Free Republic

JERUSALEM — Israel has come under increasing U.S. pressure to limit its military incrusion into the Gaza Strip. Israeli government sources said in a series of message the Bush administration has urged the government of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to minimize any military strike on the Gaza Strip. The sources said the messages recommended that Israel employ the international community to help free an Israeli soldier abducted by Hamas on June 25 and taken to the southern Gaza Strip. "The messages have taken the form of 'We understand your anger but any attack would only make things worse for you,'"...

US committee passes PA-isolation bill Nathan Guttman, THE JERUSALEM POST Apr. 6, 2006 The US House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Relations approved a bill on Thursday intended to isolate Hamas and cut all US relations with the Palestinian Authority. The bill, which was passed at a 36:2 majority is a watered-down version of the original bill, and is considered to be more moderate. The new bill allows the president to use his waver authority in order to approve direct assistance to the PA, and is not as tough as the original version on supplying the Palestinians with humanitarian assistance....

Abbas: U.S. gave assurances on Palestinian vote in Jerusalem By Arnon Regular, Haaretz Correspondent and Reuters Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said Monday that Palestinian parliament elections will take place as scheduled, on Jan. 25, after he received U.S. assurances that Arab residents of Jerusalem will be able to cast their ballots in the city, despite Israeli misgivings. "The elections will proceed and God willing take place on time," Abbas told reporters in Gaza City. Abbas announcement confirmed a previous statment made by Palestinian Information Minister Nabil Shaath earlier on Monday. "I have already been informed by the American government (of)...

Rice: Israel's evacuation of the Gaza Strip is only a first step By Haaretz Service WASHINGTON - U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Wednesday said that while she feels for evacuated settlers Israel will be expected to make further concessions that would ultimately lead to an independent Palestinian state. "Everyone empathizes with what the Israelis are facing," Rice said, but added "It cannot be Gaza only." In an interview published by the New York Times, Rice said that the Palestinian Authority must move quickly to disarm Palestinian factions intent on breaking the current cease-fire with Israel. Advertisement The Secretary...

JERUSALEM, Aug. 6 - The Bush administration has increased pressure on the Israeli government in recent days to do more to make a Palestinian Gaza successful .. Ms. Rice is also trying to bolster Mahmoud Abbas, the president. ....worked with Mr. Abbas to reorganize his office to improve efficiency .... ....urged Mr. Abbas to set up a press office and a protocol office, to try to improve his image and authority. Israeli officials, who agreed to speak only on background, acknowledge the new pressure from Washington to resolve questions of Palestinian life in Gaza: access, assets, security, travel and the...