Media Monitoring: H AMAS/ I SRAELI
P EACE N EGOTIATIONS
(June 19-present)

 

 

US MEDIA OPINION PIECES

 

 

US NEWS ARTICLES

 

 

US WIRE SERVICE NEWS ARTICLES

 

 

The Martyr Who Did Not Die: review of "Kill Khalid - The Failed Mossad Assassination of Khalid Mishal and the Rise of Hamas", By Paul McGeough
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/06/AR2009030602019.html
Book REVIEW BY GREG MYRE
Sunday, March 8, 2009; B01

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Around the World: THE MIDDLE EAST - Israel Reinstates Envoy
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/25/AR2009022503878.html
From Staff Reports and News Services
Thursday, February 26, 2009; Page A12

Israel's Envoy on Gaza Is Removed
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/23/AR2009022302604.html
Associated Press
Tuesday, February 24, 2009; Page A08

WORLD IN BRIEF: Critic’s firing imperils talks
http://www.ajc.com/news/content/printedition/2009/02/24/world0224.html?cxntlid=inform_sr
From News Services
Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Olmert fires top negotiator over criticism
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/401172_mid24.html
By AMY TEIBEL, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Last updated February 23, 2009 8:31 p.m. PT

US-NEWS Summary - Israel replaces envoy to Egypt talks, Hamas angry
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/25/AR2009022502045.html
Reuters
Monday, February 23, 2009; 1:10 PM

 

 

 

 

Key prisoners at center of Israeli-Hamas negotiations
By Ilene R. Prusher | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
from the February 19, 2009 edition
http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0219/p01s05-wome.html

 

 

Around the World: EGYPT - Israel Ties Blockade to Hostage
From News Services
Thursday, February 19, 2009; Page A11
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/18/AR2009021803372.html

Israel links Gaza deal to soldier's release
By Adam Entous, Reuters
Wednesday, February 18, 2009; 8:34 AM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/18/AR2009021800592.html

Israel says no cease-fire until soldier comes home
By MARK LAVIE, Associated Press Writer
Originally published Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at 2:55 PM
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008740222_apmlisraelpalestinians.html

Israel says no cease-fire until soldier comes home
By MARK LAVIE, The Associated Press
Wednesday, February 18, 2009; 5:54 PM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/18/AR2009021800238.html

MIDDLE EAST NEWS: Israel Ties Cease-Fire to Captured Soldier's
Associated Press
FEBRUARY 18, 2009, 11:12 P.M. ET
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123495954930910341.html

Around the World: Israel to Mull Prisoner Exchange
From News Services
Wednesday, February 18, 2009; Page A10
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/17/AR2009021703445.html

Israeli govt to consider Hamas prisoner swap, truce
By Adam Entous, Reuters
Tuesday, February 17, 2009; 4:09 AM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/17/AR2009021700375.html

Israel Considers Prisoner Exchange With Hamas
Associated Press
FEBRUARY 17, 2009, 10:33 P.M. ET
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123489662403002001.html

 

 

 

 

Hamas says truce with Israel is near
By Arthur Bright
from the February 14, 2009 edition
http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0213/p99s01-duts.html

Hopes Rise of Ceasefire in Gaza Strip
A WSJ NEWS ROUNDUP
FEBRUARY 14, 2009
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123453834188083277.html

Hamas Sees Cease-Fire Within Days; Israel Demurs
By ETHAN BRONNER
Published: February 13, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/14/world/middleeast/14mideast.html?_r=1

New drive for Israel, Hamas cease-fire deal
By Ilene R. Prusher | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
from the February 9, 2009 edition
http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0210/p06s01-wome.html

 

 

Israel ties truce in Gaza to soldier’s release
By Karin Laub, Associated Press
Sunday, February 15, 2009
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/printedition/2009/02/15/mideast0215.html

Israel Rules Out Truce Unless Soldier Is Freed
Associated Press
FEBRUARY 15, 2009, 9:36 P.M. ET
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123463475809688529.html

Israel links truce with Hamas to soldier's release
By KARIN LAUB, The Associated Press
Saturday, February 14, 2009; 9:15 AM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/14/AR2009021400381.html

