Court approves Gaza fuel cutbacks

The Supreme Court in Israel has ruled that the government can continue its cutbacks of fuel supplies to the Gaza Strip, but must delay electricity cuts.

Israeli and Palestinian human rights groups had challenged the move, calling it an illegal collective punishment.

The Israeli government argues the cutbacks are used as economic sanctions in retaliation for rocket attacks by Palestinian militants in Gaza.

Read more: Court approves Gaza fuel cutbacks

Report: Nixon feared Israeli nukes would spur arms race

Israel's alleged possession of nuclear weapons and its potential to set off an arms race in the Middle East were a source of concern to the Nixon administration in 1969, The New York Times reported Thursday, citing newly released documents.

"The Israelis, who are one of the few peoples whose survival is genuinely threatened, are probably more likely than almost any other country to actually use their nuclear weapons," Henry Kissinger, who served as President Richard Nixon's national security adviser, warned in a July 19, 1969 memorandum.

Read more: Report: Nixon feared Israeli nukes would spur arms race

What do you mean when you say 'no'?

A festive day for peace: Israel is planning to announce a freeze on construction in the settlements as compensation for refusing to discuss the core issues. The Palestinians are ecstatic at all the good-will gestures Israel is throwing their way. First came the release of prisoners, now a freeze on construction, and the prime minister has already spoken with the settler leaders and informed them of the decision. They said it was a "difficult meeting," as it always is, winking at each other deviously.

Undoubtedly, Israel wants peace. But a tiny detail seems to have been forgotten: Israel has signed a series of binding agreements to freeze settlement activity, which it never intended to fulfill. Of the 40 years of occupation, only during three has construction been stopped despite all the agreements and promises to do so. There is no reason to believe that Israel will behave differently this time.

Read more: What do you mean when you say 'no'?

Gush Shalom Ad

WHILE Olmert was on the way to Annapolis, the settlers carried out a pogrom in the West Bank village of Funduk.

WHILE the leaders shook hands in Annapolis, the Israeli army killed eight Palestinians.

WHILE Olmert expressed "understanding for the sufferings of the Palestinians", the blockade that starves the population there went on.

Olmert gave the conference a wreath of beautiful promises. He must prove that they are not rubber checks.


                 Ad published in Haaretz
                        November 30, 2007

Read more: Gush Shalom Ad

Olmert warns of 'end of Israel' and 'South African-style struggle'

Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has said failure to negotiate a two-state solution with the Palestinians would spell the end of the State of Israel.
{josquote} If the two-state solution collapses, and we face a South African-style struggle for equal voting rights, then the State of Israel is finished --
Ehud Olmert{/josquote}
 
He warned of a "South African-style struggle" which Israel would lose if a Palestinian state was not established.

Mr Olmert was returning from the Annapolis conference in the US where he and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas pledged to launch formal peace talks.

Read more: Olmert warns of 'end of Israel' and 'South African-style struggle'

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