NEWS ARTICLES & OPINION PIECES

• Chicago Tribune: Settlement growth said to double, by Joel Greenberg (27 August 2008).
  This article describes the latest Peace Now report on settlement expansion. The report then describes Israeli government officials saying that the Palestinians should not let the settlement expansion interfere with peace negotiations even though stopping such expansion was a specific demand of both the Quartet Road Map and the Annapolis talks.

• Christian Science Monitor: Bush struggles with legacy on Mideast peace, by Danna Harman (26 August 2008).
  This article is based mostly on the analysis of Michael Oren, who is clearly pro-Israeli. Thus he blames the stalled talks mostly on weak leaders and neglects to mention the fast pace of settlement building and expansion which has made the talks a no-go in the eyes of the Palestinians, and which has been acknowledged as a major obstacle by Secretary Rice.

• New York Times: Rice, in Israel, Criticizes Surge in Settlement Construction, by Ethan Bronner (26 August 2008).
  This article is based on the latest Peace Now report. The article discusses some of the Israeli rationale and exposes its absurdity. The article also briefly describes Peace Now and how they work.

• New York Times: Israel Frees 198 Palestinians Before Rice Arrives for Talks, by Isabel Kershner (26 August 2008).
  This article describes the prisoner release as an effort of Israel to support moderate Palestinian politicians (such as Abbas), but the article failed to mentioned that thousands of the prisoners are in Israeli jails for 'administrative detention'.

• Washington Post: To Shore Up Abbas, Israel Releases Jailed Palestinians, by Samuel Sockol and Linda Gradstein (26 August 2008).
  

• New York Times: Israel Frees Palestinian Prisoners, by Myra Noveck and Tom Rachman (25 August 2008).
  

• Boston Globe: Top Israeli candidate backs Palestinian state: Livni seeks to unify right, left, by Steven Gutkin (22 August 2008).
  

• Washington Post: From Israel, a Call for Patience: Rushing Peace Process Invites Violence, Foreign Minister Says, by Linda Gradstein (22 August 2008).
  Foreign Minister and others proclaim peace deal impossible by end of year, that it cannot happen while Hamas is in power, that Palestinian refugees will not be allowed in Israel, period, only in new Palestinian State, and that rushing toward peace might bring violence.

• Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Settlers increase attacks on West Bank Palestinians, by Robert W. Gee (19 August 2008).
  This article describes increasing settler attacks on Palestinians supposedly because of increased shutdown of outposts and the relative lack of Israeli police response. The article also describes the outposts as illegal as per Israeli law, but that all settlements are 'illegitimate' as per international law and also describes the dual legal system which ties the settlement legally to Israel while the Palestinian areas remain under military law.

• Atlanta Journal Constitution: Olmert departure may doom hope for quick peace deal, by Robert W. Gee (11 August 2008).
  This articles describes Olmert's departure, but also the expansion and building of new settlements and the ongoing raids into areas supposedly controlled by the PA, all are dooming the talks.

• New York Times: Israel’s Political Situation Dims Hopes for Peace Deal, by Helene Cooper (1 August 2008).
  This article describes the virtual hopelessness of reaching an agreement by the end of the year considering the lame duck status of both Bush and Olmert.

• Washington Post: Transition in Israel: The next U.S. president may find a less willing partner for Middle East peace negotiations (1 August 2008).
  This article describes how the new US President faces many obstacles to making Israel/Palestine peace negotiations a high priority including ongoing Israeli intransigence on the key issues.

• Chicago Tribune: What Olmert's exit means for peace talks, by Joel Greenberg (31 July 2008).
  "Tribune foreign correspondent Joel Greenberg reports on possible successors to beleaguered Israeli leader", the reasons for his resignation, and the turmoil brought on by his announcement.

• Washington Post: Olmert Declares Intent to Step Down, by Linda Gradstein (31 July 2008).
  

• Washington Post: Olmert: No Accord on Jerusalem This Year, by Linda Gradstein (29 July 2008).
  Both Olmert and Palestinians agree there will be no peace agreement this year because of intransigence over Jerusalem, but there has been some progress especially with future borders.

• New York Times: Israel Moves Toward Building More Settler Homes, by Isabel Kershner (25 July 2008).
  In her article about another case of Israeli settlement building in the Jordan Valley, Ms. Kershner elaborated mostly on the Israeli rationale and immediately rebutted points of the opposing position when she did mention it. Her main defense was that the settlement is not new as most claim, but that this is another example of settlement expansion. But in the process she did list all the different parties that do oppose settlement building from the Quartet to the Palestinians to the UN to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

• Washington Post: Around the World: MIDDLE EAST: Olmert Is Upbeat on Peace (14 July 2008).
  Olmert expresses new optimism about reaching a peace agreement with the Palestinians, but the progress is only based on a mass release of Palestinians from Israeli jails without resolution of any of the major issues that have paralyzed past negotiations.

• Washington Post: A Conversation with King Abdullah of Jordan, by Lally Weywouth (22 June 2008). In this interview, King Abdullah sees the Israeli/Palestinian conflict as the main threat, and the fact that soon the possibility for a two-state solution will be dead, not Iran and its nuclear program, and he opposes military action against Iran which he says will only increase conflict. He sees the death of the two-state solution as a major problem because it will motivate the spread of extremism, but he also says that the other positive development is the willingness to negotiate between the moderates and the extremists (in contrast to Bush's isolationism). He also says that we should be giving a lot more support to Fatah instead of only trying to isolate Hamas.

• Chicago Tribune: Rice: Israeli growth saps peace bid - New West Bank plans draw sharper rhetoric, by Joel Greenberg (16 June 2008).
  This article describes Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice using even sharper language to criticize Israel for its continuing to expand settlements near Jerusalem. She also admitted she did not expect any "blinding breakthroughs".