Gaza truce deal stalls over Israeli hostage
By Joseph Nasr, Reuters
Saturday, February 14, 2009; 5:08 PM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/16/AR2009021600153.html

WORLD IN BRIEF: Lasting cease-fire could come soon
From News Services
Saturday, February 14, 2009
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/printedition/2009/02/14/world0214.html?cxntlid=inform_sr

Hamas says long-term truce with Israel imminent
By MATTI FRIEDMAN, The Associated Press
Friday, February 13, 2009; 6:57 PM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/13/AR2009021300449.html

WORLD IN BRIEF: One side reports truce deal is near
From News Services
Friday, February 13, 2009
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/printedition/2009/02/13/world0213.html?cxntlid=inform_sr

Around the World - Hamas Predicts Gaza Truce
From News Services
Friday, February 13, 2009; Page A12
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/12/AR2009021203950.html

Hamas-Israel truce agreement? - Militant group reportedly OKs 18-month cease-fire
By Salah Nasrawi | Associated Press
February 13, 2009
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-mideast-deal_13feb13,0,3594458.story

Report: Hamas deputy says militant group has agreed to long-term truce with Israel over Gaza
By SALAH NASRAWI | Associated Press Writer
4:48 PM CST, February 12, 2009
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-ml-mideast-diplomacy,0,3641767.story

Report: Hamas says agreement on long-term truce
By SALAH NASRAWI, Associated Press Writer
Originally published Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 2:50 PM
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008711056_apmlmideastdiplomacy.html

Report: Hamas says agreement on long-term truce
By SALAH NASRAWI, The Associated Press
Thursday, February 12, 2009; 5:48 PM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/12/AR2009021201204.html

Hamas-Israel truce agreed to, report says
By SALAH NASRAWI, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Last updated February 12, 2009 7:10 p.m. PT
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/399937_mideast13.html

Israeli election could boost Hamas truce talks
By JOSEF FEDERMAN, Associated Press Writer
February 11, 2009 - 3:38 p.m. EST
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/shared-gen/ap/Middle_East/ML_Israel_Gaza_Analysis.html?cxntlid=inform_sr

Inconclusive Israeli election could give boost to truce talks with Hamas, but future uncertain
By JOSEF FEDERMAN | Associated Press Writer
2:38 PM CST, February 11, 2009
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-ml-israel-gaza-analysis,0,4363826.story

Israeli election could boost Hamas truce talks
By JOSEF FEDERMAN, ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER
Last updated February 11, 2009 12:38 p.m. PT
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1107ap_ml_israel_gaza_analysis.html

Israeli election could boost Hamas truce talks
By JOSEF FEDERMAN, The Associated Press
Wednesday, February 11, 2009; 3:38 PM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/11/AR2009021102815.html

Palestinian militants shell southern Israel as Hamas and Israel work toward cease-fire
Associated Press
February 9, 2009
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-israel-gaza_09feb09,0,5608825.story

Rockets Strikes Israel As Truce Talks Continue
Associated Press
FEBRUARY 9, 2009, 12:36 A.M. ET
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123409496074260593.html

 

 

  • Los Angeles Times: Israel’s unhappy exit strategy, by Daniel Jonah Goldhagen (8 August 2008).
    This op-ed reviews six options open to Israel for dealing with populist terrorist organizations like Hezbollah and Hamas. The problem is that none of them really work very well, and many of them involve devastating human rights consequences which Israel and the world find unaceeptable. The author wishes to remind us that such a factor might be unavoidable because of what Israel is fighting (Islamic fundamentalism), which means that Israel is not just fighting for itself, but for all of us, as it seeks to restore a global balance between the non-secular civilized world and the extremist religious one. The author however can not imagine the idea that maybe the extremists are right about Israel although without knowing it - that Israel really is a criminal state that should not exist unless the true majority population votes it in - which itself is unimaginable.

