Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Malki
A Palestinian Diplomatic Offensive?Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Malki visited Venezuela Sunday as part of a move to open a diplomatic mission in Caracas, according to the Venezuelan foreign ministry said. Today, al-Malki and Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro are set to sign a joint communique establishing diplomatic relations between Venezuela and the Palestinian Authority, paving the way for a diplomatic presence.
Venezuela severed ties with Israel on January 15 in reaction to the Jewish state's assault on the Gaza Strip. Caracas said at the time it was reacting to the "cruel persecution of the Palestinian people directed by Israeli authorities."
Palestinian representatives in Indonesia took part in trainings at the Foreign Ministry and spoke to Indonesia media. Khaled H.A. Elyazji, Palestinian ambassador-at-large to Indonesia recently told Indonesian media, "We are very curious and would like to learn more about your country because of the special relations and your support for Palestine. News coverage of the Middle East conflicts are still dominated by Western and Arabian perspectives... not so many about how an Asian country like Indonesia thinks about it."
Iran to Accept Israel-Palestinian Peace Deal, says Ahmadinejad.
Iran would accept a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict if the Palestinians vote on it in a referendum, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said.
"Whatever decision they take is fine with us," Iran's president said Sunday in an interview with George Stephanopoulos on ABC's "This Week." He added:
We are not going to determine anything. Whatever decision they take, we will support that. We think that this is the right of the Palestinian people, however we fully expect other states to do so as well. The U.S. administration, European governments -- the right to determine their fate by the Palestinians should be respected by all of them.
Deadly Tear Gas Canisters
This past weekend, Israeli forces injured a Palestinian protester in the West Bank village, Nil'in. He was hit in the head by a high velocity tear gas canister. He was part of a protest against Israel's construction of the wall within the West Bank, which surrounds or divides communities, and results in the appropriation of Palestinian land.
His injury came a week after the same type of canister killed Bassem Abu Rahmeh, outside of Bil'in. Abu Rahmeh is 18th person to die since 2004 during demonstrations against West Bank barrier.
The recent injury was the the third time Israeli soldiers injured or killed unarmed protesters with the tear gas canisters. On 13 March 2009, American activist Tristan Anderson was shot in the head by the same type of ammunition, putting him in a coma and nearly killing him.
HEADLINES
US seeks Palestinian aid law change (United Press International)
Report: Obama wants aid to go to PA even if Hamas joins government (Ha'aretz)
Jerusalem settlement 'extended' (BBC News)
Palestinians build stage for pope next to barrier (The Associated Press)
2008 'deadliest' year for Palestinians: rights group (AFP)
Palestine and the Palestinians
Israel builds more units in east Jerusalem (AFP)
Abbas urges Hamas, Fatah to agree on unity gov't (Xinhua)
Erekat calls for end to Palestinian split to establish statehood (Xinhua)
Hamas sees new unity talks as most difficult yet (AFP)
Shortages Stymie Rebuilding Efforts In Gaza (NPR)
Obama govt asks for change in law on Hamas: report (AFP)
Abbas refuses to recognise Israel as Jewish state (AFP)
Abbas won't be pressured into talks with Israel (The Associated Press)
Settler fire wounds six in West Bank - Palestinians (Reuters)
FEATURE-No rejoicing for Israeli Arabs on Independence Day (Reuters)
Prisoners' center appeals for enabling Palestinian mother to see her kids (Watan)
Palestinian village welcomes Israeli shoppers (Reuters)
Abbas aide: Lieberman comments against land for peace destructive (Ynetnews)
Abbas calls on US to press Israel into resuming peace process (Jerusalem Post)
Palestinian security forces hand IDF explosive belt found in West Bank (Jerusalem Post)
Palestinian dies as Gaza smuggling tunnel collapsed (Xinhua)
Israel
Lieberman: Syria no partner for peace (Ynetnews)
Israel launches special stamp series in honor of Pope's visit (Ha'aretz)
Israel to Benedict: Leave Popemobile at home (Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
Netanyahu calls to strengthen Israel, Diaspora bonds in message (Jerusalem Post)
Al Hayat: Liberman told Suleiman 'two states' was the only way (Jerusalem Post)
Noam Shalit to urge U.S.: Condition peace talks on Gilad's release (Ha'aretz)
'Israel blackmailing Palestinian patients' (PRESS TV)
The Neighbors
Abdullah: Solving Israeli-Palestinian issue is the key (Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
Jordan's King Abdullah: Israel must choose between integration or isolation (Ha'aretz)
Barak: Joint Turkey-Syria military drill 'very troubling' for Israel (Ha'aretz)
Israel downplays unprecedented Turkish-Syrian military drill (Jerusalem Post)
Syria'a Assad 'not optimistic' about Israel talks: report (AFP)
Syria Chides Israel's "Contradicting" Signals (CBS News)
3 arrested in Lebanon on suspicion of spying for Israel (Ynetnews)
International Relations/Law
Israel's FM: Iran is obstacle to Mideast peace (The Associated Press)
Ahmadinejad: Obama support of 'Gazan massacre' was a big mistake (Ha'aretz)
Iran's leader blames US, Israel for Iraq attacks (The Associated Press)
Iran: We've arrested spies for Israel (Jerusalem Post)
Iran arrests group planning pre-vote bombings: radio (Reuters)
Interview: Chinese FM makes five-point proposal to boost Mideast peace (Xinhua)
UN racism event highlights divisions (BBC News)
Czech EU presidency splits with commission over Israel (EUobserver.com)
EU ambassador wants to see Israel living in peace with Palestinians (Ynetnews)
Activism
Canadian chain will consider Israel boycott (Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
Anti-Israel Finkelstein cripples speech ban (PRESS TV)
Police arrest seven suspected of inciting IDF draft-dodging (Ha'aretz)
Commentary
Roger Cohen: Clinton's Mideast Pirouette (New York Times)
Akiva Elder: If I were a Palestinian (Ha'aretz)
Marc Lynch: King Abdullah: A moment of truth is here (Foreign Policy)
umkahlil: Seven Palestinian Children (umkahlil)
Iyad Bornat - For Freedom and Justice (and Bassem) "History will not forgive those who are partners in crime" (Palestine Think Tank)
David Ignatius: Israel's 57-State Opportunity (Washington Post)
Walt Rodgers: The danger of an Israeli strike on Iran (Christian Science Monitor)
Views expressed on this post or on linked web pages do not represent the Palestine Center, the educational program of the Jerusalem Fund for Education and Community Development. All content is for educational purposes only.