• New York Times: Rice Says Houses Hurt Mideast Talks, by Ethan Bronner (16 June 2008).
  This article describes how US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice used sharper language than usual to criticize Israel for continued settlement expansion, which she says is hurting peace efforts. She also criticized Israel for continuing to withhold exit visas for 3 of 7 Fulbright Scholarship winners from Gaza.

• San Francisco Chronicle: Rice assails Israeli construction plans, by Griff Witte (16 June 2008).
  This article describes Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice using increasingly sharp language in her criticism of Israel's continuing to expand settlements near Jerusalem, which she and the Palestinians say is a major obstacle to reaching a peace agreement. The article also described the fading hopes that an agreement will be reached by the time Bush leaves office.

• Washington Post: Rice Urges Israel to Desist on Settlements, by Griff Witte (16 June 2008). This article describes Condeleeza Rice's frustration with Israel refusing to halt settlement expansion and how this is a major obstacle to reaching a peace agreement by the end of Bush's term. The article also describes Rice's failure to win exit visas for all 7 Gazan Fullbright scholarship winners.

• Washington Post: Israeli Man, Palestinian Child Killed In Attacks Pair Died in Violence Between Jewish State, Fighters With Hamas, by Griff Witte (6 June 2008).
  It was remarkable to note how in this article's description of the 3-way wrestling match between Israel, Abbas and Hamas, no mention was made of Israel refusing to halt settlement expansion, which makes a viable Palestinian State virtually impossible. It was truly biased and misleading to accuse Abbas of threatening the peace talks by making overtures to Hamas when those talks are virtually already dead because of Israel refusing to halt settlement expansion in violation of its agreements made at and following the Annapolis Summit.

• New York Times: Palestinian Leader Urges Talks With Hamas, by Isabel Kershner (5 June 2008).
  This article describes the role of Israel insisting on continuing with settlement expansion as frustrating the peace efforts begun at Annapolis, leading to Abbas seeking anew to build relations with Hamas toward a unified leadership of the Palestinian people. In addition, Abbas's prime minister, Salam Fayyad, sought out European support for their cause by asking them to reject Israel's request for enhanced relations with the EU.

• Washington Post: Bush Talks With Israeli Author Before Meeting With Olmert, by Michael Abramowitz (5 June 2008).
  This article describes the meeting between President Bush and author, Natan Sharansky, who is a major inspiration for Bush's ideas about spreading democracy world-wide. One of their main topics was the state of the Annapolis peace talks, which many see as stalled but for which Bush still holds out hope. They disagreed about the proper way to promote democracy in the Palestinian territories - Bush emphasized elections (even though he disliked the results), whereas Sharansky emphasizes strengthening democratic institutions (which Bush claims he did).

• *New York Times: Time for Radical Pragmatism, by Thomas L. Friedman (4 June 2008).
  In this op-ed Mr Friedman expresses the belief that the spread of settlements across the West Bank now makes a viable Palestinian State in that area virtually impossible, and believes that only a "radical pragmatism" will lead to a solution where Israel would be willing to remove the settlements so that a viable State could be established in the hopes of averting the demographic crisis which is developing for Israel wherein Israeli Jews will soon find themselves to be minorities in the region if they continue to maintain control and responsibility over the West Bank.

• Chicago Tribune: Outcry mounts for Olmert to quit, by Joel Greenberg (29 May 2008).
  The scandal undermining Israeli Prime Minister Olmert's power and position in the Israeli government was given a huge boost when testimony was heard describing how Olmert physically received bribes. And the author of this article describes how his major political partners such as Ehud Barak, his defense minister say this truly undermines all his efforts to negotiate peace with both the Palestinians and the Syrians.

• Washington Post: Israel's Olmert pressured to step down, by Griffe Witte (29 May 2008).
  As the scandal around Israeli Prime Minister Olmert deepens, so does the growing pressure on him to stand down, and this is seen as a major obstacle to completing the peace process begun by President Bush at the Annapolis Summit late last year. But Olmert with the Kadima Party stands firm with Netanyahu with the conservative Likud Party and Barak with the liberal Labor Party in refusing to halt settlement expansion or consider giving them up as part of a peace deal.

• Chicago Tribune: Ehud Barak, Ehud Olmert, Tribune Wire Report (28 May 2008).
  The scandal undermining Israeli Prime Minister Olmert's power and position in the Israeli government was given a huge boost when testimony was heard describing how Olmert physically received bribes. And the author of this article mentions by the end of the article how this truly undermines his efforts to negotiate peace with both the Palestinians and the Syrians.

• Boston Globe: Editorial: At Peace Talks, No Sign of US (23 May 2008).
  This Editorial describes a situation where going aqainst Bush's doctrine against talking to your enemies is actually good for America - Israel's negotiations with Syria trading the Golan Heights for Syria no longer allying itself with Iran and Hezbollah. There are many other examples as well of where it was beneficial to go against Bush's arrogant isolationist ideas - for example his own discussions with North Korea and with Libya.

• New York Times: Talking with the Enemy (23 May 2008).
  Here is another op-ed criticizing Bush's speech advocating not negotiating with enemies until pre-conditions are met, largely by describing how his own administration and its closest allies don't follow the policy. This especially makes sense with Hamas since it was elected to its government position by the people of Palestine.

• Boston Globe: EDITORIAL: Friends Close, Enemies Closer (22 May 2008).
  This Editorial condemns the hypocrisy of Bush's doctrine of not talking to your enemies when both his own administration and his allies are all talking to their enemies in an effort to build bridges, as well as describing one ally who refused to talk to a friend out of deference to an enemy (Germany refusing to meet with the Dalai Lama at a high level out of fear of offending China). It made Bush look like an unrealistic and hypocritical fool. It is important that everyone talk to everyone else so that we can better understand each other, and so that connections can begin to be established which are hard to break, and to avoid misunderstandings that might lead to conflict and even violence.

