Peace Negotiations

Jordanian Prince: Conditions 'Not Ripe' for Peace

Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan expresses pessimism regarding the prospects of peace between Israel and the PA.

PLO Member Parties: Stop Talking with Israel

PLO member parties urge its leaders to halt talks with Israel until it freezes construction in Judea and Samaria.

Israel Uses Jordan Talks to Present Borders

During meeting in Jordan Israel presented, for the first time, its principles regarding the borders of a future Palestinian state.

Erekat: Release Terror Prisoners, No Matter Whom they Killed

Saeb Erekat, the PA's chief negotiator, says the international community should intervene to release all PA terror prisoners.

Peres Admits: I Held Secret Talks with Abbas

President Shimon Peres reveals he held secret talks with PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, with PM Netanyahu's knowledge.

Quartet: Israel, PA Agree to Make Proposals Within 3 Months

Following separate meetings with PA and Israeli officials, Quartet says sides are ready to make proposals to advance talks.

MK Katz: Netanyahu Revealing His New Positions

MK Katz responds to Netanyahu's intention to return to peace negotiations, calls Land of Israel activists in Likud to leave the party.

Tony Blair: It's Not in Anyone's Interest Not to Make Peace

Tony Blair after receiving a token for appreciation for advancing peace: Return to direct negotiations. Peace is in everyone's interests.

PA Pursuing Statehood Bid No Matter What

Palestinian Authority envoy to the United Nations Riyad Mansour says the PA's unilateral statehood bid in September will proceed no matter what

PM Says Abbas Must Recognize Israel's Jewishness Before Peace

Netenyahu says PA must recognize Israel as a Jewish state before two-states emerge; then invokes Hertz saying Israel must build in all of Israel.

PA Chairman Threatens 'One State' Solution

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas is threatening to give up the fight to transform the PA into an independent Arab country.

Abbas: Don’t Connect US Aid to Israel with Building Freeze

PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas tells reporters the US cannot mix up its foreign aid to Israel with the issue of peace negotiations.

Arab League Threatens to End Talks, Disband PA

Arab League head Amr Moussa threatens to end the prospect of peace talks and accuses Israel of causing Arab world's woes.

PA to Ask United Nations to Force Israel Back to Freeze

The Palestinian Authority plans to ask the United Nations to force Israel into renewing a freeze on Jewish construction in Judea and Samaria.

Egypt Backs Away from Obama's Direct Talks Failure

Backing away from what appears to be a failing endeavor, Egypt expresses its displeasure with the Obama administration in an Al-Ahram editorial.

PA Warns It May Break Oslo Accord that It Already Has Broken

The PA warns it may break accords for the “peace process” if Israel does not agree to demands. However, the PA already has broken the agreements.

PA May Call Israel a ‘Jewish’ State—If Within 1949 Borders

A senior PA official says it might call Israel ‘Jewish’ if it returns to the 1949-67 borders, but an adviser to Abbas ruled out the possibility.

US: We Support Israel as a Jewish State

The U.S. warns that negotiations between Israel and the PA must be a two-way street, with both sides “offering something and asking for something.”

Clock Ticking Away against Obama’s ‘One Year Peace Objective’

Six weeks ago, Obama said the PA and Israel can reach a peace pact in one year. Like the expired 10-month building freeze, time is running out.

Obama’s Trip to Israel a Matter of Timing as Talks Failure Looms

Obama will visit Israel but it is a “matter of timing,” an aide says. Report: Tension over “peace talk” failure causes friction in his government.

Arab Leaders Tell US: You Have One Month to Pressure Israel

Arab leaders give America one month to pressure Israel into a building freeze. Abbas may push for unilateral establishment of PA state.

Obama to Pay Heavy Price for Direct Talks, Says Ex-US Official

Obama has to pay a heavy price to get out of a tight corner he made for himself—and may return to the same place, says former US Mideast diplomat.

Proposal: Limited Construction During Talks

PM Netanyahu considers limiting Judea and Samaria construction to fewer buildings than were built during Olmert-Abbas negotiations.

White House: Nothing Offered in Exchange for Freeze

Netanyahu was criticized by the left for allegedly rejecting U.S. support in exchange for extending freeze. Now, U.S. denies making those promises.

US Ignores Lieberman’s Land Plan; Mitchell Faces Talks Freeze

The US ignores Foreign Minister Lieberman UN speech on land exchanges that don't move people as Mitchell tries to unthaw Abbas’ freeze of talks.

Diplomatic Tide Turns Against Abbas as He ‘Freezes’ Talks

The constantly changing sands in the Middle East leave Abbas roasting under diplomatic heat as he faces blame for “freezing” talks with Israel.

US Senate Backs Netanyahu, Asks Obama to Pressure Abbas

Almost all US Senators sign a letter to Obama saying that Netanyahu “reached out to Abbas,” who they said must be pressured not to freeze talks.

Sarkozy Tries to Take Over for Obama in Mideast Talks

Flamboyant French President Nicolas Sarkozy met with Abbas in Paris and announced he will ask to host a new summit with the PA, Israel and Egypt.

RECAP 2nd Day Yom-Tov news: Obama Slammed as 'Racist

U.S. President Obama is condemned for calling to extend the Judea and Samaria construction freeze in his speech to the UN.

RECAP: 2nd Day Yom Tov News: Israel's UN Absence Due to Sukkot

Israel faces speculation over its absence from the UN, explains that delegates were not present due to Sukkot holiday.

Abbas Steps Up Rhetoric as Bulldozers Prepare to Roar

Abbas stepped up his rhetoric, telling the UN Israel must choose between peace and Jews in Judea and Samaria. The building freeze ends Sunday.