  • New York Times: Blair Cancels Visit to Gaza After Israel Warns of Threat, by Isabel Kershner and Taghreed el-Khodary (16 July 2008).
    This article describes the controversy over Blair's cancelled visit to Gaza. Israel and Blair claim it was because of a specific security threat, but Hamas claims the cancellation was due to pressure from Israel and others, and that Israel manufactured the security threat to jeopardize the visit.

  • Miami Herald: Support truce with Hamas, by A.B. Yehoshua (11 July 2008).
    This article supports the truce agreement between Hamas and Israel, and offers 5 concrete suggestions to help keep it going such as opening borders more and easing restrictions on Gazan residents who have employment in Israel and reducing attacks on Hamas who are in the West Bank. The author suggests that such measures will help build bonds between the two societies.

  • Christian Science Monitor: Reality check on Middle East talks, by Rayyan Al-Shawaf (2 July 2008).
    This article describes the positions and leverage of Israel, Hamas, Syria and lebanon in the negotiations going on.

  • Atlanta Journal-Constitution: WORLD IN BRIEF: Attacks, closings strain new truce (27 June 2008).
    This article describes the struggle over the Gaza truce between Gaza Palestinian groups and Israel. The article is somewhat balanced because it mentions both the Palestinian violations (rocket attacks) and the Israeli violations (border closures). But the article does not describe the Israeli shootings of Palestinian Gaza civilians at all (which also is clearly a truce violation).

  • Boston Globe: Gaza truce holds despite pressure - Both sides strain fragile agreement, by Isabel Kershner (27 June 2008).
    This article describes the struggle over the Gaza truce between Gaza Palestinian groups and Israel. But the article is clearly biased toward Israel in that it only thoroughly describes the Palestinian violations (rocket attacks), attributes them only to retaliation for Israeli actions in West Bank (which the truce does not cover). The article does describe the Israeli border closure as itself a violation (because the truce terms do not allow Israel to halt border openings in response to violations) and the article does mention Israeli shootings of Palestinian Gaza civilians, but gives the Israeli rationalization without mentioning that this rationale does not cancel out it still being a violation.

  • Chicago Tribune: Rockets fly in 2nd breach of Gaza truce - Fragile cease-fire in peril as Israel reseals border, by Joel Greenberg (27 June 2008).
    This article describes the struggle over the Gaza truce between Gaza Palestinian groups and Israel. But the article is clearly biased toward Israel in that it only thoroughly describes the Palestinian violations (rocket attacks), and attributes them only to retaliation for Israeli actions in West Bank (which the truce does not cover), but it also does describe the Israeli border closure as violations (but again only as a claim by the Palestinians) and Israeli shootings of Palestinian Gaza civilians (but gives the Israeli explanation as fact).

  • Los Angeles Times: Gaza militants fire rockets into Israel (27 June 2008).
    This article describes the struggle over the Gaza truce between Gaza Palestinian groups and Israel. But the article is clearly biased toward Israel in that it only thoroughly describes the Palestinian violations (rocket attacks), attributes them only to retaliation for Israeli actions in West Bank (which the truce does not cover), and does not describe the Israeli border closure as itself a violation (because the truce terms do not allow Israel to halt border openings in response to violations) and also does not describe the Israeli shootings of Palestinian Gaza civilians (which is clearly a truce violation).

  • New York Times: Truce Is Strained as Militants Launch Rockets and Israel Keeps Goods Out of Gaza, by Isabel Kershner (27 June 2008).
    This article describes the struggle over the Gaza truce between Gaza Palestinian groups and Israel. But the article is clearly biased toward Israel in that it only thoroughly describes the Palestinian violations (rocket attacks), attributes them only to retaliation for Israeli actions in West Bank (which the truce does not cover), and does not describe the Israeli border closure as itself a violation (because the truce terms do not allow Israel to halt border openings in response to violations). But the article does describe the Israeli shootings of Palestinian Gaza civilians (which is clearly a truce violation), but does not label it as such.

  • Atlanta Journal-Constitution: WORLD IN BRIEF: Militants put cease-fire in jeopardy (25 June 2008).
    This article describes the struggle over the Gaza truce between Gaza Palestinian groups and Israel. But the article is clearly biased toward Israel in that it only describes the Palestinian violations (rocket attacks), and does not describe the Israeli border closure as itself a violation (because the truce terms do not allow Israel to halt border openings in response to violations) and Israeli shootings of Palestinian Gaza civilians (which is clearly a truce violation).