• Chicago Tribune: U.S. a non-factor in peace efforts: Mideast talks counter White House strategy, by Robin Wright (22 May 2008).
  

• New York Times: Advice from White House is not always followed, by Helene Cooper (22 May 2008).
  

• New York Times: At West Bank conference, dreams of investment, by Isabel Kershner (22 May 2008).
  This article describes the investment conference held in Bethlehem which was co-sponsored by the Palestinian Authority and supported by the Bush administration. The article also describes how the only real obstacle to success is Israeli restrictions on building and access and freedom of movement.

• Washington Post: Mutual dismay over Jewish settlements: Israeli Premier seeks to balance growth, by Griff Witte (20 May 2008).
  This interesting article describes the pressures on Olmert over settlements. On one hand he has the international community pressuring him to halt settlement building because it hurts the chances of a viable Palestinian State developing, but on the other hand there is tremendous internal pressures on Olmert from conservative parties within his own government to actually expand settlement building.

• Boston Globe: Bush gives Arab leaders a task list: Outlines steps to achieve peace in Middle East, by Sheryl Gay Stolberg (19 May 2008).
  New York Times: Bush's speech prods Middle East leaders, by Sheryl Gay Stolberg (19 May 2008).
  San Francisco Chronicle: Bush to Arab leaders: Choose democracy - Mideast peace depends on growth, equal opportunity, he counsels, by Sheryl Gay Stolberg (19 May 2008).
  These articles (virtually the same article) describe Mr. Bush's speech to the Arab world at a conference he attended in Egypt following his visit to Israel. This seems to be his final position on the Annapolis peace effort he started last year wherein now he just promotes vague visions of peace in the future and criticisms of the present for Arab States for not being democratic enough.

• Los Angeles Times: Bush criticizes Arab nations for repression,
  Philadelphia Inquirer: Bush ends Mideast trip with a lecture: Too often, he said, "politics has consisted of one leader in power and the opposition in jail.",
  both article versions by Jeffrey Fleishman (19 May 2008).
  This article accurately describes the negative Arab reaction to Bush's lecture in Egypt about how they should all adopt democratic reforms and respect for human rights. They protested for example Bush's hypocritical negative responses when democratic elections did not yield results which he liked. The article does not also mention our support for Israel whom also violates human rights and interferes with elections.

• Washington Post: Two Audiences, Two Speeches, by Michael Abramowitz (19 May 2008).
  The title of this article by Michael Abramowitz is "Two Audiences, Two Speeches", and it describes how Bush attempted to balance out his strongly pro-Israel speech before the Knesset with a more pro-Palestine speech a few days later that also encouraged Israel to make sacrifices in the name of peace. The article said that only time will tell if he has been effective.

• Washington Post: Iran remains key concern as Bush returns, by Michael Abramowitz (19 May 2008).
  This article describes mixed feelings amongst Arab leaders about Bush's peace efforts and efforts to isolate Iran and Syria whom he says support terrorism, and of course their nuclear ambitions as well. One of the obstacles described is that Bush is seen as not worth supporting because he only has a few months left in office.

• Baltimore Sun: A prophetic speech? Our View: President sidesteps Israeli-Palestinian conflict (18 May 2008).
  This Editorial in the Baltimore Sun criticizes Bush for not doing enough to help realize a viable Palestinian State, but doesn't mention Israel's responsibility for the talks being stalled.

• New York Times: Israel's 'American Problem', by Jeffrey Goldberg (18 May 2008).
  This fascinating op-ed by Jeffrey Goldberg theorizes that the settlement movement is right now the greatest danger to the future of Israel because it is not allowing a viable Palestinian State to be established in the West Bank, and as a result the Palestinians will increasingly focus on creating true equality for themselves in Israel itself as Israel increasingly takes over the West Bank, and because there will soon be more Palestinians in the region than Israeli Jews, then this will mean that in the true democracy and equality they are working toward they will be able to exercise their voting rights and vote for the end of the Jewish State and the Jewish-dominated government.

• New York Times: For Israelis, an Anniversary. For Palestinians, a Nakba., by Elias Khoury (18 May 2008).
  This very interesting op-ed describes Israel's demographic challenge - that postulates that Israel's refusal to allow a viable Palestinian state to evolve in the West Bank is going to lead to everyone's destruction in a state of perpetual war while sweeping the surrounding countries toward fundamentalist extremism.

• New York Times: The Middle East in the Year 2068? Some Presidential Prognostications., by Sheryl Gay Stolberg (18 May 2008).
  This article described Bush's last visit to the Middle East, and how the Arab leaders politely criticized his speech to the Knesset and afterward. His speech painted a vision of peace and victory for his point of view, but did not give any ideas how to get there. Pretty much the article painted a picture of a President living in a bubble only seeing what he wants to see - as the world goes up in flames around him.

• Boston Globe: Bush assures Arabs of commitment to peace deal: Meets with key Mideast allies, by Michael Abramowitz (18 May 2008).
  Chicago Tribune: 'We can reach' Mideast deal this year, Bush says: White House touts 'tangible progress', by Mark Silva (18 May 2008).
  San Francisco Chronicle: Bush still committed to Israeli-Palsetinian pact: President meeting with key U.S. allies during Mideast visit, by (18 May 2008).
  Washington Post: Bush still committed to Israeli-Palestinian pact: President meeting with key U.S. allies during Mideast visit, by Michael Abramowitz (18 May 2008).
  Washington Post: After Israel, Bush seeks to reassure Palestinians, by Michael Abramowitz (18 May 2008).
  These articles describe Bush's expressions at the Arab Conference in Egypt of optimism for establishing at least the outlines of a Palestinian State by the end of his term despite the stalemate caused by Israel's decision not to halt settlement expansion, and the fighting continuing between Israel and Hamas.

