Headlines for 12-25-07

Hamas: Past negotiations bring nothing for Palestinians A spokesman for Hamas said Tuesday that years of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians gave everything to the occupation but nothing to the Palestinians.


In pictures: Christians around the world gather to mark the birth of Jesus


With Shalit on table, Israel weighs ceasefire with Hamas Although they are not talking to each other directly, Israel and Hamas may be about to strike a deal that would include a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the abducted Israeli soldier Cpl. Gilad Shalit.


6 Qassams fired at western Negev; no injuries reported


UAE reaffirms solidarity with Palestinians


In photos: 'Bethlehem Christmas Eve'


Two Palestinians injured in beating by Jewish settlers in West Bank Masked Jewish settlers beat and injured Palestinian farmers in a field near the West Bank city of Nablus on Tuesday, Palestinian witnesses and doctors said. The farmers need escorts over there for protection from the increasingly violent inhabitants of the illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian land. Whaddya suppose Americans would do if squatters showed up to take their land, and then beat them when they tried to farm what little they were left with? Palestinians have a lot more patience than I would, particularly given that international_law is on their side and yet still no one stops Israel from breaking it.


Palestinians throw explosives at IDF soldiers operating in West Bank


Fatah official: Hamas takeover of Gaza "a political gift to Israel"


Egypt rejects Israeli criticism on arms smuggling Egypt on Tuesday rejected Israeli criticism of its efforts to clamp down on arms smuggling into Gaza, also announcing the discovery of two tunnels a day before a visit by Israel's defence minister.


Palestinian cooking ‹ LOW PROFILE, HIGH FLAVOR With so many families destroyed by poverty and fighting -- more than 80 percent of Gazans and almost 50 percent of West Bankers live on less than $2 a day -- the attention paid to food elsewhere in the world can seem frivolous.



Hamas concerned over Israeli army actions against resistance


A Ramallah cabinet member: the government ready to control Gaza's crossings.


Palestinian interior minister: security arrangements in the West Bank efficient


Fatah loyalists break out of Egyptian police camps


Two Palestinians injured in Israel air attacks


Hamas releases senior Fatah sympathizer, six months after arrest


UN Observer: Group demands end to israeli infiltration of British Parliament Israel?s deep penetration of our political system, says the group, is preventing Britain from taking a principled stand on Middle East matters, including the long catalogue of grotesque violations of Palestinian human rights, of which the Gaza siege is only the latest example. Conservative Friends of Israel, for example, claim the support of 80 percent of Tory MPs.


Jews and Muslims see the US as a place to make peace


IAF interested in new US-made jet Fearing the possibility that airfields will be bombed and destroyed during a war, the Israel Air Force has expressed interest in purchasing a squadron of Joint Strike Fighters (JSF) with vertical take-off and landing capabilities.


US institute: Israel could survive nuclear war ** Even if Iran gained the means and knowledge to create nuclear weapons, according to the report it would still be limited to 100 kiloton weapons, which can cause a far smaller radius of destruction than the 1 megaton bombs Israel allegedly possesses. .......The report cites Israel's Arrow missile defense system as an obstacle facing a possible Iranian strike and says that it could shoot down most of the missiles. Israel, on the other hand, would be capable of hitting most of the Iranian cities with pinpoint accuracy due to the high resolution satellite imagery systems at its disposal.


Iranian Jews immigrate to Israel The new immigrants were offered $10,000 each by Zionist charities to make the move, officials said. More than 200 Iranians have immigrated to Israel in 2007, up from 65 the year before.


Israelis, Palestinians believe Annapolis failed A majority on both sides believe that the peace conference last month in Annapolis, Md., was a failure.


Idea of McCain-Lieberman ticket is the buzz at Orthodox parley "Do you believe we're facing an existential threat to the state of Israel and the United States from Islamo-Nazi terror?" he asked with rhetorical flourish at one point during the session at the O.U. event. "Or do you believe, as the Democrats do, that President Bush is more of a threat to world peace than the Iranian mullahs?" Across the board, Medved insisted, the Republican candidates are more solidly pro-Israel and ready to take on Iran than any of the Democrats. "



Debunking Israel Lobby, Study Shows Growing Alienation of American Jews From Israel In an interview with Tikkun, Rep. James Moran (D-VA) described AIPAC as "very well organized...If you cross AIPAC, AIPAC is unforgiving and will destroy you politically...Every member knows it's the best-organized national lobbying force...Most people that are involved in foreign policy especially look at a broad range of issues and consider a person's entire voting record. AIPAC considers the voting record only as it applies to Israel."


Religious group aids Palestinian seniors "Caring for Palestinian elders is one way we contribute to bringing peace and goodwill to the world," said Mary Baich, president and CEO of Vesper Society. That's one of the sweetest things I've heard in a long time. God bless 'em.


GOP field's focus on immigration has some Jewish groups worried Even Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor seen as moderate on immigration, recently introduced a get-tough policy plan, which includes a call for a crackdown on dual citizens -- a move that might make it a crime for Americans who hold Israeli citizenship to use Israeli passports to enter the Jewish state or vote in its elections.