Reports suggest that the Palestinians have dropped their bid to press action on the Goldstone report into the war in Gaza, but several Palestinian officials deny this, and the Judge Goldstone defends its findings at the National Press Club in Washington. The New York Times Sunday Magazine this weekend will feature a profile of a new Augustinian version of the Sesame Street children's television program. In an interview with the Ma'an news agency, a Hamas leader pledges to maintain the cease-fire with Israel providing it is reciprocated. The UN reports that 20% of Gaza residents now live in "abject poverty." Xinhua examines unsuccessful efforts to bring war crimes charges against Israeli Defense Minister Barak in Britain.
Israel agrees to release 20 Palestinian women and girl prisoners in exchange for a video of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. The Israeli Air Force again attacks tunnels in southern Gaza after militants launch a project to into southern Israel. VOA profiles Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. Speculation continues about the prospects of a third intifada. Prime Minister Netanyahu says Israel will not investigate its conduct during the Gaza war, but several commentators defend the Goldstone report. Nathan Guttman examines new "PA only" visas Israel is issuing mainly to Arab-Americans. Asharq Al-Awsat interviews Assistant Secretary of State Jeffrey Feltman about Iran and the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Hussein Ibish looks at the reasons behind the new US re-engagement in Israel-Palestinian diplomacy.
Judge Goldstone presents his report into the Gaza war to the UN Human Rights Council. Two Palestinian smugglers are killed by Israeli attacks on tunnels under the Egypt-Gaza border, and Prime Minister Fayyad demands an end to Israeli military and settler attacks. Some Palestinians warn of a "third intifada," but Israeli military leaders dismiss the threat. Israel agrees to the rebuilding of a Gaza hospital sponsored by France and Qatar. Hamas agrees to Egyptian proposals for national reconciliation, but has issued undisclosed amendments, and Fatah leaders express skepticism. The Globe and Mail examines the rise of the religious ultra-right in Israel. Israeli and Arab commentators remain sharply divided on the fallout from last week's diplomatic activity in New York, and ATFP President Ziad Asali argues in The National that Palestinians should seize the opportunity presented by President Obama's determination to pursue a peace agreement.
As Israeli and Palestinian negotiators, working with US Middle East envoy George Mitchell, begin to outline the parameters for permanent status negotiations, reports suggest that the PLO may have dropped its insistence on a complete Israeli settlement freeze as a precondition.
Fallout from the Goldstone Report into the Gaza war continues, with Israel reportedly threatening to block Palestinian cell phone development over calls for an IIC investigation. The Christian Science Monitor examines the role of the Golan Heights in Israel-Syria negotiations. Hamas leaders say Palestinian factions are close to agreeing to Egyptian proposals for reconciliation. Palestinian families in Britain seek the arrest of Israeli Defense Minister Barak on war crimes charges.
Tensions escalate following violent clashes between Muslim worshipers and Israeli riot police at the Haram al-Sharif in occupied East Jerusalem. Hamas reiterates its opposition to agreed-upon elections in January, and says that it is preparing a final reply to Egyptian national unity proposals. Turkey will push the Security Council to examine the Goldstone Report into the Gaza war, and Palestinian citizens of Israel that protested the Gaza war continue to face detention and house arrest. Fallout from last week's diplomatic activities continues, with analysts deeply divided over whether Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu outmaneuvered President Obama or now finds himself in an even more difficult situation facing permanent status negotiations.