Topic: Ehud Olmert

Obama demands that Israel stop settlements. How feasible is that?

The US and Israel agreed this week to establish a joint committee on how to implement a freeze outlined in the 2003 road map.

Pope's urging brings Gaza blockade to forefront

With no clear guidelines for what Israel will allow in, aid groups have run into trouble with everything from 90 tons of pasta to nutritional bars mistranslated as steel bars.

Biden firm on two-state solution despite Netanyahu's mixed signals

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that he's ready for immediate talks with the Palestinians, but he won't endorse a Palestinian state.

Opinion: No more make-believe in the Middle East

Bibi's policies may be misguided, but at least he doesn't pretend to be a peacemaker. Such intellectual honesty could prove salutary.

Israeli army admits 'isolated' mistakes in Gaza

At a briefing Wednesday, a top officer described the findings of an internal inquiry, insisting Israel acted in accord with international law.

Mitchell visit to Israel: Does Obama's path to Iran pass through Jewish settlements?

Peace envoy's trip is part of sweeping effort to demonstrate a broader US approach toward regional peace.

As Netanyahu takes Israel's helm, Syria skeptical of peace prospects

Syrian diplomats say Damascus is serious about making peace, and hope Washington will lean on Israel's new government.

Netanyahu takes reins as Israel's prime minister

He singled out Iran and Arab-Israeli peace as priorities.

Will Arab leaders discuss Israeli airstrike in Sudan?

Arab League likely support Sudan's Bashir against war crimes charge, but discourage ties with Iran.

In Israel, Labor's move to join Netanyahu coalition draws dovish fire

Ehud Barak says he could act as a counterweight to far-right and religious coalition members.

Israel nabs 20 Hamas operatives in the West Bank

Hamas called the arrests of politicians and parliamentarians an effort to increase pressure for a prisoner-swap deal to free an Israeli soldier.

World

Israeli town copes with return of near daily rockets

In Sderot, Purim holiday fun masks stresses of rocket attacks from Gaza militants.

Opinion: Build on Bush's Middle East progress

Despite Bush's early mistakes, Obama's team can keep valuable momentum there.

Israeli limits stymie Gaza rebuilding

Without a shift in the Israeli policy that doesn’t allow building materials into Gaza, much of the $2.8 billion that Palestinians hope to raise at a donors’ conference Monday will be limited to humanitarians needs.

Mitchell lands in Israel, rival Palestinian factions talk in Cairo

The US envoy arrives at a time when Israelis and Palestinians seem most absorbed with fixing their own houses before dealing with their neighbors.

Lieberman nod to Netanyahu tips Israel right

The controversial leader of the Yisrael Beytenu party endorsed Likud's Benjamin Netanyahu Thursday, virtually ensuring that a right-wing coalition will govern the country.

New drive for Israel, Hamas cease-fire deal

With no official agreement, Israel's Kadima Party could falter in Tuesday's vote.

What Israeli voters really want

New drive for Israel, Hamas cease-fire deal

With no official agreement, Israel's Kadima Party could falter in Tuesday's vote.

World

Gaza drives a wedge in Paris imam's dialogue with Jews

Hassen Chalghoumi, from Tunisia, pioneered a religious exchange in France.

Newest Gaza fight: Who controls reconstruction aid?

Israel and the US don't want rebuilding homes to become rebuilding Hamas.

Obama calls Middle Eastern leaders and engages on Gaza

With Gaza cease-fire, Arab and European leaders look to secure peace

Two key issues are Israel's demand to stop arms smuggling and the Palestinian desire for an end to the economic blockade of Gaza.