TheRepublic.com - Israel government News

Jordan king says extremism 'grown fat' on conflict

Sat, 25 May 2013 07:25:20 -0400

SOUTHERN SHUNEH, Jordan - Jordan's King Abdullah II said Saturday extremism has "grown fat" off of the longstanding conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

Kerry's focus on peace talks, not settlements

Fri, 24 May 2013 07:35:22 -0400

TEL AVIV, Israel - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry urged Israel's government on Friday to prevent further settlement construction where possible to help revitalize Middle East peace hopes, but stressed that the Jewish state and Palestinians alike should remain focused on the larger goal of restarting direct negotiations.

Israel to discuss military draft reform proposal

Thu, 23 May 2013 15:42:42 -0400

JERUSALEM - An official Israeli committee on Thursday handed the government its proposal for ending a contentious system that grants Jewish ultra-Orthodox seminary students automatic exemptions from military service, setting the stage for what could become the first major conflict in the new Israeli coalition government.

Young objector challenges Israeli army

Wed, 22 May 2013 02:51:58 -0400

JERUSALEM - The Israeli military has jailed a young man for six months for refusing to serve because of his opposition to Israel's occupation of the West Bank, focusing attention on the longstanding conflict between the country's universal military service and divided political beliefs.

Israeli military chief warns Syrian regime

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:58:12 -0400

JERUSALEM - Israel's military chief issued a stern warning to Bashar Assad on Tuesday, saying the Syrian leader would "bear the consequences" of any more attacks on Israeli forces near the Syrian border.

Israel, Palestinians still arguing over epic image

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:06:20 -0400

JERUSALEM - A new Israeli report into the death of a Palestinian boy during a fierce gunbattle in the Gaza Strip more than a dozen years ago has reignited an emotional debate over who killed him - and how the incident has shaped perspectives of the Mideast conflict.

Critics assail Israeli silence on Arab peace plan

Wed, 15 May 2013 02:20:51 -0400

JERUSALEM - On the surface, the Arab League's improved peace initiative offers Israel everything it ever dreamed of - normal relations with an entire region that has long objected to the very existence of the Jewish state, and even the chance to keep some war-won land.

Putin and Netanyahu to discuss Syrian conflict

Mon, 13 May 2013 14:27:54 -0400

MOSCOW - President Vladimir Putin's talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Russia on Tuesday will focus on the situation in Syria, the Kremlin said, amid growing concerns that Moscow may soon provide Damascus with an advanced anti-aircraft weapon.

China urges Israel to hold talks with Palestinians

Wed, 08 May 2013 22:10:21 -0400

BEIJING - China's premier has urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to remove obstacles to restarting talks with the Palestinians, as Beijing seeks to bring its growing international influence to bear on the Middle East peace process.

Obama, Netanyahu discuss regional security issues

Wed, 08 May 2013 16:48:29 -0400

WASHINGTON - The White House says President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have spoken by phone about regional security issues and Middle East peace.

Netanyahu: Jewish people capable of own defense

Tue, 07 May 2013 20:47:19 -0400

SHANGHAI - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited a Shanghai neighborhood where European Jews found refuge during World War II, saying Israel's strong military would ensure they would never again have to seek such protection from others.

Analysis: Syria has limited response options

Tue, 07 May 2013 17:21:41 -0400

BEIRUT - The Syrian regime on Tuesday dispatched an obscure proxy, a Damascus-based Palestinian militant group, to threaten retaliation for two Israeli airstrikes over the weekend.

Turkey criticizes Israeli airstrikes on Syria

Tue, 07 May 2013 06:34:16 -0400

ANKARA, Turkey - Turkey's prime minister has denounced Israeli airstrikes on Syria, saying the attacks help strengthen Syrian President Bashar Assad's hand.

A look at reasons for Israeli airstrikes in Syria

Sun, 05 May 2013 15:22:41 -0400

BEIRUT - A look at the reasons for and possible implications of the escalation of Israel's involvement in Syria's civil war.

Israeli raids in Syria highlight Arab conundrum

Sun, 05 May 2013 12:54:00 -0400

CAIRO - Five weeks ago, the head of the Arab League capped a summit in Qatar with an impassioned appeal to strengthen the rebel fighters trying to bring down Syrian President Bashar Assad. On Sunday, he denounced Israeli's airstrike into Assad's territory as a dangerous threat to regional stability.

Obama says he won't comment on Israeli airstrike

Sat, 04 May 2013 18:16:06 -0400

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica - President Barack Obama says he won't comment on an Israeli airstrike against Syria that targeted a shipment of advanced missiles believed to be headed for the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

Officials: Israel launches airstrike into Syria

Fri, 03 May 2013 23:31:23 -0400

WASHINGTON - Israel launched an airstrike into Syria, apparently targeting a suspected weapons site, U.S. officials said Friday night.

Arab League sweetens Israel-Palestinian peace plan

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:20:07 -0400

JERUSALEM - The Arab League's decision to sweeten its decade-old proposal offering comprehensive peace with Israel has placed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a bind and swiftly exposed fissures in his new government.

Israel: Iran has not crossed nuclear 'red line'

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:31:47 -0400

JERUSALEM - Israel's prime minister on Monday said that Iran is steadily edging closer to nuclear weapons capability but has not yet reached the "red line" he drew in a speech to the United Nations last fall.