December 12, 2012

In-depth

With Their New Status, Palestinians Will Observe a Bursting Israeli Jerusalem

Writing in Algemeiner, Kevin Bermeister argues that construction throughout Jerusalem is necessary, and will beneft the city's Muslim, Christian and Jewish residents. 

The tide of Israel’s opposition ebbs and flows, but we are living in remarkable times when the power of the tide has been substantially reduced. Israel can finally stand firmly in the ocean as the waves pound against it, and the more it sinks its roots in buildings, construction, substantial infrastructure and ingenious technologies that spread the world over, the more Israel becomes a stable anchor, an independent force and a permanent beacon of light.

Livni and Olmert Wait for Obama

Those hoping to unseat Netanyahu in the January elections should not rely on the American president to do it for them, writes Leon Hadar in the National Interest.

President Obama decided not to cancel his scheduled trip to Southeast Asia as new hostilities between Israel and Hamas began. This may be the latest example of Washington's inclination to deprioritize Israel/Palestine (and the Middle East in general) while placing East Asia on the top of the foreign-policy agenda. Hence, Obama's historic trip to Myanmar was seen as more important than another attempt to try making peace between Arabs and Jews. The tribal fights in the Holy Land could wait.

Daily Digest

• Times of Israel: 'Obama planning direct talks with Iran; US will strike in 4-5 months if they don’t bear fruit'
• Haaretz: Israel and Iran both holding bases in Eritrea, global intel reports
• Jerusalem Post: At 'Post' conference, Liberman, Livni slam int'l community
• Ynet: Lieberman: If PA wants war – they'll get war
• New York Times: U.S. Will Grant Recognition to Syrian Rebels, Obama Says
• Washington Post: Israeli soldiers raid Palestinian NGO offices
• Wall Street Journal: A Divided Jerusalem Will Not Stand

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