Israel

Iran and Syria Deny Israel Claims
Iran and Syria have denied all allegations made by the Israelis on the arms and ammunition contained in an Antigua-flagged Francop vessel intercepted at the port of Ashdod yesterday. Here are the details on the story.

Israel Will Stop at Nothing to Keep Nuclear Weapons from Iran
Trying to play peacemaker with Iran and Israel, the U.S. could not help but be dismayed by Israel’s hawkish stance on appropriate responses to their arch enemy in the Middle East.

Israel Breaks with U.S., Rejects Call to Stop Jerusalem Project
Israel has broken with the U.S. over the issue of settlements in east Jerusalem, and it remains to be seen if it spells the beginning of the end of close ties between the two countries.

Israeli Soldiers Admit to Improper Use of Military Force
Israeli soldiers, speaking anonymously, have noted a variety of abuses during last winter’s Gaza offensive, but the Israeli military is brushing it all under the rug.

King of Jordan Calls for Israel to Accept a Palestinian State
The latest development in the ongoing struggle for peace in the Middle East has King Abdullah II calling on the Israeli Prime Minister to endorse the creation of a Palestinian state.

T-Shirt Offensive to Palestinians Condemned by Israeli Military
T-shirts worn by members of the Israeli military were deemed offensive by military leadership, and labeled "tasteless" by the higher ups.

Clinton Takes Issue with Israel over East Jerusalem Demolition
The slated demolition of 80 Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem is being called "unhelpful" by Secretary of State Clinton - to the world at large, it just seems petty.

Unwritten Truce Between Israel and Gaza Over
Gazan militants fire mortars into Israel, Israeli drops bombs on Gaza, and the perpetual war that promises to last to infinity continues.

Iran Gets Pushy, Calls for End of U.S. Support for Israel
President Barack Obama has signaled a shift in U.S. thinking with his willingness to engage Iran, but the calls for reform by Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad may go just a bit beyond what Obama, and the U.S., are willing to concede.

United States Happy with Gaza Ceasefire, but Iran Wants More
The ceasefire in Gaza is a start, but U.N. and other Western leaders are pushing for something more stable even as Iran seeks direct communication between European leaders and Hamas.

Osama bin Laden Urges Jihad Against Israel
Speaking on a pre-recorded tape, Osama bin Laden has urged jihad against Israel, the U.S. and other supporters.

Israel Now Facing Attacks from Lebanon, Possible Second Front to Offensive
Although Israel is still in the midst of its military campaign against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, it is now being attacked by rockets from Lebanon as well.

U.N. Notes that 257 Children Killed in Gaza Strip
As Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza indiscriminately, the U.N. estimates that 257 children have been killed in the region, while at the same time rockets from Lebanon may spell the beginning of a two-front war for Israel.

Israel's Battle in Gaza: Why It Will Make Their Country Less Secure
While most of the international community and its citizens respect Israel's right to defend itself, many see this as only hurting rather than helping their security.

Iranian Clerics Signing Up Volunteers to Fight Israelis in Gaza
Iranian clerics are bringing the fight to Gaza by recruiting soldiers to oppose Israel in the region.

Israeli Airstrikes against Gaza Continue Through Weekend
Israeli airstrikes have rocked Gaza over the past several days and new rumors indicate that troops may be gathering for a ground assault in the region.

President Bush Pardons Man Who Assisted Israel in Wartime
Man who illegally supplied airplanes to Israel died in 1984 but was pardoned posthumously by President Bush yesterday.

Palestine Israel Conflict Timeline
The Palestine-Israel conflict is one among the unresolved and bloodiest conflicts of the world. Several attempts were made to enforce peace but the conflict still festers. Read on to know about its history.

Israel: Food and Recipes
Here is a look at some popular recipes from Israel and the kind of diverse cuisine seen out here. You can have a fun time trying the same at home!

Gaza Strip
The Gaza Strip is one of the centers of Arab-Israeli turmoil in the Middle East. Read more about it here.

Nativity Gets Record Number of Tourists
For the first time in many years, peace talks between Israel and Palestine encouraged nearly 65,000 tourists to make the journey to the traditional site of Jesus’ birth.

How Today’s Justice System Compares to That of Ancient Israel
How do the legal codes of this modern world compare with one of the oldest known sets of laws? Are there lessons to be learned from the laws on stealing that were given to ancient Israel?

Peace at last between Israel and Palestine
At last there will be peace and Israel and Palestine will stop fighting each other. Under the stewardship of the United States, leaders of the two countries have decided to revive their stalled peace process.

Binyamin Netanyahu Ready to Take Charge of New Israeli Government
Israel's new government marks Netanyahu's return to the prime minister's office for first time since late 1990s

We're Nobody's Fig-leaf, Insists Ehud Barak As Labour Joins Israel's Far Right in Coalition With Binyamin Netanyahu
Centre-left party votes to accept offer of partnership despite seven of its 13 MPs opposing

Israeli War Crimes Allegations: What the Law Says
Rules on human shields, drones and targeting of medical staff derive from customary law and international treaties and regulations

Former Israeli President Charged With Rape and Other Sexual Offences
Moshe Katsav, who resigned as president in 2007, faces most serious charges ever brought against an Israeli leader

Israel Demands Release of Captured Soldier in Return for Gaza Deal
Security cabinet unanimously agree to maintain economic blockade on Gaza until sergeant's release

Israeli Elections: Kadima Emerges With Most Seats
Tzipi Livni's party holds 28 seats, one more than Binyamin Netanyahu's Likud, which is predicted to form coalition government

Israel May Have to Wait 42 Days Before It Learns Who Has Won Election
President has key role in choosing who will lead coalition

Kadima and Likud Claim Victory in Israel Poll
Israeli elections produce the tightest of races with early results putting Tzipi Livni only narrowly ahead of Binyamin Netanyahu

Israeli Exit Polls Put Livni Ahead in Close Race
Centrist foreign minister predicted to have won either 29 or 30 seats in the 120-seat Knesset

Israeli Election Too Close to Call According to Latest Polls
Gap between rightwing Netanyahu and centrist Livni narrowing before Tuesday's election

Hardline Populist Lieberman Could Be Surprise Kingmaker in Israeli Election
Avigdor Lieberman, who talks about 'things people are afraid of', rises to third in polls

Israeli Army Says Shelling of House Where Girls Died Was 'reasonable'
Military admits one of its tanks killed three sisters at Gaza home in case that shocked public

Abbas Accuses Israel of War Crimes in Gaza
Palestinian president adds to calls for prosecution

National Security Again to Dominate Israeli Elections
Rival candidates locked in fierce debate about whether Gaza war went far enough

Israel Pays Out £1.5m to Cameraman's Family
Relatives see sum as admission of guilt for death of James Miller, shot in Gaza while filming documentary

Israeli Governing Parties Face Poll Battering Amid Gaza Scepticism
Survey reveals public's doubts about war, as new rocket attack draws promise of retaliation

Israel Threatens 'disproportionate' Response to Palestinian Rocket Fire
Fresh attacks could set back Hamas truce talks in Cairo this week

Israel and Hamas Attacks Undermine Gaza Ceasefire
Rocket fire and air strikes come as US envoy George Mitchell meets Palestinian Authority leader in effort to reinforce truce

Israel May Swap Prisoners for Soldier
Gaza offensive has increased momentum to strike deal for Shalit's return, says Ehud Olmert

Israel Admits Troops May Have Used Phosphorus Shells in Gaza
Amnesty warns Israel could be guilty of war crimes

Israel Completes Gaza Withdrawal
Last armored units and foot patrols leave territory shortly after inauguration of new US president

Israel Accused of War Crimes Over Phosphorus Use
Amnesty International decries Israel for using incendiary material in densely populated areas in Gaza

Israel Steps Up Gaza Withdrawal After Ceasefire
Troops to be pulled out 'at the greatest possible speed', says Olmert, as he expresses remorse for civilian casualties

'Israel Has Achieved Nothing From This'
Inigo Gilmore travels to Rafah, Gaza's frontline neighborhood, to hear how Israel's bombing campaign affected residents

Gunfire Ends But the Debate in Israel Begins: Should We Have Pressed On?
Broad public support for assault on Gaza Strip leaves some Israelis believing the ceasefire is a mistake

Israeli Ceasefire Offers Precious Respite, But Little Has Changed
Hamas has not yet run up the white flag and Israel's finger is still on the trigger, writes Ian Black

Israel Accused of War Crimes Over 12-hour Assault on Gaza Village
White flags ignored and houses bulldozed with families inside, claim residents

Israel Calls a Halt to Its Assault on Gaza
Move comes after US and Europe pledge support to shut down Hamas weapons supply pipeline

Israel Announces Ceasefire in Gaza
Israel's leaders have voted to halt an offensive that has left nearly 1,200 people in the Gaza Strip dead

Syria Urges Full Arab Boycott of Israel As Divisions Deepen Over Gaza
President Assad says 2002 Arab League initiative no longer valid and urges member states to sever ties with Tel Aviv

Fresh Evidence of Israeli Phosphorus Use in Gaza Emerges
Fresh evidence of the firing of white phosphorus weapons by Israeli forces in Gaza has emerged from witnesses heard by the Guardian and first hand accounts by human rights groups of their use against civilians

Israel: Gaza Offensive May Be Near 'final Act'
Diplomatic moves to achieve ceasefire follow death of Hamas interior minister and attack on UN compound

Israel Hits Un Refugee Agency in Gaza
Relief and Works Agency compound and hospital on fire after artillery attacks

Israel Continues Offensive in Gaza While Truce Talks Provide Optimism
Air and ground assault encircles Gaza City as negotiations in Egypt moot ceasefire proposal

Europe Stalls on Closer Israel Links in Gaza Protest
European commission moves to upgrade political and trade links with Israel on hold, diplomats say

Iranian Students Offer $1.5m Reward for Mubarak Execution
Radical group accuses Egyptian president of collaborating with Israel

Israeli Human Rights Groups Speak Out As Death Toll Passes 1,000
Israeli government warned of 'grave violations of international humanitarian law by military forces'

Israeli Troops Reach Gaza City Outskirts
Ban Ki-moon due in Cairo to press Hamas to accept one-year ceasefire as rifts among Israel's leadership deepen

Israel and Us Offer Differing Reports on Un Resolution Abstention
Israeli PM Ehud Olmert claimed he had called George Bush to override US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice

Backing for Invasion Remains Strong
According to latest polls 90% of Jewish Israelis support war in Gaza but Israeli Arabs are less keen

Israeli Forces Close in on Gaza City
Latest: Air and ground forces move into outskirts of city after one of the firecest periods of sustained bombing during the conflict

Why the Silence Over Attacks on Israeli Campuses?
Israel's universities are under siege, too, says Colin Shindler

Israel Faces Calls for Gaza War Crimes Investigation
Growing demand from UN officials over allegations such as 'reckless and indiscriminate' shelling of residential areas

Israel Sends in Reservists As Diplomacy Falters
Next stage of offensive as negotiators struggle to find mechanism to end Hamas weapons smuggling

Fighting Intensifies As Olmert Says Israel is Nearing Its Goal
Israeli troops push towards Gaza's towns as suburban civilians seek shelter in city center

Why We Have to Let Pictures Tell the Real Story
By banning foreign journalists from Gaza, Israel helped turn the context problem against itself, writes Peter Wilby

Does the World Have the Appetite to Prosecute Israel for War Crimes in Gaza?
Outrage is growing, but what chance is there of Israeli troops being prosecuted for war crimes in Gaza?

White House Breaks Ranks With Israel to Back Draft Resolution
UN draft for immediate ceasefire in Gaza conflict forced through in face of Israeli opposition

Israel Accused of Delaying Medical Access to Injured
Red Cross workers discover children next to bodies of their mothers days after tanks shell Gaza City

Israel Criticised After 'shocking' Discovery of Exhausted Children
? Red Cross finds children next to bodies of their mothers? UN suspends aid shipments after truck driver is killed

Israel and Egypt Discuss Gaza Truce
UN officials fail to agree international response as Hamas vows to step up battle against incursion

Rockets Fired From Lebanon Hit Northern Israel
Israeli forces return fire after four rockets land near Nahariya, raising fears Gaza conflict could spread

Israel Considers Broadening Gaza Attack
Cabinet meets to consider sending troops into urban areas and calling up thousands more soldiers

Cautious Welcome for Peace Plan From Both Israelis and Hamas
US urges Tel Aviv to say yes to ceasefire call while UN security council debates action to end crisis

Israel and the West Will Pay a Price for Gaza's Bloodbath
Seumas Milne: Whether the current ceasefire talks succeed or fail, Hamas has already been strengthened by the US-backed assault

Israel Considers Stepping Up Gaza Offensive
Leaders meet to discuss plan for troops to enter urban areas amid UN ceasefire calls as death toll rises steeply

How Israel Brought Gaza to the Brink of Humanitarian Catastrophe
Oxford professor of international relations Avi Shlaim served in the Israeli army and has never questioned the state's legitimacy. But its merciless assault on Gaza has led him to devastating conclusions

Gaza's Day of Carnage - 40 Dead As Israelis Bomb Two Un Schools
Bloodiest attack of campaign so far involves bombing of housing and refugee centers

Lib Dems Call for British Arms Embargo on Israel
Party calls on Brown to impose embargo and ask the EU to join the boycott of Israel

Israeli Ground Forces Move Into Gaza's Second City
• Troops enter Khan Younis as offensive continues• Israel marks worst losses with three soldiers killed

Sarkozy Leads International Pressure on Israel to Halt Gaza Bloodshed
French president says 'guns must fall silent' before Tel Aviv can strike deal on new border terms with UN's backing

Israeli Troops and Hamas Fighters Clash in Streets of Gaza City
At least 10 Palestinian children killed as soldiers go house to house searching for militants

Israel Looks to Drive Out Hamas
Officials push for assault to continue amid assertions that the last 10 days have crippled Islamist party's ability to govern

Israelis Deny Using Phosphorus
Israel has not said what kind of munitions are used, other than that they are permitted under international law

Israel Targets International Deal on Gaza Truce
Officials reluctant to strike ceasefire with Hamas directly for fear of giving legitimacy to movement, reports say

Israeli Troops and Hamas Fighters Clash in Gaza City
Troops go house to house searching for Hamas fighters as Israel seizes control of large parts of the Gaza Strip

Thousands Flee Guns and Shells As Israel Tightens Grip on Gaza
Palestinian death toll rises by over 40 and Israeli soldier killed as troops advance on Gaza City

Israel Military Keeps Wary Eye on Northern Border
Hassan Nasrallah, leader of Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, says forces on alert

Israel Incursion Into Gaza Replays Well-worn Blueprint
Plan is to get Hamas to end rocket attacks and agree lasting ceasefire, but strategy has failed before

Gaza Will Be 'graveyard' for Israeli Troops, Warns Iran
Tehran joins with Syria to rally support for Palestinians

Israeli Troops Invade Gaza - Live
After a week of aerial bombardment, Israeli troops entered Gaza last night in the country's heaviest assault on the Palestinian territory since it withdrew Jewish settlers in 2005. Follow developments here throughout the day

Israeli Troops Push Deep Into Gaza
Tanks and thousands of troops push deep into Palestinian territory as land offensive continues

Israeli Ground Forces Cross Border Into Gaza
IDF confirms operation to re-take northern areas of territory

How the Pro-israel Lobby in Britain Benefits From a Generous London Tycoon
Organization received £1.4m from donor whose father made fortune manufacturing arms

Israeli Troops Cross Border Into Gaza
Israeli defence forces have confirmed that ground forces are crossing the Gaza border

Israel Fires Artillery Shells Into Gaza
Change of tactic increases expectation of ground invasion as airstrike on mosque with as many as 200 people inside kills at least 10

Israel Launches Assault Across Gaza's Borders
Troops and tanks battle with Hamas in move designed to reoccupy parts of the northern Gaza strip

As Its Troops March In, Again Israel Looks to Its Military Past
Peter Beaumont: A memory of the long history of Jewish persecution is deemed a necessary compass to its culture, identity and nationhood

Special Spin Body Gets Media on Message, Says Israel
Inquiry into 2006 Lebanon war led the Israeli government to set up PR department to deliver clear 'explanation'

War and Peace: Israel's Military and Political Options
Six days into Operation Cast Lead, Tel Aviv debates sending in tanks or seeking settlement

Israeli Bomb Kills Hamas Leader and Six of His Family
Nizar Rayan becomes first high-level assassination of offensive as Israel targets hardliners

Hamas Leader Killed in Israeli Airstrike
Senior Hamas figure dies with his family following attack at his home

Israel Rejects Ceasefire As Warplanes Attack Government Buildings in Gaza
Hamas security officials say buildings housing education and transportation ministries are virtually destroyed

Israel Rejects Gaza Ceasefire
Prime minister tells security cabinet that military operation will not end until all goals are achieved

Defiant Hamas Launches New Rockets Deeper Into Israel
Longer-range weapons reach 25 miles and hit cities Ashdod and Be'er Sheva for first time

Israel Rejects Ceasefire Move As Divisions Emerge in Leadership
Troops gather on Gazan border ready for new stage in fighting with ­possible invasion by Israeli forces

Israel Likely to Reject Pause in Gaza Bombing
Security cabinet rejects EU call for immediate ceasefire but will make final decision on whether to suspend air strikes

UK Ministers Urge Israel to Agree Gaza Ceasefire
Douglas Alexander announces £6.9m government aid for area following four days of Israeli bombing

Israel Considers Pause in Gaza Bombing
Security cabinet rejects EU call for immediate ceasefire but will decide whether to suspend air strikes or launch ground invasion

Israel Pounds Hamas in Gaza
Government buildings destroyed in latest air strikes as hospitals overflow with casualties

Building Worker Killed As Missile Hits Israeli Town
Three Israelis killed by rockets fired by militants in Gaza - two in separate attacks less than an hour apart

Palestinian Death Toll Rises to 325 As Israeli Strikes Continue
Jets bomb university's science laboratories and hit interior ministry in widening series of air attacks

Western-backed Arab Governments Under Pressure As Israel Continues Gaza Strikes
The continuing onslaught has brought Islamic accusations of 'despicable silence and connivance', as Ian Black reports

Gaza Strategy Divides Israeli Military Analysts
Sharp differences of opinion over how Israel can achieve aim of reducing Palestinian rocket fire

Gaza Death Toll Tops 300 As Israel Vows to Fight to Bitter End
? Warplanes target Hamas interior ministry and university? Hospitals at breaking point, as Egypt ferries injured across border

Palestinian Rocket Kills One in Israel
Fatal hit on construction site in Ashkelon as Gaza militants continue attacks

Q&A: Israeli Strikes on Gaza
What is the immediate future for the Palestinian territory?

Gaza Death Toll Tops 300 As Israeli Air Strikes Continue
• Warplanes target Hamas interior ministry and university• International condemnation mounts but Israel unrepentant

Israel Considers Ground Attack As It Mobilises More Troops
Ehud Olmert warns that fighting in Gaza will be 'long and painful' as Israel approves call-up of 6,500 soldiers

Six Months of Secret Planning - Then Israel Moves Against Hamas
'Patience ran out' over missile attacks, but Israeli strategy risks creating fresh motives for revenge

Israel Mounts Pr Campaign to Blame Hamas for Gaza Destruction
Israeli foreign minister briefs Rice, Miliband, and Solana

Israeli Cabinet Calls Up Reservists As Gaza Strikes Continue
More than 280 Palestinians killed in attacks as Israeli tanks deploy near border

Israel Launches Fresh Strikes on Gaza
Palestinian officials say death toll has reached 270 as UN security council calls for immediate halt to all violence

Air Strikes in Gaza Kill 225 As Israel Targets Hamas
Israel vows to continue massive bombing offensive against key targets in the Gaza Strip

Israel's Hammer Blow in Gaza
Devastating air strikes may limit Hamas's capacity to attack – but will almost certainly increase its support among Palestinians

Israeli Far Right Gains Ground As Gaza Rockets Fuel Tension
Support for Israel's ultra-nationalist parties grows as Jewish state and Hamas approach major confrontation

Israel Failed Policy Of Self-Defense
We are appealing directly to our historical friends, the Jews people around the world and Israel to help us the Iranian people in this critical and bad time of our history. We are not afraid of the Islamic extremist or any other terrorist organization around the world. We want to establish peace and stable region.

Gaza Near to Collapse As Israel Tightens Grip, Says Bank
Tit-for-tat attacks across Gaza border intensify following end of truce and fuel black market

Israeli Blockade 'forces Palestinians to Search Rubbish Dumps for Food'
UN fears irreversible damage being done in Gaza as new statistics reveal the level of deprivation

Violence Along Gaza Border Marks Official End of Hamas-israel Truce
Six-month agreement marred by ongoing violence expires amid rocket fire

Hamas Ends Israel Truce Early
Militants declare six-month deal dead as Gaza violence escalates

Cartoon Symbols of the Israeli-palestinian Conflict
Arab cartoons that use antisemitic images are evidence of the damage done by festering hostilities, writes Ian Black

Hamas Answers Israeli Air Raid With Rockets As Truce Ends Early
Militant Islamists who rule Gaza fire eight rockets and five mortars at Israel's southern towns

Israeli Bus Crash Kills Russian Tourists
Bus overturns near Red Sea resort, killing at least 20 people

Israel Deports American Academic
Isarel refuses entry to US academic Richard Falk over Holocaust comments

Israeli Poll Favourite Netanyahu Reins in Right
Favourite to win the general election heads off hardline right-wingers in his Likud party

Academics 'have Abandoned Israeli Boycott', Say Opponents
Exclusive: Lecturers' union denies u-turn on conference motion intended to show solidarity with Palestinians

Shin Bet Vetoed Arab Israeli's Job As Mosque Imam
Israel's secret police vetoed candidate because they believed he would 'jeopardise peace and security'

Israeli Riot Police Evict Settlers in Hebron
Jewish residents dragged from home in surprise raid leaving around 30 people injured

Israeli Forces Evict Settlers From Disputed Hebron Home
Riot police use teargas before dragging Jewish settlers from house in Palestinian district of West Bank city

Israel Blocks Aid Ship Bound for Gaza
Vessel carrying 3,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid was intended to challenge economic blockade on Gaza Strip

Israeli Pm Olmert Faces Fresh Calls to Quit Ahead of Election
Foreign minister Tzipi Livni says Olmert should quit immediately, and attorney general says he is considering bringing criminal charges against the PM for corruption

Media Organisations Complain to Israel Over Gaza Press Blockade
BBC, CNN and others 'gravely concerned' at move to keep foreign journalist out of Gaza

Author Hopes to Pull Israel to the Left With New Party
Amos Oz joins intellectuals and public figures to defeat rightwing Likud party in elections next year

Israeli Blockade Forces Un to Suspend Food Distribution in Gaza
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees said today it would have to suspend food distribution in Gaza after Israel blocked humanitarian supplies from entering the strip

Israeli Police Evict Palestinian Couple From Home of 52 Years
Several foreign governments have tried to intervene but without success

Ultra-Orthodox Pitted Against Secular Jews in Jerusalem's Mayoral Election
Elections in Kiryat Yovel raise tensions because of the growing influence of the ultra-Orthodox community

Gaza Truce Broken As Israeli Raid Kills Six Hamas Gunmen
Ceasefire in jeopardy as Hamas retaliates by firing more than 30 rockets into southern Israel

Ceasefire Under Threat As Six Die in Gaza Raid
Violence represents most serious breach of agreement, but both sides suggest they want to return to calm

Polls Show Livni Pulling Ahead As Israeli Elections Brought Forward
Head of ruling Kadima party faces criticism for failing to form coalition government

Tzipi Livni Leads Polls in Race for Israeli Leadership
Foreign minister leads opinion polls to become new prime minister despite failing to form ruling coalition

Early Election Looms for Israel As Livni Fails to Broker Coalition
Kadima leader blames religious right's demands for decision which leaves nation in a political limbo

Israeli Election Looms As Talks on Coalition Fail
Ultra-Orthodox party refuses to join coalition proposed by prime minister-designate, Tzipi Livni

Israel: Religious Party Scuppers Plans for Ruling Coalition
New leader of ruling party faces early elections as Shas party rejects stance on Jerusalem and welfare payments

Israel Considers Reviving Saudi Peace Plan to Resolve Conflict
2002 plan offered the Jewish nation an end to its conflict with the Arab world, says Israel's defence minister

Israeli City Braced for Further Rioting
More violence expected in Acre as police arrest another three people in connection with recent disturbances

Universities Union Denies Israel Motion Overstepped Mark
Universities union denies exceeding legal powers in asking its members to question their contacts with Israel, following court threat