• Washington Post: Bush's Comments In Israel Fuel Anger - Linking of Nazis, Iran Seen as Jab at Obama, by Michael Abramowitz (16 May 2008).
  This article about President Bush's speech to the Israeli Parliament, described the Bush administration largely accepting the failure of peace talks because "conditions have not been ripe for a settlement because, in their view, the Palestinian leadership has been an unreliable partner for peace until recently". Otherwise the speech delighted the Israelis while inflaming Palestinians because he did not use the opportunity to push the Israelis to cooperate more in the peace process, and angering the Democrats back home because it seemed to imply that Obama was like a Nazi appeaser for wanting to talk with Iran and Syria.

• Chicago Tribune: Mideast's present is tense, but Bush sees future peace, by Mark Silva and Joel Greenberg (15 May 2008).
  This article describes Bush's speech to the Knesset during Israel's birthday celebrations where he paints an optimistic future for peace in the region. He also blamed extremist groups like Hezbollah for the failure of the peace talks.

• Los Angeles Times: Bush makes second visit to Israel (15 May 2008).
  Because of the end of his presidency quickly approaching and because of the stalling of his peace efforts, this article claims his recent visit to Israel is mostly only symbolic, but then admits that his words and actions show a clear bias toward Israel.

• Washington Post: The Squeeze on the Middle East's Moderates, by David Ignatius (15 May 2008).
  David Ignatius criticizes Bush's Middle East policy for strenghtening its enemies in Iran and Syria and Lebanon while undermining the moderates in the region with its polarizing talk and refusing to reach out to its opponents. But another factor which is hurting American standing in the Middle East and Western efforts to promote democracy and respect for human rights is America's extreme support for Israel despite Israel latest move to continue settlement expansion and not limit checkpoints in the West Bank despite commitments to do the opposite at and following the Annapolis Summit.

• Washington Post: In Israel, Bush Speaks Of Hope - Fresh Mideast Violence Underlines Challenges That Negotiators Face, by Griff Witte and Michael Abramowitz (15 May 2008).
  This article in the Washington Post details some of the major obstacles stalling President Bush's peace efforts such as Israel continuing to expand settlements and not limiting checkpoints in the West Bank in overt violation of agreements made at and following the Annapolis Summit, and the continued fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. It describes these in light of Bush's enthusiastic participation in Israel's 60th birthday celebrations wherein he renewed his undying support for Israel.

• Chicago Tribune: Bush arrives in Mideast with mixed legacy in region, by Mark Silva and Joel Greenberg (14 May 2008).
  This article describes how Bush claims the legacy of being the first US President to clearly advocate for an independent Palestinian State, and then it describes Bush's peace efforts as being paralyzed only by the continued fighting between the Israeli government and Hamas in Gaza.

• Miami Herald: Salute to Israel on its 60th anniversary: Our Opinion: Despite menaces on all sides, nation continues to prosper (14 May 2008).
  This Editorial in the Miami Herald repeats Israeli claims that it wants only peace, and then names Hamas and Hezbollah as examples of obstacles to peace. The Editorial ignores Israel's settlement building and other measures which seriously hamper the peace process and destroy the chance for a viable Palestinian State.

• Philadelphia Inquirer: Bush has slim chances in peace trip to Mideast, by Dion Nissenbaum (13 May 2008).
  This article outlines numerous reasons why Bush's peace efforts with the Palestinians and Israelis have stalled, but misses a major one - that Israel refuses to halt its settlement activities which is itself a major obstacle to the establishment of a viable Palestinian State.

• Chicago Tribune: Bush's ticking clock echoes in Mideast, by Mark Silva (11 May 2008).
  This article claims that the stalemate in Bush peace efforts since the Annapolis Summit makes his current trip to Israel more symbolic than substantial, and it blames the stalemate on the political weakness of Abbas and Olmert and on the fighting between Israel and Hamas.

• Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Peace will be Israel's best feat, by Reda Mansour (8 May 2008).
  Reda Mansour's op-ed describes the pro-Israel stance that Israel only wants peace, while completely ignoring what Israel is doing to Palestinian society with its settlements, separation barrier, checkpoints, and all the other features of the occupation which seriously violate Palestinian human rights and damage their society, as well as the legalized discrimination within Israel itself.

• Philadelphia Inquirer: Editorial: 60th Anniversary - Relight the candle, (8 May 2008).
  This editorial describes the stalled progress of the peace talks as Israel celebrates its 60th anniversary, and how all parties are responsible - the Israelis, the Americans and the Palestinians, and to circumstances beyond all of their control.

• Washington Post: "Israelis Claim Secret Agreement With U.S.: Americans Insist No Deal Made on Settlement Growth" (24 April 2008)
  Israel claims Bush administration made a secret agreement with them to tolerate their settlement expansion. The Bush administration denies this, but then mostly does nothing when Israel very overtly reveals their settlement expansion plans.

• *Washington Times: "Mideast peace prospects" (21 April 2008)
  This editorial by Ziad Asali describes how Israeli settlement building obstructs the peace process, and the importance of freeing up Palestinian movement and economic activity in the occupied territories, and other very important points about the occupation.

• *National Public Radio: "Israeli-Palestinian Talks Sour Over Settlements" (7 April 2008)
  In its national news broadcast at rush hour, called "All Things Considered", National Public Radio presented a report which strongly condemned Israel's ongoing settlement expansion in violation of agreements made as part of Bush's Middle East peace efforts.

• Los Angeles Times: Cheney says a Palestinian state is 'long overdue', by Ashraf Khalil (24 March 2008).
  This article lays out clearly the conflict of positions that have paralyzed the peace process following the Annapolis Summit of last year. Cheney, mirroring the position of the Bush administration and Israel, claims that the peace process can only advance when Abbas reins in militant groups, including Hamas. But Abbas claims that progress against Hamas can only be made when Israel stops settlement and checkpoint activity, which will require US help. And yet the Bush administration continues to claim it supports the creation of a viable Palestinian State.

