What Is Israel's Next Move In The New Middle East?

by Daniel Pipes

Moment Magazine

May/June 2011

Moment Magazine asked: "In recent months, the Middle East has been set aflame by democratic uprisings, popular protests, brutal crackdowns, political upheaval and international military intervention, shattering conventional wisdom about the region. Israel—surrounded by a newly unstable Arab world and confronting a Palestinian march toward statehood—faces uncertainty on every front. Moment speaks with an array of leading Middle East experts and thinkers to examine how Israel should weather the storms unleashed by the 'Arab Spring'." For all sixteen replies, click here. Daniel Pipes's response:

The current Middle Eastern upheavals are mercifully not about Israel. Anti-Zionism has been a minor, even negligible part. I find it remarkable, in fact, how small a role Israel has played. And, in general, Israel benefits by having attention elsewhere. The Israeli government should stay out of the way, as it correctly has.

read more: http://www.danielpipes.org/9759/israel-new-middle-east

No end to inhuman separation of Palestinian families

All of Israel within Rocket Range under Hamas-Fatah State

by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu

A new illustrated map presented by the pro-Israel Americans for a Safe Israel (ASFI) shows that a Hamas-Fatah-controlled Palestinian Authority state, with or without all the borders the PA demands, would leave all of what would remain of Israel within Katyusha missile range.


read more: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/143793

Haniyeh calls on PLO to withdraw Israel recognition

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Gaza Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh on Friday called on the Palestinian Liberation Organization to withdraw its recognition of Israel.

On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the announcement of a reconciliation deal between Hamas and Fatah by saying the Palestinian Authority must "choose between peace with Israel or peace with Hamas."

Presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina said Netanyahu "must choose between peace and settlements."

read more: http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=383280

Palestinians throw another wrench in peace process

 

Thursday, April 28, 2011 | Ryan Jones

A year ago, the Palestinian Authority defeated American efforts to kick-start the peace process by refusing to sit at the negotiating table with Israel.

Since the start of this year, the Palestinians have been laying the groundwork for a unilateral declaration of independence backed by the UN General Assembly.

Now, the regime of so-called Palestinian "moderate" Mahmoud Abbas is determined to put the final nail in the coffin of the peace process by reconciling with blood-soaked terrorist organization Hamas.

On Wednesday, Hamas and Abbas' own Fatah faction signed a preliminary reconciliation agreement brokered by the interim government in Egypt. The document is meant to be a first step toward a Hamas-Fatah unity government.

If the two groups come together, the US Congress is threatening to cut off American financial aid to the Palestinians. US law forbids granting financial aid to recognized terrorist organizations.

Israeli Prime Minister says the move will effectively kill any chances of a bilateral peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.

Hamas agrees.

"Our plan does not involve negotiations with Israel or recognizing it," Hamas delegation leader Mahmoud Zahar told The Jerusalem Post. "It will be impossible for an interim government to take part in the peace process with Israel."



read more: http://www.israeltoday.co.il/tabid/178/nid/22765/Default.aspx