Topic: West Bank

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Focus How some Israelis see the sacred in settlements

The expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank is driven by more than politics and security concerns. Religious Zionists say settling the land is ushering in a messianic age.
Focus Why some Christians back Israeli settlers in the West Bank

US Evangelicals' support for Jewish settlement of the West Bank has grown in the last decade or so, giving Israel greater traction in Washington.
Monitor Breakfast Palestinian envoy: Israeli settlement a red line with 'grave consequences'

The Palestine Liberation Organization’s top diplomat in the United States says that Israel's plans for a settlement in a sensitive area is a ploy to undermine a future Palestinian state.
West Bank welcomes Hamas back with excitement - and apprehension

Still riding a wave of popularity after the Gaza war, Hamas held celebratory rallies throughout the West Bank. But worries about a return to the chaos and violence of the intifada are bubbling up.
Briefing Why Israeli settlements debate is heating up again

Critics say the placement and size of a newly proposed Israeli build-out would doom a two-state deal.
Focus Which world hot spots will clamor for Obama's attention?

Obama is unequivocal about his intent to refocus on US domestic issues during his second term. But the world is not likely to cooperate. Here are seven foreign-policy challenges already bearing down on him.
Terrorism & Security With Hamas's confidence waxing, Khaled Meshaal arrives in Gaza

The Hamas leader's return to Palestinian territory, his first visit since 1967, coincides with the party's increased sway after an eight-day conflict with Israel and UN recognition of Palestine.
Jordan king shows support of Palestine

Following last week's U.N. vote recognizing the state of Palestine, King Abdullah II of Jordan met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday. Jordan has a peace agreement with Israel, giving the visit additional importance.
Opinion Obama and Israel are walking away from two-state solution with Palestinians (+video)

By refusing to support the Palestinian bid at the UN, President Obama has essentially endorsed a No State Solution between Israel and Palestine. Changing course is possible. A good place to start would be threatening to remove US aid to Israel, given its plans for more settlement building.
Focus Analysis: For Hamas, a validation

Armed resistance to Israel wins Hamas friends in the streets and among Arab neighbors.
Europe's big powers unify to push against Israel settlement plans (+video)

Observers are struck by the degree to which the UK, France, and others in Europe have acted together to criticize Israel's plans to expand settlements.
Focus Analysis: Positions remain entrenched after Gaza conflict

Neither Israel nor Hamas has budged on long-held principles that make coexistence difficult and the prospects for lasting peace remote.
Terrorism & Security Has Israel's settlement expansion crossed a 'red line'? (+video)

Both Britain and France have summoned Israel's ambassadors to protest plans to expand construction in East Jerusalem, while some say more serious action like economic reprisals are possible.
Pushback: Israel withholds Palestinian revenue, approves new settlements

The Israeli moves came in response to the Palestinians’ successful bid to be recognized at the United Nations as a state.
Day after UN Palestine statehood vote, Israel set to expand settlements

Defying a UN vote that boosted Palestinian status in the UN, Israel plans to build thousands of new homes for its settlers in West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Terrorism & Security World weighs in on UN Palestine vote

World headlines showed a mix of emotions – but a lot of common ground on how much impact this may have on prospects for peace.
U.N. votes to upgrade Palestine's status

In a vote at the United Nations in New York on Thursday, the body granted Palestine the title of "non-member observer state". Palestinians celebrated the outcome, while the United States and Israel denounced it.
Palestinians win upgrade to 'state ' at UN. What does that change? (+video)

The UN General Assembly's 138-to-9 vote officially put 'Palestine' together with 'state' for the first time. But it appeared to offer little practical change. Even Palestinians called it part of a 'process.'
Europeans bolster Palestinian bid at the UN (+video)

Support from the Europeans for Palestinian non-member 'state' status may derive partly from concern that Palestinians would view missiles, not diplomacy, as the way to sway Israel.
Opinion US support for Mahmoud Abbas's UN bid for Palestine could save two-state solution (+video)

Mahmoud Abbas hopes to save his legacy with a bid to have the UN effectively recognize a state of Palestine. Opposition from the US and Israel is self-defeating, as the collapse of Abbas's leadership would also spell the end of a two-state solution, as well as its greatest champion.
Palestinians push for elevated UN status: Did Gaza conflict help?

Some nations are warming to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas's bid for enhanced UN status. After the Gaza conflict, they see the moderate Abbas as a counterweight to Hamas.
Was Yasser Arafat poisoned? (+video)

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat died in 2004, but the cause of death has yet to be determined. Samples were taken from Arafat's corpse on Tuesday; investigators hope to determine whether he was poisoned by spring 2013.
Backchannels How lonely must it be to be Mahmoud Abbas?

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is losing support at home as Hamas' star rises. While he's trying to regain relevance with a UN bid this week, the US and Israel are working against him.
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?
France to support Palestinian bid for UN status

The Palestinians have lobbied for European support for their bid at non-member status at the United Nations. Approval would boost Palestinian efforts to gain international recognition.