Democratic Forces

Palestinians need new leaders and a new strategy

Ramzy Baroud

The year 2017 will be remembered as the one in which the so-called “peace process,” at least in its American formulation, ended. And with its demise, the political framework that has been the foundation for US foreign policy in the Middle East has also collapsed. The Palestinian leadership and their Arab and international allies will now embark on a newRead more

GCC Secretary-General meets UN Envoy on Yemen

Riyadh - Arab Today

GCC Secretary-General Dr. Abdullatif Al Zayani met here today with United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed. They discussed the latest developments Yemen and the efforts made by the envoy in Yemeni peace talks and pushing the peace process based on the GCC initiative, the outcomes of the national dialogue and UN Security Council resolution no. 2216.Read more

British Premier Slams Kerry's Middle East Speech

London - Arab Today

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Friday criticized US Secretary of State John Kerry's speech on peace in the Middle East as an attack on the Israeli government. Although Kerry's speech was in line with British policy, May said it was an inappropriate attack on the Israeli government that focused too heavily on settlement activity in the West BankRead more

Trump starts to flex muscles on foreign policy - even before he takes office

London - Arab Today

US President-elect Donald Trump has made his most strident entry yet into the failing Middle East peace process, with a blistering attack on the Obama administration that signaled his intention to stand behind Israel in the escalating stand-off, The Independent newspaper reported. In the latest and clearest attempt by the incoming president to assert his authority ahead of his inaugurationRead more

Kerry to Outline Peace Plan between Israelis and Palestinians

Washington - Arab Today

US Secretary of State John Kerry is to outline in a speech on Wednesday the Obama administration’s vision of a final Israeli-Palestinian accord based on bitter lessons learned from an effort that collapsed in 2014. US State Department spokesman Mark Toner said at a press briefing that Kerry would "touch on" the Israel situation but the speech would beRead more

Netanyahu response to UN vote isolating Israel, Ariel Sharon confidant says

Gaza City - Arab Today

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's response to the passage of a UN Security Council resolution calling for a halt to settlements is serving to fulfill the Palestinian dream of isolating Israel internationally, JPost quoted Dov Weisglass, who served as former prime minister Ariel Sharon's chief of staff, as saying Tuesday. Netanyahu's response to the resolution included recalling Israel’s ambassadors toRead more

Israel to Approve New Settlement Units in Occupied Jerusalem

Occupied Jerusalem - Arab Today

Israel will approve thousands of new settlement units in Occupied Jerusalem within two weeks in response to the UN Security Council resolution condemning the settlements, Israeli media outlets reported Sunday. According to the daily "Israel Hayom", the Civil Administration Planning Committee will approve next Wednesday the establishment of 5600 new housing units in different settlement in Occupied Jerusalem. Read more

Israel Rejects UNSC Resolution To End Settlement Activity

Occupied Jerusalem - Arab Today

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused the UN Security Council Resolution to end settlement activity on occupied land, describing it as"shameful". He stressed that Israel would not abide by Friday's vote at the 15-member UN Security Council. The Resolution was passed after the US refused to veto it. Source: QNARead more

Israel rejects UNSC vote, recalls envoys to resolution sponsors

Jerusalem - Arab Today

Israel lashed out at US President Barack Obama over a UN Security Council resolution passed Friday demanding it halt settlements in Palestinian territory, while vowing it would not abide by it. “Israel rejects this shameful anti-Israel resolution at the UN and will not abide by its terms,” a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said. Israel also announced diplomaticRead more

Russia and China Veto UN Aleppo Resolution

New York - Arab Today

Russia and China on Monday vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that would have called for a seven-day ceasefire in Syria's Aleppo to allow in humanitarian aid. Russia said that seven days would be too long for rebels holding out in pockets of East Aleppo to leave the city. Russia has warned them that if they don't leave they willRead more