NON-US NEWS MEDIA PIECES

• Haaretz Daily News: Arab bloc rescinds proposal to have UN vote against Israeli settlements, by Shlomo Shamir (24 July 2008).
  The Western members of the UN Security Council forced the Arab bloc to drop its proposed UN resolution condemning Israel's continued settlement expansion. The criticism said the proposal was too narrow and should include other factors such as the problems in Gaza such as border closings and the ongoing terrorism.

• Ynet News Service: British prime minister urges Israel to stop settlement, Associated Press (20 July 2008).
  British PM Gordon Brown urges Israel to stop settlement expansion and lessen movement restrictions and pledges financial aid to the PA. He says economic development is a major key to peace.

• BBC News: Bush's Mid-East legacy, by Jonathan Marcus (15 July 2008).
  Even though conventional wisdom is that Bush's Middle East policies have backfired as they have empowered many US enemies (ex. Iran and Hezbollah), many in Israel see benefits because (1) they have led to the elimination of Saddam Hussein who caused a lot of problems in the region by attacking many neighbors, and (2) has resulted in many different groups talking to each other which had not been before, and thus have resulted in increased stability across the region with the possible exception of Iran. Finally numbers of analysts argue that a resolution of the Palestinian/Israeli conflict is just not possible right now which threatens the realization of the two state solution.

• Ha'aretz"Jerusalem Council okays 600 new Jewish homes in Arab area" (31 April 2008)
  This article from Ha'aretz, Israelis major daily newspaper, describes settlement expansion since the Annapolis Summit in general.

