Headlines for 09-21-07

Bush to hold first direct talks with Tony Blair as Middle East envoy


Israeli Public Security Minister bans charitable Ramadan breakfast in Jerusalem Under Israeli legislation, the Public Security Minister can prevent and bar meetings of any kind at their discretion. Those scheduled to attend included Christian and Islamic religious figures.


PCHR Calls for Investigating Torture and Abuse by Palestinian Security Forces in the West Bank


Student challenges Gaza lockdown in court


Syria strike: US shared intelligence with Israel However, there is considerable scepticism of the intelligence that prompted Israel's attack, with some proliferation experts querying whether Syria is even attempting to acquire nuclear weapons. The quality of the Israeli intelligence is also unknown, as is the extent of North Korean co-operation. Some people have suggested that a North Korean ship merely unloaded items it no longer needed.


Non-violent protest near Bethlehem


Egypt hits at EU for U.N. nuclear vote abstention Egypt criticised the European Union on Friday for failing to support a U.N. atomic watchdog resolution calling on all Middle East nations to renounce atomic weapons ? a clear reference to Israel's undeclared arsenal.


Israeli police deny worshippers access to al-Aqsa mosque


Oxfam's partners in Gaza warn of Israel's decision outcomes to declare Gaza a "hostile entity"


Israel: Groups condemn government A coalition of Israeli human rights groups condemned the government's decision this week to cut back fuel and electricity supplies to the Gaza Strip, saying it violated international law.


Hamas rebuffed in approach to Israel: source A prominent Hamas official tried to open discussions with Israel to ease confrontation in the Gaza Strip but was rebuffed, a Palestinian official familiar with the situation told Reuters on Friday.


Iran cleric hears "death knell" for Mideast peace plan A senior Iranian cleric said on Friday the "death knell" had sounded for a U.S.-sponsored Arab-Israeli peace conference, which has drawn skeptical remarks from some Arab countries that are expected to take part.


Israel blocks Muslim worshippers Israel stopped thousands of Palestinians from entering Jerusalem for Ramadan prayers at the al-Aqsa mosque on Friday and tightened border security as Jews prepared for the solemn annual rite of Yom Kippur.


Israel consulted US before Syria strike, report says ** We are getting much closer to another Middle East war that's going to involve several countries. And if you think the price of gasoline is high NOW...


Haniyeh in negotiations to bring an end to home-made shell fire


ICAHD: GAZA; A CALL FOR URGENT ACTION


At a Philadelphia Synagogue, Fear of Walt/Mearsheimer (and the Myth of Jewish Powerlessness)


Crowds attend Lebanese MP funeral


ZOA, OU concerned at Ramon offer Two U.S. Jewish groups expressed concerns that top Israeli officials were proposing sharing Jerusalem with the Palestinians.


UN chief names Israeli musician Daniel Barenboim peace envoy


Citizenship case takes a new twist A computer expert who pioneered text-to-speech software, Mahd, 34, is representing himself. He was born totally blind to Palestinian refugees in Jordan and came to the United States as a teenager with the help of U.S. officials. He has worked for IBM and on government contracts, living in the country legally for 17 years.


Israeli authorities deny Catholic priest re-entry into West Bank Father Faris Khaleifat of Annunciation Church, a Melkite Catholic parish in Ramallah, was returning to his parish when Israeli authorities at the Al Sheik Hussein Bridge crossing canceled his multiple-entry visa without explanation Sept. 14.


Iran and Israel face off over nuclear weapons Iran called for UN inspectors to be dispatched to verify whether Israel has nuclear weapons, in a heated showdown with the Jewish state at a meeting of the UN atomic agency Friday.


Palestinian plight in Lebanon worsens


US, Israel shared intel before Syria raid: report


Barak: Israel shouldn't appease U.S. president with one year left In statements made to Haaretz, Barak warned against a "withdrawal from Israeli principles that have stood for 40 years, merely to gain favor in the eyes of an American president who is leaving office in a year."