  • Chicago Tribune: Rockets fly again as Gaza truce broken - Barrage sparked by Israeli raid in West Bank,
    Los Angeles Times: Israel shuts Gaza crossings after militants violate truce,
    both articles by Joel Greenberg (25 June 2008).
    Both of these articles describe the struggle over the Gaza truce between Gaza Palestinian groups and Israel. But the articles are clearly biased toward Israel in that they only thoroughly describes the Palestinian violations (rocket attacks), attributes them only to retaliation for Israeli actions in West Bank (which the truce does not cover), and do not describe the Israeli border closure as itself a violation (because the truce terms do not allow Israel to halt border openings in response to violations) and do not describe at all the Israeli shootings of Palestinian Gaza civilians (which is clearly a truce violation).

  • Miami Herald: Militants' rockets threaten Gaza cease-fire, by Dion Nissenbaum (25 June 2008).
    This article describes the struggle over the Gaza truce between Gaza Palestinian groups and Israel. But the article is clearly biased toward Israel in that it only thoroughly describes the Palestinian violations (rocket attacks), attributes them only to retaliation for Israeli actions in West Bank (which the truce does not cover), and does not describe the Israeli border closure as itself a violation (because the truce terms do not allow Israel to halt border openings in response to violations) and also does not describe at all the Israeli shootings of Palestinian Gaza civilians (which is clearly a truce violation).

  • Washington Post: Gazan Rockets Threaten Truce: Islamic Jihad Cites Israeli Operation in West Bank, by Griff Witte and Samuel Sockol (25 June 2008).
    This article describes the struggle over the Gaza truce between Gaza Palestinian groups and Israel. But the article is clearly biased toward Israel in that it only thoroughly describes the Palestinian violations (rocket attacks), attributes them only to retaliation for Israeli actions in West Bank (which the truce does not cover), and does not describe the Israeli border closure as itself a violation (because the truce terms do not allow Israel to halt border openings in response to violations) and Israeli shootings of Palestinian Gaza civilians (which is clearly a truce violation).

  • New York Times: Israel in the Season of Dread, by Ethan Bronner (22 July 2008).
    This article describes the general state of dread and pessimism in Israel where many see the Hamas truce as a victory for Hamas, and where many are obsessed with bringing home the kidnapped soldiers who are most likely dead.

  • Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Truce takes effect; many still skeptical, by Isabel Kershner (20 June 2008).
    This article describes feelings about the truce amongst civilians and government officials. Many in Israel doubt it will last, or fear it will give militants an opportunity to rearm, many in Gaza welcome the break from the fighting and the possibility of the borders re-opening to allow goods to go back and forth. Many also see it as a victory for Hamas who has overcome Israel's efforts to squeeze Hamas out of Gaza.

  • Boston Globe: GLOBE EDITORIAL: The cease-fire in Gaza (20 June 2008).
    This editorial postulates that the in order for the truce between Hamas and Israel to truly succeed it must lead to the next step - "a durable two-state peace agreement", and in order for that to happen, Israel must lift the economic blockade and Hamas must control the smaller more extreme militant groups. And this could then help Israel's efforts to reachout to Syria. This would benefit everyone. It is also significant that all this is taking place without the help of the US and Bush.

  • New York Times: Truce Starts for Israel and Hamas in Gaza, by Isabel Kershner (20 June 2008).
    This article describes the political posturing and maneuvering behind and in response to the Israel-Hamas truce. Most important - (1) both sets of civilians express relief, (2) both sides are verbally provoking the other, (3) both sides are guessing it won't last, (4) many see the fact that Israel is willing to speak with Hamas as a victory for Hamas, (5) many t hink it is a prelude to an Israeli invasion, (6) now there are overtures from Fatah to talk about a unity government.

  • San Francisco Chronicle: Tentative peace in the Middle East brings doubts, by Matthew Kalman (20 June 2008).
    This article describes the truce between Hamas and Israel, which has held for one full day. The article descrbies the truce as a victory for Hamas. But people on both sides have doubts while they welcome the effort and hope it lasts.