Bill Clinton Causes Anger with Slam of Russian Israelis

Bill Clinton refers to Russian Israelis in IDF as an obstacle to peace, claims conversation at Camp David which Sharansky denies.

Abbas Backs Off Threat to Quit Talks over Building Issue

Abbas told US Jewish leaders, “I cannot say that I will leave the negotiations” if Israel resumes building homes for Jews in Judea and Samaria.”

Two States and 'Two Statements’ instead of ‘Two Peoples'

Fayyad stalked out of a meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister Ayalon after refusing to add the words “two peoples” to the phrase ”two states.”

Report: Netanyahu Pushes Referendum on Peace Deal

PM Netanyahu is reported to be pushing for a national referendum on any future deal with the PA.

PA: Give us a State or It's War

Senior PA negotiator Nabil Shaath says the PA will never accept Israel as a Jewish state. His statements are backed by Arab League, Mubarak.

Egyptian Newspaper Doctors Photo, Shows Obama Following Mubarak

Egyptian government newspaper Al-Ahram doctors a photo depicting Mideast leaders at the White House, and is ridiculed by colleagues.

Clinton Repeats 'Comprehensive Peace' Hopes, Mitchell in Syria

U.S. leaders continue with ambitious plan for peace between Israel, Lebanon and Syria. Mitchell heads to Damascus.

Clinton: Netanyahu and Abbas Already Discussing 'Core Issues'

Hillary Clinton says Netanyahu and Abbas are already discussing “core issues.” Clinton pushes to extend construction freeze.

PMO: Freeze to End on Time, Despite US Pressure for Talks

The US pressures Israel to extend the freeze in deference to the talks; Prime Minister's position "has not changed," says spokesman.

Clinton Lays Groundwork for PA as Necessary for ‘Jewish State’

Hillary Clinton speaks with Peres and lays the groundwork for arguing that Israel needs a new Arab state in order to remain democratic and Jewish.

Abbas Meeting Netanyahu at Home Breaks PLO Boycott of Jerusalem

Abbas will meet Netanyahu at the Prime Minister’s residence in Jerusalem—one week after the PLO said the united capital should be boycotted.

Building Firm Ends the Freeze, Begins Work on 2,400 Units

A building firm said Tuesday it is unilaterally ending the 10-month building freeze in Judea and Samaria. The move may cause an uproar in the PA.

Clinton and Mitchell Bring Talks to Jerusalem Wednesday

Three-way talks between Abbas, Netanyahu and Hillary Clinton got off to a rocky start but ended without any disruptions. Next stage: Jerusalem.

US Poll: Abbas Not Committed to Peace

A new poll by the non-partisan Israel Project shows most Americans believe Netanyahu is committed to peace and that Abbas is not.

US Facing Ticking Clock on End of Building Freeze

Clinton to lead talks in Egypt and Jerusalem 13 days before the building freeze is to end. Obama expected to step in at UN meeting next week.

Netanyahu Claims Nation Agrees to PA State

Grass-roots organization says Netanyahu is spreading disinformation by saying Palestinian state is matter of national consensus.

MK Levin: Worried about Strength of Netanyahu's Resolve

Likud MK says that it must be proven to Netanyahu that resuming construction in Judea and Samaria has a large backing in Israel.

Fatah TV on Eve of Peace Talks: Haifa Part of ‘Palestine’

PA incitement parallels “direct talks.” Fatah TV: Haifa part of Palestine. PLO envoy: Complete eradication of the fabricated regime” of Israel.

PA Negotiator Charges ‘Peace Partner’ Ad Was Altered

The PA, quoted in a US-funded left-wing Geneva Initiative ad as saying it wants to be Israel’s ‘peace partner” now claims the quotes were altered.

Obama Sidesteps PA’s Refusal to Call Israel’ A Jewish State’

Obama sidestepped a chance to back Netanyahu’s demand that the PA call Israel a Jewish State but asked Israel to extend building freeze.

Heart-Wrenching Holiday Pilgrimage to the Temple Mount

The family of Yitzchak and Talia Imas made their traditional pre-holiday pilgrimage to the Temple Mount this week, heart-wrenching without parents.

Abbas Asks Obama’s Officials to Confront Israel on Freeze

Abbas publicly puts Obama on the spot and asks him to “intervene in the settlement issue” and tell Israel to continue the building freeze.

Abbas’ Threats May Throw ‘Direct Talks’ in Clinton’s Lap

Abbas and Netanyahu played out Obama’s script last week, but PA’s return to “no compromise” threatens to dump next week’s talks on Clinton’s lap.

PA Objects to Conferences in Jerusalem

The PA said holding global meetings anywhere in Jerusalem is a “provocation” because most of the world does not recognize it as Israel’s capital.

Hillary Clinton to Attend Round 2 of Talks at Sharm El-Sheikh

US Secretary of State will nudge Israeli and PA representatives towards an agreement at a September 14 conference in Sinai resort.

Lieberman: No Peace in Our Time

Lieberman says peace talk goals are unrealistic, warns, “What if we sign with Abu Mazen, and Hamas takes over?”

Erekat: Hopes Israel Will Destroy Towns in Judea, Samaria

Palestinian Authority negotiator Saeb Erekat expressed the hope Saturday that Israel will end up destroying Jewish towns in Judea and Samaria.

Aharonovich: 'Closing In on Highway 60 Terrorists'

Public Security Minister Yitchak Aharonovich has announced security forces are closing in on the terrorists who murdered four Jews on Highway 60.

Hamas: Jews in Judea, Samaria 'Legitimate Targets'

Hamas declared Saturday that Jews in Judea and Samanaria are “legitimate military targets” and vowed to continue its attacks in the region.