Lecturers Threaten to Sue Union Over Israel Boycott
UCU members demand repayment of funds used to implement boycott

Olmert: Israel Has to Return Occupied Lands to Achieve Peace
Jerusalem has to be divided for peace to be agreed with Palestinians and Syria says Israeli prime minister

Israel Supplied With Long-range Radar, But Us to Get Missile Warning First
Radar system would provide extra early warning in case of an Iranian missile attack, it has been confirmed

Israel Asked Us for Green Light to Bomb Nuclear Sites in Iran
US president told Israeli prime minister he would not back attack on Iran, senior European diplomatic sources tell Guardian

Israeli Peace Advocate Attacked
Pipe bomb wounds academic Zeev Sternhell in suspected attack by right-wing Jewish extremists

McCartney Israel Gig Sparks Controversy
London ambassador describes visit as a diplomatic success as Beatle visits Bethlehem and Tel Aviv

17 Hurt in Jerusalem Car Attack
Palestinian driver crashes car into group of Israeli soldiers in what police describe as a 'terror attack'

Palestinian Driver Injures 17 Israeli Troops
East Jerusalem man shot dead after crashing car into patrol• Israel denounces incident as terror attack

Livni Meets Early Hurdles in Bid to Form New Israeli Government
Foreign minister has 42 days to form a coalition after resignation of Ehud Olmert

Olmert Officially Resigns As Israel Pm
Tzipi Livni, ruling Kadima party's new leader, now has difficult task of forming coalition government

Livni Prepares to Form Israeli Government After Narrow Win
New head of ruling Kadima party prepares to put together a coalition government

Israel: Tzipi Livni Seeks Coalition After Narrowly Winning Kadima Leadership
Foreign minister wins narrow party election, putting her on track to be first female prime minister in more than 30 years

Israel: Livni Prepares to Form Coalition After Narrow Victory in Leadership Vote
Tzipi Livni, Israel's foreign minister, won a narrow election victory today to become the leader of the ruling Kadima party, putting her on track to become the country's first female prime minister in more than 30 years

Tzipi Livni Sets Sights on Coalition to Rule Israel After Winning Party Leadership in Landslide Vote
Foreign minister and former lawyer set to become first female prime minister in over 30 years

Polls Suggest Tzipi Livni Could Become First Female Israeli Pm for Over 30 Years
Members of Israel's ruling Kadima party vote for new leader, with foreign minister favorite

Tzipi Livni: From Mossad Agent to Israel's Next Prime Minister
Dovish leader who advocates a two-state Palestinian solution wins a striking victory in Kadima party election

Israeli Restrictions Leave Palestinians Dependent on Aid, Says World Bank
The World Bank warned today that continued Israeli economic restrictions were severely limiting the potential of the Palestinian economy and leaving Palestinians more dependent on foreign aid than ever

Israel's Kadima Begins Voting to Elect New Head
Foreign minister Livni could become the first female prime minister if she wins and forms a coalition

Israel's Livni Poised for Top Job As Party Votes for New Leader
Foreign minister tipped to become first female prime minister in more than 30 years

Israeli Police Find Remains of Child in River
Suitcase containing child's skull and bones discovered after disappearance that has gripped Israel

Israeli Troops Shoot Palestinian Man With Learning Difficulties
Man in critical condition in hospital after soldiers arrive to arrest his brother

Police Search for Child Feared Killed By Grandfather
Conflicting accounts lead police to hold mother and grandfather in case of missing Israeli girl

Israel Accelerates West Bank Settlements Despite Peace Talks
Despite continuing negotiations with Palestinians, construction of homes in Jewish settlements doubles

Israel Releases 198 Palestinian Prisoners
Those released include longest serving Palestinian inmate, in what Israel calls a 'goodwill gesture' to encourage negotiations

Free at Last: Israel Releases 198 Palestinian Prisoners
'Goodwill gesture' to encourage diplomatic negotiations comes on day Condoleezza Rice arrives

Middle East: Israel Declares Gaza Protest Boats Will Not Reach Their Destination
Activists hope to challenge the economic blockade to deliver a cargo of 200 hearing aids for a deaf school

Israel Says It Will Prevent Peace Protest Boats Reaching Gaza Strip
Total of 46 activists seek to challenge economic blockade as well as deliver aid

Middle East: Israel's Chief Negotiator Rules Out Peace With Palestinians in 2008
No sign that any concrete agreements have been reached between the two side, even in private

Gaza: Israel Clears Tank Crew Over Killing of Reuters Cameraman
Top military lawyer says troops could not tell whether cameraman was holding camera or weapon

Echoes of Home Alone As Family Leave Girl at Airport
A three-year-old Israeli girl was left alone at Ben-Gurion International airport yesterday, after her parents and four siblings flew to Paris without her

Middle East: Israel's Secret Police Pressuring Sick Gazans to Spy for Them, Says Report
Urgent treatment offered in exchange for information in underground interrogations at border crossing

Israel: Power Struggle Leads to Netanyahu, Hard Man in a Tough Neighbourhood
As Kadima struggles to deal with Olmert's resignation, right-winger stands to gain

Second Palestinian Teenager Shot By Israeli Army Within Hours
Israel's army shot an 18-year-old Palestinian in the head in the West Bank town of Ni'ilin, just hours after the village buried a 10-year-old who had also been shot in the head by a soldier

Netanyahu Calls for New Israeli Elections
Leader of rightwing Likud party makes demand after Kadima leader Ehud Olmert's decision to resign as PM

Olmert Resignation Throws Israel's Politics Into Turmoil
Turmoil as prime minister quits amid corruption allegations and pledges to prove his innocence

With Palestinian Talks Going Nowhere, Iran Jumps to Top of In-tray for New Pm
Israeli PM's departure leaves unresolved issues of war and peace in the Middle East

Olmert Announces Resignation As Israeli Prime Minister
In a surprise announcement Ehud Olmert says he will step down throwing Israel into political uncertainty

Olmert's Departure Leaves Little Hope for Peace Talks
Ehud Olmert's announcement that he will step down from his party's leadership may be hardly surprising given the slew of problems generated by corruption allegations and plummeting poll ratings

Arabs Under Siege As Israel Tightens Grip on Holy City
The battle for Jerusalem enters a new phase after a series of attacks by lone residents ratchets up the tension

Palestinian Anger at Claims New West Bank Settlement 'to Get Go-ahead'
Controversial plans revived by Israel's defence ministry, despite international calls for a freeze on construction

Middle East: Israel Plans New West Bank Settlement
New building plans in occupied territory approved by defence ministry despite worldwide calls for a freeze on construction, which is illegal under international law

Middle East: Driver Shot Dead After Injuring 16 in Second Jerusalem Bulldozer Attack
Palestinian man rams mechanical digger into several cars and a bus in the centre of Jerusalem

Attacks in Israel
Today's incident marks the fifth serious attack on Israel this year following a lull in violence in 2007

16 Injured in Jerusalem After Digger Driver Goes on Rampage
Driver crashed repeatedly into bus and cars at junction before being shot dead by police marksman and civilian

Middle East: Rights Group Hails Video As New Weapon Against Israeli Army
Footage shows soldier shooting baton rounds at cuffed and blindfolded Palestinian detainee

Israel Launches Investigation Into Shooting of Handcuffed Palestinian
Defense minister said Israel would 'learn lessons' from point-blank shooting of man with rubber bullet in West Bank

Middle East: Seize Chance of Peace, Brown Urges Israel
Withdrawing from illegal West Bank settlements would bring security, says prime minister

Inquiry Launched After Film Shows Israeli Soldier Firing Rubber Bullet at Palestinian at Close Range
Girl's video clip, released by human rights group, shows victim blindfolded and cuffed at time of incident

Israeli Condemnation - on Youtube
Arabic-language clip claims 'moral victory' over Hizbullah after un-even prisoners-for-bodies exchange

Middle East: Israel Mourns As Returned Soldiers Buried
Thousands gather at military cemeteries after Hizbullah exchanges remains of two soldiers for the release of prisoners

Olmert Lawyers Question Key Witness in Corruption Case
US businessman accuses Israeli PM of accepting envelopes containing hundreds of thousands of dollars

Israel-Hizbullah Prisoner Exchange: Profiles
Ian Black and Hugh Macleod look at the backgrounds of some of those due to be exchanged, and at one who is notable by his absence from the swap

Lebanese Killer Released As Part of Israeli Soldier Swap
A Notorious Lebanese killer has been released by Israel after Hizbullah handed over the bodies of two Israeli soldiers

Middle East: Israel Swaps Prisoners for Soldiers' Remains
Murderer among inmates returned to Lebanon in exchange for caskets containing servicemen

Quartet: Blair Visit to Gaza Cancelled at Last Minute After Warning of Threat to Security
'Specific' danger halts first visit of Quartet's envoy as he reaches border with Israel

Middle East: Israel Exchanges Lebanese Murderer for Bodies of Two Captured Soldiers
Israeli president says signing pardon is not a 'happy choice' while Hizbullah claim agreement as victory

Israel to Swap Lebanese Prisoner for Soldiers' Remains
Israel's cabinet today gave final approval for a prisoner swap tomorrow, in which it will give up a notorious Lebanese militant in return for two Israeli soldiers who are presumed dead

Israel: Grim Swap That Draws a Line Under Lebanon War
Move demonstrates once again that Israel eventually indirectly negotiate with militant groups for return of soldiers

Olmert Questioned Again As Police Widen Corruption Inquiry
Israeli prime minister being investigated for securing duplicate funding for trips abroad

Bulldozer Attack: Cut Off East Jerusalem, Says Israeli Minister
Israel's deputy prime minister calls for some Arab districts of East Jerusalem to be cut off from the city

Call for Arab Areas of Jerusalem to Be Severed After Bulldozer Attack
Israeli vice-premier calls for some neighborhoods of east Jerusalem to be cut off from the city following attack by Palestinian construction worker

Israel Terror: Three Killed, 44 Hurt As Palestinian Runs Amok With Bulldozer in Street
Militant groups compete to claim Jerusalem attack but police believe the construction worker's rampage was spontaneous

Three Killed in Jerusalem Bulldozer Attack
Three killed and dozens injured after man ploughs bulldozer into buses and other vehicle

Jerusalem Bulldozer Attack Casts Pall Over Fragile Peace
The rampage in west Jerusalem came against a backdrop of diplomatic movement in the region, writes Mark Tran

Man Shot Dead After Jerusalem Bulldozer Rampage
At least three people killed and dozens injured after man ploughs bulldozer into buses and other vehicles

Bulldozer Attack on Jerusalem Bus Kills Three
At least 22 people injured after man ploughs bulldozer into crowded bus before being shot dead

Israel: Jerusalem Bulldozer Attack Marks Rise in Violence
Violent strike is fourth serious attack on Isreal this year

Driver Shot After Bulldozer Crashes Into Jerusalem Bus
One woman killed and 30 people injured as man ploughs bulldozer into crowded public bus

Rumours of War Spread As Israel Flexes Its Muscle
Israeli fighter jets flew 1,500 kms across the Mediterranean, in a dry run for an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities

Israel's Ein Gedi National Park
Literally means Kid (young goat) Spring, this oasis is the biggest and most important as it supplies water in some parts of Israel.

Olmert Scrapes Through As Ceasefire Threatened
Israel closed its border crossings into Gaza yesterday as doubts grew about a week-old ceasefire agreed with the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas

Israel Shuts Gaza Crossings As Truce Doubts Grow
Israeli military officials say closure is a response to the firing of four rockets from Gaza into southern Israel

Israeli Pm Clings to Power ... for Now
Ehud Olmert strikes deal to avoid early elections but he is likely to face a leadership vote in September

Olmert Avoids New Elections With Coalition Deal
Ehud Olmert appeared today to have negotiated a last-minute deal to head off a parliamentary vote that might have unseated his government from within

Syria Planned to Supply Iran With Nuclear Fuel, Israel Says
Strategic expert says idea was to share plutonium from site bombed by Israel last September

Gunshot Starts Panic As Sarkozy Leaves Israel
Israel's prime minister and the visiting French president rushed to safety after Israeli police officer shoots himself

Ceasefire Threatened By Palestinian Mortar Attack on Israel
The Egyptian-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas today came under pressure as Palestinian militants in Gaza fired a rocket at the Israeli border town of Sderot

Sarkozy Urges Israel to Share Jerusalem
French president also tells Israel to stop building settlements in the occupied territories

Sarkozy Urges Israel to Share Sovereignty Over Jerusalem
The French president, Nicolas Sarkozy told Israel today to share sovereignty over Jerusalem with the Palestinians and to stop building settlements in the occupied territories

The USA, Israel's Friendly Bully
During the 1950s and 1960s, the USA was essentially pro-Arab.

Israeli Jet Exercise is Warning to Iran Over Nuclear Facilities, Pentagon Says
'Sabre-rattling' display of capabilities could pressure Tehran into accepting uranium ultimatum

Israel Seeks Lebanon Talks After Gaza Pact
Agreement hoped to be reached with Hizbullah over Israeli soldiers captured at start of 2006 Lebanon war

Israel Calls for Lebanon Peace Talks
Israel says it wants 'direct, bilateral' peace talks with Lebanon, as officials confirm Hamas ceasefire starting tomorrow

Don't Hold Your Breath
Ian Black: The Hamas ceasefire is a positive sign, but even if it sticks, there are plenty of questions still left to answer

Israel and Hamas Agree Ceasefire As Air Strikes Kill Six Palestinian Fighters
Hamas agrees to halt all attacks out of Gaza in return of Israel halting its military strikes

Israeli Threat to Attack Iran Over Nuclear Weapons
Former Israeli defence minister warns military action would be 'unavoidable' if Tehran continues to develop nuclear weapons

The Investigations Into Ehud Olmert
Rory McCarthy explains the five investigations faced by the Israeli prime minister since he came to power

Occupation Has Cost Israel Dear, Says Report
Israeli think tank labels conflict 'millstone round neck' which has chronically undermined growth

Gaza Students Lose Scholarships After Israel Refuses Visas
US state department withdraws Fulbright scholarships from seven Palestinian students

Olmert Told to Go After Court Testimony
defense chief calls on PM to quit after embarrassing revelations emerging from a high-profile corruption investigation

Ehud Olmert Corruption Inquiry: Barak Calls for Pm to Quit
Israeli defence minister calls on Ehud Olmert to resign to fight corruption allegations after damaging testimony from US businessman

Production Services in Israel
This article explains production services in Israel, the importance of having a local production coordinator in Israel and what the production services cover.

US Businessman Says He Gave Olmert $150,000 in Cash-stuffed Envelopes
Financier's testimony major embarrassment to Israeli leader in fifth corruption investigation brought against him

Ehud Olmert Took Thousands of Dollars, Us Businessman Tells Court
A US businessman has told a court that he he gave at least $150,000 over 15 years the Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert

Israeli Jets Threaten to Shoot Down Tony Blair's Plane
Two Israeli fighter aircraft threatened to shoot down a private jet transporting Tony Blair after coming under the misapprehension that the aircraft was staging a potential terrorist attack

Peace Delayed
Leader: There are many reasons why the peace talks between Israel and Syria could fail

Timeline: Israel, Syria and the Golan Heights
Key moments from the creation of Israel, to the six-day war, and the confirmation of peace talks mediated by Turkey

Israel and Syria Admit the Start of Formal Peace Talks in Istanbul
Israel wants Syria to cut ties to Islamist groups while Syria wants return of sovereignty over Golan Heights

Hebron is a Ghost Town Where Joggers Carry Automatic Rifles
Ian Jack: For the settlers, subsidies and tax breaks have become as important a motive as Deuteronomy

Bush in Israel for Anniversary Amid Little Hope for Peace Talks
It's thought that the US president's presence will not do much to promote the flagging peace process

The Us Must Now Redraw Israel's 'road Map' to Peace
Martin Woollacott: The Sharon government has offered revenge, but no resolution.

US Equips Israel With Patriot Missile Batteries
Faith in anti-Scud system that failed in 1991.

Egyptian Mediator to Meet Israelis After Hamas Agrees Ceasefire Plan
Initiative comes two days before George Bush is due to visit the region to discuss flagging Gaza peace talks

'A Disaster for Everybody'
UN official says Israel's blockade of Gaza is feeding a 'growing sense of injustice' among its population

As It Turns 60, the Fear is Israel Has Decided It Can Get By Without Peace
Jonathan Freedland: This nation was forged in refuge, not imperialism. But its people have grown cynical about hopes for a deal with Palestinians

Olmert Under Pressure to Quit Over Link to Millionaire in Bribery Probe
Israel's 60th birthday celebrations overshadowed as details of US witness in high-level bribery investigation revealed

Olmert Under Renewed Pressure to Resign
Israel's prime minister, Ehud Olmert, is coming under pressure to resign after an American millionaire was reported to be embroiled in a high-level bribery investigation involving him

The Old Dream of a Nation, Like All Nations, Remains Just That: a Dream
Israel celebrates its 60th anniversary, but must count the cost of a conflict into which it was born

One Home, Two Histories
The past of one property in Jerusalem symbolizes today's divisions between Palestinians and Israelis

Pressure Grows on Israel at London Peace Talks
Quartet demands freeze on all settlement activity and an easing of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza

Middle East Quartet Urges All Sides to Commit to Talks
Israelis and Palestinians were urged today to make 'every effort' to reach agreement on a Palestinian state by the end of this year amid mounting unease about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

Unholy Sanctuary
Israel is failing to deal with a sharp increase in the number of asylum seekers from Africa

Israel Urged to End Blockade of Gaza As Talks Begin in London
As 'quartet' meets to consider the state of the faltering peace process, Oxfam calls for end to 'complacency'

Mother and Her Four Children Killed During Israeli Incursion
Gaza death toll higher so far than previous three years, with 197 unarmed civilians killed

Harel, Leader of Israel's New Exodus, Dies at 90
Yossi Harel, leader of the Exodus, ship that carried Jews to Palestine a year before the state of Israel was established, has died

Israel Rejects Hamas Ceasefire Offer
Israel dismisses offer of a six-month truce from Hamas, saying the group merely wants time to rearm

Israel Dismisses Hamas Truce Offer
Israel dismissed an offer of a six-month truce from the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas today, saying the group merely wanted time to rearm

UN Censures Us and Israel Over Syria Nuclear Row
Head of IAEA criticizes Pentagon for breaking its responsibilities following claim that North Korea helped Syria's nuclear program

US Claims North Korean Link to Israeli Bombing of Syria
The mystery over the Israeli bombing of Syria took a new twist today when US intelligence agencies showed a video claiming that the target had been a nuclear plant being built with North Korean help

Shot Film-maker's Family Doubt Israeli Payout Claims
Relatives of James Miller react cautiously to reports Israel has agreed to pay £1.8m in compensation ahead of a court case

We Can Accept Israel As Neighbour, Says Hamas
Hamas says it is prepared to accept a Palestinian state on land occupied in the 1967 war, but will not explicitly recognize Israel

Israel Plans 100 Houses in West Bank Settlements
Plans by Israel's housing ministry draw swift criticism from Palestinian officials

Palestinian Journalist Killed By Metal Darts From Israeli Shell
Legal challenge to ban inch-long darts known as flechettes is rejected as thousands gather for funeral of Reuters cameraman

Reuters Journalist Killed By Israeli Shell, Say Doctors
Palestinian journalist who died in Gaza yesterday was killed by metal flechette darts from a shell fired by an Israeli tank, say doctors

Two Killed in West Bank Raid
Teenager and military commander wanted by Israel killed in second day of clashes as hundreds join funeral of Palestinian cameraman

Israel Seeks Friends Through Myspace Page
Officials hope that running a MySpace page dedicated to Israel will help improve relations with people from other countries.

20 Die in Gaza Clashes After Fire Fight at Fuel Crossing
Heavy fighting at Nahal Oz fuel crossing leads to Israeli tank and aircraft strike in several areas of Gaza Strip

Israel's Senior Politicians and Security Service Snub Carter Visit
Former US president 'disappointed' at lack of high level meetings as he begins Middle East tour

Parents of Briton Shot By Israeli Soldier Seek Talks With Ambassador
Parents of the British student Tom Hurndall try to build a criminal case against senior Israeli army officers

Israel Hits Back After Two Die in Crossing Attack
Palestinian gunmen attack fuel depot, prompting soldiers and tanks to cross into Gaza

Palestinian Militants Kill Israeli Civilians in Gaza Attack
Palestinian gunmen today attacked a fuel depot on the Gaza border, killing two Israeli civilian workers and injuring two others as militants fired waves of mortars at the crossing post

Nomadic Bedouin Fight to Survive in the Village Which Does Not Exist
Human Rights Watch accuses Israel of discriminating against Negev desert bedouin clans

Israeli Play Makes Link With Palestinians
Leading Jewish actor to portray Arab peace activist who's daughter was killed in West Bank

Architect of Israel's Birth Faces Extinction
The Jewish Agency, one of the pillars on which the state of Israel was born, is facing the greatest crisis of its existence

Architect of Israel's Birth Faces Extinction
The Jewish Agency, one of the pillars on which the state of Israel was born, is facing the greatest crisis of its existence

Israel-Palestine Dispute Moves on to Facebook
Jewish settlers campaign on Facebook against being identified as living in Palestine

Israeli Security Staff Write Blogs to Attract Recruits
Israel's domestic security agency, Shin Bet, allows staff to blog in an attempt to win over hi-tech recruits

Merkel to Address Knesset As Historic Visit Strengthens Israeli Ties With Germany
Countries agree on a closer strategic relationship, with agreements on joint investments and defence cooperation

Berlin Strengthens Ties With Israel
Israel and Germany agreed today on a new and closer strategic relationship with agreements on joint investments and defence cooperation during a visit to Jerusalem by Chancellor Angela Merkel

Rachel Corrie Play Debuts in Israel
Mixed audiences to see Palestinian interpretation of play based on writings of US activist killed in Gaza

Never Mind the Media, What About the Crisis?
Ian Black: Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger and outgoing Haaretz editor David Landau found common ground when discussing media coverage of Israel at London Jewish Book Week

Egypt Tries to Broker Gaza Ceasefire
Israel has asks for 30-day 'trial period' of quiet, after which it will accept Egyptian calls for ceasefire

To Rescue the Two-state Solution, Israel Must Make Peace With Syria
Jonathan Freedland: A Damascus detente could cut through the cloud of cynicism. But it all depends on a change at the White House

Israel Expands Settlements in Blow to Peace Process
Olmert's spokesman says Israel never agreed to cease settlement expansion

Actress's Relative Saved Thousands From Nazis
Actress Helena Bonham Carter's grandfather will be honored this week by a Holocaust remembrance organization in Israel.

Thousands Attend Service for Eight Young Students Killed As They Gathered to Pray
Emotional funeral in Jerusalem following worst attack in Israel since Tel Aviv suicide bombing in 2006

Thousands Attend Funeral Service for Israeli Students
Thousands of Israelis gathered for an emotional funeral service at the Jewish religious seminary in Jerusalem where eight students were shot dead yesterday

Funeral Processions Begin for Israeli Students Killed By Gunman
Thousands of Israelis gathered this morning to join funeral processions for eight students killed last night by a Palestinian gunman

A Double Act of Revenge: Carefully Planned Atrocity Strikes at Israel's Spiritual Heart
Lone gunman who killed eight people in Jerusalem may have had Israeli ID card

Israeli Soldier Killed As Jeep Attacked on Gaza Border
Man killed and another seriously wounded as bomb attack targets Israeli army vehicle

Jeep Blown Up on Israel-gaza Border
One soldier killed, reports say, as US asks Egypt to help bring Abbas and Olmert back to negotiating table

Sanctions Causing Gaza to Implode, Say Rights Groups
Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are living through their worst humanitarian crisis since the 1967 war

Abbas Ready to Restart Dialogue With Israel
The Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, today agreed to resume peace talks, reversing a threat to boycott negotiations until Israel reached a truce with Hamas

Israel Hits Gaza Again
Baby killed in crossfire during two-hour onslaught in response to Palestinian rockets striking deeper inside Israel

Hamas Rockets Bring Israeli City in Range
Fight reignited over Gaza Strip after rockets fired into Ashkelon

Rice Says Peace Still Possible Despite Israeli Warning of More Violence
US secretary of state says Middle East peace settlement and creation of Palestinian state achievable by end of year, despite warning from Olmert that halt to fighting only temporary

Israeli Minister Warns of Holocaust for Gaza If Violence Continues
Deputy defence minister uses genocide rhetoric to warn of huge military operation to counter rocket attacks

Israeli Minister Warns of Palestinian 'holocaust'
Deputy defence minister says Palestinians risk bringing 'holocaust' upon themselves with Hamas rocket raids from Gaza Strip.