  • Washington Post: In Gaza and Israel, a Wary Quiet, by Griff Witte (20 June 2008). This article documents the truce between Israel and Hamas, which both fear is only temporary, not trusting the other to maintain it.

  • New York Times: Strengthening Extremists, by Nicholas D. Kristof (19 June 2008).
    This op-ed describes how the Gaza blockade by Israel is an example of collective punishment, and how it has backfired because it has empowered Hamas by making it look like the victim, which has hurt Palestinian moderates, Israel and the USA. And the article gives other examples as well.

  • Philadelphia Inquirer: Gaza truce just part of Israel's overtures - Its cease-fire with Hamas was to start today. Now, Israel has asked Lebanon to open peace talks., by Griff Witte (19 June 2008).
    This article describes Israeli negotiations with Hamas, Hezbollah, Syrians and its overtures to Lebanon, in contradition to Bush's policy of isolation of enemies, which Israel previously also followed. But Lebanon is not positive on the idea because of Israel continuing to hold the Shebaa Farm area.

  • Washington Post: Truce in Gaza - A Middle East conflict is postponed (19 June 2008). This article describes one motivation for Israel reaching out to Hamas is that the Gaza blockade has become a major motivator for extremism, but the effort to weaken Hamas has been hampered by failure to significantly strengthen and support Abbas in the West Bank, and the scandal enveloping the Olmert administration in Israel. And for both these reasons many theorize that Olmert has turned toward negotiations with others (Syria, Hezbollah, Lebanon) to distract from these problems.

  • Boston Globe: Israel and Hamas agree to cease-fire, by Griff Witte and Ellen Knickmeyer (18 June 2008).
    This article describes the truce developing between Hamas and Israel, and its many terms (from Hamas - stopping the rockets and arms smuggling and return of kidnapped soldier; from Israel- open borders and stop military incursions). Many doubt it will last, and some see it as a victory for Hamas, and by extension Iran. Many welcome it though as a relief, but others are afraid it will only give the militants a chance to rearm. If this does not work, then some only see a full-scale military invasion as Israel's only remaining option, but they fear this will only lead to an ineffective occupation that really won't stop the rockets.

  • Los Angeles Times: Gaza truce conditions (18 June 2008).
    This article describes "the truce terms as reported by Egyptian and Palestinian sources":
    • Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip and Israel’s armed forces will begin a period of “mutual and simultaneous calm,” halting all hostilities and military activities against each other, starting at 6 a.m. Thursday.
    • The truce will last 60 days and can be renewed.
    • If the truce holds for three days, Israel will open two border crossings to a limited flow of commercial goods into and out of the Gaza Strip. Palestinian sources say the volume of goods would reach 30% of its level a year ago.
    • Also, if the truce holds for three days, Israel and Hamas would start indirect negotiations through Egypt for the release of captured Israeli Cpl. Gilad Shalit.
    • If the truce holds for a week, there will be a further, gradual easing of restrictions on the flow of goods.
    • If the truce holds for two weeks, Egypt will begin negotiations with Hamas, Israel, the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority and the European Union on terms for reopening the Rafah crossing to allow commercial goods and people to move between Egypt and Gaza.
    • A reopening of the Rafah crossing will depend, among other things, on progress in the negotiations over the fate of Shalit.
    • Miami Herald: Israel, Hamas near six-month cease-fire, by Dion Nissenbaum (18 June 2008).
      This article discusses the Hamas/Israeli truce, saying both sides see it as fragile but holding potential. If this truce holds, then the borders could be opened by Israel, and the rocket attacks will stop from Gaza, but the return of the captured soldier in Gaza is not part of this deal according to Hamas. These talks parallel talks between Israel and Hezbollah who hold two soldiers captive.

    • New York Times: Israel Agrees to Truce with Hamas on Gaza, by Isabel Kershner (18 June 2008).
      This article describes the details behind the Hamas/Israeli truce.

