BBC: World: "The Hamas-led government says it will withdraw a controversial militia from the "public" areas of Gaza."
Reuters: Top News: "GAZA (Reuters) - Israeli planes struck targets in Gaza on Wednesday, hours after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas gave the Hamas government 48 hours to accept a manifesto implicitly recognizing Israel or face a referendum on the issue.
BBC: World: "Israeli PM Ehud Olmert is travelling to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt for talks with President Hosni Mubarak."
USATODAY.com News - Top Stories: "The moderate Fatah movement deployed a new militia in a West Bank town on Saturday in a show of force against the militantly anti-Israel Hamas government.
Reuters: Top News: "GAZA (Reuters) - Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh pledged on Tuesday to pay salaries within days to thousands of government employees who have not received wages since March as a result of an international funds freeze.
CNN: World: "The Hamas-led Palestinian government rejects the 10-day deadline set by President Mahmoud Abbas to accept a plan for a Palestinian state to exist alongside Israel, according to the prime minister's office."
This is the gravest mistake to date by the fledgling Hamas government. One they may never recover from if they pursue this stand. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
Reuters: Top News: "JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel will try peace diplomacy with the Palestinians until the end of the year before resorting to a plan to unilaterally set a border in the occupied West Bank, a senior cabinet minister said on Wednesday.
Reuters: Top News: "WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert holds talks at the Pentagon and White House on Tuesday, seeking during his first visit to Washington to coordinate policy on the Palestinians and the Iranian nuclear crisis.
I would be all for backing away a bit from Israeli support until, Israel demonstrates greater restraint and more humanity in dealing with the Palestinians, which in turn, may give Abbas room to demand the same from Palestinians. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
Reuters: Top News: "GAZA (Reuters) - Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh on Tuesday urged rival forces from his Hamas militant group and President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah movement to show restraint and vowed there would be no civil war.
Wanna make a bet? To avert civil war, one must halt the growth and separation of warring factions. I don't see that happening. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
AP Politics: "WASHINGTON (AP) -- Jewish organizations and leaders in the U.S. are divided over Israel's plan to redraw the country's borders on its own if it cannot quickly negotiate peace with the Palestinians, and are giving the White House conflicting advice about whether to support or fund the effort...."
CNN: World: "European monitors at a crossing between Gaza and Egypt caught a Hamas official Friday carrying about 900,000 euros, Palestinian officials said."
World Press Review: Breaking News: "The Jerusalem Post, Conservative daily of Jerusalem, Israel"
World Press Review: Breaking News: "Ha`aretz, Liberal daily of Tel Aviv, Israel"
CNN: World: "Israeli forces surrounding the house of a wanted militant in the West Bank town of Qabatiya exchanged gunfire with militants Sunday in an ongoing gunbattle that has left at least six Palestinians dead, Palestinian security sources said."
Washington Post: Today's Highlights: "As their government withers without international aid, residents find new resources. -- Scott Wilson"
The indomitable human spirit never ceases to amaze. No doubt to them their small temporary victory feels like David against Goliath. Goliath - that's us! -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
The Washington Times: World: "The United States agreed under pressure yesterday to the creation of a system to transfer funds for salaries and humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians -- a softening of its unbending effort to isolate Hamas."
Damn, it's about time. These people in the White House are thicker than lead. Exacerbating hunger, and no wages, and no gasoline only foments further unrest and hatred in the Middle East, especially toward the West which sends millions to Israel and imposes sanctions against the democratically elected Hamas and its people. Thicker than lead. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
BBC: World: "Israeli leaders step up the pressure on Hamas to talk peace or warn they will press on with fixing Israel's borders."
CNN: World: "Read full story for latest details."
What's the big deal? We are trying to starve them to death with sanctions anyway! -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
Reuters: Top News: "RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas urged Middle East peace brokers on Tuesday to end a foreign aid freeze on the Hamas-led government, warning of deeper instability ahead in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
His warnings have a ring of truth to them. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
The Washington Times: World: "Baton-wielding Israeli police cajoled and dragged dozens of Jewish squatters out of a three-story, Palestinian-owned home yesterday, demonstrating the new government's resolve to confront extremist settlers."