NEWS WIRE SERVICE ARTICLES

• Chicago Tribune, Palestinians reject partial peace accord at Olmert-Abbas summit meeting, target date in doubt,
  Boston Globe,
  Washington Post, Palestinians reject partial peace accord,
  both article-versions by Mark Lavie, Associated Press (31 August 2008) - Palestinians reject partial plan and state that the settlement expansion is the major obstacle to success in the peace efforts.
• Boston Globe,
  Washington Post:
  Abbas rejects Olmert's idea of interim peace deal, by Wafa Amr, Reuters (31 August 2008) - specific borders would be figured out later, and "... on the fate of Palestinian refugees, the aide said the United States would work internationally to provide them with compensation and discussions would begin on deciding how many could return to what is now Israel".
• Chicago Tribune President Bush's goal of forging Mideast peace deal by year's end looking unattainable,
  Boston Globe,
  Washington Post: Bush's Mideast peace timeline looking unattainable,
  both article-versions by Steven Gutkin, Associated Press (30 August 2008).
• Chicago Tribune To both Israelis and Palestinians, biblical Jordan Valley is the key to national survival,
  Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
  Boston Globe,
  Denver Post,
  Miami Herald,
  Philadelphia Inquirer,
  Washington Post, Israel tightens grip on West Bank's Jordan Valley,
  both article-versions by Karin Laub, Associated Press (30 August 2008) - this article describes Israel's settlement building and expansion in the Jordan Valley, which clearly violates previous agreements, but which they claim is necessary for security.
• Boston Globe,
  Washington Post:
  Abbas to hold further talks with Israel's Olmert, Reporting by Adam Entous in Jerusalem and writing by Allyn Fisher-Ilan, Reuters (29 August 2008).
• Chicago Tribune Palestinian president rejects idea of permanent settlement of refugees in Lebanon,
  Boston Globe,
  Washington Post, Abbas: no to settlement of refugees in Lebanon,
  both article-versions by Bassem Mroue, Associated Press (28 August 2008) - Abbas rejects Israeli Minister Livni saying ROR cannot happen.
• Washington Post
  Livni widens lead in race to replace Olmert, by Ari Rabinovitch, Reuters (28 August 2008).
• Washington Post
  Around The World: ISRAEL - Rice Issues Appeal, from News Services (27 August 2008) - quote from article - "Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called on Israel on Tuesday not to undermine peace talks with the Palestinians after a report found it had nearly doubled Jewish settlement construction".
• Los Angeles Times
  Israel frees 198 Palestinians; Rice starts latest peace mission, Reuters (26 August 2008).
• Washington Post
  Rice: peace deal still possible before Bush leaves, by Matti Friedman, Associated Press (26 August 2008).
• Chicago Tribune
  Rice says 'God willing' there is hope for Israeli-Palestinian peace, criticizes Israelis, by Matthew Lee, Associated Press (26 August 2008).
• Washington Post
  Israel settlement surge draws Rice criticism, by Arshad Mohammed, Reuters (26 August 2008).
• Washington Post
  Rice sees difficulties in Mideast talks, by Matthew Lee, Associated Press (25 August 2008).
• Washington Post
  Israel releases Palestinian prisoners, Associated Press (25 August 2008).
• Washington Post
  Israel releases 198 Palestinian prisoners as Rice visits, by Mohammed Assadi, Reuters (25 August 2008).
• Washington Post
  Around the Nation: Rice to Try Again On Peace Agreement, from News Services (25 August 2008).
• Washington Post
  Rice in longshot bid for Mideast peace progress, by Matthew Lee, Associated Press (24 August 2008).
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
  Washington Post:
  Top Israeli candidate wants unity government, by Steve Gutkin, Associated Press (21 August 2008) - quote from article "The politician with perhaps the best chance to replace Israel's embattled prime minister on Thursday called for a unity government to pursue the creation of a Palestinian state living peacefully alongside Israel... Deputy Premier Tzipi Livni, who also serves as Israel's foreign minister, said she will try to form such a government if she wins next month's primary election of the ruling Kadima Party, as polls indicate she is likely to do."
• Washington Post
  Israel opens checkpoint for Palestinian traffic, Reuters (21 August 2008).
• Washington Post
  Israel shuts Gaza crossings after rocket attack, Associated Press (20 August 2008).
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution
  WORLD IN BRIEF: Prisoners’ release in goodwill gesture, from News Services (19 August 2008).
• Washington Post
  Rocket fire prompts Israel to shut Gaza border: radio, reporting by Adam Entous and Joseph Nasr, Reuters (19 August 2008).
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution
  WORLD IN BRIEF: Prisoners freed to boost Abbas, from News Services (18 August 2008) - quote from article "Israel’s Cabinet approved the release of 200 Palestinian prisoners —- possibly including two men involved in deadly attacks on Israelis in the late 1970s —- as a goodwill gesture to the government of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Israeli officials said it was a signal that Abbas can make progress through peaceful means, in contrast to his opponents’ efforts to use force and abductions to force a deal on Palestinian statehood."
• New York Times
  World Briefing | Middle East - Israel: Prisoners to Be Released, Associated Press (18 August 2008) - quote from article "Israel said on Monday that it would free two prominent Palestinian prisoners — Said al-Atba, who has served 32 years of a life sentence, and Mohammed Abu Ali, who was elected to the Palestinian Parliament while behind bars — among 199 inmates to be released as a good-will gesture to Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president. The move drew fierce criticism from some Israeli politicians, who said it could undermine attempts to free a captured Israeli soldier, Cpl. Gilad Shalit, who was being held in the Gaza Strip, which is ruled by the militant Palestinian organization Hamas."
• Washington Post
  Israel to free long-serving Palestinian prisoners, by Diaa Hadid, Associated Press (18 August 2008).
• Washington Post
  Rice set for another Mideast visit, Reuters (18 August 2008) - the visit coordinates with the release of long-time prisoners to bolster support amongst Palestinians for Abbas.
• Washington Post
  Israel approves release of 200 jailed Palestinians, by Josef Federman, Associated Press (17 August 2008).
• Washington Post
  Israel to free prisoners in gesture to Abbas, by Avida Landau, Reuters (17 August 2008).
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• Washington Post
  Olmert rejects return of any Palestinian refugees, by Adam Entous, Reuters (14 August 2008) - quote from article "Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has told Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that Israel will not allow the return of any Palestinian refugees as part of a future statehood deal, Olmert's office said on Thursday."
• Washington Post
  Around the World: WEST BANK - Palestinians Reject Israeli Peace Proposal, from News Services (13 August 2008).
• Washington Post
  Palestinians reject proposal by Israeli PM, Reuters (12 August 2008).
• Washington Post
  Israel mulls new settler enclave in West Bank, by Allyn Fisher-Ilan, Reuters (11 August 2008).