    • Washington Post: Israel, Hamas Agree on Gaza Strip Truce, by Griff Witte and Ellen Knickmeyer (18 June 2008). This describes the cease-fire in Gaza - how it must hold because the only alternative for Israel is large-scale invasion to knock Hamas out of power, which most likely would lead to the Israeli military being stuck there. Israel would only agree to it applying to Gaza, and only releasing benefits slowly as the cease-fire survived. Both sides also feared it will not last.

    • Boston Globe: Israeli Cabinet votes to seek truce with militants in Gaza, by Isabel Kershner (12 June 2008),
      New York Times: Israeli Cabinet Votes to Seek Truce in Gaza, by Isabel Kershner (12 June 2008).
      This article describes the internal Israeli government debate about the truce with Hamas. Most recognize the need for an end to the violence, while being concerned that such a break will give the militants an opportunity to rearm and regroup. Others think it is important to cooperate to appease the Egyptians who are moderating the talks, and to show that Israel is doing everything it can before finally resorting to a full-scale invasion, which many think would end up being inconclusive.

    • Boston Globe: Abbas's misbegotten peace bid, by Sara Bjerg Moller (11 June 2008).
      This op-ed condemns Abbas reaching out to Hamas after giving up on negotiations with Israel because the author theorizes that Hamas and by extension a national-unity government are both bad for the Palestinian people because Hamas's terrorist stance leads to isolation from the international community. The author says Israel should compromise in order to keep this from happening. The suggested compromises are lessening checkpoints and halting settlement expansion, both of which Israel has refused to do.

    • Chicago Tribune: Cutting off Hamas is just not the answer, by Mohamad Bazzi (4 June 2008).
      This Op-Ed describes how the Bush/Israeli policy of refusing to speak with enemies is counter-productive because it radicalizes the public and increases sympathy for the extremists they are trying to isolate. The author gives the example of how our efforts to isolate the PLO led to support for Hamas whom are even more extreme.

    • Chicago tribune: The damage done by talking to Hamas, by Michael C. Kotzin (4 June 2008).
      This op-ed condemns President Carter for speaking to Hamas which the author only sees in the most extremist ways as a violent militant Islamic fundamentalist group, and then repeats the policy of George Bush that talking to Hamas only gives it legitimacy and status.

    • New York Times: Peace Fills a Vacuum, by Hussein Agha and Robert Malley (3 June 2008).
      This article describes the irony of 3 different diplomatic efforts that seemed to have evolved out of the Annapolis peace effort, but which are developing in opposing directions without Bush's help, and away from what Bush, the founder of the Annapolis effort, anticipated or recommends. The 3 discussions are (1) between Israel and Hamas, (2) between Israel and Syria, and (3) between the Lebanese government and Hezbollah. The article discusses the loss of respect for Bush in the region as a major reason for this contrarian development, which is yet still aimed toward increasing the peace in the region. These authors theorize that the loss of respect can be attributed largely to Bush's policies of not talking with enemies, but also this growing disrespect is due to Bush's refusal to do anything about Israel's refusal to halt settlement expansion in violation of Annapolis agreements, which exposed Bush's true bias toward Israel.

    • Los Angeles Times: Israeli attacks kill 5 Palestinian militants in Gaza (24 May 2008).
      This report describes the killing of 5 Palestinian militants by the Israeli military. But it also describes how Israel and Hamas continue to try to negotiate a truce.

    • New York Times: Suicide bomber attacks Gaza crossing, by Isabel Kershner (23 May 2008).
      This article describes the positions of the Palestinian militants who keep up violent attacks on Israeli positions with the idea that this will somehow stop the Israeli embargo of Gaza, but then the Israeli response is to tighten the emgargo.

    • New York Times: Carter says Hamas and Syria are open to peace, by Ethan Bronner (22 May 2008).
      In defiance of President Bush and the Israelis, ex-President Jimmy Carter meets with Syrian and Hamas representatives and publicly speaks of their openness to peace talks with Israel including a willingness to compromise on some issues.