Senior Moment for Kid Dubbed New Meninga
Rugby league: Keith Senior is looking forward to coming up against Australia's teenage sensation Israel Folau

Gazans Form Human Chain Along Israeli Border in Protest at Blockade
Protest aimed at ending Gaza Strip blockade by Israel, which sends troops to quell fears of mass exodus similar to last month's Gaza-Egypt border breach

How Labour Used the Law to Keep Criticism of Israel Secret
Exclusive: Concern over nuclear arsenal removed from Iraq dossier

Israel's Weapons - a Diplomatic No-go Area
In recent years India, Pakistan and North Korea have swelled the ranks of the weapons states, but unlike them Israel has never come out of the nuclear closet

Hizbullah Leader Vows to Wage 'open War' on Israel
Hassan Nasrallah accuses Israel of assassinating the organization's militant commander, Imad Mughniyeh

History of Kabbalah: Adam and Abraham
Adam, a man who lived 5768 years ago, was the first Kabbalist. And Abraham, an inhabitant of Ancient Mesopotamia, became the founder of the first group of Kabbalists, later to be called "Israel."

Israel Reduces Power Supply in Move to 'disengage' From Gaza
Olmert hitting back after Hamas rocket attacks· Cuts break international law, rights groups say

Hamas Says It Was Behind Suicide Blast in Israel
The Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas yesterday signaled a return to suicide bombing for the first time in more than three years inside Israel when it claimed responsibility for an attack in the town of Dimona on Monday

Israel Faces Constant War, Says Olmert
Israel faces a constant war, says Israeli prime minister after suicide bombers strike inside Israel for the first time in over a year

One Killed As Suicide Bomber Strikes Israeli Town
At least one dead after attack in southern town of Dimona, reports say

Suicide Bomber Strikes Israeli Town
At least one dead after suicide bomb attack in the southern Israeli town of Dimona, according to reports

Israel Braces for Critical War Report
Israel's government and military are expected to face a new round of criticism today when a long-delayed report into their handling of the war in Lebanon is published

Border Breach Could Let Israel Cut Gaza Link, Say Officials
Israeli officials yesterday suggested the newly open border between Gaza and Egypt offered a chance of Israel completely severing its ties with the small strip of crowded Palestinian land

A Broken Society
Leader: If you bottle up 1.5 million people in a territory 25 miles long and six miles wide, and turn off the lights, as Israel has done in Gaza, the bottle will burst

Border Protests Over Gaza Blockade
Guns fired at the Gaza-Egypt border during protests against Israel's blockade of the coastal strip

Israel Temporarily Eases Gaza Blockade
Limited resumption of fuel and food shipments to beleaguered territory comes amid warnings of humanitarian crisis

Israeli Fuel Blockade May Halt Food Handouts, Un Warns
Food aid to residents in Gaza could be suspended unless Israel reopens the border, a UN agency said today.

No Light, No Heat, No Bread: Stark Reality for the Powerless in Gaza
Besieged civilians pay the price for Israel's hardline response to rocket attacks

Israel Launches New Satellite to Spy on Iran
Israel launches powerful spy satellite to keep watch on Iran, its main threat in the region

Gaza Plunged Into Darkness As Israeli Fuel Blockade Takes Effect
Parts of Gaza were pitched into darkness last night after its only power plant was shut down following a move by Israel to halt fuel shipments under its new closure of the small, overcrowded strip of land

Israel Orders Closure of Gaza Crossings As Palestinian Anger and Casualties Increase
Israel closed the crossings yesterday preventing people and exports going out and even UN trucks from delivering food aid

Barenboim Becomes First to Hold Israeli and Palestinian Passports
The Israeli pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim has been granted Palestinian citizenship for his work in promoting cultural exchange between young people in Israel and the Arab world

Israeli Musician Gets Palestinian Passport
Israeli pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim granted Palestinian citizenship in what is believed to be first time anyone has held both passports

Bush Calls for End to Israeli Occupation
Doubt cast on president's hope for deal within a year · US leader implies largest settlements will remain

Bush Criticises Settlements on Israel Visit
US president reasserts opposition to unauthorized settlements in the West Bank on first visit to Israel since taking office

Turkey, Israel, the US, and the Persian Predicament
Only Turkey can bring about the demise of the dictatorial regime of the ignorant and paranoid Ayatollahs without major dangers for the global security.

More Than 10,000 Police Will Guard Bush During Israel Visit
Israeli officials in Jerusalem are to deploy more than 10,000 police officers in a vast security operation ahead of the arrival this week of George Bush, the first US president to visit in a decade

Israeli Soldiers Kill Hamas Gunmen
Israeli troops today killed two Palestinian Hamas gunmen in Gaza, wounding three others in an upsurge of violence days before the US president, George Bush, visits Israel.

Death Toll in Arab-israeli Conflict Fell in 2007
The number of Israelis and Palestinians killed in the Middle East conflict dropped last year but human rights abuses continued, a leading Israeli human rights group said yesterday

Death Toll in Arab-israeli Conflict Fell in 2007
The number of Israelis and Palestinians killed in the Middle East conflict dropped last year but human rights abuses continued, a leading Israeli human rights group said yesterday

'He is Very Much Alive'
He was the warrior who discovered pragmatism, but two years ago he fell into a coma, leaving his people without a leader. Is Israel still waiting for Ariel Sharon to wake up?

Israel Kills 12 Militants in Gaza
Israeli military strikes have killed 12 Palestinian militants in Gaza, including two top commanders, over the past two days

Israeli Air Strikes Kill Militants in Gaza
Nine members of Islamic Jihad and a Hamas activist killed in a spate of Israeli air strikes on Gaza

World Bank Urges Israel to Ease Palestinian Blockade
· Restrictions threaten efforts to boost economy· Blair confident $5.6bn donor target will be met

Six Dead As Israeli Tanks Enter Gaza
Israeli troops in tanks and armored vehicles mount incursion into Gaza, killing at least six Palestinian militants

Israel Tanks Enter Gaza on Eve of Peace Talks
Israeli troops in tanks and armored vehicles mounted an incursion into Gaza yesterday, killing at least six Palestinian militants on the eve of a new round of peace talks

Deterioration of the Turkish – Israeli relationship
A few days after the terrible Isparta airplane crash in SW Turkey, Turkey eliminated Israel from the Göktürk satellite project.

Israel to Build in East Jerusalem
Israel's housing ministry said yesterday it plans to build 307 new homes in a settlement in East Jerusalem, drawing swift condemnation from Palestinian officials

Israel Contradicts Us Findings on Nuclear Iran
Iran claimed today that its peaceful nuclear intentions were clear after US spy agencies concluded that Tehran had stopped its nuclear weapons program in 2003

Israel Risks Apartheid-like Struggle If Two-state Solution Fails, Says Olmert
Jewish state is finished without deal, warns PM· Effort to renew public backing for peace talks

State of Israel Could Disappear, Warns Olmert
Ehud Olmert today raised the spectre of the disintegration of the state of Israel unless a two-state solution with the Palestinians could be reached

Israel to Lure Soviet Jews From Germany
An Israeli intelligence organization is to send its agents to Germany to try to persuade tens of thousands of Jews from the former Soviet Union to settle in Israel

Israel and Palestinians Commit to Peace Talks
Israel and the Palestinians will start immediate negotiations to address all outstanding issues and seek an agreement by the end of 2008, George Bush said today

Israeli Migration Agents Target German Jews
Soviet migrants in Nativ agency's sights· Germany's Jewish council condemns 'offensive' plan

Bush Wins Crucial Saudi Support for First Israeli-palestinian Peace Talks in Seven Years
· Syria also likely to attend Annapolis conference · Few on any side expect agreement on tough issues

UN Aid Chief Attacks New Israeli Checkpoint Plan
'Streamlined' Israeli checkpoints across West Bank will limit freedom of movement, stifle economic activity and hamper efforts to help Palestinian refugees, UN agency claims

Israel and Palestine Fail to Agree Before Conference
A meeting between Israeli and Palestinian leaders has failed to produce a joint declaration for a Middle East summit due next week in the United States, after they could not resolve key differences

We Must Fear the Unthinkable, Warns Mcclaren
After the relief of Israel's win, Steve McClaren will tell his England players that they are far from finding their way out of the woods yet

McClaren Gets a Second Chance, But Doesn't Deserve It
Steve McClaren should be sacked after the Croatia match - even if England capitalize on the good fortune that Israel afforded them, writes Matt Scott

Israel v Russia - Live!
The game kicks off at 6pm but Sean will be here from 5.30pm with the latest news

How to Be an Israel Fan
As every conscious adult surely knows, England need Israel to get at least a point against Russia today if they are to stand any chance of qualifying for Euro 2008. Victory in Tel Aviv for the visiting Russians and England will be knocked out of the tournament in disappointment and humiliation; success for Israel and England will still be knocked out of the tournament in disappointment and humiliation, but not until next June.

Israel and Abbas Agree to Peace Talks
Two sides will seek final deal within one year· Syrians and Saudis also ready to participate

Hiddink Expects No Favours From a Grateful Israel
The wartime exploits of the Russia manager's father have drawn praise from their hosts, writes Matt Scott

Coach Denies Claims of Referee Switch
It has been alleged that a complaint from the Russian football federation led to a referee switch for their game against Israel.

Clarence House Steers Clear of Jerusalem Visit
Clarence House rebuffed an invitation for the Prince of Wales to visit Jerusalem because of fears that Israel would use the prince to "help burnish its international image".

Abbas Calls for Overthrow of Hamas in Gaza Strip, Claiming Population is Being Abused
President stops short of calling for uprising· Comments follow killing of eight at Fatah rally

Russia Feeling the Heat
The head of Russia's football association warned yesterday that they should not take Israel for granted in Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier and stressed that their opponents posed a serious threat.

Palestinian Peace Brokers Aim at Pact With Israel Within Year
Negotiators pin progress on revived US 'road map'· Hope for core-issue talks as first phase begins

Palestinians Aim for Agreement With Israel Within Year
Negotiator sets out target before peace conference· Newspaper reports freeze on West Bank settlements

Aouate Says Israel Will Do All They Can to Keep English Hopes Alive
Israeli goalkeeper Dodu Aouate has described their game against Russia as 'the most important in the group'

McClaren's Fears Confirmed By Benayoun Blow
Problems for Yossi Benayoun and England as a torn muscle rules him out of Israel's clash with Russia.

Israeli Pm Plays Down Prostate Cancer Scare
Olmert reveals tumor but expects to recover· Operation may clash with Middle East conference

Israel Proposes Cutting Power to Gaza to Deter Attacks
Rockets prompt scheme to slowly reduce electricity · Palestinians say plan will breach international law

This Week We Want to Know All About...israel's Mr Gay
There have been numerous advocates of Zionism over the years, but it's fair to say none has been the winner of a world homosexual beauty contest. This, however, is about to change as Nathan Shaked prepares for his tour of Britain next month.

Israel Shaken By Troops' Tales of Brutality Against Palestinians
A psychologist blames assaults on civilians in the 1990s on soldiers' bad training, boredom and poor supervision.

US Warns Israel and Palestinians to Find Common Ground
Rice speaks to Abbas and Olmert before conference · Envoy says UN should consider leaving Quartet

Israeli Air Strike Was Aimed at Syrian Reactor, Report Says
Nuclear plant in early stages of construction· Concern in US over pre-emptive assault

Gaza Goes Hungry As Israeli Sanctions Bite
Palestinian Authority prepares for US peace talks but Hamas is out in the cold.

Israeli Army Orders Confiscation of Palestinian Land in West Bank
Seizure would allow huge expansion of settlements· Move seen as rush to make changes before US summit

Jerusalem May Be Part of Peace Deal, Says Israel
A senior Israeli cabinet minister said yesterday that Israel may be willing to divide Jerusalem with the Palestinians as part of a future peace agreement.

Welcome to Joppa
In Kedumim Square, in Jaffa, Israel, one can visit excavated homes that were destroyed nearly two thousand years ago. The nearby museum has the objects of daily life left behind when Jaffa fell to Vespasian at the time of first Jewish Revolt in 67 A.D. Meet Ananias, who can tell you the history o

Israeli Airstrike Hit Military Site, Syria Confirms
Syria's president, Bashar al-Assad, yesterday claimed the target hit by an Israeli air strike last month was a military building under construction, but denied it had anything to do with a nuclear programme.

Ex-diplomats Say Us Faces Failure of Peace Summit
The Bush administration was warned yesterday by former senior US diplomats that it is setting itself up for the failure of its Middle East peace summit by neglecting to lay the groundwork for a successful meeting of American, Israeli and Arab leaders.

Choosing the right hotel in Israel
Ask yourself what your main preferences and the most important features your hotel should have. What is your primal concern? Is it the lowest price, the most beautiful view, big pool or something else? Deciding about your priorities will help you to find hotel that suits your needs in the best possible way.

Johnston Kidnapper Killed in Raid
One of the kidnappers of the BBC journalist Alan Johnston was killed yesterday when an Israeli missile hit the vehicle he was traveling in.

Israeli Pm Faces Police Inquiry Over House Deal
Ehud Olmert is to face a criminal investigation into the purchase of his home in Jerusalem, it was announced today

Israel Consulted Us Before Syria Strike, Report Says
Israel's decision to launch an air strike against a suspected nuclear site in Syria allegedly set up with the help of North Korea came after Israel shared intelligence with the US, it was reported today.

Israel Declares Gaza Strip Hostile Territory
Threat to cut fuel supply if rocket attacks continue· Rice backs crackdown but UN chief calls for rethink

Israel Declares Gaza 'enemy Entity'
Today's security cabinet declaration could pave the way for possible cuts in fuel and water supplies to the Hamas-controlled territory.

Families Cannot Sue Firm for Israel Deaths
Caterpillar machines used in demolition of homes· Parents of activist Rachel Corrie part of legal suit

Speculation Flourishes Over Israel's Strike on Syria
· PM Ehud Olmert enforces news blackout on air raid · Target believed to have been nuclear project

Was Israeli Raid a Dry Run for Attack on Iran?
Mystery surrounds last week's air foray into Syrian territory. The Observer's Foreign Affairs Editor attempts to unravel the truth behind Operation Orchard and allegations of nuclear subterfuge.

Articles of Faith
When two eminent US scholars wrote about the 'Israel lobby' they were vilified by colleagues and the Washington Post. This week Barack Obama joined the attack. Ed Pilkington hears their story.

McClaren Hints at Crouch Selection
Steve McClaren has hinted there will be changes to the England team from the one that defeated Israel with ease last Saturday, as he plans ahead of the crucial Euro 2008 qualifier against Russia tomorrow.

Israeli Neo-nazi Ring Caught After Attacks on Synagogues
Police in Israel have uncovered a neo-Nazi ring which was responsible for vandalising synagogues and carrying out attacks on Jews.

Israel Accused Over Lebanon War Claims
· Human rights report tells of indiscriminate firing· Claim that Hizbullah hid behind civilians rejected

Tension Rises After Syria Opens Fire on Israeli Planes
Syria yesterday said it had opened fire on Israeli aircraft after they crossed into Syrian airspace, broke the sound barrier and "dropped ammunition" over the desert.

Israel Accused of Indiscriminate Attacks During Lebanon War
Israel was accused today of firing indiscriminately during last year's war in Lebanon in a report by Human Rights Watch that challenged the country's claim that the high number of civilian casualties resulted from the militant group Hizbullah deliberately shielding itself among the Lebanese population.

Israeli Forces Kill 10 in Gaza Clashes
Troops backed by tanks and bulldozers kill at least 10 Palestinian gunmen in the fiercest clashes in months.

Israel Accused of Air Raid on Syria
Aircraft 'dropped ammunition' on country's north before retreating under Syrian fire, report says.

Israeli Court Orders West Bank Barrier Diversion
Judges back a Palestinian village's challenge over the route of the controversial security barrier.

The Girl Who Urges Children to Fight Israel ... With Clean Teeth
A child TV star spreads the Hamas message to the youth of Gaza.

Peres Hails New Opportunity to Make Peace
· Economic deals add hope, says Israeli president· Both sides setting out principles for talks in US

Israelis Buy Rescue Insurance for Their Globetrotting Young
Thousands have breakdowns after taking drugs or dropping out after stressful military service.

Man Killed in Jerusalem After Grabbing Gun
A man was killed yesterday after grabbing a pistol from an Israeli security guard in Jerusalem's Old City, prompting a chase through the city's narrow streets.

Israel Replies in Shooting Inquiry
Israel's attorney general yesterday asked Britain for more information about an analysis of an audio recording which may shed new light on the killing of British journalist James Miller in Gaza in 2003.

Israeli Holocaust Survivors Demand More Support From Government
· Thousands march on PM's office for financial aid· Minister hits out amid report of allowance plan

Israelis Are Up in Arms at Celebrity Draft Dodgers
Clampdown on stars who sidestep army service.

Riyadh Gives Talks With Israel Cautious Welcome
Saudi Arabia would sit down with Israel at a US-proposed Middle East peace conference, provided it dealt with matters of substance, say Saudi officials.

Germany and Israel Unite to Film the Story of Concentration Camp's Clown
German and Israeli filmmakers have come together to tackle the subject of the Holocaust for the first time in an ambitious screen adaptation of a bestselling novel.

America Plans $20bn Arms Deals for Allies in the Gulf
Bush aims to counter Iran's growing influence by arming its neighbours, despite Israeli concerns.

Arab Leaders Hold Talks in Israel on Peace Plan
Foreign ministers from Jordan and Egypt held rare talks in Israel yesterday to present an Arab League peace plan for an independent Palestinian state.

Wanted, for Crimes Against the State
For many years, Azmi Bishara has been one of the most prominent voices representing the 1.5 million Arabs living in Israel. But now he is a fugitive, facing some of the most serious allegations ever made against an Israeli MP. What happened? In a rare interview, he talks to Rory McCarthy.

Israeli Mp Azmi Bishara
Interview: For many years, Azmi Bishara has been one of the most prominent voices representing the 1.5 million Arabs living in Israel. But now he is a fugitive, facing some of the most serious allegations ever made against an Israeli MP. What happened? In a rare interview, he talks to Rory McCarthy.

Israel Looks to Bolster Abbas By Freeing Militants
Prisoners driven to Fatah leader's compound - Hamas members excluded from amnesty

Israel Frees 250 Jailed Palestinians
Releases aimed at bolstering support for Mahmoud Abbas after Hamas coup in Gaza Strip.

Iran's Jews Spurn Cash Lure to Emigrate to Israel
Iran's Jews have given the country a loyalty pledge in the face of cash offers aimed at encouraging them to move to Israel, the arch-enemy of its Islamic rulers.

Iran's Jews Reject Cash Offer to Move to Israel
Expats offer families £30,000 to emigrate - Our identity is not for sale, say community leaders

Say No to Israel as a Jewish State
Tzipi Livni, the Israeli Foreign Minister, wants the United States to insist that Israel has the right to exist as a Jewish State. This violates our founding principle on the separation between church and state.

Turkey, Israel, Syria, Iraq, and the Elimination of the Islamic Terror
A Kemal Ataturk project for all Muslims in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.

Turkey and Israel to pacify the Middle East
With America having tragically failed, only Turkey and Israel have the political and military know how to effectively eliminate tyrants and terrorists.

Turkey and Israel to transform the Orient
In exchange of Turkish support against the Palestinian terrorism, Israel and the world’s Jewish and Zionist circles should support Turkey’s Secular establishment against the threat emanating from the Euro-liberal manipulative backing of Erdogan’s perfidious and preposterous Islamists.

The Israelis Are Coming
Over the past 15 years, old Manali village, in the Himalayas, has been facing a yearly summer invasion. The Israelis are not just coming; they are already here.

Turkey and Israel: Facing Common Threats and Sharing Great Perspectives
In this article, we will focus on the common threats faced by both countries and we will concentrate on the great perspectives Turkey and Israel can share. We will limit the present analysis geographically within the borderlines of both countries.

Turkey and Israel: a Great Alliance for Peace in Orient
When the world’s major powers prove to be unprepared for colossal challenges that arise from various parts, one has to search for cornerstones on which a New Peace and Order can be founded without the supposed major powers.

Israel Jails Vanunu Over Foreign Contacts
Court sentences man who served 18 years for revealing nuclear secrets to six months for violating ban on speaking to foreigners.

Israeli President Strikes Plea Bargain Over Sex Offences
The Israeli president, Moshe Katsav, struck a surprise plea bargain with prosecutors today under which he will resign and admit charges of sexual harassment in return for avoiding jail time and much tougher rape charges.

Israeli President in Deal to Avoid Prison Term and Rape Case
Katsav to resign before admitting harassment - Women's rights groups attack plea bargain

Egyptian 'spy for Israel' Found Dead Outside London Flat
High-flier Ashraf Marwan was close to presidents Nasser and Sadat, and accused of being Mossad agent.

12 Palestinians Die in Israeli Military Raids
Israeli troops killed at least 12 Palestinians yesterday, among them a boy aged 12 as well as several militants, in the largest military raids in Gaza since Hamas seized full control of the territory.

Twelve Dead After Israeli Strikes in Gaza
Israeli troops killed at least 12 Palestinians today, among them a boy aged 12, as well as several militants in the largest military raids in Gaza since Hamas seized full control of the territory.

Captured Israeli Soldier 'alive and Well'
Palestinian militant group uses anniversary of Israeli soldier's capture to reiterate demands and call for more kidnappings.

Israel Reluctant to Ease West Bank Restrictions
US asks Israel to help the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, by removing checkpoints and roadblocks near major Palestinian centers.

Israel Releases £300m in Tax Revenues to Palestinians
Funds to boost support for president in West Bank - Olmert offers concessions but 'no breakthrough'

Israel Launches Tank and Air Strikes on Gaza
Israel launches first major attack on Gaza since Hamas took over last week.

Women Soldiers in Their Underwear: Israel's Image Boost
MPs call article in men's magazine pornographic - Maxim photoshoot was suggested by consulate

Israel Launches Air Strikes on Gaza
Israel launches first air strikes against Gaza since Hamas took over last week.

Israel Strikes Rocket Launch Sites in Gaza
Israel launches first air strikes against Gaza since Hamas took over last week.

Israel Willing to Negotiate With Abbas to Shore Up New Palestinian Government
Israel is willing to start talks on creating a Palestinian state if the new government of President Mahmoud Abbas demonstrates it is a 'credible and serious administration' committed to defeating terrorism, Israel's prime minister said yesterday.

Israel Reaches Out to Abbas on Palestine
Ehud Olmert said today he is willing to discuss the creation of a Palestinian state if the new government headed by president Mahmoud Abbas pledges to combat terrorism.

Israel 'willing to Talk' to Abbas
Israel is willing to start talks on creating a Palestinian state if the new government of President Mahmoud Abbas demonstrates it is a 'credible and serious administration' committed to defeating terrorism, Israel's prime minister said yesterday.

Newton Papers on Show in Israel
A collection of 300-year-old manuscripts by Sir Isaac Newton are to go on show in Jerusalem, the first time they will have been on public display since they were bought at a London auction in 1936.

Israel Restores Fuel Supplies to Gaza
The Israeli company that provides fuel to the Gaza Strip today restored supplies amid fears cutbacks would hurt ordinary Palestinians.

Fighting In Gaza – Is Israel Worried?
There is a virtual civil war going on in Palestine, with Hamas and Fatah jockeying for power – and tearing each other to pieces in the process. So neighboring Israel should be really worried; right? I wonder.

Ehud Barak, New Leader of the Labour Party in Israel
Profile: Ehud Barak has clinched the leadership of the Labour party and now has his sights on a return to the job of prime minister

Peres Wins Israeli Presidency
After five decades at the heart of Israeli politics, holding every major cabinet position, Shimon Peres was finally elected as the country's president yesterday.

Former Israeli Leader to Head Labour Party
The former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak was today elected leader of the Israeli Labour party, the second largest party in the country's governing coalition.

Barak Close to a Comeback As Labour's Leader - and Defence Minister
Ehud Barak, the former Israeli prime minister, appeared to have staged a political comeback last night when early results showed him the winner of a leadership election for Israel's Labour party.

Labour Party Votes for New Leader Able to Tackle Netanyahu
Votes were cast yesterday to select a new leader for Israel's Labour party, in a run-off between the former prime minister Ehud Barak and the former security services chief Ami Ayalon.

US College Rejects Jewish Professor Over Anti-israel Stance
One of the most rancorous disputes in American academia has ended with a prominent political scientist, with controversial views on Israel and antisemitism, being denied tenure at one of the country's top-10 private universities.