The US is resisting a British proposal to avert a collapse of essential Palestinian services by using an independent trust fund to make overdue salary payments to key front-line workers.
"Well, the U.S. is wrong, yet again. Fomenting civil war among the Palestinian people and driving their condition to the point of unbearable will only further destabilize the Middle East. Bush et.al, have really lost their vision on this one. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
New York Times: International News: "Arab countries have raised more than $70 million, but banks are afraid to move the money to the West Bank or the Gaza Strip."
This is putting the Palestinians in a pressure cooker with no one manning the heat. This is inherently dangerous to Middle East stabilization! -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
Independent: World News: "Ehud Olmert, Israel's Prime Minister-designate, has pieced together the skeleton of a coalition that will assure him a majority for evacuating dozens of outlying West Bank settlements, but looks as if it will deny him the stability he hoped for."
CNN: World: "Interim Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's Kadima Party reached an agreement Thursday with the Labor Party to join a coalition that reportedly is one partner away from control of Israel's parliament."
The Washington Times: World: "A U.S.-led campaign targeting banks that help finance the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority faces a key test as Arab League officials in Cairo said they plan to transfer $50 million today to help the cash-strapped government pay its bills."
Another one of Bush's unintended consequences. He's full of them. The U.S. is cementing the resolve of Muslims and Middle Eastern nations and Russia in a focused defense against the United States. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
World Press Review: Breaking News: "Ha`aretz, Liberal daily of Tel Aviv, Israel"
The Washington Times: World: "Hamas- and Fatah-affiliated gunmen engaged in a shootout at the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza City yesterday, leaving three persons wounded in spite of efforts by both parties to defuse a crisis over control of the security services."
Sounds like maybe a day of rest for the Israelis while the Palestinians fight amongst themselves. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
New York Times: International News: "Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas vowed to block an appointment by the Hamas-led government."
Democracy is a bitch! But, she's the best bitch on the global block. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
The Washington Times: World: "The Hamas-led Palestinian government says it will not act against armed factions lining up to attack Israel with rockets, even as a top Israeli general warned the new Palestinian regime that it will be "hit hard" if the rocketing continues."
So much for the theory that democracy in the Middle East will cure all ills. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
BBC: World: "Hamas faces international censure after a suicide bomb attack in Israel, as Japan cuts new aid to the Palestinians."
CNN: World: "A suicide bomber sets off a blast in a restaurant at the old central bus station in Tel Aviv, killing himself and six others, police and ambulance services said. The Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility."
The Washington Times: World: "Russia said yesterday it had promised emergency aid to the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority, breaking with the European Union and the United States, which have stopped funding to try to force Hamas to recognize Israel."
Russia, friend to the world. Who would have thought the U.S. would abdicate that role to Russia? Another fine opportunity Bush has cost the U.S. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
BBC: World: "The United States bars its citizens from doing business with the Palestinian government led by Hamas."
The Washington Times: World: "Militant squatters loyal to rivals Hamas and the Palestinian Authority are turning open lots in the Gaza Strip into ad hoc military bases, a development that some fear will lead to open warfare between rival Palestinian factions."
Odd how strategy to bring stability and peace to the Middle East appears to nearly always have the opposite effect. Withhold aide to Palestine and one gets increased miltarism amongst Palestinians. And when another leader comes along to unite them again? -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
CNN: World: "The United States is leading an "unholy alliance" to undermine democratic elections that put Hamas at the helm of the Palestinian Authority, partly by denying millions of dollars in aid to the government, Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said Friday."
I know this is foreign policy, but, doesn't the rule still apply, if you want a handout you should appease those handing it out? -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
Christian Science Monitor: All Stories: "Cutting aid to the Hamas government is already having an impact on everyday life.
I hope starving them works to change their platform. But, I have the distinct hunch that this is going to backfire in a huge way. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
New York Times: International News: "Israel stepped up pressure on the Hamas-led government, severing contact with what it called a "hostile entity.""
World Press Review: Breaking News: "Ha`aretz, Liberal daily of Tel Aviv, Israel"
USATODAY.com News - Top Stories: "Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who has been in a coma for three months, will be declared permanently incapacitated Tuesday, ..."
