Topic: Ehud Olmert

Israeli Defense Minister Lieberman resigns after criminal charge

Mr. Lieberman denies the charge and says he is resigning to clear his name. But his resignation may impact Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's reelection chances.

Israeli minister charged with breach of trust, but evades more serious charges

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman will likely come under heavy pressure to resign after today's charges from the Israeli attorney general. 

Backchannels
Who backs Palestine UN bid? Ehud Olmert, among others (+video)

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert came out strongly in support of Palestine being given "observer state" status at the UN tomorrow.

Can Tzipi Livni oust Netanyahu and the Likud Party?

Tzipi Livni, a former foreign minister of Israel, is making a political comeback. At the same time, the ruling Likud Party has announced a hard-line slate of candidates. Can Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu win re-election in January?

Terrorism & Security
Gaza: Brief cease-fire shattered, Israeli troops mass outside Strip (+video)

Despite hopes for a brief cease-fire while Egyptian Prime Minister Kandil visited the Gaza Strip, Israeli and Palestinian forces launched rockets and airstrikes Friday.

Netanyahu campaign strategy? Put Iran center stage.

An Israeli TV scoop about a near-attack on Iran two years ago underscores the lock that Prime Minister Netanyahu, who hopes to prevail in January polls, has on the national security debate.

Israel's 'unchallengeable' Netanyahu calls elections at prime moment (+video)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called early elections yesterday, appearing to count on his experience and high public support to ensure a third term.

Israel's Ehud Olmert handed surprisingly light sentence in bribery case (+video)

An Israeli court Monday spared former prime minister Ehud Olmert from jail, convicting him of 'procedural irregularity' instead of corruption, opening the door for a potential comeback for the centrist politician.  

Terrorism & Security
What's behind the latest Israeli media frenzy on Iran?

Israeli media outlets were buzzing this weekend about the possibility of a preemptive Israeli strike on Iran. Was there a policy change driving the attention?

Opinion: Ehud Olmert could be Israel's comeback kid – and make peace with Palestinians

After his acquittal from key corruption charges former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is well positioned as a comeback kid in Israeli politics. If Olmert does return, the political discussion in Israel is going to change, with renewed focus on the Palestinian question.

French paper asserts officials know more about Arafat's death than told

French newspaper Le Figaro carried a piece today, citing an unnamed official, that asserts details of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's 2004 death have been concealed.

Backchannels
Where does the Israeli security establishment stand on attacking Iran?

A look at disclosed positions.

Backchannels
Israel security establishment goes where US politicians fear to tred

Disagreements in Israel over whether to attack Iran have erupted into the open. In one corner, the Netanyahu government. In the other, a number of Israeli security officials.

What are the Israeli-Palestinian peace talk preconditions?

Peace talk preconditions are proving to be a problem for resuming negotiations. What are the two parties’ requirements for getting talks started?

Gilad Shalit deal: Which Palestinian prisoners will walk free?

Nearly 500 Palestinians are scheduled to be released by Israel Tuesday in an exchange for soldier Gilad Shalit. Here’s the status of seven well-known prisoners (See the whole list here):

Gilad Shalit release: Why Israel and Hamas agreed to a prisoner swap

Gilad Shalit, a young Israeli soldier captured more than five years ago, is due to be released along with some 1,000 Palestinian prisoners under a deal announced today.

Change Agent
Young Palestinian sows seeds of peace where peace seems impossible

Mahmoud Jabari, who attended a Seeds of Peace camp, has learned to better understand both sides of the deadlocked Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

'Balance of terror' sustains tense calm between Hezbollah and Israel

On the fifth anniversary of the 2006 war between Israel and the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah, the border remains calm as both sides worry about the scale of devastation a new war would bring.

The Monitor's View: Time running out for Israel and peace talks

With the push for recognition of a Palestinian state at the United Nations and with the Middle East in turmoil, time is no longer on the side of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Opinion: Palestine Papers: If US can't be 'honest broker' in Middle East, get out of the way

The Palestine Papers – a collection of classified documents on the Middle East peace process, leaked to Al Jazeera – reveal that the US has stifled true Palestinian democracy and acted more like Israel's lawyer. Only a bold policy shift could salvage a positive US role in the Middle East peace process. Otherwise, the US must stand back and allow the popular movements now shaking countries across the region, like Tunisia and Egypt, to establish representation for their people.

Palestine papers: America's approach to peace talks 'a failed policy'?

The Palestine papers, leaked documents purporting to reveal details of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, may create obstacles to ongoing talks – or sweep away failed strategies and allow new progress.

Backchannels
The 'Palestine Papers' through Edward Said's eyes

How leaked Palestinian documents will affect Abbas, peace process

Al Jazeera has begun to publish 1,300 documents that detail far-reaching Palestinian concessions on Jerusalem and borders. The offers were rebuffed by Israel.

Israel warns Gaza missiles could provoke new offensive against militants

Gaza militants fired 15 mortars or rockets into Israel on Monday and Tuesday in an unexpected flare-up two years after Israel's devastating offensive on the Hamas-controlled coastal strip.