Free Republic

Senior diplomatic officials in Jerusalem rushed on Thursday night to respond to the news that US President Barack Obama had secured the necessary congressional support to overcome opposition to the nuclear deal with Iran. “There is an overwhelming majority of the American public and members of Congress who are opposed to the agreement with Iran,” one official in Jerusalem argued. “Even supporters of the agreement say the United States should further strengthen its relationship and alliance with Israel.” …

During a six-hour security cabinet meeting on Thursday, ministers decided to respond to the Palestinian Authority's (PA) unity deal with Hamas, reached on Wednesday, by suspending the peace talks ahead of their April 29 deadline. Further, it was decided to implement various sanctions on the PA, such as financial sanctions, and the cutting of diplomatic contact including that of the peace talks. Sanctions were taken against the PA earlier in the month in response to its breach of talk conditions by applying to join 15 international conventions. Those sanctions put a near end to diplomatic contact, but not concerning the...