The Palestinian daily Al-Ayyam published PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat’s letter to President Clinton in which he explains his reservations about the American proposals and demands clarifications before answering them. (1) The letter was published as Arafat flies to Washington to meet with Clinton. The letter, which presumably was delivered to President Clinton in English, was […]

1. Barring extraordinary developments, or a major faux pas by Sharon, the question is how soundly – rather than whether – will Barak be defeated! Will Sharon realize that – as was the case in 1999 – it will not be the challengers victory as much as the failed incumbent’s defeat?! Barak’s unprecedented failure as […]

Is Israel using “Excessive Force” Against Palestinians? Following recent violent clashes pitting the Israeli Army against a combination of Palestinian civilians, uniformed Palestinian security forces, and Yasir Arafat’s plainclothed Tanzim militias, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 1322, condemning Israel for “excessive use of force” in attempting to protect the lives of its soldiers and […]

(Herzliya, Israel) [MENL] – As any diplomat, Martin Indyk relays much of his messages in hints and suggestions. So, when he gave what could be one of his last addresses to the Israeli leadership, the U.S. ambassador urged it to remember well the administration of President Bill Clinton. “I want to advance one prediction,” Indyk […]

1600s BCE – Jews migrate from Canaan to Egypt 1200s BCE – Exodus from Egypt 1250 BCE – Jewish conquest of Canaan 1025-1006 BCE – Kingdom of Saul 990-968 BCE – Kingdom of David 968-928 BCE – Kingdom of Solomon 940 BCE – First Temple is built 928 BCE – Division of Jewish kingdom into […]

There is some question as to whether the current crisis in the Middle East will remain a limited dispute invohing only Israelis and Palestinians or whether it will spill over and become a general Arab-Israeli war. Dudng the last few days Iraqs Saddam Hussein has made several statements pointing toward the second possibility, and has […]

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak’s resignation on December 10, 2000, forced an election for Prime Minister (PM) within 60 days. Several questions arose as a result, throwing Israel into political turmoil and complicating the debate regarding Israel’s new electoral system. This system, which combines elements of the presidential and parliamentary systems, is viewed as one […]