Israeli Bombers Strike Gaza After Kidnap Attempt
Palestinian gunmen planned to snatch soldier - One shot dead after attack on unmanned watchtower

To Boycott or Not - the New Israeli Question
Pressure for sanctions on Israeli goods is widening. Forty years after the Six-Day War, unions, academics and journalists are locked in furious debate about the tactic. Peter Beaumont, foreign affairs editor, reports.

Syria and Israel: Old Enemies Looking at New Peace
Strong leadership and negotiation may see deal between Syria and Israel.

Israel's West Bank Barrier
Rory McCarthy reports from Ma'asara on efforts to use non-violence as means of protesting against Israel's West Bank barrier.

Six-day War: View From Retired Israeli Army Colonel
Rory McCarthy speaks to soldiers, settlers, activists, Israeli Palestinians and refugees about how the war changed their lives.

Six-day War: View of Gila Svirsky, 60, Prominent Israeli Peace Activist
Rory McCarthy speaks to soldiers, settlers, activists, Israeli Palestinians and refugees about how the war changed their lives.

Israeli Ministers Discuss British Boycott Threats Amid Plans for Retaliatory Action
Israeli groups are planning to launch a counter-boycott of Britain in response to a series of boycotts proposed by British unions and associations.

Documents Claim Israel Aided Entebbe Hijack
The Israeli secret service and radical Palestinians may have engineered the hijacking of an Air France plane that flew to Entebbe in Uganda, according to a claim in newly released government documents.

Israel Urged to Lift Ban on Palestinian Students
Four Israeli university presidents and several high-profile authors have called on the Israeli government to lift its restrictions on Palestinian students.

Peres to Run for President of Israel
Shimon Peres, the elder statesman of Israeli politics, confirmed yesterday he would stand for election to be the country's next president.

Defiant Hamas Leader Says Attacks on Israel Will Go on Despite Heavy Human Cost in Gaza
Mashal predicts explosion across Middle East - Fatah conflict blamed on foreign intervention

Barak in Run-off for Israeli Labour Party Leadership
Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak won the first round of elections for leadership of the Labour party but must now face a run-off against his strongest challenger, Ami Ayalon, a political newcomer and former security services chief.

Israeli Labour Party Set for Leadership Run-off
Former PM and newcomer knock out current leader - Likely cabinet reshuffle may shake up politics

Israeli Pm Risks Losing Office As Coalition Partner Begins Leader Poll
Labour contenders vow to end Olmert's tenure - Hamas rockets continue despite air strikes on Gaza

Top Architects Accuse Israelis of Oppression
Leading British architects have accused their counterparts in Israel of complicity in schemes that contribute to the 'social, political and economic oppression of Palestinians'.

Israelis Swoop on Hamas Politicians
33 leaders held in attempt to halt rocket strikes - Defiant Islamist group says its fight will continue

Israel Detains 30 Hamas Officials
Israel today launched fresh air strikes and arrested more than 30 Hamas officials in response to persistent rocket attacks from Gaza. Israeli defense forces struck the offices of money changers and businesses in the Gaza Strip that it said have been transferring funds from Iran, Syria and...

Amnesty Condemns Israeli Strikes
Israeli troops killed more than 650 Palestinians, including 120 children, last year, a threefold increase on 2005, the human rights group Amnesty International said yesterday.

Israel Threatens Hamas As Sderot Mourns
Not even political leaders immune, warns minister - Israeli town empties after Gaza rocket kills woman

Israeli Killed in Rocket Attack From Gaza
Israel suffered its first fatality of the latest fighting in Gaza last night when a woman died after a Qassam rocket hit a car she was approaching in southern Israel.

Israeli Minister Issues Death Threat to Hamas Leaders
All Hamas leaders should be killed to end rocket attacks from Gaza, a senior Israeli cabinet official said today, as Israeli planes carried out new air strikes in the territory.

Eight Die in Israeli Missile Attack on Home of Hamas Legislator
Israel intensified its attacks on Gaza last night with an airstrike on the home of a Hamas political leader which killed eight of his relatives and neighbors, and immediately drew threats of reprisals.

Israeli Gunships Target Gaza for Second Day
Israel today launched more air strikes in Gaza in response to continued rocket attacks from Hamas militants.

Hamas Threatens Israel Suicide Bombings
Militant Palestinian group says it could resume suicide bombings after three air attacks by Israeli planes.

Israeli Airstrikes Add to Turmoil of Factional Violence on Gaza Streets
Hamas targeted after spate of Qassam rocket attacks - Gunmen ignore truce by rival Palestinian leaders

Israel Launches Air Strikes on Gaza
Helicopter gunship raid in retaliation for rocket attacks by Hamas militants.

Israel Drawn Into Fatah-hamas Fighting
Hamas gunmen attacked rival Fatah forces at a Gaza-Israel border crossing, killing at least five people and drawing gunfire from nearby Israeli troops, Palestinian officials said today.

Israelis Plan More Homes on Occupied Land
Jerusalem council wants three new settlements - Palestinians say move will sabotage two-state aim

City of Peace - East Meets West. The Dream of the Spiritual Is-Ra-El
The hope is that the battling children of Abraham will reunite and see themselves as the brothers they really are, originating all from the same Soul, and that this unity will then pervade the rest of the One soul, the One mind, operating as Mankind.

Checkpoints Hurt Israeli Security, Says World Bank
Restrictions 'devastating Palestinian economy' - Prosperity would benefit both sides, report claims

World Bank Criticises Israel Over Palestinian Economy
Report calls for easing of extensive restrictions on movement of Palestinians in West Bank and Gaza.

Palestinians 'routinely Tortured' in Israeli Jails
Palestinians detained by Israeli security forces are routinely tortured and ill-treated, according to a new report published by Israeli human rights groups yesterday. The ill-treatment, which includes beatings, sensory deprivation, back-bending, back-stretching and other forms of physical abuse, contravenes international law and Israeli law, the report says.

US Sets Targets for Israelis to Lift Restrictions and Palestinians to Improve Security
The United States has set deadlines for Israel to lift restrictions on the West Bank and Gaza, and for the Palestinians to prevent rocket fire at Israel, it emerged today.

Thousands of Israelis Rally to Call for Prime Minister to Quit Over Lebanon
Olmert refuses to quit and wins colleagues' backing - Foreign minister isolated after calling for resignation

Olmert Calls for Calm Over Damning War Report
The Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert, today warned political rivals to 'slow down' before trying to reap political capital from his misfortune.

Israeli Minister Quits As Pressure Grows for Olmert to Step Down
An Israeli cabinet minister resigned yesterday as pressure mounted on prime minister Ehud Olmert to step down following scathing criticism of his handling of last year's war in Lebanon.

Israeli Pm Refuses to Resign Over Lebanon War
Olmert is told he bears supreme responsibility - Unfeasible goals and no military plan among errors

Israeli War Inquiry 'rebukes Olmert Over Military Errors'
Report censures handling of conflict with Lebanon - Opposition plans vote of no confidence in Knesset

Former Israeli Arab Mp Suspected of Helping Enemy
One of Israel's most outspoken Arab politicians, who has left the country and resigned, is being investigated on suspicion of helping an enemy during war, Israeli police said yesterday.

Ceasefire Under Threat After Israeli Raids Kill Nine
Five-month ceasefire between Israelis and Palestinians rocked as Hamas calls for retaliatory attacks.

Palestinian Interior Minister Submits Resignation
The new Palestinian government hit its first crisis today when the interior minister tried to resign because of the cabinet's failure to tackle the growing lawlessness engulfing the Gaza Strip.

NUJ Under Fire for Israel Boycott
Israel's ambassador has accused the NUJ of 'petty, one-sided politics' after a motion to boycott Israeli goods. By Stephen Brook.

Soros Attacks Us Pro-israel Lobby
Group accused of helping to suppress debate - Financier criticises Bush policy on Palestinians

Nuclear Worker Spied for Israel, Egypt Claims
Egyptian authorities have charged a nuclear engineer employed by the state atomic energy body with spying for Israel, along with an Irish man and a Japanese man who remain at large.

Soros Takes on Us Pro-israeli Lobby
The financier and philanthropist George Soros has entered the debate about US policy on Israel, accusing the Bush administration of adopting a hopeless strategy towards the Palestinians partly because of the influence wielded in Washington by the pro-Israeli lobby.

Oxfam Calls for End to Palestinian Blockade
Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip are suffering 'devastating' humanitarian consequences as incomes plummet, debts mount and essential services face meltdown, says Oxfam report.

Palestinian and Israeli Leaders to Meet Next Week
The Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, said today he will meet Israel's prime minister, Ehud Olmert, next week, following a recent US-brokered agreement for the pair to hold talks every fortnight.

Release 500 Prisoners for Soldier, Israel Told
Hamas has sent Israel a list of Palestinian prisoners it wants released in return for the freedom of the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who has been held since last June, officials said yesterday.

Israel Counts the Cost of War
Israel is still counting the cost of last summer's war against Hizbullah in Lebanon, though the final balance may not be entirely disadvantageous. By Simon Tisdall

Iran Forces Israeli Rethink
Uzi Arad, former director of intelligence at Israel's spy agency, Mossad, has made a lifetime's study of revolutionary Iran. If international sanctions and diplomatic arm-twisting fail to halt its suspect nuclear activities, he is clear what the west must do: bomb Tehran. By Simon Tisdall

Arab Proposal is 'revolutionary Change', Says Israel
Israel's prime minister, Ehud Olmert, welcomed progress made at Arab League meeting and believes there is a 'real chance' of peace within five years

Arab Nations Approve Peace Plan
Land for peace initiative, described as a historic chance to secure lasting stability, to be put to Israel.

Arab Leaders Offer Israel Guarded Peace Offer
Full withdrawal from occupied lands demanded - US welcomes 'very positive' statement

Arabs Unite at Summit to Renew Peace Offer to Israel
Arab leaders closed ranks to appeal to Israel yesterday to overcome its long-standing reservations and accept a landmark offer that could lead to a breakthrough in the Middle East peace process.

Arab Summit Attempts to Revive Peace Plan
EU urging Arab nations to be flexible over plan to offer Israel recognition and security in return for its withdrawal to pre-1967 borders.

British Consul Strip Searched at Israeli Pm's Office
Israel's foreign ministry has apologised after the British deputy ambassador to Tel Aviv was forced to strip for a security search at the Israeli prime minister's office.

Israeli and Palestinian Leaders to Hold Regular Talks, Says Rice
Condoleezza Rice says Israeli prime minister and Palestinian president will meet every fortnight as part of mutual confidence-building plan.

Hopes Raised for Israeli and Arab Summit
The UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, raised the prospect yesterday of an international summit of Israeli, Palestinian and Arab leaders in an effort to restart Middle East peace negotiations.

Israel Seeks Friends Through Myspace Page
Officials hope that running a MySpace page dedicated to Israel will help improve relations with people from other countries..

Israel Hit By General Strike
About 400,000 Israeli workers today downed tools as a powerful trade union launched an open-ended strike that stopped international flights and shut down public services.

Free My Son, Bbc Reporter's Father Pleads
The father of Alan Johnston, the BBC journalist abducted in the Gaza Strip a week ago, appealed for his release yesterday amid mounting concern for his safety.

Israel Snubs Palestinian Coalition
The new, more moderate government installed in Palestine yesterday has not been recognised by Israel.

Olmert Defiant As Calls Grow for Resignation Ahead of War Report
Israeli prime minister admits he is unpopular - Media criticism a 'cauldron of poison', he tells party

Israel Risks Isolation As Hamas-fatah Coalition Takes Office
US fails to join boycott over peace conditions - Europe and UK sound out moderates in new cabinet

BBC Journalist Feared Kidnapped in Gaza
A BBC reporter has been kidnapped in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian police sources. By Stephen Brook.

Naked, Drunk, Surrounded By Sex Toys - It's the Israeli Ambassador
As an Israeli ambassador, Tsuriel Raphael was accomplished at putting a gloss on delicate subjects, be it Tel Aviv's nuclear programme, the treatment of Palestinians or the invasion of Lebanon.

Israel Accused of Using Palestinian Children As Human Shields
The Israeli army is investigating whether its troops used two Palestinian children as human shields during a house search operation in the West Bank following claims by the Israeli human rights organisation B'Tselem.

Israel Planned for Lebanon War Months in Advance, Pm Says
Olmert's leaked testimony contradicts earlier remarks - Criticism from inquiry may force resignation

Song of Terror Picked By Israel for Eurovision
Asked to pick a song for this year's Eurovision song contest, Israelis paid little heed to the eternal Eurovision themes of peace, love and harmony and settled instead for a number called Push the Button about the threat of terrorism and Armageddon.

Israeli Group Calls for Increased Rights for Arabs
An Israeli human rights group today proposed a new national constitution that gives more rights to the country's Arab minority and says Israel should be defined not as a Jewish state but as a "democratic, bilingual and multicultural state".

Israeli Officers Kill Islamic Jihad Leaders
Two men and their drivers shot dead in West Bank town of Jenin.

Call for More Rights for Arab Minority in Israel
Group says state should be multicultural - not Jewish Proposed constitution would end right of return

Israel Barrier: Negev Desert Nomads Must Move Again
Security fence and spread of Jewish settlement risks way of life for thousands.

Israelis and Palestinians Unite in Protest at Barrier
Demonstrators mark two years of weekly activism - Show of solidarity fails to swing public opinion

Israel's Oldest Kibbutz Votes for Privatisation
Decision transforms community lifestyle - Members to get private salaries for first time

Israeli and Palestinian Peace Talks Begin Between Ehud Olmert, Mahmoud Abbas and Condoleezza Rice
A meeting began today between the US secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, and the Israeli and Palestinian leaders to discuss the peace process.

Peace Hopes Fade After Us and Israel Agree to Shun New Palestinian Coalition
Israel and the US have agreed to refuse recognition to a new Palestinian coalition government ahead of talks in Jerusalem today, the Israeli prime minister said yesterday, reducing the already slim prospects of progress in the peace process.

Israel to Allow Mosque Protests
Israel is to allow Palestinians to lodge protests about construction work taking place near a mosque in Jerusalem's Old City following violent protests last week, officials said today.

What Do Sarkozy, Disraeli and Hitler Have in Common?
To read some politicians' mind-numbing books is to wish they hadn't bothered. But the clearer the writer, the clearer the doer. By Martin Kettle

The History of Hebrew Translation
Looking for a translation company, maybe you need hebrew translation. Well, here is a few peices of information that may be helpful for you.

Muslim Protests As Israel Digs at Holy Site
Israeli archaeologists began digging up a stone ramp near the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem's Old City yesterday, bringing immediate protests from Palestinians and condemnation from the king of Jordan.

Prominent Jews Call for Open Debate on Israel
Pinter and Farhi among signatories to open letter - Institutions accused of not representing community

Israel's Former Minister Guilty of Sexual Misconduct
Israel's former justice minister Haim Ramon was convicted yesterday of sexual misconduct for forcibly kissing a young female soldier, the latest in a string of government scandals.

MPs Attack Uk-backed Financial Boycott of Palestinian Authority
Rapidly deteriorating conditions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip risk blocking the creation of a viable Palestinian state, MPs warn today in a thinly veiled attack on British policy in the Middle East.

US Studies Israel's Cluster Bomb Use in Lebanon
Israel may have violated agreements with Washington on the use of US-made cluster bombs in its war with Hizbullah in Lebanon last summer, the state department said today.

US Questions Israel's Use of Cluster Bombs in a Rare Rebuke
The US government delivered a mild but rare rebuke to Israel yesterday when the state department said ith might have misused American-made cluster bombs in its offensive against Lebanon last summer.

Three Israelis Dead As Eilat Suffers First Suicide Attack
Two Palestinian militant groups claim explosion - Resort town blast is first in country for nine months

Fifteen Killed in Gaza Clashes
Fifteen people were killed in the Gaza Strip yesterday, including a two-year-old child, in the deadliest single day of fighting between rival Palestinian factions since Hamas came to power a year ago.

Israeli President Takes Leave Over Rape Allegations
Israeli MPs today approved a request by the country's president, Moshe Katsav, to temporarily step down from his post while he faces allegations of rape and sexual assault.

Israel Tries to Cut Off Tehran From World Markets
Israel is launching a campaign to isolate Iran economically and to soften up world opinion for the option of a military strike aimed at crippling or delaying Tehran's uranium enrichment programme.

Israeli President Denounces 'poisonous' Rape Claims
The Israeli president, Moshe Katsav, tonight said he was taking a leave of absence but would not resign unless he was charged with rape and abusing his power while in office.

Olmert Urges Israeli President to Quit Over Rape Allegation
The Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert, last night called on the country's president to resign after the attorney general said he would charge him with rape and other sexual offences.

Israeli President Faces Rape Charges
The Israeli attorney general today recommended that the country's president, Moshe Katsav, be indicted on charges of rape and abuse of power.

The Transformation of the Ira Shows Why Israel Should Talk to Hamas
Only negotiations with both main Palestinian parties can deliver the peace deal that the two peoples now support. By Jonathan Freedland

President of Israel to Be Charged With Rape
Israel's attorney general said yesterday he plans to charge President Moshe Katsav with rape, abuse of power and other sexual offences, turning a seven-month investigation into one of several scandals to hit the government.

Islam and Israel
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict reveals that Islam is as much a factor behind the confrontation as the dispute over land.

Israel to Give Abbas $100m in Frozen Tax Funds
Israel today agreed to transfer $100m to the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, in the first concrete results from the latest US diplomatic push in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Minister's Warning As Israeli Military Chief Quits
The chief of staff of the Israeli army, Lieutenant General Dan Halutz, has resigned, the military reported today, yielding to demands that he pay the price for Israel's flawed war in Lebanon.

Spotlight on Israeli Prime Minister After Armed Forces Chief Resigns
General was accused of mishandling Lebanon war - Prime minister also faces criminal investigation

Israel and Syria 'held Secret Talks for Two Years'
Secret negotiations over two years between Israelis and Syrians produced an outline of a possible peace agreement, according to a report in an Israeli newspaper today.

Secret Talks Led to Israeli-syrian Peace Roadmap, Paper Claims
Secret negotiations over two years between Israelis and Syrians produced an outline of a possible peace agreement, an Israeli newspaper reports.

Golan Peace Talks Report Denied By Israel and Syria
Israel and Syria today denied knowledge of secret peace talks to settle the long-standing dispute over the Golan Heights, seized by Israeli troops during the 1967 war.

Rice to Meet Israeli and Palestinian Leaders
The US secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, will attend a three-way summit with the Israeli and Palestinian leaders some time in the coming weeks, US officials said today.

Israeli Right Angry at First Arab in Cabinet
Amir Peretz, the Israeli defence minister and leader of the Labour party, today appointed Israel's first Arab cabinet minister - and was accused by rightwingers of dealing a "lethal blow to Zionism".

Hamas Official Accepts Israel But Stops Short of Recognition
Lack of Palestinian state is real problem, says leader - Formal acceptance held back as bargaining chip

Hamas Leader Acknowledges 'reality' of Israel
Hamas accepts the existence of the state of Israel but will not officially recognise it until the establishment of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza, according to the group's leader in Damascus, Khaled Meshaal.

Olmert 'wants Coalition Partner to Quit Defence Post'
The Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert, will ask his defence minister to quit his post or leave the government, Israeli television reported last night.

'My Crime Was to Protest at Israeli Assassinations'
In her first interview, Tali Fahima talks of life in jail - Activist says she refused to work for secret service

Israeli 'traitor' Vilified in Press Freed After Two Years in Jail
An Israeli woman whose attempts to better understand Palestinians led to a campaign of vilification and charges of treason was released yesterday after serving more than two years in jail.

Israel Allows £6m Arms Delivery to Abbas's Forces
Egypt sends guns and ammunition to Gaza - Weapons to help security force in fight with Hamas

Israeli Roadblock Pledge Derided
Palestinians have criticised an Israeli pledge to remove roadblocks and other restrictions in the West Bank as too little too late.

Religious Leaders Arrive in Bethlehem for Three-day Pilgrimage
The Archbishop of Canterbury and Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor will be leading prayers for the beleaguered West Bank town, which is separated from Jerusalem by the Israeli 'security barrier'.

BBC World Dropped for Al-jazeera English in Israel
BBC World has been dropped by Israel's satellite provider Yes TV in favour of al-Jazeera English. By Tara Conlan.

Calls for Olmert to Resign After Nuclear Gaffe
PM admits on TV that Israel has atomic weapons - Blow to longstanding policy of ambiguity

A Rogue 51st State
Israel already looks to be intent on scuppering the Iraq Study Group plan for Middle East peace. By Peter Preston

Hamas: We Will Never Recognise Israel
The Palestinian prime minister, Ismail Haniyeh, today said his Hamas-led government will continue to fight for the liberation of Jerusalem.

Prime Minister to Visit Israel for Talks in Final Push for Peace
Tony Blair confirmed in Washington that he is to visit Israel and the Palestinian territories before Christmas, in a final push for Middle East peace before he leaves office next year.

Fake Bills Stir Up Cold War Rivalry
More than £12m-worth of fake dollar bills have been transported to the United States and Israel from a tiny separatist region of former Soviet Georgia.

Israel Ready to Free Palestinian Prisoners
The Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert, today offered to release a number of long-term Palestinian prisoners.

'First Flicker of Light at the Edge of Darkness'
The ceasefire between the Israeli military and Palestinian fighters is only two days old, it only covers the Gaza Strip, not the still-occupied West Bank, and already it has been breached a number of times.

Israeli Prime Minister Offers Prisoner Exchange and Hope of Renewed Middle East Peace Talks
Olmert shifts ground on release of Palestinians - Gaza ceasefire maintained despite rockets being fire

Rogue Rockets Fail to Shatter Gaza Ceasefire Deal
Cautious hopes for return to peace negotiations - Israel vows restraint after shaky start to truce

Woman, 64, Blows Herself Up in Attack on Israeli Troops
Suicide bombing follows killing of grandson - Eight other Palestinians die in Gaza operations

Young British Jews Talk About Serving in the Israeli Army
Israeli army recruits: We followed young British Jews signing up for service in Gaza and the West Bank.

Israeli Forces Move Into Two Gaza Towns
Israeli troops, tanks and armoured vehicles today moved into two towns in northern Gaza, but the Israeli security cabinet decided against a larger offensive.

39% of Israeli Settlements 'on Private Land'
An Israeli human rights group produced figures yesterday showing that 39% of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are built on private Palestinian land.

Palestinians Use Human Shield to Halt Israeli Air Strike on Militants' Homes
Hundreds of neighbours join first successful action - Air force calls off missile attack to protect civilians

Israeli Woman Dies in Rocket Strike From Gaza
A woman was killed and two people were severely injured, including the bodyguard of the Israeli defence minister, as more than a dozen rockets were fired at Israel from Gaza yesterday.

Deadly Rocket Strike Sparks Calls for Gaza Invasion
A woman was killed and two people - including the bodyguard of the Israeli defence minister - were seriously injured today when more than a dozen rockets were fired at Israel from Gaza.

The Israeli Army Are Staging Night Raids on Refugee Camps in Nablus
In the last of his reports from Nablus, Conal Urquhart witnesses the latest nightly housekeeping visit from the Israeli army to one of the city's refugee camps.

Blair Urges White House to Shift Focus to Israel-palestine Conflict
· Palestinian peace process 'central to Iraq solution' · Syria and Iran also have a role to play, says PM

How Israel Put Gaza Civilians in Firing Line
Military chiefs were warned that change of safety margin for gunners risked killing the innocent.

'We Are Dead People' - Gaza Defiance Grows As Israeli Grip Stifles Economy
Restricted fishing, closed crossing points and refusal to hand over tax credits bring territory close to crisis.

Olmert Blames 'mistake' for Beit Hanoun Deaths
Tens of thousands of Palestinians today gathered in the Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun to mourn the 18 civilians who died when a barrage of Israeli shells tore through their homes.

The Gaza Tinderbox
Israel's leaders must hope their army's latest atrocity at Beit Hanoun does not trigger a knock-on crisis. By Simon Tisdall

A Profound Pessimism Has Taken Hold of Israel
The war in Lebanon and rockets from Gaza have reinforced a great mood swing. People no longer seem to want a peace deal. By Jonathan Steele

'I Cannot See a Day When We Live in Peace With Them'
Sanaa Athamna lay as if she slept, dead on a steel tray in the morgue of Beit Hanoun hospital. Across her forehead was a single, hairline fracture and beneath her eye a smudge of blood, the only visible marks of the destruction brought by the wave of Israeli artillery shells that struck her street in Beit Hanoun before dawn yesterday.