• Washington Post
  Palestinian negotiator considers binational state, by Ali Sawafta, Reuters (10 August 2008) - this article how Israeli intransigence concerning the 4 core issues of the negotiatiions makes a viable Palestinian state virtually impossible, so they are beginning to consider the single-state solution, which the article says the Israelis won't consider because it threatens the Jewish State which is dependent on maintaining a Jewish majority.
• Christian Science Monitor
  Olmert pushes ahead on Palestinian, Syrian peace tracks, by Adam Entous, Reuters (7 August 2008).
• Washington Post
  Israel to build new homes on occupied land, Reuters (7 August 2008).
• Washington Post
  Israel to release over 150 Palestinian prisoners, by Mark Lavie, Associated Press (6 August 2008).
• Washington Post
  Israel to free Palestinian prisoners to Abbas, by Adam Entous, Reuters (6 August 2008).
• Washington Post
  Palestinians say Israel to free 120-150 prisoners, Reuters (6 August 2008).
• Chicago Tribune
  Palestinian negotiator: Israeli premier to meet Palestinian president in Jerusalem,
  Washington Post:
  Olmert, Abbas to meet Wednesday in Jerusalem
  both articles by Steve Weizman, Associated Press (5 August 2008).
• Washington Post
  Olmert and Abbas to meet in Jerusalem on Wednesday, by Adam Entous, Reuters (5 August 2008).
• Chicago Tribune
  Hamas police surround Fatah stronghold in Gaza, says it is closing in on suspects of bombing,
  Washington Post
  Hamas says it is closing in on bombing suspects,
  both article-versions by Ibrahim Barzak, Associated Press (2 August 2008).
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution
  Olmert's replacement not so simple in Israel, by Mark Lavie, Associated Press (1 August 2008).
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution
  Israeli PM to resign, Mideast peace doubts raised, by Mark Lavie, Associated Press (31 July 2008).
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution
  Olmert's impending exit deals blow to peace effort,
  Chicago Tribune
  Olmert's decision to step down deals setback to delicate talks with Palestinians and Syria,
  both articles by Steven Gutkin, Associated Press (31 July 2008).
• Chicago Tribune
  Netanyahu calls for early Israeli elections after prime minister announces resignation, by Amy Teibel, Associated Press (31 July 2008).
• Chicago Tribune
  Rice: Latest Israeli-Palestinian peace talks were fruitful; Olmert's departure not an issue,
  Washington Post
  Rice says talks with Israel, Palestinians fruitful,
  by Anne Gearan, Associated Press (30 July 2008).
• Washington Post
  Rice, Livni, Qurei meet but expectations low, by Susan Cornwell, Reuters (30 July 2008).
• Chicago Tribune
  Israeli leader doubts peace target (29 July 2008),
  Washington Post
  Israeli premier doubts peace can come in 2008 (28 July 2008),
  both articles by Matti Friedman, Associated Press.
• Washington Post
  Olmert says full Israel-Palestinian deal not in reach, by Adam Entous, Reuters (28 July 2008).
• Washington Post
  Mideast deal seems beyond reach as Rice hosts talks, by Arshad Mohammed, Reuters (28 July 2008).
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
  Boston Globe,
  Washington Post:
  Raids, budget shortfall _ a double blow for Abbas, by Karin Laub, Associated Press (27 July 2008).
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution
  Rice in diplomatic race against time, by Matthew Lee, Associated Press (26 July 2008) - this article describes how "Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is running a worldwide race against time, trying for diplomatic victories before the Bush administration ends in January" including trying to come up with some kind of Middle East peace deal.
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution
  Israel reverses stance on West Bank projects,
  Boston Globe
  Israeli committee OK's new settlement,
  both articles by Laurie Copans, Associated Press (25 July 2008).
• Washington Post
  U.S. still hopes for Israeli-Palestinian deal, by Sue Pleming, Reuters (25 July 2008).
• Washington Post
  Report: Israel to build settlement in West Bank, Associated Press (24 July 2008).
• Washington Post
  Israel revives plan to build new West Bank settlement, Reuters (24 July 2008).
• Washington Post
  Palestinians: Peace talks set for Washington, by Karin Laub, Associated Press (17 July 2008).
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution
  Israeli leader: Peace pact near, Associated Press (14 July 2008).
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
  Chicago Tribune,
  San Francisco Chronicle,
  Washington Post:
  Israel's Olmert says peace deal closer than ever, by Amy Teibel, Associated Press (13 July 2008).
• Washington Post
  Olmert says Palestinian peace deal closer than ever, by Dan Williams, Reuters (13 July 2008).
• Washington Post
  Hamas chief calls for Palestinian dialogue, Reuters (13 July 2008).
• Chicago Tribune,
  Washington Post:
  Palestinian PM complains to US on West Bank raids, by Mohammed Daraghmeh, Associated Press (11 July 2008).
• Philadelphia Inquirer
  Four parties urge Israeli-Palestinian accord, by Matthew Lee, Associated Press (25 June 2008).
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution
  Philadelphia Inquirer,
  San Francisco Chronicle:
  Diplomats plea for urgency in Mideast talks, by Matthew Lee, Associated Press (24 June 2008).
• Philadelphia Inquirer,
  San Francisco Chronicle,
  Washington Post:
  Rice urges focus on Israeli-Palestinian peace, Matthew Lee, Associated Press (23 June 2008).
• Washington Post
  Rice, Palestinians and Israelis to meet in Berlin, Reuters (23 June 2008).
• Boston Globe
  High-ranking Israeli, Palestinian officials meet Rice, by Steve Weizman, Associated Press (17 June 2008).
• Washington Post
  Abbas Fatah envoys in Gaza but Hamas talks uncertain, by Nidal al-Mughrabi, Reuters (17 June 2008).
• Washington Post
  Israel brushes aside U.S. pressure over statehood deal, Reuters (17 June 2008).
• Boston Globe
  Rice says Israeli building plans hurt peace talks - Warns Europe, White House may lose faith, by Anne Gearan, Associated Press (16 June 2008).
• Washington Post
  Rice meets jointly with Israelis and Palestinians, by Steve Weizman, Associated Press (16 June 2008).
• Washington Post
  Israel brushes aside U.S. pressure over statehood deal, by Adam Entous, Reuters (16 June 2008).
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
  Chicago Tribune,
  Miami Herald:
  Rice criticizes Israel on West Bank settlements, by Anne Gearan, Associated Press (15 June 2008).
• Philadelphia Inquirer
  Rice: Israel having negative effect on peace talks, by Anne Gearan, Associated Press (15 June 2008).
• Philadelphia Inquirer
  Settlement issue on Rice's agenda, by Laurie Copans, Associated Press (15 June 2008).
• Philadelphia Inquirer,
  Washington Post:
  Rice to press Israelis on settlements, Associated Press (15 June 2008).
• Washington Post
  Israeli settlement building hurting talks: Rice, by Arshad Mohammed, Reuters (15 June 2008).
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution
  U.S: Israeli housing plan undermines peace - 1,300 homes are planned in east Jerusalem, by Anne Gearan, Associated Press (15 June 2008).
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
  Washington Post:
