Topic: Yossi Alpher

With Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange finished, attention turns to security

With many of the Palestinians released in the prisoner exchange for Gilad Shalit going to the West Bank, focus will now be on ensuring that Israeli-Palestinian violence stays at its current low level.

Netanyahu fails to appease Jewish settlers outraged by brutal attack

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved hundreds of new homes to be built in major settlement blocs. But settlers in farther-flung areas such as Itamar feel exposed, and threaten to take justice into their own hands.

Special Report: How the Egyptian revolt will recast the Middle East

Three scenarios for the way the uprising might end and what it all means for the US, Israel, and Iran.

US admits defeat on Israeli settlement freeze. Can it still broker peace?

In the wake of Argentina and Brazil's formal recognition of a Palestinian state, some are calling on the US to step in with a peace plan of its own.

As Netanyahu pushes for settlement freeze deal, suburban Ariel could be sticking point

Ariel, the fourth-largest Jewish settlement could prove to be one of the thorniest points of contention in border negotiations that the US hopes will boost stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts.

A new Israeli settlement freeze? What's behind Netanyahu's offer.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered a new Israeli settlement freeze, as ally Obama eagerly seeks progress toward peace before US elections next month.

As Israel settlement freeze ends, one-year peace plan begins

Israel's 10-month settlement freeze ends today, and the clock starts ticking on a Sept. 2011 deadline for a comprehensive peace agreement.

Why the Israeli 'consensus' on settlements is not so simple

Israelis often refer to a 'consensus' that several major settlement blocs should be incorporated into Israel as part of a two-state solution. But some Israelis can't even find them on a map.

Second Hamas attack could change focus of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks

Hamas attacked Israeli settlers again Wednesday, vowing a wave of violence that could shift today's Israeli-Palestinian peace talks from settlements to security.

As UN probe begins, Netanyahu insists force necessary in Gaza flotilla raid

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday told the Turkel Commission that force was necessary in Israel's Gaza flotilla raid that killed eight Turks and one Turkish-American.

Eyeing world opinion, Israel agrees to cooperate on UN Gaza flotilla inquiry

Israel's surprise announcement that it will cooperate with a United Nations investigation into the deadly May 31 Gaza flotilla raid signals the nation's assessment that it cannot keep alienating allies.

Will Libya aid ship force more changes to Israel's Gaza blockade?

The Libya-sponsored Almathea is the latest of several attempts to break Israel's Gaza blockade since a fatal raid killed nine pro-Palestinian activists on May 31.

Israel's easing of Gaza blockade doesn't address banking, travel rules

Israel's announcement yesterday of an easing of the Gaza blockade on civilians meets international demands. But the UN and other groups are waiting to see how much actually changes on the ground.

Why Israel ignores global criticism of Gaza flotilla raid

Israel's growing isolation – including the global outcry over the May 31 Gaza flotilla raid – strengthens a pessimistic world view, say analysts. Israelis see international criticism as hyperbole linked to centuries of anti-Jewish persecution – and something that can be ignored.

Gaza blockade: Israel deports activists from the Rachel Corrie aid ship

In stark contrast to Israel's deadly Gaza flotilla raid last week, no activists aboard the Gaza-bound Rachel Corrie humanitarian ship were killed. Israel began deporting the activists on Sunday.

As MV Rachel Corrie draws nearer, Israel mulls easing Gaza blockade

After a week of intense international criticism for its raid on the Gaza 'Freedom Flotilla,' a senior Israeli official told the Monitor the government may ease the blockade that the MV Rachel Corrie is now drawing fresh attention to.

Why some in Israel say the Gaza blockade has failed

Three years after Israel imposed the Gaza blockade to weaken Hamas, some Israeli analysts say it has failed. But Israel sees few other feasible options for containment.

If Israeli-Palestinian peace talks resume, Israel plans to highlight incitement

Israel is planning on highlighting allegations of antisemitism and incitement to violence by Palestinian leaders if and when Israeli-Palestinian peace talks resume.

Israel: Who will soldiers obey on settlements – Netanyahu or rabbis?

Amid concerns of insubordination, Israel on Sunday cut ties with a religious seminary that feeds students.

Mitchell in Israel to jumpstart talks

US Middle East envoy George Mitchell met with Israeli President Shimon Peres on Sunday and sounded optimistic that a deal on settlements could boost peace talks before the end of the month.

US, Israel looking for a way to resolve settlements dispute

In talks in London Monday, Israel's defense minister said the two sides had made progress, but still had 'a way to go.'

World reacts cautiously to Ahmadinejad's re-election

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.

Olmert plows ahead on peace talks

Israeli prime minister resigns from his post, but vows to pursue a deal with Palestinians and Syrians.

Hamas, Israel appear on brink of cease-fire

Hamas officials in Egypt Monday considered terms of a possible 'tahadiyeh,' or calming, in recent fighting with Israel even as violence flared on both sides of the border.