The Hill
  • U.S. Policy Toward Palestine and Israel Takes Center Stage

    During the month of March, world attention toward relations between the United States, Israel and the Palestinians reached a level not seen in many years. On March 3, U.S. Special Envoy to the Arab League endorsed the U.S.-backed "proximity talks", thus encouraging the Palestinian Authority to enter into "indirect negotiations" with Israel. Days later, an announcement that Israel will expand an East Jerusalem settlement brought the talks to an end and humiliated the United States. More...

America-Palestine
  • March 2010 Legislation and Developments Regarding U.S. Policy Toward Palestine

    During the month of March, two pieces of legislation regarding Palestine were introduced. Two Senate committees held hearings focusing largely on Palestine. In the wake of Israel's announcement that it is preparing to expand a settlement, and the Obama Administration's response, at least five related letters were circulated and numerous members of Congress made floor speeches regarding Palestine. More...

The Peacemakers
the Palestinians
  • Thirsting for Justice: Diminishing Access to Water in the Gaza Strip

    In the Gaza Strip, limited access to drinking water and adequate sanitation have created a humanitarian crisis of staggering proportions. Israel's siege of Gaza, imposed in 2007, along with the massive damage done during Israel's attack on Gaza during December 2008-January 2009, have made maintenance of water and wastewater treatment plants virtually impossible. Among the results are environmental degradation and a growing health crisis from which none is immune. More...

The Occupation
  • Israeli Settlements: Recalling the Costs & Consequences

    On March 9, the Israeli Interior Ministry announced that it would expand an East Jerusalem settlement by 1,600 housing units. In the days immediately following the announcement, the White House expressed its dismay and demanded a reversal of the plan. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized for the timing of the announcement but defiantly reaffirmed its content, pledging that Israel would not limit settlement construction in East Jerusalem. More...