CNN: World: "In a second day of attacks in Gaza, an Israeli airstrike Saturday targeted a training camp, killing at least six militants, Palestinian security and medical sources said."
Newsweek: World News: "
Israel's Ehud Olmert on his bold plan for a new border
"
BBC: World: "The US says it is suspending direct aid to the Hamas-led Palestinian government - hours after a similar EU move."
USATODAY.com News - Top Stories: "Israeli aircraft fired missiles at a car in a militants' training camp Friday, killing six Palestinians, including a senior bombmaker ..."
World Press Review: Breaking News: "The Jerusalem Post, Conservative daily of Jerusalem, Israel"
BBC: World: "Two Israeli missiles hit the Gaza City headquarters of the Palestinian Authority, wounding two, officials say."
The Washington Times: World: "Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, winner of Tuesday's Israeli election, began informal negotiations yesterday with prospective coalition partners, several of which laid out demands for joining a government that is expected to be bottom heavy with smaller niche factions."
USATODAY.com News - Top Stories: "Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert declared victory for his centrist Kadima party in Israel's elections Tuesday, vowing to act ..."
BBC: World: "Palestinian militant group Hamas wins a parliamentary vote of confidence to approve its agenda and cabinet list."
New York Times: International News: "Israelis vote Tuesday in their fourth election in seven years, and it is widely billed as one of the most important in Israel's history."
World Press Review: Breaking News: "Ha`aretz, Liberal daily of Tel Aviv, Israel"
These are very encouraging words. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
World Press Review: Breaking News: "The Daily Star, Independent, English-language daily of Beirut, Lebanon"
BBC: World: "Hamas officials say the group has decided on a cabinet to present to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas."
Independent: World News: "The British government is facing possible legal action over its decision to withdraw monitors from the Jericho prison that was stormed by Israeli forces this week."
It is heartening to see them attempt to redress issues in the courts instead of the streets. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
Arabic News: Politics: "Israeli ministers were secretly warned just after the Six-Day War in 1967 that any policy of building settlements across occupied Palestinian territories violated international law."
Arabic News: Politics: "Britain not only secretly sold Israel heavy water but also supplied plutonium to help Israel develop nuclear weapons, a UK weekly has revealed."
Arabic News: Politics: "The World Council of Churches called on Israel to quit its illegal occupation of the Palestinians, and asked that for effort to establish peace."
BBC: World: "Israel partially reopens the main goods crossing into Gaza after closing it for more than two weeks."
World Press Review: Breaking News: " In different articles this week, a Palestinian Authority daily defined Western leaders as copies of Hitler, Americans as fascists, and neo-conservatives as Nazis promoting "Aryan supremacy.""
BBC: World: "The first session of the Hamas-dominated Palestinian parliament descends into a shouting match."
World Press Review: Breaking News: "Many Palestinians expressed fear on Sunday that the presence of a Shi'ite group in the West Bank and Gaza Strip could lead to a similar situation as in Iraq, where Shi'ites and Sunnis appear to be on the verge of civil war."
USATODAY.com News - Top Stories: "A top political ally of acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Sunday confirmed plans for another unilateral withdrawal from West ..."
Reuters: Top News: "WASHINGTON (Reuters) - It serves key U.S. national interests to continue providing humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people but Washington will not give any financial help to a Hamas-led government, a senior U.S. official said on Thursday.
This is a classic Bush idiocy move. He is going to put the Palestinians on the American welfare system in order to spite the democratically elected government which these new welfare recipients voted in. Any tax payers out there have an objection to our taking care of Palestinians instead of the Hamas government that the people elected? I raise my hand!!! -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
Reuters: Top News: "They said an Exports Control Department was being opened in Israel's Defense Ministry which, in consultation with the Foreign Ministry, would monitor and potentially limit the sale of weaponry to countries appearing on U.S. watch-lists.
Washington Post: Today's Highlights: "The Palestinian Authority could collapse within two weeks unless fresh funding can be found, special envoy says. %u2013Scott Wilson 11:09 a.m. ET"
World Press Review: Breaking News: "The Globe And Mail, Centrist daily of Toronto, Canada"