    • New York Times: France admits contacts with Hamas, by Steven Erlanger (20 May 2008)
      San Francisco Chronicle: France confirms Hamas contacts: Disclosure follows Bush comment on Nazi appeasement,
      Washington Post: France discloses 'contacts' with Hamas,
      later two articles by Molly Moore (20 May 2008).
      These 3 articles described the controversy caused when France recently admitted shortly after Bush made a major speech condemning talking with enemies that it had been holding talks with Hamas.

    • New York Times: Defying Israel, Carter meets Hamas leader, by Robert F. Worth (19 May 2008).
      This article gives a very objective account of President Jimmy Carter's meeting with Hamas leadership, and what he asked for. However, as with most reports on this meeting, it did not describe what the leaders of Hamas asked for. The article finished mentioning Israeli plans to continue expanding settlements in the West Bank.

    • 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.

    • Washington Post: "Mr. Zahar and Mr. Carter: The former president, on what he says is a road to peace, embraces Hamas terrorists" (17 April 2008)
      This Post Editorial criticizes President Carter for reaching out to Hamas in a very overt way, and yet acknowledges that Israel is now reaching out to Hamas in a covert way through Egypt.

    • Washington Post: "No Peace Without Hamas" (17 April 2008)
      We should write and thank the Washington Post for publishing this Commentary by Mahmoud al-Zahar.

    • USA Today: "Carter Angers Israel During Visit" (15 April 2008)
      This astounding article describes the effort of President Carter to bridge the gap between Hamas and the West - he visited the grave of Yasser Arafat, and he met with, and even hugged Nasser Shaier, one of the leaders of Hamas.

    ...more...

     

 

...more...

 

 

Gaza's top strongman emerges from 6 weeks in hiding
Hamas' Mahmoud Zahar goes to Egypt, which is mediating indirect talks between Israel and militant group
By Ibrahim Barzak | Associated Press February 8, 2009
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-hamasfeb08,0,58808.story

Hamas team crosses to Egypt for talks
Associated Press
February 8, 2009
http://theenvelope.latimes.com/la-fg-hamas8-2009feb08,0,7098097.story

Hamas says no Cairo truce talks on Saturday
By Khaled Yacoub Oweis, Reuters
Saturday, February 7, 2009; 6:09 AM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/07/AR2009020700981.html

Hamas officials have no cease-fire, but have suitcases of cash, as they try to leave Egpyt
By SARAH EL DEEB | Associated Press Writer
2:10 PM CST, February 5, 2009
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-ml-mideast-diplomacy,0,3641767.story

Hamas negotiators stopped with suitcases of cash
By SARAH EL DEEB, The Associated Press
Thursday, February 5, 2009; 3:09 PM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/05/AR2009020501504.html

Israel, Gaza trade strikes; truce talks pick up
Mark Lavie, Associated Press
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/02/04/MNIP15MFMJ.DTL&hw=MARK+LAVIE&sn=005&sc=543

WORLD IN BRIEF: New attacks dim truce negotiations
From News Services
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/printedition/2009/02/03/world0203.html?cxntlid=inform_sr

Israeli leader sees no Hamas talks - Amid new attacks, group arrives in Cairo to begin negotiating for long-term truce.
By Aron Heller, Associated Press
Posted on Tue, Feb. 3, 2009
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/world_us/38847232.html

Hamas prepared for 1-year truce with open borders
By SARAH EL DEEB, The Associated Press
Tuesday, February 3, 2009; 5:14 PM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/03/AR2009020300822.html

Israel rules out Hamas contacts, threatens force
By ARON HELLER, The Associated Press
Tuesday, February 3, 2009; 1:16 AM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/02/AR2009020200378.html

Hamas to meet Egypt mediators on truce with Israel
By OMAR SINAN, The Associated Press
Monday, February 2, 2009; 4:28 PM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/02/AR2009020201054.html

Sarkozy gives father of captured soldier hope
By ELAINE GANLEY, The Associated Press
Tuesday, January 27, 2009; 3:00 PM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/27/AR2009012701946.html

France asks Syria to help free Israeli soldier
By Khaled Yacoub Oweis, Reuters
Tuesday, January 27, 2009; 9:28 AM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/27/AR2009012701164.html

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