Children Among 19 Killed By Israeli Tank Fire
At least 19 Palestinians were killed and 40 wounded when five Israeli shells hit a row of houses in the northern Gaza town of Beit Hanoun this morning.

Israeli Shells Kill 18 in Gaza
Israeli tank shells landed in a residential neighbourhood north of the Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun today, killing at least 18 people in their sleep, including eight children, according to witnesses and hospital officials.

Beit Hanoun: Israelis Pull Out Leaving Trail of Death
· Legacy of bitterness after six-day operation in Gaza · Soldiers say they targeted rocket-launching cells

Damage Controller
In the second of a series of reports from Nablus, Conal Urquhart meets the architect who is rebuilding Israeli-damaged homes in the kasbah.

Israeli Troops Fire on Women in Mosque Siege
· One killed, 10 hurt in march to free gunmen · Beckett voices concern over civilian deaths

At Least One Palestinian Woman Was Killed When Israeli Forces Opened Fire on a Group Near a Gaza Mosque.
At least one Palestinian woman was killed and another 10 were reported wounded when Israeli forces today opened fire on a group preparing to act as a human shield for militants in a Gaza mosque.

The Rise of Israeli Rightwinger Avigdor Lieberman
The return to power of Avigdor Lieberman and his anti-Arab racism is a mark of the point Israeli politics has now reached. By Jonathan Steele

Israeli Strike on Gaza Kills Eight
· Largest operation since reinvasion · Hamas fires rockets into Israel · Britain urged to back ceasefire proposal

Nasrallah Confirms Israel Prisoner Talks
Hizbullah leader says 'serious' indirect negotiations over possible prisoner exchange are under way as an Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip kills six Palestinians.

Hamas Touts 10-year Ceasefire to Break Deadlock Over Israel
· Senior delegation seeks British backing for truce · Foreign Office rules out talks with 'terrorist group'

Hamas Touts 10-year Ceasefire Plan Instead of Recognising Israel
· Senior delegation seeks British backing for truce · Foreign Office rules out talks with 'terrorist group'

The Memory of the Suez Crisis is Still Strong in Britain
Half a century on, memories and echoes of the Suez crisis of 1956 now seem stronger in Britain than in France, Egypt or Israel, writes Ian Black.

Israeli President Told: Step Down
Israel's attorney general told the supreme court yesterday that President Moshe Katsav should step down amid a criminal investigation into rape and sexual assault allegations.

Israeli Barrier and Settlement to Leave West Bank Village With Nowhere to Go
Land confiscation and pollution threaten future of ancient farming community.

Outspoken Rightwinger to Join Israeli Coalition
· Lieberman appointment echoes public shift to right · Labour leader appears resigned to PM's decision

Israel Admits It Used Phosphorus Weapons
· Minister says shells hit Hizbullah targets · MP shocked by deployment in war

Iran: Ahmadinejad Warns Europe It Will Pay for Backing Israel
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran added a threatening edge to his verbal onslaught on Israel today by warning European governments to withdraw their support or face getting 'hurt' in a storm of retaliation.

Gaza Doctors Say Patients Suffering Mystery Injuries After Israeli Attacks
· Deaths caused by burning and internal wounds · Jerusalem denies using experimental weapon

Israeli President Lies Low After Rape Claim
· Katsav fails to appear at opening of Knesset · No indication leader will resign as criticism mounts

Israeli President Misses Parliament Opening After Sex Allegations
Israel's president, Moshe Katsav, has decided to stay away from the autumn opening of parliament today, because of the sexual assault allegations against him.

Israeli Police Say President Should Be Charged With Raping Employee
· Katsav is suspected of bugging staff telephones · Scandal-hit leader says he is innocent and won't quit

Israel to Release Palestinian Deputy Pm
Israel's military court today ordered the release of the deputy Palestinian prime minister after more than a month in jail.

Israel Blames Map Error for Un Deaths in Bombing
The Israeli military yesterday blamed 'human error' made during the duplication of maps for the bombing of a UN post in southern Lebanon in July, in which four unarmed international observers were killed during the conflict with Hizbullah.

Israeli General Quits Over Conduct of Lebanon War
A senior Israeli army officer resigned today, the first high-ranking figure to quit in the fallout after the war in Lebanon.

Israeli Military Judge Releases 18 Hamas Prisoners
· Ruling follows coalition pact by Palestinian rivals · Detainees include cabinet members and MPs

Israel Tests Ceasefire With Lebanon Arrests
Israeli troops in southern Lebanon detained four men yesterday for questioning in what appeared to be the first arrests since a ceasefire ended the war with Hizbullah.

Palestinian Children Pay Price of Israel's Summer Rain Offensive
Rights group says 197 civilians have been killed in military operation, including 48 minors

UN's Gaza 'time Bomb' Warning As West Pledges $500m in Aid
Western nations yesterday pledged $500m (£263m) in aid to the Palestinians as the UN humanitarian chief warned an economic crisis meant the Gaza strip was a "ticking time bomb".

Israeli Military Court Sends Captured Hamas Leaders for Trial
· 15 West Bank politicians face up to 10 years in jail · Speaker of Palestinian parliament is shackled

Cluster Bombing of Lebanon 'immoral' Un Official Tells Israel
· Humanitarian chief says civilians are killed daily · Annan urges Olmert to end Gaza blockade

Hizbullah Leader: We Regret the Two Kidnappings That Led to War With Israel
Hizbullah admits it would not have captured the two Israeli soldiers last month had it known a war would follow.

Majority of Israelis 'want Olmert to Go'
The Israeli government came under increased pressure today with the publication of a newspaper poll showing that for the first time a majority want Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to resign over perceived failings in his handling of the war with Hizbullah.

Pressure on Olmert As Poll Shows Israelis Want Him to Quit Over Lebanon 'failure'
Pressure mounted on the Israeli government last night after a newspaper poll showed for the first time that a majority want Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to resign over perceived failures in his handling of the war with Hizbullah.

US Investigates Whether Israel Violated Deal on Cluster Bombs
The US is investigating whether Israel's use of American-made cluster bombs in Lebanon violated an agreement that the weapons not be used in populated areas, officials said yesterday.

Thank You, Israel...
Resurrecting the Hero. Uniting America. Derailing the Democratic Train of Communism and UN Appeasement. Wielding the Elemental Axe of Freedom. Restoring Charity as the VIrtue of Capitalism. Thanking Israel for shouldering our burden.

Amnesty Report Accuses Israel of War Crimes
Israel deliberately targeted civilian infrastructure and committed war crimes during the month-long conflict in Lebanon, according to an Amnesty International report.

Israeli President Questioned Over Sex Claims
Police questioned the Israeli president, Moshe Katsav, for five hours yesterday over allegations of sexual harassment and corruption.

Israeli Troops Shoot Two Hizbullah Fighters
Israeli troops in southern Lebanon today shot two Hizbullah guerrillas, the Israeli army said, in the latest clash to put pressure on the fragile ceasefire.

Reservists Attack Israeli War Tactics
A brigade of reserve soldiers angrily accused the Israeli government today of fighting a war with 'indecision'.

25% of Palestinian Mps Detained By Israel
Israel has arrested almost one quarter of the members of the Palestinian parliament as part of its campaign to free an Israeli soldier captured on the Gaza border in June.

The Arab World's Silence Has Left the Last Word to Those We Call Extremists
While Israel receives unanimous western support, this crisis is dragging the region ever faster into the abyss. By Alain Gresh

Israeli Reserve Soldiers Accuse Government of 'cold Feet' Over Conflict
· Brigade signs letter calling for Lebanon inquiry · Newspaper demands general's resignation

Israel Asks Italy to Lead Un Peacekeeping Force and Defies Raid Criticism
Israel warned yesterday that it would continue covert raids in Lebanon despite a UN-brokered ceasefire, insisting it had the right to stop Hizbullah rearming in advance of the arrival of UN peacekeepers.

Unexploded Cluster Bombs Prompt Fear and Fury in Returning Refugees
Four dead as mine-clearing teams fear death toll from Israeli weapons could soar.

Israel To Analyze Possible Talks With Syria
"Every war creates opportunities for a broadened political process ... We must establish talks with Lebanon and prepare the conditions for a dialogue with Syria," Peretz said.

Hariri's Son Condemns Israel and Syria
The son of Lebanon's assassinated former prime minister and leader of the largest faction in the Lebanese parliament today condemned the involvement of both Israel and Syria in the country's month-long war.

Israel to Scrutinise Military Conduct
The Israeli defence minister, Amir Peretz, has launched a military commission to examine the performance of the military during the 34-day war in Lebanon, amid increasing domestic criticism of the government's conduct.

Israeli Troops 'could Be in Southern Lebanon for Months'
Israel's military chief today said it could be months before Israeli troops left southern Lebanon if an international force did not arrive to take their place soon.

Fragile Truce Holds As Israelis Withdraw
Israeli troops began pulling back from occupied parts of southern Lebanon today and prepared to hand captured positions over to UN peacekeepers as an uneasy truce settled into its second day.

Unlikely Exodus: the Jews Leaving Britain to Start a New Life in Israel
· Biggest single migration of westerners since 1948 · Anti-semitism and desire for community blamed

Lebanese Refugees Flood Back Despite Israeli Warnings
Some 6,000 an hour return to rebuild ruined homes and farms.

Israel's Bill Put at $1.6bn, But Growth Barely Affected
Israel's month-long war against Hizbullah has cost the country $1.6bn (£850m), or about 1% of GDP, according to initial government estimates.

Nasrallah Taunts Israel and Claims Victory
The Hizbullah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, taunted Israeli soldiers as 'cowards' and claimed a 'strategic and historic victory' as a truce took hold last night after 32 days of intense bombing that has brought Lebanon to its knees.

Bush 'helped Israeli Attack on Lebanon'
American and Israeli officials met in the spring, discussing plans on how to tackle Hizbullah, according to a new report.

Life Amid the Blood and Bombs As Besieged Hospital Battles on
Even the shortest journey was potentially deadly around the southern city of Tyre as Israeli warplanes and artillery pounded buildings, petrol stations and hillsides with renewed ferocity ahead of this morning's ceasefire.

On the Border, Israeli Tanks Struggle for Control
Hizbullah fighters remain within a mile of the Israeli town, firing mortars and rockets and resisting the full might of the strongest army in the Middle East.

UN Says 'peace Tomorrow' Despite Israeli Attack
Israel dramatically defied a unanimous United Nations Security Council ceasefire resolution by escalating its ground war yesterday in southern Lebanon, asserting that it needed more time to 'clean up' Hizbollah.

Israel Defies Un in Massive Assault on Lebanon
Israel dramatically defied a unanimous United Nations Security Council ceasefire resolution by escalating its ground war in southern Lebanon, asserting that it needed more time to 'clean up' Hizbollah.

Nobody's Victory, But in the End Israel Could Not Defeat Hizbollah
A month of fighting, more than 1,000 dead, upwards of 800,000 Lebanese displaced and $2bn worth of damage - for what? Who wins in this bloody debacle, assuming it is coming to an end? By Peter Beaumont

UN Votes for Peace Deal; Israeli Cabinet to Decide Tomorrow
The United Nations security council unanimously approved a resolution calling for an end to the conflict in Lebanon late last night. Israel announced it would respect the plan, but said it would not call off a full-scale land invasion, launched yesterday, before tomorrow at the earliest.

Wobbling Olmert Dismays Politicians, Army and Public
Israel's prime minister, Ehud Olmert, last night wobbled on a tightrope between war and peace, jostled by domestic public opinion dismayed at his strategic leadership in the conflict so far, and disappointed by the proposed UN peace deal.

Peace Deal at Un is Clouded By Israeli Ambiguity
Olmert appears to accept text hours after shocking security council by insisting on going ahead with Lebanon offensive.

Israeli Prime Minister Slips Out of Favour
The decision to expand the war in Lebanon came on a day when opinion polls indicated support for Ehud Olmert's war leadership was plummeting.

Text of Ceasefire Agreed As Israel Threatens Invasion
Security council agrees peace plan as Olmert, stung by army criticism, orders full-scale offensive in southern Lebanon.

Israel Warns of New Strikes on Beirut
Israeli soldiers today consolidated strategic positions in southern Lebanon and warned of new attacks on Beirut and the north of the country.

Israel Struggles to Capture Strategic Hills
Israeli forces today struggled to secure strategic hills close to the border town of Metulla, despite weeks of bombardment and days of fighting.

Israel, Hizbullah a Disgrace, Says Un As Aid is Blocked
Fighting goes on as 120,000 are left stranded in Lebanon.

Israel Delays Planned Invasion
A major planned invasion of southern Lebanon was postponed last night under apparent pressure from Washington, after the Israeli security cabinet had approved a campaign expected to last at least 30 days.

Israel to Widen Ground Offensive
Lebanon faces an expanded ground invasion that could last more than a month after the Israeli security cabinet today backed plans put forward by the defence minister, Amir Peretz.

General Sacked As Israel Plans Invasion
Israel dramatically raised the stakes in the Middle East yesterday, approving an invasion of southern Lebanon involving tens of thousands of troops.

Israel Isolates Tyre With Threat to Bomb All Traffic
No exemptions for humanitarian convoys says military.

Israeli Strikes Kill 29 As Un Talks Continue
Israeli air strikes killed at least 29 Lebanese people today and Israel said it may expand its ground offensive.

Bloody Night in Beirut As Israel Intensifies Aerial Bombardment
IDF warns UN troops will be attacked if they repair bridges.

Israel Responded to an Unprovoked Attack By Hizbullah, Right? Wrong
The assault on Lebanon was premeditated - the soldiers' capture simply provided the excuse. It was also unnecessary. By George Monbiot

Reuters Sacks Freelancer Over Doctored Photo
Reuters, the international news agency, has dispensed with the services of a freelance photographer after discovering that he had doctored a picture of the aftermath of an Israeli air attack on Beirut and other events in the conflict.

Is the Media Blocking the Message of American’s who Don’t Support Israel?
The strong U.S. support for Israel is daunting to most Muslims. A poll conducted by the LA Times indicates that in the recent assault of Israel against the Lebanese that 43% of Americans believe the attack was justified and not harsh in its treatment of the Lebanese people (Wallsten & Ghlert, 2006). Yet the study also showed that 44% of Americans feel that the war was either not justified or that the Israeli response was excessive.

'We Are Proud But Worried'
Israel is united behind its army, but parental fears are beginning to affect public opinion. Conal Urquhart meets the families of those on the front line.

15 Killed in New Israeli Attacks
At least 15 Lebanese civilians were killed by air strikes as Israeli launched new attacks on the south of the country today.

Israel's Bloodiest Day Yet As Hizbullah Hits Troops and Haifa
Strike on northern kibbutz results in biggest death toll.

Lebanon Rejects Un Truce Proposal Which It Claims Favours Israel
Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of state, piled pressure on Hizbullah to comply with the proposed UN call for a truce yesterday, reiterating Washington's insistence that a cessation of hostilities would be the first step towards a longer-term settlement.

UN Truce Plan Under Threat As Conflict Spirals
Israel suffers deadliest day yet and Arab states reject draft resolution.

There Are Burnt-out Tanks, But Few Israeli Troops
Evidence in border villages shows heavy price paid for limited incursion.

Day of Violence Threatens Un Truce Initiative
Deadliest strikes yet on Israel as Arab states reject security council draft.

Bush Gives Ground As Un Pushes Israel Peace Deal
· Draft plan calls for bombing to stop · Blair welcomes move to end 'tragic crisis'

Aid Lifeline Broken After Israelis Hit Highway
Bombs kill 33 farm workers in Beka'a valley in one of war's deadliest strikes.

Israel Bombs Lebanese Highway
Israeli aircraft bombed southern Beirut last night and launched raids on the highway north of the city, threatening to cut Lebanon's only remaining link with the outside world.

Hizbullah and Israel Threaten to Escalate War
Preparations for attack on Beirut met with promise to fire on Tel Aviv.

Israel Extends Lebanon Occupation Plan
· Minister: prepare for push to Litani river · Hizbullah fires 100 rockets into Israel

Israeli Military Accused of Whitewash
An Israeli military investigation into the Qana bombing, which killed at least 28 people, yesterday found that the air force did not know there were civilians in the building and blamed Hizbullah for using 'human shields.'

Hizbullah Rockets Threaten West Bank As Israeli Troops Pour Into Lebanon
· Fighters launch barrage of longer-range missiles · Olmert claims enemy has been largely disarmed

Olmert: Israel is Winning
· 6,000 troops in Lebanon · Immediate ceasefire not in Israel's interests, says PM

Israel Steps Up Offensive
· 20 Hizbullah guerrillas killed · Israeli cabinet approves troops' advance

Israel Ready for Massive Invasion
· Special forces deep in Lebanon as troops plan push in south · Deadlock within UN and EU

For Israel, the Shooting Goes on But So Does the Weeping
The dovish minority understand that their state's survival depends on finding peace across the Middle East. By Ian Black

MPs to Criticise Uk Role in Arming Israel
MPs from all parties will this week sharply criticise the government for turning a blind eye to the use of British equipment in Israeli aircraft and helicopters used to bomb Lebanon and Gaza in apparent breach of its own guidelines on arms exports.

Air Strikes Shatter Pause As Israel Starts New Ground Assault
· 48-hour bombing respite not a truce, says Israel · Lebanese soldier killed and three others hurt

Israeli Jailed for Refusing to Fight in Lebanon
The first Israeli soldier punished for refusing to serve in Lebanon has been sent to a military prison for 28 days.

'There is No Ceasefire. There Will Not Be Any Ceasefire'
Israeli PM Olmert issues grim warning as US blocks moves for immediate cessation of hostilities.

Kidnapping Did Not Start War, Says Israeli Father
Relatives of one of the Israeli soldiers held hostage by Hizbullah today said his kidnapping was not the catalyst for the Middle East conflict.

Israel to Suspend Air Attacks for 48 Hours After Qana Deaths
Israel last night agreed to suspend its air campaign over Lebanon for 48 hours while it investigated civilian deaths from the bombing raid on Qana.

Blair Hardens Line on Israel After Cabinet Criticism
Tony Blair yesterday responded to a growing backbench and cabinet revolt over his handling of the Middle East crisis by saying the Qana bombing showed that a peace agreement must be reached.

'They Found Them Huddled Together'
More than 60 people, including 34 children, killed by Israeli attack on home where families were sheltering.

The Day Israel Realised That This Was a Real War
The strangest war in Israel's history began almost by accident. In the safety of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, out of range of the rockets, it has had an air of bizarre unreality. Now it has become desperately real - a grim swirl of military funerals and interviews with grieving families.

Israelis Withdraw From Hizbollah Border Stronghold
Israeli forces pulled out of the Lebanese border town of Bint Jbeil yesterday on the 18th day of the Middle East crisis.

Cabinet in Open Revolt Over Blair's Israel Policy
· Straw joins criticism of Lebanese toll · Rice in Jerusalem to push peace plan

EU Denies Giving Israel Green Light
· Israel calls up reserves · Hizbullah fires 150+ rockets ·Blair will meet Bush on Friday

Only Hizbullah Can Defend Against an Israeli Invasion
Attempts to impose an international force would risk destroying Lebanon's government and revive the danger of civil war. By Jonathan Steele

The Call That Tells You: Run, You're About to Lose Your Home and Possessions
The voice sounded friendly enough. "Hi, my name is Danny. I'm an officer in Israeli military intelligence. In one hour we will blow up your house."

Beckett 'unhappy' With Us Military Use of Scottish Airport
The government today is expected to play down the rift between the UK and the US over the use of a Scottish airport as a stop-off for aircraft carrying missiles from America to Israel.

Israel's Heaviest Losses Fuel Doubts Over Strategy
· Soldiers were trying to take border town · Offensive predicted to last several weeks

Palestinians Killed As Israeli Army Moves in
At least 21 Palestinians were killed yesterday when the Israeli army renewed its hostilities in the Gaza Strip. About 50 tanks and armoured vehicles entered northern Gaza and began demolishing buildings and trees at dawn.

'When It is Over, the Idf Will Have to Take a Good Look at Itself'
Critics at home fear Israel will emerge as a casualty of its own war.

Israelis Ignored Repeated Warnings Before Killing Un Observers
· The targets 16 pleas for firing to stop went unheeded · Furious Annan condemns targeting of post

Dissent Grows in Israel Over Lebanon
The government of the Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert, is facing a barrage of criticism over its handling of the war in Lebanon, reports Ian Black from Jerusalem.

Weeks of War to Come, Says Israeli General
· UN base fired on 21 times · No ceasefire date set in Rome · 30 Israeli casualties in southern Lebanon

J'ACCUSE! Israeli Crimes against Humanity
Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations, has accused Israel of an "apparent" deliberate targeting of a United Nations observation post in southern Lebanon, killing up to four neutral observers in an act of state terrorism so horrific it rips at the heart of every breathing being.

Palestinian Groups Agree Deal for Return of Israeli
Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, have agreed to stop firing rockets at Israel and to free a captured Israeli soldier in a deal brokered by Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president.

Four Un Observers Killed in Israeli Airstrike
An Israeli air strike killed four UN peacekeepers on the border with southern Lebanon last night, further aggravating diplomatic tensions before today's conference in Rome.

Israel Says Any Deal Must Include Block on Syria Supplying Arms to Hizbullah
Israel is demanding that any peace deal with Lebanon includes agreement on international control or monitoring of the country's border crossings with Syria to block the delivery of weapons to Hizbullah fighters.

British Arms Exports to Israel Double in a Year
Arms exports to Israel approved by the government totalled £22.5m last year, almost twice the amount in 2004.

Red Cross Ambulances Destroyed in Israeli Air Strike on Rescue Mission
· Volunteer paramedics demand UN guarantees · Flags and lights prove no protection for aid teams

Outside Help Would Be a Welcome Relief for Israel
Israel's decision to back the deployment of an international stabilisation force in southern Lebanon may prove a crucial part of the peace jigsaw that was slowly being assembled yesterday. But it is also suits Israel's changing objectives. By Simon Tisdall

Rice Finally Sets Out in Search of Ceasefire Formula
Twelve days into conflict, with mounting criticism of Israeli ferocity, US secretary of state embarks on peace talks.

British Split With Bush As Israeli Tanks Roll in
· Minister attacks disproportionate raids · Israeli PM rejects Blair restraint plea

Israel Gears Up for Ground War
The Lebanon crisis entered a dangerous new phase last night as Israeli troops and tanks massed on the border in preparation for a sweeping ground operation against Hizbullah fighters.

Israel Paves Way for Ground Offensive
· Rice to travel to region on Sunday · Lebanon: army is ready to defend country · Attacks on Tyre and Haifa

Israel Prepares for Ground Attack
The Lebanon crisis entered a dangerous new phase last night as Israeli troops and tanks massed on the border in preparation for a sweeping ground operation against Hizbullah fighters.

Israel Paves Way for Ground Invasion
Hundreds of thousands of people were warned to flee from southern Lebanon today as Israeli military officers indicated that final preparations were being made for a ground invasion.

Israeli Military Chiefs Warn of Long Haul in Lebanon
Military analysts in Israel have begun to question whether the nine-day intense bombardment of Hizbullah positions in Lebanon is achieving its stated aim of destroying the militia's capabilities.

Israel Angry, Us Wary As Annan Peace Plan Calls for Ceasefire
Kofi Annan, the UN secretary general, mapped out a peace plan for Lebanon yesterday that produced a lukewarm response from Washington and ill-concealed fury from Israeli diplomats.

Battered Lebanon Counts the Cost of Israeli Onslaught
Infrastructure damage will cost 'billions of dollars to repair'.

Analaysts Say Israel Has Not Seriously Damaged Hizbullah
Military analysts in Israel have begun to question whether the nine-day intense bombardment of Hizbullah positions in Lebanon is achieving its stated aim of destroying the militia's capabilities.

The Daily Grind
As Israeli strikes continue, some in Beirut are determined to keep life as normal as possible, writes Brian Whitaker.

Israel Steps Up Military Attacks in 'forgotten War' With Palestinians
Israeli forces killed 13 Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank yesterday as the army began a new push into a refugee camp in central Gaza yesterday, clashing with gunmen and bulldozing farmland.

Israeli Bombing Kills 41 Lebanese Civilians
Israeli jets killed 41 Lebanese civilians in its latest bombing raids today as dozens of cruisers and naval vessels arrived off the coast of Beirut to begin the evacuation of foreign nationals.

