Notable Quotes

Netanyahu Speaks Out

On September’s UN Discussion of Palestinian Statehood

{image_1} “We will stand for our principles and fight those who try to dictate terms that would strip us of security and peace…We have been steadfast these two years, making sure that any peace agreement brings with it a secure, safe peace, not just peace on paper, but a sustainable peace. I have set two core principles to that effect: the first—Palestinian recognition in the State of Israel as the Jewish people's homeland, and the second—real security arrangements on the ground.”

Missile Attack on School Bus Dismissed

{image_1} An anti-tank missile was fired at an Israeli school bus on April 7 from the Gaza Strip by Hamas just minutes after dozens of children had gotten off. The one child left on the bus was critically injured. Israel responded to the deliberate targeting of the bus by bombing Hamas targets.

No Palestine without Jordan Valley

{image_1} While Prime Minister [PM] Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking international support for continued Israeli military presence in the Jordan Rift Valley, even in the event of a peace agreement, Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said on March 8, “There is no Palestinian state without the Jordan Valley.”

“Palestine Is Big”

Palestinian TV, which is owned by the Palestinian Authority (PA, Fatah) and operated under the auspices of Mahmoud Abbas's office, frequently presents Palestinians with a world without Israel, which is the most explicit non-recognition. Following are instances from three recent programs.

Abbas’s Contradictory Statements

{image_2} Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has made contradictory statements concerning violence and war against Israel.

US, Britain’s Destiny Worse than Hitler’s

{image_1}“The American, British and Zionist regimes are the three sides of the evil triangle of warmongering and terrorism in the world.”

Netanyahu Speaks

…on Egypt

{image_1} “Israel believes that the international community must insist that any Egyptian government maintain the peace treaty with Israel.”

Arabs Want Iranian Strike

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While Arab nations have generally been cautious about discussing military action against Iran’s nuclear program publicly, in private, some of the regions’ officials and leaders have actually called for the US armed forces to stop the Islamic nation’s pursuit of nuclear weapons.

Hamas: We’ll Occupy Haifa, Akko

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As Israel and the Palestinians attempt to renew direct peace talks, Hamas continues its declarations of war. Speaking during a visit to a university, Fathi Hamad, Hamas government’s Interior Minister addressed the Israeli “operation” [Cast Lead] in Gaza, saying that “the Zionist enemy is still hurting [from] the defeat in the war and preparing for another round in an attempt to destroy the Palestinian resistance.” Hamad mentioned the threats to sue Israeli officials worldwide. “The commanders are afraid to travel to many countries,”he said.

Israel Responds to Construction Backlash

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A Palestinian official has linked international recognition of a Palestinian state to Israeli plans to build more than 1,000 new housing units in Jewish neighborhoods in East Jerusalem, potentially raising the stakes in the diplomatic standoff. While construction in disputed territory has been a hot topic in Israeli–Palestinian relations, it is generally believed that in any future peace deal, the Israelis will end up retaining portions of territory claimed by the Palestinians in exchange for territory in other areas of Israel.