UN envoy to Palestinians: ‘Do not lose sight of goal of free Palestinian state’

U.N. Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolai Mladenov told a mass gathering in the Palestinian Authority on Monday “never to give up” their aspirations for statehood. Read more

Biden: West Bank annexation ‘will choke off hope for peace’

Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, the 2020 presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, said on Tuesday that if Israel applies sovereignty to parts of the West Bank, it would “choke off any hope for peace,” according to audio obtained by JNS. Read more

Danon confronts Palestinian representative during UN Security Council

Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon and his Palestinian counterpart sparred during a U.N. Security Council discussion on Thursday about Israel’s aid to the Palestinian Authority during the current coronavirus (COVID-19) worldwide outbreak. Read more

‘The woman’ … and her one-sided view of two peoples

Ilana Hammerman was not a familiar name. But the subtitle of her new book was irresistible: One Woman’s Story of Challenging Borders in Israel/Palestine. Read more

It’s not the money, honey

One would have thought by now everyone might have woken up to the fact that it is not a lack of money which prevents peace from breaking out between Israel and the PLO. Read more

Trump administration released tens of millions in aid to Palestinians

The Trump administration quietly released tens of millions of foreign aid to the Palestinian Authority recently that had been frozen as part of a review process. Read more

Palestinians call Israel’s anti-‘pay to slay’ law a ‘declaration of war’

Palestinian leaders slammed the passage of a new Israeli law that would deduct tax funds transferred to the Palestinian Authority over their policy of paying convicted terrorists and their families for carrying out attacks known as “pay to slay.” Read more

Wishful thinking isn’t enough when it comes to Mideast peace

President Trump’s peace plan for Israel and the Palestinian Arabs, his attempt at the “deal of the century,” will apparently soon be revealed to the world…writes Melanie Phillips/JNS. Read more

On the other hand…writes Michael Kuttner

Discoveries, innovations and world “firsts” combined with other positive developments kick start the post (Jewish) New Year into high gear. Read more

Israeli Mossad chief reportedly briefs Trump transition team in secret meeting

The head of Israel’s Mossad spy agency and other top security officials reportedly met with members of President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team to brief them on important security matters. Read more

“BDS not about settlements” – Lapid

The Chairperson of Israel political party Yesh Atid Yair Lapid, has told 700 people at the  Park Avenue Synagogue in New York that the BDS situation “is getting worse”. Read more

What ordinary Palestinians are saying about the Israeli election

Near the entrance to the city of Ariel in the heart of Samaria lies an Arab strip mall of sorts, where Jews and Palestinians alike can get fruits and vegetables, a car wash, pet supplies, hummus, and falafel. Read more

Metropolitan Opera Stifles Free Exchange of Ideas About a Propaganda Opera…writes Alan Dershowitz

On Monday night I went to the Metropolitan Opera. I went for two reasons: to see and hear John Adams’ controversial opera, The Death of Klinghoffer; and to see and hear what those protesting the Met’s judgment in presenting the opera had to say. Read more

Blaming Israel for the Collapse of the Peace Negotiations…writes Isi Leibler

All signs indicate that the moribund peace process has now formally collapsed. Read more

Slezak questions Rhiannon criticism

It is telling that Alexander Ryvchin’s denunciation of Senator Lee Rhiannon (J-Wire, Dec-18)  fails to mention the grave charges that motivate such critics of Israel, even to rebut them – the egregious, serial violations of human rights, international law and UN resolutions…writes Peter Slezak. Read more

Australia’s ambassador to Israel supports peace campaign

Common Sense is not so Common…writes Michael Kuttner (and Voltaire)

The above quote by Voltaire is manifest on a daily basis especially when it concerns Israel. This week has proved no exception and therefore I would like to share with you a few of the latest examples to demonstrate as if any proof was really needed that the sky is the limit for all those who think they know it all. Read more

The Palestinian Prisoner Release and its Shades of Grey

This week, I planned to write something a little more upbeat and uplifting. It seemed overdue. But then the release of twenty-six Palestinian prisoners to Gaza and the West Bank warranted some deep reflection and analysis…writes Gabsy Debinski. Read more

En route to becoming a banana republic…writes Isi Leibler

In recent months there has been mounting indiscriminate criticism of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s policies by government officials. Read more

Palestine – Pantomime and Paradox…writes David Singer

Any cynicism or disbelief that Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu was seriously interested in trying to reach a two-state solution with the PLO was dispelled this week with the revelation that Netanyahu last year offered to free 50 long term Palestinian security prisoners sentenced before the Oslo Accords were signed in 1993 – in a vain bid to entice Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas back to the negotiating table. Read more

Better healthcare for Palestinian kids – thanks to Australian interfaith group

Hundreds of Palestinian children in the West Bank and Gaza Strip will have access to improved healthcare thanks to a unique multi-faith partnership based in Australia. Read more

Déjà Vu: “Peace in Our Time”…writes Isi Leibler

“Peace in Our Time” was proclaimed by Neville Chamberlain in 1938 in defense of his disastrous Munich Agreement with Hitler. History testifies that his policy of appeasement and failure to confront the aggressive Nazi barbarians virtually made World War II inevitable. Read more

A case of shameful silence and deliberate inaction…writes Michael Kuttner

The United States of America which prides itself as the torch bearer of justice, liberty and morality in the world is shockingly guilty of betraying these very virtues over its continued failure to bring to justice the murderers of many of its citizens at the hands of Palestinian Arab terrorists. Read more