Dozens More Die As Air Strikes Continue
Dozens of people were killed in Lebanon today as Israel broadened its military offensive and launched raids into the Gaza Strip and West Bank.

Reserve Batallions Called Up As Israel Pushes for a New Northern Buffer Zone
· Fighting will end within weeks, says general · Military chiefs refuse to rule out ground assault

Widespread Support for War Among Israeli Public
Israel's military operations against Hizbullah have broad support from across the country's political spectrum with 86% of the population backing the action, according to a poll in yesterday's Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper.

United States to Israel: You Have One More Week to Blast Hizbullah
Bush 'gave green light' for limited attack, say Israeli and UK sources.

There is a Way Out of This Crisis, But the Legacy of Hatred Will Endure
The perfect storm in the Middle East that has left mayhem and bloodshed in its wake may put an end to Israeli unilateralism. By Jonathan Freedland

No Let-up in Israeli Attack on Lebanon
Israeli jets continued to pound Lebanon today as Tony Blair, the British prime minister and Kofi Annan, the secretary general of the United Nations, called for an international peacekeeping force to be stationed on the Israel-Lebanon border.

Israeli Air Strikes Kill 19
Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon kill at least 19 people after a Hizbollah rocket attack killed eight in Haifa.

As the Bombs Rain Down, a Refugee Crisis Unfolds on the Streets of Beirut
· Thousands of homeless or trapped Shia seek shelter · Fleeing families killed in Israeli attacks on roads

Israeli City Shaken By Hizbullah Rocket Attack
· Eight die, many injured in strike on Haifa rail depot · Safety fears close schools, shops and factories

Children Die in Convoy Attack As Israel Widens Lebanon Assault
Israel steeply escalated its military campaign against Hizbollah in Lebanon yesterday with a series of air strikes that left more than 35 civilians dead, including a single strike on a convoy of families fleeing the fighting in a village near Tyre in the south of the country that killed more than 20 people, most of them children.

Lebanon Suffers As Israel Braces
Bombardment of Lebanon continues as Israelis told to stock up on supplies

Hizbullah Hq Destroyed in Israeli Attacks
Israeli warplanes today destroyed the headquarters of Hizbullah's leader, Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, as the attacks on Lebanon intensified.

Israel: We Will Attack 'till Hizbullah is Destroyed'
Israel ramped up its military strikes against Lebanon yesterday, bombing roads and bridges in the heart of Beirut and warning that the fight would last until the Hizbullah militia was destroyed.

Anger From Tehran But Silence in Damascus
Israel's latest actions prompted a fresh outburst from Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has previously called for the country to be "wiped off the map".

Lebanon Under Siege From Israel
Israel imposed a land, sea and air closure of Lebanon today after it bombed dozens of targets including Beirut airport, a television station and villages in the south of the country.

Israel Steps Up Lebanon Offensive
· Beirut airport attacked, ports blocked · 53 Lebanese civilians killed · Rocket struck Haifa, Israel claims

Israelis Take Cover As Rockets Rain Down on North
· Barrage reminiscent of height of war in 1980s · One dead, dozens hurt as residents flock to bunkers

Beirut Under Siege As Israel Attacks From Air and Sea
· Israel lays siege to Beirut by air and sea · At least 50 killed in Lebanon assault · Hizbullah rockets hit Haifa

Israel's Monstrous Legacy Brings Tumult a Step Closer
Overnight Lebanon has been plunged into a role it endured for 25 years - that of a hapless arena for other people's wars. By David Hirst

Israel Blockades Lebanon
· Israeli planes bomb international airport · Most significant attack on Lebanon since 1982 · 22 civilians reported killed in Israeli attacks in south

Israel Attacks Beirut Airport
Israel widened its offensive against Hizbullah guerrillas today, targeting the country's only international airport and forcing its closure, and shelling southern Lebanon in what appeared to be Israel's fiercest military campaign against Lebanon since the 1982 invasion.

Israelis Invade Lebanon After Soldiers Are Seized
· Two Israeli soldiers captured · Olmert claims 'act of war' · Gaza airstrike kills nine

War on Two Fronts Piles Pressure on Israeli Pm
Dilemma for Olmert after Lebanese militia seizes soldiers.

World Briefing
Leading UN agencies are issuing increasingly dramatic warnings about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where Israeli forces continue their search for a captured soldier, Gilad Shalit. By Simon Tisdall

Capture of Soldiers Was 'act of War' Says Israel
Israel threatened to bomb Lebanon 'back 20 years' yesterday as it launched a ground and air assault after Hizbullah captured two Israeli soldiers and killed others.

Israeli Army Enters Lebanon
· Two soldiers reported kidnapped by Hizbullah · Gaza bomb kills nine overnight
· Palestinian president 'threatens to quit'

Kidnapped Israeli Soldier is Alive, Hamas Says
The abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit is alive and is being treated as a prisoner of war, the Hamas political leader, Khaled Meshaal, said today.

UN Warns of Gazans' Struggle to Survive
· Israeli forces destroy water tanks and mains · Operation will continue indefinitely, says Olmert

EU Condemns Israeli Gaza Incursions
The European Union today condemned Israel's incursions into the Gaza Strip and warned that the military actions were provoking a humanitarian crisis.

Minister Says Israel Will Swap Palestinian Prisoners for Soldier
An Israeli minister said Israel was prepared to release Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the freedom of an Israeli soldier held captive for almost two weeks.

Minister Says Israel Ready to Swap Prisoners for Abducted Soldier
An Israeli minister said Israel was prepared to release Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the freedom of an Israeli soldier held captive for almost two weeks.

18 Die in Worst Gaza Fighting Since Withdrawal Last Year
At least 17 Palestinians and one Israeli soldier were killed yesterday in the most serious violence since Israel withdrew its forces from the Gaza Strip last year.

Israeli Army in for the Long Haul in Gaza Strip
· Settlements reoccupied in wake of Ashkelon attacks · Crisis could go on even if kidnapped soldier is freed

From the Eye of the Storm
In Gaza, an apricot tree stands in symbolic defiance of Israel's shameful retaliation. By Sami Abdel-Shafi

Israel Plans Retaliation for Rocket Strike
Israel's security cabinet approved the re-occupation of parts of the Gaza Strip today in response to a Palestinian rocket strike which hit the grounds of a school in the city of Ashqelon.

Israel Steps Up Gaza Campaign After Hamas Strike
· Tanks move in to create 'security zone' in north · Israeli town hit by rocket for second night running

Palestinians End Talks on Israeli Hostage
Palestinians holding an Israeli soldier said this morning that they had ended negotiations on his fate after Israel ignored an ultimatum to begin releasing prisoners.

Israeli Soldier's Captors End Talks As Ultimatum Expires
· Military leader of Hamas seen as key to crisis · Pressure grows on Syria to help win corporal's release

Israeli Soldier's Fate Unknown As Deadline Passes
A deadline set by Palestinian militants for the safety of a captured Israeli soldier passed early this morning, with his captors refusing to give any details of his fate.

Israelis Given 6am Deadline to Meet Demands for Release of Captured Soldier
· Palestinian groups warn 'case will be closed' · Olmert says he will not give in to extortion

Soldier's Captors Issue Ultimatum to Israel
The Palestinian captors of an Israeli soldier issued an ultimatum this morning, ordering Israel to begin releasing prisoners or "bear all the consequences".

Israeli Soldier's Captors Deliver Dawn Ultimatum
Three militias holding an Israeli soldier today issued a dawn deadline for the Jewish state to start releasing Palestinian prisoners.

Israel Threatens to Target Hamas Leaders
· Air strike wrecks office of Palestinian prime minister · Diplomatic efforts to free kidnapped soldier stall

Israel builds up forces on Gaza border
Late last week Olmert called off an invasion of northern Gaza to give diplomacy a chance to work, but he signaled that Israel is running out of patience.

Hamas PM’s office blasted, Israel to do "everything possible"
The attack on Hanieh’s office, which was empty, came even as Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas said efforts were on to free Gilad, who was taken away by militants last Sunday in a raid on an army post after killing two servicemen. Special story from Vipin Agnihotri

Israel's Act of War is Inexcusable
The brutal reaction to Corporal Shalit's kidnap has implications far beyond the Middle East. By Will Hutton

Palestine 'ready to Trade' Captured Israeli Soldier
Secret talks over prisoners are 'close to deal' as negotiators race against time to prevent bloodbath.

Militants Demand End To Israeli Offensive
The latest demand came after Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said that Israel's military action was aimed at toppling the Hamas-led government, but maintained he was working with mediators toward a resolution. Special report from Vipin Agnihotri

Palestinian Pm: Israel Will Not Bring Down Government
The Palestinian prime minister today said Israel's incursion into Gaza was an attempt to bring down the Hamas government and would fail.

Hamas Leader Out of Hiding to Accuse Israel of Hindering Deal
· Gaza escalation cannot be justified, says Haniyeh · Jerusalem agrees to delay for diplomatic efforts

Hope for Captive As Gaza Bombing Goes on
Israeli aircraft continued to bomb Gaza today despite reports that Egyptian negotiators were close to securing the release of an Israeli soldier abducted on Sunday.

Kidnap Hits Nerve in Israel's Military Society
Probe an Israeli man for clues to his identity and he's as likely to tell you his army unit as his job.

Hamas Says Israel is Out to Destroy Its Administration
Palestinian ministers and MPs seized in night raid after kidnapping of soldier.

Israel Rounds Up Hamas Politicians
Israeli forces arrested more than 60 Hamas politicians in the West Bank and bombed targets in the Gaza Strip today to increase pressure on Palestinian militants to release an Israeli soldier held captive since Sunday.

Israel Detains Hamas Ministers
Israeli troops today arrested dozens of Hamas ministers and MPs as they stepped up attempts to free a soldier kidnapped by militants in Gaza at the weekend.

Israeli Tanks Turn Screw on Besieged Gaza Strip
Israel widened its assault on the Gaza Strip last night by shelling the north of the territory and dropping leaflets warning residents of a pending attack by tanks and troops, as the government seized on a crisis over an abducted soldier to take on Palestinian armed groups.

Militants Hold Second Israeli Hostage
Palestinian militants offered proof today that they have kidnapped a second Israeli in the West Bank, and threatened to kill him if Israel persists with its invasion of the Gaza Strip.

Israel Enters Gaza in Search for Soldier
Israeli forces bombed bridges, destroyed a power station and reoccupied areas of southern Gaza today as part of their attempt to free a kidnapped soldier. The Israeli army said the operations aimed to stop the kidnappers moving Corporal Gilad Shilat, the 19-year old soldier abducted during a raid by militants on Sunday.

Israeli Army Enters Gaza
The Israeli army entered southern Gaza today after threatening a major offensive to try to secure the release of an Israeli solider taken hostage by Palestinian militants.

Israeli Army Launches Gaza Attack
Israeli tanks and troops entered southern Gaza today after threatening a major offensive to try to secure the release of an Israeli solider taken hostage by Palestinian militants.

Israeli Planes Attack Gaza Bridges
Israeli planes attacked three bridges in central Gaza last night as the army tried try to prevent a kidnapped Israeli soldier being moved out of the area.

Harsh Reality Governs Fate of Snatched Soldiers
Corporal Gilad Shalit was perhaps fortunate that as he was dragged into the Gaza Strip by Palestinian gunmen on Sunday his colleagues were not around to carry out the "Hannibal Directive", rumoured among Israeli forces to be an order to rain gunfire at an enemy abducting one of their own even if it costs the snatched soldier his life.

Hamas Takes Step to Recognise Israel
Hamas lost a crucial power struggle over recognition of Israel yesterday by agreeing to surrender control of the Palestinian government in favour of a powersharing administration committed to a negotiated two-state settlement.

Palestinians Hunt for Israeli Hostage
Palestinian security forces under the command of the Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas were desperately searching today for the Israeli soldier kidnapped by militants the previous day, as the army massing on Gaza's border stood poised to invade.

Israeli Troops Gather at Gaza Borders As Palestinians Try to Find Hostage
· Olmert readies army for retaliatory strikes · Abbas urged to secure corporal's release

Israel Promises Revenge for Soldier Deaths
· Hamas warned after two killed in pre-dawn raid · Abbas ordered to secure seized corporal's release

In Defense of the Jewish People and the State of Israel
Israel and the Jewish people now, more than ever, need the support of the United States and all Christians from around the world. Anti-Semitism is still on the rise across much of the world. As Christians, I believe that we all have to stand very strongly behind the Jewish people and their state of Israel.

Israeli Pm Apologises for Air Strike Deaths
Ehud Olmert, the Israeli prime minister, said today that he was 'very, very sorry' about the death of 14 Palestinian civilians killed this week in Israeli air strikes in Gaza.

Israeli and Palestinian Leaders Hold Talks
The Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert, and the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, met today for the first time since the former took office, both promising to hold further talks in the coming weeks.

Climbdown As Hamas Agrees to Israeli State
· Negotiator says group recognises right to exist · Hope for end to crippling sanctions on Palestinians

Hamas Performs About-turn on Israeli State
Hamas has made a major political climbdown by agreeing to sections of a document that recognise Israel's right to exist and a negotiated two-state solution, according to Palestinian leaders.

Who Really Killed Huda Ghalia's Family?
Exclusive: Guardian investigation undermines military claim that Israeli shells could not have been responsible for death of girl's family.

The Battle of Huda Ghalia - Who Really Killed Girl's Family on Gaza Beach?
Guardian investigation casts doubt on Israeli claim that army was not to blame.

Palestinian Minister Takes $20m Into Gaza
The Palestinian foreign minister returned from a trip abroad to the Gaza Strip on Wednesday with an estimated $20m (£11m) packed in 12 separate suitcases, according to officials.

Israel Blames Hamas for Beach Deaths
· Military says landmine exploded after shelling · Palestinians accuse army of trying to protect Olmert

Israelis Blame Hamas for Beach Deaths
An Israeli military investigation has blamed the killing of seven members of a Palestinian family on a Gaza beach, including five children, on a land mine planted by Hamas, not shelling by the army.

Truck Causes Train Smash in Israel
An Israeli commuter train ploughed into a pick-up truck on a level crossing today, derailing it and injuring dozens of people, with one report saying a passenger had died.

Hamas to Boycott Referendum on Recognition of Israel
· Abbas faces dilemma over two-state solution · Renewed violence adds to urgency of No 10 talks

Hamas Fury Over Poll to Recognise Israeli State
Palestinian president's referendum plan 'a coup' says militant government, as Gaza mourns the tragic killing of picnicking family by Israeli shells.

Death on the Beach: Seven Palestinians Killed As Israeli Shells Hit Family Picnic
A barrage of Israeli artillery shells rained down on a busy Gaza beach yesterday, killing seven Palestinians, three of them children.

Picnickers Die in Attack on Gaza
Israeli forces today attacked the northern Gaza Strip with a series of air strikes and artillery fire, killing at least nine Palestinians, including six civilians who had been enjoying a family picnic at the beach.

Seven Killed As Israeli Shells Hit Family Picnic on Gaza Beach
Israeli artillery shells killed a family of seven people, including three children, as they picnicked on a Gaza beach yesterday.

Hamas Official Killed in Israeli Air Strike
Palestinian militants today promised to avenge the death of the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority's security chief in an Israeli air strike yesterday.

Why Israel's Capture of Eichmann Caused Panic at the Cia
Information that could have led to Nazi war criminal was kept under wraps.

Polish Rightwingers Stoke Israeli Concern
· Party is anti-semitic, diplomat tells Warsaw · MEPs to attend gay march amid homophobia claims

Israeli Secret Agent Threatened to Kill Me, Says Briton
A British charity worker has revealed how he was threatened with death by the Israeli secret service while he was detained for three weeks without charge.

Israel Accuses British-funded Islamic Charity of Being Front for Terrorists
· Gaza head deported and accused of funding Hamas · Expulsion a 'mixture of confusion and malice'

Reggae Pioneer Desmond Dekker Dies, Aged 64
Ska legend best known for the 1969 smash hit Israelites died suddenly from a heart attack, his manager said today.

Israeli Patience With Palestinians is 'limited'
Israel wants to work with the Palestinians to seek peace but cannot wait "forever" and will draw its own borders if necessary, the country's prime minister Ehud Olmert told a joint session of the US Congress today.

Bush Urges Israel to Shelve West Bank Plan
President Bush urged Israel yesterday to resume direct talks with the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, and put on hold plans to unilaterally withdraw from the West Bank.

Israel Must Halt the Crisis Among the Palestinians - for Its Own Sake
If Israelis won't deal with Hamas, they could end up facing a more radical alternative: Islamic Jihad or even al-Qaida. By Jonathan Freedland

Israel Agrees to Delay Plan to Impose Borders
· Olmert sets nine-month deadline for Palestinians · US claims concessions ahead of Bush talks

Israel Seeks Us Seal on West Bank Plan
Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert will meet US president George Bush today to lay out plans for a unilateral Israeli withdrawal from most of the West Bank.

Israel Kills Militant As Gaza Erupts
Islamic Jihad commander dies in missile strike. Israel assassinated the most senior commander of the terror group Islamic Jihad in Gaza yesterday in an attack that also killed a...

Israel Should Face Sanctions
The Palestine crisis is now more dramatic even than apartheid, but it is the victims who are punished...By Ronnie Kasrils and Victoria Brittain

Israel Detains British Aid Worker Held at Checkpoint
A British worker for a Birmingham-based Islamic charity has been arrested by Israeli military authorities, and further detained without charge at two hearings.

Palestinians Married to Israelis Lose Court Battle for Residency
The Israeli high court upheld a law barring many Palestinians from living with their Israeli spouses in Israel.

Fury As Israeli Writer Criticises Us Jews
'You change allegiance like a jacket,' novelist tells hosts in Washington.

Top Israeli Novelist Infuriates Us Jews
'You change allegiance like a jacket,' writer tells hosts in Washington.

Patients Die As Doctors Run Out of Drugs to Treat Them
Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip and international sanctions against the Hamas government have begun to bite in the health ministry.

Olmert Promises More West Bank Settler Evictions
The Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert, has pledged to dismantle further settler outposts in the West Bank.

Israeli Strikes on Gaza Claim Six More Lives
Six Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip over the weekend while workers began to protest against their government's failure to pay them wages for two months.

Abbas Offers to Meet Israeli Pm
Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas has urged Israel's new prime minister Ehud Olmert to resume peace talks, the day after the new Israeli cabinet was sworn in.

Prime Minister Pins His Colours to 'new Look' Israel
· 60,000 settlers will move beyond West Bank barrier · Palestinian president calls for talks to resume

BBC's Coverage of Israeli-palestinian Conflict 'misleading'
· Study finds failures in news balance and depth · Reports said to show little to suggest deliberate bias

Olmert Announces Pragmatic Cabinet Line-up
Israel's new government will be sworn in this week after the prime minister, Ehud Olmert, finally named a pragmatic coalition line-up yesterday designed to push through a major withdrawal from West Bank settlements.

Israeli Soldiers Accused of Raping 11-year-old
· Allegation erodes public respect for armed forces · 17 military personnel and five civilians questioned

Iran Has Bought Long-range Missiles, Says Israel
Iran has obtained missiles from North Korea capable of delivering nuclear payloads to eastern Europe, according to Israel's military intelligence chief.

Suicide Bomb Attacks at Sinai Peacekeeping Base
Two men blew themselves up yesterday close to a base in northern Sinai where multinational forces monitor Egypt's border with Israel.

Iran Biggest Threat Since Nazis, Says Israel As Ahmadinejad Provokes New Outrage
· Leader calls for Jews to be sent to Europe · Threat to quit nuclear pact ahead of UN report

Israelis Get Civilian Pm and Defence Minister
· Labour leader Peretz in charge of armed forces · Coalition will focus on West Bank pullback

Last Rites for Shrivelling Dead Sea
Plea to Israeli PM as lake shrinks by a metre a year.

Vanunu Hit By Further Ban on Leaving Israel
· State tells peace activist he remains a security risk · Anti-nuclear arms group lobbies London embassy

Israel Rules Out Military Strike After Tel Aviv Blast
Israeli leaders today blamed the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority for yesterday's suicide bombing in Tel Aviv, but decided against a military retaliation.

Israeli Cabinet Brings Curtain Down on Sharon Era
The Israeli cabinet yesterday formally ended the premiership of Ariel Sharon, declaring him permanently incapacitated.

Gaza Families Watch in Awe and Fear As Israelis Pour in 300 Shells a Day
· Minister defends daily barrage bill of £125,000 · Palestinian girl 15th to be killed in Gaza since Friday

Israel to Boycott Inquest Into Death of British Peace Activist Shot in Gaza
· Soldier fired as he tried to lead children to safety · Mother criticises lack of Israeli cooperation

Israeli Missiles Kill Militants and Boy in Car
At least six people were killed, including a five-year-old boy, when an Israeli missile hit a car full of Palestinians in the southern Gaza town of Rafah.

Abbas: Our Sons Will Fight Israelis for a Just Deal
Palestinian president says long-term peace will be jeopardised without negotiations.

Israelis Arrest Palestinian Minister at Border
Israeli forces arrested a Palestinian cabinet minister as he tried to enter the West Bank from Jerusalem yesterday, the first time Israel has directly interfered with the new government.

Briton Shot By Israelis Was Murdered, Says Inquest Jury
The shooting dead of British cameraman James Miller by an Israeli soldier in Gaza was murder, an inquest jury found yesterday.

James Miller 'killed Unlawfully'
British TV journalist James Miller was unlawfully killed by an Israeli soldier in Gaza, a coroner said today. By Chris Tryhorn.

Israelis Detain Palestinian Minister
Israeli police today detained the Palestinian Authority's minister for Jerusalem affairs.

Shooting of British Cameraman By Israeli Soldier Cold-blooded Murder, Inquest Told
A military expert yesterday told an inquest that the death of a British journalist who was shot dead by an Israeli soldier was 'calculated, cold-blooded murder'.

Kadima and Labour Agree to Share Power
· Israeli parties committed to more pullouts · Peretz backs Olmert to remain as prime minister

Soldiers 'ignored Pleas for Help'
An inquest into the death of TV journalist James Miller has today heard how the Israeli soldiers who shot him ignored pleas for help from his colleague Saira Shah as he lay fatally wounded. By Julia Day.

James Miller's Colleague Relives Shooting
A TV documentary producer today relived the horrific moments in which his colleague, James Miller, was fatally wounded and he had to ask the Israeli soldiers he believed were responsible for the shooting for help. By John Plunkett.

Israelis Have Spoken ... But What Do They Mean?
An ordinary, bespectacled technocrat is charged with bringing normality to a nation tired of the old ideologies. By Jonathan Freedland

US Professors Accused of Being Liars and Bigots Over Essay on Pro-israeli Lobby
An article by two prominent American professors arguing that the pro-Israel lobby exerts a dominant and damaging influence on US foreign policy has triggered a furious row, pitting allegations of anti-semitism against claims of intellectual intimidation.

Settlers Issue May Prove Heavy Burden
Israel's general election was billed by the government and its rightwing opponents as a referendum on the ruling Kadima party's plan to impose Israel's final borders.

Humiliation for Netanyahu
Likud's crushing humiliation by the voters, who drove it into fifth place behind an ultra-orthodox religious party and the far-right Yisrael Beiteinu, was in large part down to its leader - Mr Netanyahu.

Europeans Greet Result With Hope, But Arabs Sceptical
George Bush phoned Ehud Olmert, the acting Israeli prime minister, yesterday to invite him to Washington after he forms his coalition government.

Kadima Building Coalition After Victory
The acting Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert, today began building a coalition after his Kadima party won the general election.

Kadima Wins Israeli Election
With almost all votes in the Israeli general election counted, the ruling Kadima party is set to win 28 seats in the 120-seat parliament, the country's election commission said today.

Anti-Arab Hardliners Find Favour With Israel's Immigrants
· Likud fourth behind ultra-nationalistic party · Record low turnout as voters enjoy a holiday

Kadima Wins Israel's General Election As Likud Humiliated
The ruling Kadima party won yesterday's general election in Israel, according to exit polls last night, but with fewer seats than the acting prime minister, Ehud Olmert, wanted to claim a mandate for his plan to impose Israel's final borders.

Israelis Have at Last Endorsed the Gradual Return of a Stolen Inheritance
The planned unilateral borders cannot stand, but Olmert needs support - because some withdrawal is better than none. By Jonathan Freedland

Kadima Still Favoured As Israel Goes to Polls
Israelis are voting today in a general election that many expect will elect a government with a mandate to set the final borders of the Jewish state.

In the Shadow of Sharon
Although in a coma, the Israeli prime minister remains a dominant figure as the country prepares to vote, says Ian Black.

