverstein
Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit has been held by Hamas since June 2006 [GALLO/GETTY]
One never knows what to say about the on again, off again negotiations to free Gilad Shalit, an abducted Israeli soldier, and the seemingly unending media stories announcing an imminent deal.
But there are now enough serious signals that a deal is close, that it is worthwhile considering what could happen and its possible impact on Israeli-Palestinian relations. Read more…

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Harvested organs were alleged to have been used by the military and in public hospitals [File: AFP]
Israel has admitted that it harvested organs from the dead bodies of Palestinians and Israelis in the 1990s, without permission from their families.
The admission follows the release of an interview with Jehuda Hiss, the former head of Israel’s forensic institute, in which he said that workers at the institute had harvested skin, corneas, heart valves and bones from Israelis, Palestinians and foreign workers. Read more…

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By Barak Ravid and Jack Khoury, Haaretz Correspondents
Senior Israeli cabinet ministers convened Monday morning for the fourth time for discussions on a proposed prisoner exchange deal with Hamas, which would see abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit freed after more than three years in captivity.

The “forum of seven” ministers deals with sensitive security affairs, and is made up of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud), Defense Read more…

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In the last couple of days Jerusalem witnessed several events and clashes between the Israeli police and Palestinian and Peace activists. More than thirty five Palestinians and Peace activists were arrested because they participated in several activities made against the Israeli settlements and the Arab cultural activities in the city.

The Israeli police claimed that none of these activities were authorized and therefore all of those who participate in it were acting against the law. The activities which were made included dancing, peaceful demonstrations, and demands to give the Palestinian residents of the city a chance to live normally without being depressed and prevented from expressing their opinion. Read more…

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By Jack Khoury, Haaretz Correspondent Fatah strongman Marwan Barghouti has said that Hamas and Israel are on the verge of reaching a deal for the release of abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, in an interview with the pan-Arab daily Al-Quds al-Arabi published on Wednesday. As part of a prisoner exchange for Shalit, the Islamist militant group is reportedly demanding that Israel release Barghouti, who is serving five consecutive life sentences in an Israeli prison for his role in terror attacks. Read more…

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By Natasha Mozgovaya and Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondents and Haaretz Service
Shortly after European Union Ministers announced their support for the division of Jerusalem between Israel and a future Palestinian state on Tuesday, the U.S. State Department issued a statement saying that the fate of Jerusalem should only be determined by Israel and the Palestinians in talks. Read more…

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