  Israel curbs Palestinian building on disputed land, by Dalia Nammari, Associated Press (14 June 2008).
• San Francisco Chronicle
  Palestinians balk at Israel's east Jerusalem building plan, by Amy Teibel, Associated Press (14 June 2008).
• Washington Post
  Abbas to discuss settlement construction with Rice, by Laurie Copans, Associated Press (14 June 2008).
• Miami Herald,
  Washington Post:
  Rice: Jewish housing plan undermines peace talks, by Anne Gearan, Associated Press (14 June 2008).
• Boston Globe,
  Israel OK's more E. Jerusalem homes, by Amy Teibel, Associated Press (14 June 2008).
• New York Times
  Israel: Plans For East Jerusalem , Associated Press (14 June 2008).
  "Israel announced plans to build 1,300 more houses in East Jerusalem, angering Palestinians who warned that such plans threatened chances for a peace accord by the end of the year. The announcement brought to more than 3,000 the number of houses that Israel has approved for construction since the renewal of the peace talks on land that Palestinians think should be part of a Palestinian state. Palestinian negotiators condemned the latest plan, while Israeli officials said that most of the proposed housing would be on land that Israel has already annexed." NOTE: Both annexation of occupied territory and the settlements on occupied lands are illegal as per Geneva Conventions IV (1949).
• Philadelphia Inquirer,
  Washington Post:
  Israel OKs 1,300 east Jerusalem homes, by Amy Teibel, Associated Press (13 June 2008).
• Washington Post
  Olmert woes, dwindling time cloud Rice Mideast trip, by Arshad Mohammed, Reuters (10 June 2008).
• Miami Herald,
  Washington Post:
  Israel tells Palestinians tax revenue transferred, by Mohammed Daraghmeh, Associated Press (9 June 2008).
• Washington Post
  Hamas leader cautious on reconciliation with Abbas, by Nidal al-Mughrabi, Reuters (9 June 2008).
• Washington Post
  Rice to hold talks with Israeli, Palestinian teams, Reuters (9 June 2008).
• Washington Post
  Israelis, Palestinians to start writing peace pact, by Laurie Copans, Associated Press (7 June 2008).
• Washington Post
  Israelis, Palestinians to start writing peace pact, by Karin Laub, Associated Press (7 June 2008).
• Miami Herald,
  Washington Post:
  Israelis, Palestinians to start writing peace pact, by Amy Teibel, Associated Press (7 June 2008).
• Washington Post
  Europeans already looking beyond Bush presidency, by Deb Riechmann, Associated Press (7 June 2008).
• Washington Post
  Hamas, Fatah delegates meet Senegal's Wade: media, by Alistair Thomson and Diadie Ba, Reuters (7 June 2008).
• Washington Post
  Rice travels next week to Paris, Israel, West Bank, Reuters (6 June 2008).
• Chicago Tribune,
  Washington Post:
  Palestinian officials: Israel offers new West Bank proposal, by Mark Lavie, Associated Press (25 May 2008).
• Miami Herald:
  Abbas: No progress in talks with Israel, by Mohammed Daraghmeh, Associated Press (25 May 2008).
• Washington Post:
  Bush tries to convince Arab skeptics on peace push, by Matt Spetalnick and Tabassum Zakaria, Reuters (18 May 2008).
• Washington Post:
  Bush would return to Mideast to advance peace, Associated Press (18 May 2008).
• Washington Post:
  Bush pivots to Arab side of Mideast peace dispute, by Jennifer Loven, Associated Press (17 May 2008).
• Washington Post
  Bush turns attention to Arabs, by Jennifer Loven, Associated Press (17 May 2008).
• Washington Post:
  Bush says committed to Middle East peace efforts, by Matt Spetalnick and Tabassum Zakaria, Reuters (17 May 2008).
• Washington Post:
  Bush to discuss Palestinian concerns in talks, by Matt Spetalnick and Tabassum Zakaria, Reuters (17 May 2008).
• Washington Post:
  Bush: 'absolutely committed' to deal for Palestinian State, by Jennifer Loven, Associated Press (17 May 2008).
• Philadelphia Inquirer: Some say Bush said too little on peace, by Terence Hunt, Associated Press (16 May 2008).
• Philadelphia Inquirer: Bush unwavering in support of Israel, Associated Press (15 May 2008).
• Philadelphia Inquirer: Bush leaves it to Olmert to push Mideast peace, by Terence Hunt, Associated Press (15 May 2008).
• Philadelphia Inquirer: Bush asserts an 'unbreakable' bond links US and Israel, by Jennifer Loven, Associated Press (15 May 2008).
• New York Times:
  Washington Post: Israel firm on refugees after Bush dismays Arabs, by Alastair Macdonald and Adam Entous, Reuters (16 May 2008).
• Washington Post: Bush presents peace prophecy for Middle East, by Matt Spetalnick and Tabassum Zakaria, Reuters (15 May 2008).
• Washington Post: Bush in Israel as scandal clouds peace hopes, by Matt Spetalnick and Tabassum Zakaria, Reuters (15 May 2008).
• Philadelphia Inquirer,
  Washington Post: Bush links optimism for Mideast reform to democratic Israel, by Jennifer Loven, Associated Press (14 May 2008).
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
  Chicago Tribune,
  Miami Herald,
  Philadelphia Inquirer,
  San Francisco Chronicle,
  Washington Post: Official: Israel to expand West Bank settlements, Associated Press (14 May 2008).
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Rice: Mideast peace 'not impossible' , by Terence Hunt, Associated Press (14 May 2008).
• Miami Herald:
  San Francisco Chronicle: Rice says Mideast peace improbable, not impossible, by Terence Hunt, Associated Press (13 May 2008).
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
  Chicago Tribune,
  Miami Herald,
  San Francisco Chronicle: Palestinian PM ties better security to more jobs, by Karin Laub, Associated Press (13 May 2008).
• *New York Times: "Rice presses Israel on roadblocks", writing by Jeffrey Heller (4 May 2008).
  Reuters article condemning settlements and roadblocks deception.
• *Boston Globe: "Rice presses Israel on roadblocks", by Arshad Mohammed and Mohammed Assadi (4 May 2008).
  Reuters article condemning settlements and checkpoints.
• * Washington Post: "Rice pushes for peace progress; Israel denies hidden agenda", by Anne Gearan (4 May 2008).
  AP article with strong words against settlements and exposure of manipulation of checkpoints.
• *Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
  Washington Post: "Mideast Quartet urges Israel to stop West Bank settlements", by Gregory Katz (2 May 2008).
  AP article on Quartet and UN asking Israel to stop building settlements and to eliminate roadblocks, and also expressed concern about worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
• *Atlanta Journal-Constitution: "Report says Israel can remove 10 West Bank checkpoints" (30 April 2008).
  AP article about study showing removing some major checkpoints will not be a security risk for Israel.
• Reuters Wire News Service: "Abbas downbeat on prospects for Mideast peace" (27 April 2008)
  Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is expressing increasing pessimism about the peace process begun in Annapolis, largely due to Israeli refusal to halt settlement expansion.
• Washington Post: "Abbas appeals for more US help in peace process" (24 April 2008)
  This article makes it clear that the major obstacle to peace is the Israeli settlement policy - where Israel continues to expand settlements breaking agreements it made earlier.
• New York Times: "Bush Assures Abbas Statehood "High Priority"" (24 April 2008).
• Philadelphia Inquirer:
  *Washington Post,
  "Israeli, Palestinian Leaders to Meet" (5 April 2008)
  This article focuses mostly on the obstacles to the peace process.