Israelis to Vote for Sharon Legacy
Kadima heads for victory by pressing on with ailing founder's plan to put separation before peace.

Crunch Election Will Set Seal on the New Shape of Israel
One hill has become the battleground for Kadima and Likud: if Israelis settle on it, it will split the nascent West Bank state and enrage Palestinians, says Peter Beaumont in Jerusalem.

Abbas Tells Hamas It Must Cooperate With Israel or Fail
President Mahmoud Abbas is to approve the appointment of a new Hamas-led government today but warns that the administration has no future - and will be acting against the interests of the people - unless it agrees to deal with Israel.

41% of Israel's Jews Favour Segregation
· Poll reveals widespread anti-Arab sentiment · Academics warn of racism 'becoming mainstream'

Gaza Rations Food As Israel Cuts Supplies
· Bakeries close and shelves empty as supplies dwindle · Israel denies border action revenge for Hamas victory

Nazi Jibe Over Ban on Gay Marchers Dampens St Patrick's Day Parade
As Manhattan's massive St Patrick's Day parade made its way through the city yesterday its chief organiser was being condemned for a bizarre outburst in which he said that allowing gay groups to join the event would be like allowing Nazis to march at an Israeli parade.

Israel's Colonisation of Palestine Blocking Peace, Says Jimmy Carter
· Actions will perpetuate violence across region · Future for West Bank and Gaza Strip 'dismal'

Hospital Kept New-born Baby Over Unpaid Bill
Israel's justice ministry is deciding whether to prosecute a Jerusalem hospital that held a new-born baby for two months as collateral because its mother was unable to pay her bill.

We Warned of Prison Attack, Says Israel
· UK and US told what to expect if they pulled out · Angry Palestinians allege collusion in 'crime'

A Sudden Exit, a Jail is Stormed - and Israel's Long Wait is Over
· Departure of UK monitors triggers raid on suspects · Armed Palestinians respond by snatching foreigners

Israel Captures Jailed Palestinian Militants
Palestinian militants in a Jericho prison surrendered tonight after a raid by Israeli troops using tanks and bulldozers that sparked widespread unrest and kidnappings of westerners in Gaza and the West Bank.

Jewish Leaders Approve Rogers' Project
A billion-dollar New York project by the British architect Richard Rogers seemed set to go ahead last night after three of his main opponents withdrew their criticisms of his views on Israel.

Israel Sets Four Year Deadline to Draw Final Borders
Israel's acting prime minister, Ehud Olmert, has said the country will draw its final borders within four years without consulting the Palestinians if Hamas does not recognise the Jewish state.

Israel-Palestine Conflict Engulfs Rogers's $1.7bn New York Project
Much will be at stake this morning when Lord Rogers appears at a summit of Jewish leaders to explain his connections to a British architects' group that opposes the barrier Israel is building in the West Bank, and supports a boycott of Israeli construction firms.

Israel 'could Target Hamas Leaders'
The Israeli defence minister, Shaul Mofaz, warned today that the incoming Palestinian prime minister could be targeted for assassination if Hamas resumed its campaign of violence.

Israel Adviser Switches to Top Fo Job
· QC told Sharon to shun UN inquiry into Jenin battle · Palestine support group will protest to Straw

Plans Ready for Limited West Bank Withdrawal
Israel will withdraw from more than a dozen settlements in the West Bank in a second disengagement plan, which will take place if the Kadima party wins the general election, it emerged yesterday.

Rickman Slams 'censorship' of Play About Us Gaza Activist
A New York theatre company has put off plans to stage a play about an American activist killed by an Israeli bulldozer in Gaza because of the current "political climate" - a decision the play's British director, Alan Rickman, denounced yesterday as "censorship".

Israel Halts Funds to Palestinian Authority
Israel froze contacts with what it called the 'terrorist' Palestinian Authority yesterday, and put a block on the transfer of funds, the day after the swearing in of a Hamas-dominated parliament.

US and Israel 'trying to Destabilise Hamas'
· Report claims west plans to block Palestinian funds · Islamist group defiant as government takes shape

Israel Excludes Palestinians From Fertile Valley
· Permit system seen as bid to annex West Bank land · Residents forced to leave area as farmers lose jobs

Open Door
The readers' editor on ... a debate about Israel and apartheid South Africa. Ian Mayes

Sharon 'near Death' After Blood Clot
The Israeli leader undergoes emergency surgery as controversy mounts over his treatment.

Moscow Invitation to Hamas Angers Israel
Israel has accused Russia of stabbing it in the back after President Vladimir Putin invited Hamas leaders to visit Moscow as the legitimate representatives of the Palestinian people after the Islamic group's election landslide last month.

Israelis May Regret Saddam Ousting, Says Security Chief
Israel's Shin Bet security service chief has said his country may come to regret the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, because strong dictatorship is preferable to the present chaos in Iraq.

The Mural Maze
Much of Iran's most virulently anti-Israeli public art has been produced using technology from the Jewish state. Robert Tait explains.

Israel Unveils Plan to Encircle Palestinian State
· Olmert says he will keep control of Jordan valley · Pullouts likely as acting PM follows Sharon's vision

Israeli Missile Strike Incinerates Two Militants
Israeli forces fired a missile at a car in the northern Gaza Strip last night witnesses said, killing two Palestinian militants.

Israel and Allies Urge Hamas to Renounce Past
· Palestinians go unpaid as tax revenues are held back · Election victors ponder next move to avoid crisis

Israel's Shooting of Young Girl Highlights International Hypocrisy, Say Palestinians
As the votes were counted in the Palestinian election and the scale of Hamas's landslide became apparent to the world, Aya al-Astal drifted away from her home and wandered towards the fence along the border between the Gaza strip and Israel.

THE PRINCE OF THE COVENANT...The U.S.-Israel Strategic Alliance-Part IV
The U.S.-Israel Strategic Alliance, and ultimate Defense Pact protecting Israel by the U.S. military, cannot be stopped! Hamas’ shocking victory—overwhelming Bush’s Roadmap to Peace—makes a mockery out of the West’s ideological struggle for Middle East democracy. Now, "The Prince of the Covenant" makes his final move upon the world scene . . .

Israeli Politicians Rush to Condemn Hamas Win
· Minister says window of peace slammed shut · Nearly half of public still want talks to go ahead

Bush Demands Renunciation of Violence and Recognition of Israel
President George Bush warned the Islamic radical movement Hamas yesterday that it must renounce violence if it was to be considered a partner for peace.

Boycotts Self-defeating, Israel Conference Told
Academic boycotts against Israel were self-defeating and would only damage its existing relationship with the Palestinians, a conference was told this week.

Bush Commits Us to Defence of Israel in Face of Iran Threat
· President issues warning over Tehran nuclear plans · Pressure rises for referral to UN Security Council

Israel on Alert As Hamas Leads Poll
The acting Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, is to hold urgent talks with senior cabinet members and security officials today to discuss Israel's response to the strengthening wave of support for Hamas.

Olmert to Lead Kadima Into Elections
Ehud Olmert, the acting Israeli prime minister, was today formally chosen to lead the Kadima party into nationwide elections due to take place in March.

Palestinians Allowed to Vote in East Jerusalem, But Israel Bars Hamas From Election
· Police arrest activists over campaigning allegations · Sharon has tracheotomy to help breathing

Palestinians at War As Blood Feuds Follow Israeli Pullout
Law and order has collapsed in Gaza ahead of elections this month. Powerful clans, suddenly without a common enemy to unite them, are killing each other and seeking to sweep aside the heirs of Arafat, condemned as weak and corrupt.

Evangelist Says Sorry for Comments on Sharon
The US TV evangelist Pat Robertson has apologised to the family of Israel's prime minister, Ariel Sharon, for suggesting that his stroke was God's punishment for withdrawing from Gaza.

Israel Could Launch Air Strikes If Talks Fail
Israel has drawn up plans for strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities with bunker busting bombs supplied by the US, but analysts say it has no intention of carrying them through while diplomatic pressure is growing on Tehran.

Iran and Israel Will Be Kings of the Middle East Jungle
The US occupation of Iraq has turned its neighbour into a new regional power. But the contagion is likely to spread far wider.

Likud Ministers Defy Resignation Order
Israel's Likud party was today thrown into further disarray when its four government ministers defied the orders of their leader, Binyamin Netanyahu, to resign from the cabinet with immediate effect.

Pat Robertson Christian Centre Deal Abandoned
The Israeli government is pulling out of a business deal with the American evangelical leader Pat Robertson, after he said Ariel Sharon's stroke was punishment by God for withdrawing from the Gaza strip.

Hamas Drops Call for Destruction of Israel From Manifesto
· Shift comes in lead-up to Palestinian election · Commitment to armed struggle remains

Israeli Biblical Theme Park Plans in Doubt
Plans to build a biblical theme park on the shores of the Sea of Galilee today appeared to have collapsed after Israel refused to do business with Pat Robertson, the project's main backer.

US Pressure Forces Israel to Relent and Allow Jerusalem's Palestinians a Vote in Election
Under pressure from Washington, Israel said yesterday that it would allow Arab residents of East Jerusalem to vote in Palestinian parliamentary elections this month - an issue which had threatened to derail the ballot.

Israel Bows to Us Pressure and Allows Palestinian Ballot in East Jerusalem
Under pressure from Washington, the Israeli government said yesterday it would allow Arab residents of East Jerusalem to vote in Palestinian parliamentary elections this month - an issue which had threatened to derail the ballot.

Israel to Allow Palestinians in Jerusalem to Vote
The Israeli defence minister, Shaul Mofaz, said today that Israel will permit Palestinians in East Jerusalem to vote in elections due later this month.

Israel Agonises Over Life After Stricken Sharon
The Prime Minister's life hung in the balance yesterday. But already the scramble has begun over who will inherit his controversial legacy and try to push forward his strategy for peace.

Polls Show New Party Could Still Win Without Its Founder
Ehud Olmert, the Israeli politician propelled into the limelight by the demise of Ariel Sharon, faces formidable challenges leading the new centrist party founded by the now gravely ill prime minister.

BUSH'S BOLD PEACE INITIATIVE...Israel after Sharon
The colossus of Israel’s Center-Right is no more. Sharon’s cerebral hemorrhage, induced coma, and declared departure from Israel’s political life have created a grave and vacuous ability for Israel to carry on viable negotiations with either the Palestinians or other belligerents. Isn’t it time for someone like President Bush to get us back on the Roadmap for Peace?

Israel Braced for Loss of Its Grandfather
They used to say of Israel that it was the land without grandfathers. Except yesterday Israel had to brace itself for the loss of its grandfather.

End of an Era for Israeli Politics
· Doctors rule out return to office for gravely ill PM · Deputy confirms elections will go ahead as planned

Hospital Drama Casts Huge Shadow Over Sharon's Drive to Israel's Centre Ground
· Prime minister's new party loses its focal point · Leader's illness could lead to disaster at the polls

Israel Plunged Into Crisis As Sharon Suffers Massive Stroke
Claims that prime minister's career could be at an end after haemorrhage.

Violence After Arrest of Gaza Kidnap Suspect
Palestinian gunmen stormed into a government office in the Gaza Strip yesterday, hours after a member of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade was arrested in connection with the kidnapping of British human rights activist Kate Burton.

Likud Ministers Ordered to Quit Israeli Government
The Likud party leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, today ordered his cabinet ministers to quit the Israeli government.

Muslim Delegation to Go to Gaza
A member of the Muslim Association of Britain is to travel to the Gaza Strip in a bid to secure the release of three British hostages, it was announced tonight.

HE WILL ALSO INVADE THE BEAUTIFUL LAND...The U.S.-Israel Strategic Alliance - Part III
The U.S.-Israel Strategic Alliance has reached critical mass—President Bush’s "Strategy for Victory" inevitably demands the special relationship’s strategic imperative: The U.S.-ISRAEL DEFENSE PACT. The President, more than any other Chief Executive, since Truman recognized the Jewish State in 1948, is flaunting the U.S.-Israel "pact" to wipe out terrorism.

Suicide Attack in Israel
A suicide bomber killed an Israeli soldier and two Palestinians yesterday after he was apprehended at a checkpoint near the West Bank town of Tulkarem.

Frantic Search for Aid Worker and Parents As Gang Fails to Make Contact
· Relatives voice concerns over safety of missing trio · Growing anarchy in area after Israeli withdrawal.

Three Britons Kidnapped in Gaza Amid Poll Tensions
Tense negotiations were under way last night to try to secure the release of a British human rights worker and her parents, who were abducted in the Gaza Strip. The 25-year-old woman, identified as Kate Burton, was showing her parents around the town of Rafah near the Egyptian border when they were bundled into a car and driven off.

Three Britons Kidnapped in Gaza Strip As Fatah's Young Guard Fights for Election Role
Three Britons were kidnapped last night in the Gaza Strip amid mounting tension in the Fatah movement in the run-up to Palestinian elections on January 25.

Three Britons Kidnapped in Gaza
Three British citizens were kidnapped today as they entered the Gaza Strip from Egypt through the Rafah crossing, Palestinian witnesses and security officials said. The hostages are thought to be a man, a woman and their child, according to reports. The woman worked with a local human...

Israel Hits Back to Halt Palestinian Rocket Attacks
· Army shells Gaza after missile lands near nursery · Stay home to avoid being targeted, residents told

Sharon's Doctors Go Public to Calm Israeli Poll Jitters
· Manifesto and new West Bank building revealed. · Prime minister to have operation for hole in heart

Israel Jails Jewish Woman for Meeting Palestinian Militant
· Three-year sentence for assisting terrorist group · Legal secretary wanted to 'understand Palestinians'.

World Briefing
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's hostile jibes at Israel have caused almost universal offence. But Iran-watchers are divided over whether the president's statements mark a dangerous shift in Tehran's international outlook or form part of an internal power struggle.

Why Sharon's Survival Matters
The Israeli prime minister's health scare comes at a highly delicate time for the Middle East, writes Ian Black.

Sharon in Hospital After Suffering Stroke
· Israeli leader 'conscious and undergoing tests' · Health now major issue in looming elections

HE WILL CONFIRM A COVENANT WITH MANY...The U.S.-Israel Strategic Alliance - Part II
What propels the U.S.-Israel Strategic Alliance—leading to a unilateral Defense Pact wherein the USA will guarantee Israel's security? You might be surprised who's propelling this dialogue and why . . .

Israeli Missile Strike Kills Four Palestinians
Palestinian men loaded dead bodies on to a pick-up truck yesterday after an Israeli missile hit their car, killing four passengers and injuring a fifth.

Four Palestinians Killed in Israeli Air Strike
At least four Palestinians were killed and four others wounded today when their car was hit in an Israeli air strike, Palestinian hospital officials said.

EU Shelves East Jerusalem Report Over Fear of Alienating Israel
A controversial report that accuses Israel of rushing to annexe Arab areas of East Jerusalem was shelved by European foreign ministers in Brussels yesterday out of sensitivity to Israel.

Israeli Consul Attacks Spielberg's Munich As 'problematic'
Israel's consul-general in Los Angeles has lambasted Steven Spielberg's film about the 1972 Olympic massacre in Munich as a "superficial", "pretentious" and "problematic" work that draws an incorrect moral equation between Mossad agents and Palestinian terrorists.

Israeli/Palestinian Conflict: A Brief History On The Origins Of Terror
Many of us are uninformed as to just how the conflict between Palestine and Israel came about. But if we don't understand, then how can we seek solutions that are fair and equitable?

Israel Should Move to Europe, Says Iran's Leader
Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, reignited the controversy provoked by his recent calls for Israel to be "wiped off the map" yesterday by casting doubt on the historical authenticity of the Holocaust and demanding that an alternative Jewish homeland be established in Europe. In...

Iran/Israel: Close Encounters Of The Nuclear Kind
We must use all the available options at our disposal to prevent Iran from developing full nuclear capabilities.

Syria Ready to Reopen Israel Peace Talks
Assad hopes to head off UN sanctions.

Spielberg Hopes to Use Film to Connect Israelis and Palestinians
The Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg has broken his silence over his controversial new film about Israel's response to the massacre of its athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

Five Killed As Suicide Bomber Strikes in Israel
· Mother says attacker was exploited by handlers · Army to launch reprisals against Islamic Jihad

Five Killed in Israeli Shopping Centre Blast
At least five people were killed in a suicide bombing at a shopping centre in the Israeli city of Netanya today.

Four Killed in Israeli Shopping Mall Blast
At least four people were killed in a suspected suicide bombing at a shopping mall in the Israeli city of Netanya today.

YOUR COVENANT WITH DEATH - YOUR AGREEMENT WITH HELL...The US-Israel Strategic Alliance - Part I
If Israel were attacked, it would be the same as an attack on the USA—this is the essence of a DEFENSE PACT between Israel and the USA. Israel’s security would be underwritten by the United States of America; and, the commencement of that ultimate security—the quest of numerous US Presidents and Israeli leaders—would at last be actualized.

Ex-US Diplomat Blames Israel for Pakistani Dictator's Death
A retired US ambassador has reignited the debate about one of south Asia's greatest whodunits, the death in 1988 of Pakistan's president General Zia ul-Haq, by saying that Israel was responsible.

Former Covert Israeli Forces 'training Kurds in Iraq'
Israeli firms are carrying out military training and commercial activities in Kurdish areas of north Iraq, according to reports in an Israeli newspaper.

Peres to Quit Israel's Labour Party
The veteran Israeli politician Shimon Peres today announced he was leaving the Labour party he led until three weeks ago in order to give his support to Ariel Sharon.

Palestinians and Israelis Join Forces on Pitch
Israelis and Palestinians were last night preparing for a rare opportunity to defend something together, as they set about jointly trying to keep a football goalmouth safe from the rampaging stars of Barcelona football club.

Foreign Office 'unrelentingly Pro-palestinian' Says Israel
Israel has reacted angrily to a confidential Foreign Office document accusing it of illegally expanding Jewish settlements and routing the West Bank barrier to prevent east Jerusalem from becoming the Palestinian capital.

Secret British Document Accuses Israel
FO paper says international laws are being violated and peace jeopardised.

Israeli Pm Leaves Likud Party
The Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon, said today that his departure from Likud in order to form a new centrist party came because he did not want to waste time with "political in-fighting".

Israeli Pm to Leave Likud Party
The Israeli president, Moshe Katsav, today signalled that he would dissolve parliament, paving the way for elections in March, following Ariel Sharon's surprise departure from his Likud party.

Sharon to Quit Likud and Form Centrist Party
· Frustrated Israeli leader will force early elections · Former Labour chief Peres expected to give support

Sharon Announces Early Israeli Elections
Israel's prime minister, Ariel Sharon, said today that he wants to bring forward the country's general elections to February next year. Mr Sharon had previously opposed early elections, but announced his change of mind in an interview in the daily Yediot Ahronot newspaper. He...

Not Guilty. The Israeli Captain Who Put 17 Bullets Into a Palestinian Schoolgirl
· Officer ignored warnings that teenager was terrified · Defence says 'confirming the kill' standard practice.

Israel Lifts 'siege of Gaza' in Landmark Deal
· Agreement opens border crossing with Egypt · Pressure from US helps to break impasse.

The Man Who Could Bring About a Revolution in Israeli Politics
In less than a week Amir Peretz has revitalised the Israeli peace camp and brought a rare optimism to the Middle East.

Gaza Border Crossings Deal Agreed
Israeli and Palestinian officials have agreed a deal on border crossings in the Gaza Strip, the US revealed today.

Israelis and Palestinians 'on Verge of Gaza Deal'
The US secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, said today that an agreement was close on allowing Palestinians freedom of movement in the Gaza Strip.

Clinton Urges Israel to Resume Peace Talks
The former US president Bill Clinton has urged Israel to return to negotiations with the Palestinians and not to rely on unilateral measures to try to impose a solution to their conflict.

Israel Heads for Spring Election
The new leader of Israel's Labour party, Amir Peretz, yesterday said that he intended to force a general election next spring after pulling his party out of Ariel Sharon's government.

Palestinians Hope to Harvest Fruit of Withdrawal - If Israelis Don't Let It Rot
Commercial success of tomato and pepper crops could be scuppered by closed border.

Israelis Living Near Gaza Seek Aid to Relocate After Rocket Fire
Israelis living near the Gaza Strip are demanding relocation packages similar to those offered to settlers, claiming they are on the new frontline in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"ISRAEL MUST BE WIPED OFF THE MAP" . . . Origins of Treasongate?
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran, this week (end of October, 2005) boldly declared that Israel should be "wiped off the map!" Next, Syria’s President Bashir al-Assad’s brother and brother-in-law have been implicated in the assassination of Lebanon’s former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Now we face treasongate--somehow all this is connected, but why?

Israel Dragging Heels Over Gaza Agreements
· Security cited as crossings closed and goods blocked · Palestinians reject call for monitoring of borders

Israeli Clampdown Amid Rise in 'sonic Bombs'
The Israeli defence ministry has barred foreign journalists from entering the Gaza Strip in an apparent attempt to limit reporting on the killing of Palestinian civilians, the firing of artillery shells and the use of "sonic bombs" to terrify the local population.

Palestinians Say Israel Agrees to Ceasefire
Palestinian officials said yesterday that agreement had been reached with Israel to cease hostilities in the Gaza Strip.

Speeches to the Converted
Fiery Iranian anti-Israeli rhetoric might have been meant for Tehran only. But what about Blair's response?

Israel Launches Un Offensive Against Iran
· Security council urged to act over president's threat · 100,000 march in Tehran for Jerusalem's 'liberation'

Tehran Defiant Over Israel Slur
The Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, refused today to retract his call for Israel to be wiped off the map, while the Iranian embassy in Moscow attempted to calm the growing diplomatic crisis.

Diplomats Play Down Ahmadinejad Remarks
Iran today attempted to row back from its president's call for Israel to be wiped off the map as the UN secretary general, Kofi Annan, joined an international chorus of condemnation.

Blair Rebukes Iran for Threats Against Israel
Tony Blair warned Iran last night in his starkest terms yet that the world would soon start demanding direct action against Tehran if "totally unacceptable" threats to wipe out Israel were repeated by its government.

Slogans Fail to Cover Up a Lack of Experience
Even if Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's remark on Israel was more than mere rhetoric, his ability to pursue a confrontational policy is severely circumscribed.

Barrier Under Fire for Security Failings
Israeli commentators have united in criticising the government for the failure of the security barrier to protect Israel from suicide bombers after three years of construction and expenditure of almost £1bn.

Israel Targets Islamic Jihad
· Sharon announces 'broad and continuous offensive' · Demand that Abbas confront armed groups

EU Excoriates Iran for Israel Comments
European governments today piled further condemnation on the Iranian president for his call yesterday for Israel to be "wiped off the map".

Iran President: Israel should be 'wiped off the map'
His comments were the first time in years that such a high-ranking Iranian official has allied for Israel's eradication, even though such slogans are still regularly used at regime rallies.

Israel Should Be Wiped Off Map, Says Iran's President
Iran's new president created a sense of outrage in the west yesterday by describing Israel as a "disgraceful blot" that should be "wiped off the face of the earth". Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who is more hardline than his predecessor, told students in Tehran that a new wave of Palestinian attacks would be enough to finish off Israel.

Israel Still in Control of Gaza, Says Envoy
The international Middle East envoy, James Wolfensohn, has accused Israel of behaving as if it has not withdrawn from the Gaza Strip, by blocking its borders and failing to fulfil commitments to allow the movement of Palestinians and goods.

Israel Accused of 'road Apartheid' in West Bank
· Army seals off main route to Palestinian vehicles · Opponents say plan is to carve out new borders.

Israel Redraws the Roadmap, Building Quietly and Quickly
Settler population grows as Sharon grabs more West Bank land than he returned in Gaza.

Israel Clamps Down After West Bank Attacks
The Israeli government suspended contacts with the Palestinian Authority and imposed travel restrictions on the West Bank today after gunmen killed three people in two drive-by shootings.

Home of Al-jazeera Donates Football Stadium in Israel
Qatar, the Gulf state that is home to al-Jazeera television, has made a multimillion-pound donation towards building a sports complex in Israel, it emerged yesterday.

Israeli High Court Bans Military Use of Palestinians As Human Shields
· Even 'volunteers' breach Geneva pact, judge rules · Human rights victory after three-year struggle

Palestinian Elections Marred As Israel Kills Three More Activists
· 420 held in series of raids across West Bank · Hamas says arrests designed to undermine it

Israel Kills Three Palestinian Gunmen
Israeli soldiers killed three Palestinian militants during early morning raids on the West Bank today, Palestinian sources said.

