Report: Palestinian statehood demands include land within pre-1967 lines

Report: Palestinian statehood demands include land within pre-1967 lines

Special to WorldTribune.com JERUSALEM — The Palestinian Authority has sought to acquire Israeli territory beyond the West Bank, a report said. The Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs asserted that the PA aimed to acquire portions of Israel during the U.S.-led negotiations. In a report, Israeli analyst Pinchas Inbari cited statements and documents linked to the […]

Israel arrests 14 in plot to blow up bus, credits alert passenger

Israel arrests 14 in plot to blow up bus, credits alert passenger

Special to WorldTribune.com TEL AVIV — Israel has charged the Iran-backed Islamic Jihad with planning a mass-casualty attack in Israel. Officials said Jihad recruited both Palestinians and Israelis for a series of major strikes in Israel. They said the first attack, the bombing of a bus in the Tel Aviv suburb of Bat Yam last […]

Fatah internal feud ‘getting out of control’

Fatah internal feud ‘getting out of control’

Special to WorldTribune.com RAMALLAH — The ruling Fatah movement continues to be divided by a leadership feud. Palestinian sources said Fatah, which controls the Palestinian Authority, has been hampered by personal disputes that reach chairman Mahmoud Abbas. They said the feuds have become violent, including shootings and assaults. “The situation is getting out of control,” […]

Palestinians reject phased withdrawal of Israeli military from West Bank

Palestinians reject phased withdrawal of Israeli military from West Bank

Special to WorldTribune.com LONDON — The United States has proposed an interim Israeli military presence in the West Bank. Palestinian sources said the administration of President Barack Obama has discussed a plan for a staged Israeli military withdrawal from the West Bank. The sources said the staged withdrawal could take between 10 and 15 years […]

Palestinian Authority raids office of critic who ‘hurt Abbas’s feelings’

Palestinian Authority raids office of critic who ‘hurt Abbas’s feelings’

Special to WorldTribune.com RAMALLAH — The Palestinian Authority has detained another critic of chairman Mahmoud Abbas. Mohammed Al Sabawi, a leading investor, was arrested in Ramallah on Dec. 2 and held for eight hours on charges of insulting Abbas. Al Sabawi, the 68-year-old director-general of the Ahlia Insurance Group, has protested corruption within the PA. […]

Leading Fatah critic of Palestinian Authority’s Abbas survives assassination attempt

Leading Fatah critic of Palestinian Authority’s Abbas survives assassination attempt

Special to WorldTribune.com RAMALLAH — A leading Fatah critic has been targeted in the West Bank. Sufian Abu Zaydeh came under fire outside his home in Ramallah on early Nov. 19. Fatah said a gunman shot some 20 bullets into Abu Zaydeh’s parked car. Abu Zaydeh, a member of the Fatah Revolutionary Council and former […]

Obama names Netanyahu critic to lead Israeli-Palestinian talks

Obama names Netanyahu critic to lead Israeli-Palestinian talks

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States has named a leading critic of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to head negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority for the establishment of a West Bank state in 2014. The administration of President Barack Obama said Martin Indyk would lead the U.S. team that would coordinate between […]

Israel, Palestinians agree to talks said pinned to West Bank withdrawal

Israel, Palestinians agree to talks said pinned to West Bank withdrawal

Special to WorldTribune.com AMMAN — The United States has pressed Israel and the Palestinian Authority to renew final status negotiations. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said both Israeli and PA leaders made “difficult choices” to bridge the gap for the resumption of negotiations. In a statement from Amman, Jordan on July 19, Kerry said […]

Fatah mounts protests against Christian mayor of Bethlehem

Fatah mounts protests against Christian mayor of Bethlehem

Special to WorldTribune.com RAMALLAH — The ruling Fatah movement has sought to oust the mayor of a leading city in the West Bank. Palestinian sources said Fatah was pressuring for the resignation of Bethlehem Mayor Vera Baboun, the first woman to lead a major municipality in the West Bank. The sources said Fatah was believed […]

Memo to Sec. Kerry: The emerging Middle East matrix is less hostile to Israel

Memo to Sec. Kerry: The emerging Middle East matrix is less hostile to Israel

Special to WorldTribune.com By Norman Bailey The Iran of the Shah was friendly to Israel, but the theocracy that overthrew it is not. The Turkey of the Ataturk secularists was friendly to Israel, but the Turkey of the Islamists is not. The Egypt of Mubarak was friendly to Israel, but the government of the Muslim […]