Gaza Erupts As Israel Strikes Back at Hamas
Israel killed two Hamas militants and wounded more than 20 civilians yesterday in a sustained series of air strikes on the Gaza Strip, the first since it pulled troops out earlier this month.

Israeli Hostage's Family Offers $10 Million for His Freedom
Iran is believed to be holding air force navigator shot down 19 years ago.

Wiesenthal Buried in Israel
Simon Wiesenthal, the Holocaust survivor who did more than any single individual to bring Nazi war criminals to justice, was buried in Israel today.

Out of the Shadows
Israel is making new friends after withdrawing from Gaza but further peace initiatives are needed if the bonds are to last, writes Ian Black.

Ceasefire Will End If Israelis Block Elections, Says Hamas
· Leader responds to Sharon demand for disarmament · More resistance if talks on Palestinian state stall

No Charges Over Death of 13 Israeli-arab Protesters
The Israeli justice ministry said yesterday that nobody would be charged over the killing of 13 Israeli Arabs shot in riots against official discrimination five years ago.

Is it the sign of peace or a peace before the storm?
What the future holds for the Gaza as the Israeli tanks leave after a gap of 38 years?

'Security Fence' is Legal, Says Israeli Court
Israel's highest court ruled today that the country had the right to build its "security fence" on occupied land, rejecting an earlier decision that the wall was entirely illegal.

Investigation Urged After Israeli Officer Avoids Arrest
Scotland Yard was urged yesterday to launch a criminal investigation into officials at the Israeli embassy in London who helped a retired Israeli general wanted in Britain for war crimes to escape arrest.

Israeli Evades Arrest at Heathrow Over Army War Crime Allegations
· Retired general tipped off after judge issues warrant. · Ex-commander accused of demolishing Gaza homes.

Israel Hands Settlements to Palestinians
· Occupation is not over, says Gaza leader · Fears over synagogues delayed troops' departure

Israeli Troops Say They Were Given Shoot-to-kill Order
Israeli military prosecutors have opened criminal investigations following allegations by soldiers that they carried out illegal shoot-to-kill orders against unarmed Palestinians.

Israel Freezes Jerusalem Link Project Under Us Pressure
Israel says it has bowed to US demands and put on hold plans to build thousands of homes intended to link one of the largest Jewish settlements in the West Bank with Jerusalem.

Jewish Gunman Was No Terrorist, Israel Rules
Four Arab Israelis shot dead by a soldier opposed to the closure of the Gaza Strip settlements are not victims of "terror" because their killer was Jewish, Israel's defence ministry has ruled, and so their families are not entitled to the usual compensation for life.

Netanyahu Makes Bid for Power
Binyamin Netanyahu launched a bid to unseat the Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon, yesterday in a challenge that threatens to split the ruling party and cause a radical realignment of Israeli politics.

The Fate of the State of Israel
Whether this Jewish state is doomed or not, time will tell. Peace with our Arab neighbors and equal treatment of our Arab citizens should be our two over-riding strategic priorities. The Jewish State cannot continue to live by the sword, lest it perishes by it.

After Gaza, Sharon's Next Aim is ... Do Nothing
Israeli PM stalls while shoring up his party position.

Pullout of Israeli Settlers Complete
Israeli forces yesterday emptied the last of 25 Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip and West Bank earmarked for demolition, after warnings of an apocalyptic battle to end Ariel Sharon's historic pullout failed to materialise.

Israel Completes Settlement Evictions
Israel today said it had completed the eviction of Jewish settlers from the Gaza Strip and West Bank, around three weeks earlier than expected.

Israeli Troops Enter West Bank Settlements
Thousands of troops, including anti-riot units, pushed into houses and makeshift synagogues in two northern West Bank settlements today and began to clear out hundreds of Jewish extremists.

Israel Completes Gaza Withdrawal
The last Jewish settlers were evacuated from Netzarim today, the final settlement to be cleared in the Gaza Strip.

Israel Begins Evacuation of Last Gaza Settlement
Israeli troops today began removing residents from the final Jewish settlement in the Gaza Strip.

Rocket Strike Targets Us in Jordan
A group linked to al-Qaida claimed responsibility yesterday for three near-simultaneous rocket attacks that targeted US warships in the Red Sea and an airport in Israel.

Israel Clears 17 of 21 Gaza Settlements
Israeli soldiers today cleared the small but defiant settlement of Gadid as the process of forcibly removing Israeli settlers from the Gaza Strip continued.

Israeli Troops Storm Synagogues
Sharon says Gaza protests being cleared quickly and final pullout would be early.

Israeli Forces Enter Gaza Synagogue
Israeli security forces today entered Gaza's largest synagogue and began removing some 1,500 protesters holed up inside one of the last bastions of resistance to the forced evacuation of residents from the Gaza Strip.

Troops Enter Hardline Gaza Settlement
Thousands of Israeli troops today marched into a hardline Gaza settlement to begin the forced evacuation of residents.

Youthful Infiltrators Bent on Defying Authority
The "flying pickets" of the settler movement - infiltrators of the Gaza colonies aiming to stop the evacuation - are at the forefront of every confrontation with the Israeli authorities.

Defiance, Anger and Tears ... Then the Inevitable Farewell to Gaza
It was to be his last day in Gaza, but Sagi Ifrach planted himself on the roof of the only home he has ever known yesterday morning and declared that it would take the entire Israeli army to move him.

Soldiers Start Removing Gaza Settlers
Israeli troops today began carrying Jewish settlers out of their homes as the enforced evacuation phase of the historic pullout from the Gaza Strip got under way.

Shan Khan is Attempting to Solve Arab-israeli Conflict at Edinburgh Festival
Between writing drafts of Gadafy: The Opera for ENO, Shan Khan is attempting to solve the Arab-Israeli conflict - at the festival. Maddy Costa meets him.

Protesters Clash With Israeli Forces
At least 50 people were arrested today as scuffles broke out between the Israeli security forces and protesters opposing the pullout from the Gaza Strip.

Troops Move in As Settlers Refuse to Go Quietly
The deadline for evacuation is tomorrow, but many Israelis still cling on to the disputed land.

Israel Begins Gaza Withdrawal
Israeli troops today entered the largest Gaza settlement as the historic process of evicting settlers from Jewish enclaves on Palestinian territory began.

After All the Threats, It's a Muted Goodbye to Gaza
The bags are packed, the villages are now all but deserted. Conal Urquhart and Inigo Gilmore report from Gaza where, from midnight, Israelis have 48 hours to leave their houses or face eviction.

Eight Year Jail Term for Israeli Who Shot Briton
Sentence on soldier viewed as unduly lenient by student's family.

Jerusalem at the Brink of Abyss, as Gaza pullout triggers reactions
The Gaza pullout project was not a successful idea; and it was not decided by the correct people. With three religions focusing on Jerusalem, and with hundreds of millions of people expecting contradictory versions of Messianic events, a March on the Temple Mount may trigger unbelievable events leading to the Abyss.

Israeli Soldier Who Shot Briton Jailed for Eight Years
A former Israeli soldier was sentenced to eight years in prison by an Israeli military court today for shooting dead the British student Tom Hurndall in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli Soldier Kills Four Arabs on Bus
In what the authorities described as a "terror attack", an orthodox Jewish soldier shot dead four Arabs on a bus, including two teenage girls, before being beaten to death by an angry crowd. The Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon, denounced the shooting as a "sinful act by a bloodthirsty terrorist" aimed at dividing the country.

Israeli Soldier Kills Five Arabs on Bus
Sharon condemns shootings as terrorism.

Coup May Realign Mauritania
Mauritania's army seized power yesterday in a swift, apparently bloodless coup which could see the country move away from its alliances with the US and Israel.

Settlers Arrested Trying to Breach Gaza Cordon Before Israeli Pullout
A large police and army operation blocked an attempt by thousands of Israelis to march on the Gaza Strip last night in a mass protest against Ariel Sharon's plan to remove all Jewish settlements from the territory this month. Settlers and their supporters begged police and soldiers to let...

How the Uk Gave Israel the Bomb
Documents reveal that Britain supplied heavy water without safeguards against military use, enabling the production of nuclear weapons.

Israelis Gather to Fight Removal of Gaza Settlers
Thousands of rightwing Israelis rallied near the Gaza Strip border last night ahead of a threatened showdown with the army and police over the government's plan to remove all Jewish settlers from Gaza and bulldoze their homes later this month. About 15,000 soldiers and policemen were...

Teenage Girls Stay in Jail As Israel Cracks Down on Settler Protests
Chaya Belogorodsky, a slight, fair-haired and devout 14-year-old girl, is considered such a grave "danger to public peace" that Israel's highest judges dare not let her out of prison and back to her home in a Jewish settlement.

Vatican in Terror Dispute With Israel
Pope Benedict XVI was yesterday immersed in the first big diplomatic crisis of his papacy after the Vatican issued an unusually blunt statement criticising Israel for its response to Palestinian attacks.

Israelis Quit Gaza for Mobile Village
The Israeli government's largest project to rehouse settlers from the Gaza Strip will open to families on a first come first served basis on Monday. In two months builders have created a village of 350 houses.

Spy Loses Appeal in Us
A former US naval intelligence analyst who was imprisoned after being convicted of spying for Israel lost an appeal against his life sentence yesterday.

Israeli Police Halt 40,000 Marchers
Police corralled up to 40,000 protesters inside a fenced village yesterday in the biggest showdown so far with demonstrators trying to disrupt Israel's disengagement from Gaza.

Israeli Protesters Defy Police Ban on March
The Israeli government last night appeared to give ground to thousands of anti-disengagement protesters by allowing them to continue an illegal march to the Gaza settlements.

Israel Masses Troops Along Gaza Border
Israel yesterday massed thousands of troops along the border of the Gaza Strip and warned that it would invade unless the Palestinian Authority acted to prevent the firing of missiles at Israeli towns.

Israel Poised to Unleash Gaza Offensive
Israel yesterday massed thousands of troops along the border of the Gaza Strip and warned the Palestinian Authority that it would invade unless it acted to prevent the firing of missiles at its towns. Israeli officials said more than 100 missiles had been fired from Gaza at Israeli...

Abbas in Tv Peace Plea As Violence Puts Israel's Gaza Withdrawal at Risk
Israel launched fresh missile strikes in Gaza early yesterday, a day after it killed six Hamas militants, and vowed to keep targeting gunmen to prevent rocket attacks ahead of its withdrawal from Gaza next month.

More Deaths Threaten Uneasy Truce in Israel
The deaths of a Palestinian militant and an Israeli woman last night put further pressure on an already uneasy ceasefire.

Keep on track
Suicide bombings are a far more regular feature of daily life in the Middle East than in Britain, but yesterday's fatal blast in a shopping mall in the Israeli town of Netanya could have more serious consequences than most.

Suicide Bomber Shatters Ceasefire in Israel
Attack by 18-year-old Palestinian kills two and increases pressure on Sharon and Abbas.

Israel to Deploy Huge Force During Gaza Evacuation
Israel will deploy a force of 40,000 soldiers and 4,000 police officers to evacuate around 8,000 settlers from the Gaza Strip, ministers told a special session of the parliament yesterday.

Israeli Ministers Don Body Armour As Unrest Grows
Israeli government ministers have been fitted for body armour after death threats from rightwingers who oppose the planned withdrawal from settlements in Gaza and the northern West Bank.

West Bank Settlers Left Under Siege
As some Israeli families quit their isolated homes, others are kept in limbo to carry on occupation 'mission'.

Israeli Forces Oust 150 Gaza Rebels From Hotel
The Israeli army yesterday took its first steps towards enforcing a withdrawal from the Gaza Strip when it removed a group of rightwing extremists who had barricaded themselves into an abandoned hotel.

Israeli Army Nips Rebellion in the Bud With Raid on Barricaded Gaza Hotel
The Israeli army yesterday took its first steps towards enforcing a withdrawal from the Gaza Strip when it removed a group of rightwing extremists who had barricaded themselves into an abandoned hotel.

Violence erupts at Gaza territory eviction
Israeli troops ejected dozens of Jewish protesters from a building in Gaza yesterday, as anger at the planned withdrawal from the territory intensified.

Violence Erupts at Gaza Eviction
Israeli troops ejected dozens of Jewish protesters from a building in Gaza yesterday, as anger at the planned withdrawal from the territory intensified.

Israel Jails Soldier for Defying Orders
An Israeli soldier who refused to demolish buildings in the Gaza Strip was jailed yesterday for 56 days for refusing to obey orders.

Israeli Soldier Guilty of Killing Briton in Gaza
An Israeli soldier was convicted yesterday of the manslaughter of a British pro-Palestinian activist, Tom Hurndall, in the Gaza strip after a two-year battle for justice by his parents.

Israel Scraps Arms Deal With China
Israel has cancelled a major arms deal with China after US allegations that it misled Washington on the export of shared technology, it was reported yesterday.

Anglican Share Vote Angers Israelis
Anglicans yesterday voted to urge their member churches to consider disinvesting from companies involved in Israel's occupation of Palestinian lands.

Israel to Seal Off Gaza With Underwater Wall
Palestinians express concern at navy's plan to keep out bombers by installing a huge barrier stretching from the beach into the sea.

Israeli Army Chief in Warning Over Gaza Withdrawal
Israel's army chief today said this summer's planned withdrawal from the Gaza Strip would be difficult to accomplish if Palestinian militants waged attacks on soldiers and police trying to evacuate the settlements.

US Acts Over Israeli Arms Sales to China
The United States has imposed sanctions on Israel after a dispute over Israel's sale of drones - unmanned aerial vehicles - to China, according to news reports.

Israel Accused of Gaza Trickery
The Palestinian leadership accuses Israel of setting it up to fail by withholding information crucial to a successful transfer of control of the Gaza Strip when Jewish settlers are withdrawn this summer.

Straw Tells Palestinians: You Hold Key to Peace, Not the Israelis
The foreign secretary, Jack Straw, told Palestinian leaders in Ramallah yesterday that the creation of a Palestinian state was in their own hands, whatever the intentions of the Israeli government.

Israelis Pressure Straw Over Uk Contacts With Hamas
Israel yesterday pressed the foreign secretary, Jack Straw, to maintain an EU bar on negotiations with Hamas after Britain admitted there had been low-level contacts with the Islamist armed group because of its growing political strength.

Settlers Turn Hotel Into Gaza Fortress
Israeli extremists dig in for last stand against expulsion by Sharon.

US Orders Staff Out of Uzbekistan
The US and Israel have withdrawn non-essential diplomatic staff and their families from Uzbekistan, following warnings that they could be targeted by Islamist militants.

Israeli Soldiers Tell of Revenge Attacks
Two Israeli soldiers yesterday claimed they were ordered to carry out a series of revenge attacks on Palestinian policemen after the killing of six soldiers by militants.

More Attacks Ahead, Says Israeli General
The outgoing head of the Israeli military, General Moshe Yaalon, has warned that a new wave of bloodshed - whether through "terrorism" or war - is inevitable even if a Palestinian state is established.

Top Israeli News Anchor Attacks Occupation
A revered anchor of Israel's Channel One news has caused controversy by making a personalised documentary which concludes that the occupation of Palestinian land is a crime.

London Couple Remanded in Israel's Biggest Industrial Espionage Case
A London-based Israeli couple has been accused of playing a crucial role in the biggest case of industrial espionage in Israel's history.

Israeli Army Squad in Cup Final Invasion
The commander of an Israeli army squad has been suspended after his patrol took over a Palestinian home and confined the family to a spare room so the soldiers could watch Liverpool's victory in the Champions League final.

Academics Vote Against Israeli Boycott
Academics voted today to overturn their controversial boycott of Israeli universities, sources said.

West Bank College Benefits From Backlash Against British Boycott of Israeli Academia
The College of Judea and Samaria, occupying a hilltop in the Jewish settlement of Ariel, is reaping the benefits of the British academic boycott.

Abbas Seeks Us Pressure on Israel to Revive 'road Map'
Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian leader, flies to Washington today to seek a commitment from George Bush to a swift revival of peace talks once Israel completes its withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.

Both Palestinians and Israelis Will Benefit From a Boycott
The racist and colonial policies echo apartheid, and call for a similar response. Ronnie Kasrils and Victoria Brittain

Mother of Shot Activist Accuses Israeli Army of Cover-up
The mother of a young British activist shot in the Gaza strip has accused the Israeli military of scapegoating a soldier charged over her son's killing, and army commanders of a cover-up, as a yearlong trial drew to an end yesterday.

Israel Threatens Army Retaliation for Gaza Attacks
Israel yesterday said it would resume attacks on Palestinians who attempt to fire rockets from the Gaza Strip, after dozens of mortars hit Jewish settlements, without causing serious injury, but jeopardising a fragile four-month truce.

Worst Gaza Strip Clash in 3 Months
A Palestinian wounded yesterday in an Israeli air strike died last night in a Gaza hospital, doctors said.

Israeli Cabinet Battle Over Meeting Madonna
The latest bout of cabinet infighting that Israel's prime minister, Ariel Sharon, is facing involves Madonna, two wives with fearsome reputations and a clash between the foreign ministry and its leading ambassador.

Israeli Army Acts on Child Shootings
The Israeli army yesterday suspended the officer of a unit that shot dead two Palestinian boys protesting against a barrier fence at the West Bank village Beit Lakia.

Pentagon Analyst Accused of Spying for Israel Lobby
A Pentagon analyst was arrested by the FBI yesterday on charges of passing classified information to the main pro-Israel lobby in Washington.

Briton's Family Sues Over Shooting
The family of an award-winning British film-maker who was shot dead by the Israeli army has launched a civil action against the Israeli government on the second anniversary of his death.

Gaza Dreams of Life After the Israelis
Fate of abandoned settler homes undecided as Palestinians plan tourist paradise.

US Spy Inquiry Pair Fired
An influential pro-Israel lobby group in Washington has fired two senior officials targeted by an FBI inquiry into the leaking of US secrets to Israel.

Boycott Threat to Israeli Colleges
Campus anti-semitism fears inflamed by British tutors' move over Palestinian land.

The Israeli Police Are Seeking Tougher Restrictions on the Nuclear Whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu
The Israeli police are seeking tougher restrictions on the nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu, whose travel ban is about to expire.

'Frustrated' Militants Rocket Israel
Palestinian militants fired a rocket into Israel from the Gaza Strip yesterday, confirming fears that violence in the territories may once again spill across the borders.

Israel 'is Sealing Off Jerusalem Arabs'
Palestinians accuse Sharon over go-ahead for 3,500 homes linking settlements with capital.

The Rabbi Who Pricks Israel's Conscience
Zionism is moral, not military, says activist convicted of blocking West Bank bulldozers.

Photos Reveal Israeli West Bank Expansion
Aerial photographs by Israel's defence ministry have provided fresh evidence that the government is continuing its rapid expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank despite public statements to the contrary.

New Evidence of Israeli West Bank Expansion
Aerial photographs by Israel's defence ministry have provided fresh evidence that the government is continuing its rapid expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank despite public statements to the contrary.

Israel Will Attack Iran 'only As Last Resort'
Israel will only take military action against Iran as "a very last resort" to prevent it acquiring nuclear weapons, Ephraim Sneh, a member of the Israeli parliamentary defence and foreign affairs committee, said yesterday.

BBC Says Sorry to Israel
The BBC has bowed to an Israeli demand for a written apology from its deputy bureau chief in Jerusalem, Simon Wilson, who was barred from the country for failing to submit for censorship an interview with the nuclear whistleblower, Mordechai Vanunu.

Israeli Officer Who Killed Uk Journalist Faces Minor Charges
The Israeli army has told the family of a British journalist killed in the Gaza Strip that the soldier responsible will face only minor disciplinary charges, despite the investigators' suspicion that he illegally shot James Miller two years ago.

Israel Accused of Assisting Illegal Outposts
The Israeli government is guilty of systematic fraud, "institutional lawbreaking" and the theft of private Palestinian land to covertly establish illegal Jewish outposts in the West Bank, according an official report released yesterday.

Once Mighty Jordan Reduced to a Trickle
After decades of extracting water, Israel and its neighbour discuss how to avert ecological disaster in river kept alive by the flow of sewage.

Only Sewage Keeps Jordan River Alive
Israel in crisis talks as ecological disaster threatens, but key issue of restoring water supply is not on the agenda.

Israeli Agent Who Caught Eichmann Dies at 77
Peter Malkin, the Israeli agent who snatched Adolf Eichmann, the architect of the Holocaust, from the streets of Buenos Aires and took him to face trial in Israel, has died in New York at the age of 77.

Israel and Palestine Condemn Bombing
Abbas says suicide attack on nightclub was bid to sabotage peace process.

Hidden Costs of Israel's Occupation Policies
Israelis are paying a high but rarely acknowledged economic and social cost for nearly 40 years of occupation, says a report commissioned by Oxfam published today.

Move to Annex Settlements Overshadows Israeli Cabinet's Approval of Gaza Pullout
The Israeli cabinet yesterday approved the first ever removal of Jewish settlers from the Palestinian territories by authorising Ariel Sharon's plan to pull out of the Gaza strip and a small part of the West Bank.

Sharon's Son Charged in Corruption Case
Israel's attorney general lifted the threat of indictment against Ariel Sharon yesterday in a scandal over illegal campaign funds but charged the prime minister's son, Omri, with fraud and other crimes in the same case.

Israel Fears Jewish Terror
Israel's security minister has recommended the arrest of a prominent Jewish extremist and warned of many more possible detentions amid a stream of threats against Ariel Sharon and his ministers by opponents of the government's plan to remove settlers from the Gaza Strip.

Abbas Confronts Militants After Attacks on Israelis
Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian leader, will confront militant leaders tonight to demand that they stop firing mortars and rockets at Israeli settlements and towns.

Israel to Ease Restrictions After Ceasefire
Israel is to lift roadblocks around some West Bank cities to permit freer movement and will take other steps to ease controls on Palestinians.

Israelis and Palestinians Share Hope and Fear Side By Side in Jerusalem
Pilgrims and shopkeepers cautious on future.

Rice Sees Hard Choices for Israel
The US secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, said last night that Israel had "hard decisions" to make to create the correct environment for peace and a Palestinian state, as she began a two-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Rice Warns Iran Against Provoking Israel
Condoleezza Rice turned Washington's rhetoric on Iran up another notch yesterday, telling Iranians they would have to "live up to their international obligations" to avoid a conflict with Israel.

Israel Promises to Release 900 Palestinian Prisoners
The Israeli government agrees to release about 900 Palestinian prisoners and hand over control of Jericho to the Palestinian security forces.

Israelis Use Barrier and 55-year-old Law to Quietly Seize Palestinians' Land
The Israeli government has quietly seized thousands of acres of Palestinian-owned land in and around east Jerusalem after a secret cabinet decision to use a 55-year-old law against Arabs separated from farms and orchards by the vast "security barrier".

Israel Disbands Ultra-orthodox Army Units
Move to prevent mutinies over Gaza withdrawal.

Israel Ready to Expel Bbc Reporter
Israel is poised to expel a senior BBC journalist it accuses of criminal defiance of censorship laws over an interview with the nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu. By Chris McGreal.

Islamists Halt Attacks on Israel
Abbas seeks pledge from Sharon to win lasting ceasefire.

Abbas Tells Security Forces to Prevent Attacks Against Israel
The Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, yesterday ordered his security forces to prevent attacks against Israeli targets after the bombing of a Gaza border crossing prompted Ariel Sharon to break off contact with the new Palestinian leadership.

Israel Hints at New Assassinations in Gaza
The Israeli government has reportedly ordered the army to resume assassinating Palestinian militants in Gaza after three days of violence which have left six Israelis and eight Palestinians dead.

Israel Breaks Off Contact With Abbas
Israel announced last night that it was suspending all contact with the new Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, and his government, claiming that members of the Palestinian security agencies were involved in an attack in Gaza which killed six Israelis.

Israel as Permanent Observer by the UN Security Council
Israel must be rewarded for its commitment to regional development and security, and must be protected from the hysterical hatred and the destructionist intentions of millions of proximate people. A position of Permanent Observer by the UN SC will be instrumental in promoting regional security, and in fighting against Islamic Terrorism.

Abbas Calls for Israel Peace Talks
The newly-elected Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, last night said the Palestinians are "ready for peace" and he is eager to resume negotiations with Israel abandoned four years ago.

Abbas Claims Poll Landslide and Sets Sights on Israel Peace Talks
Mahmoud Abbas claimed a landslide victory in the Palestinian presidential election last night and prepared to outline today a post-Arafat programme encompassing internal reforms, securing a ceasefire from militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad and revitalising peace talks with Israel after a four-year impasse.

Settlers' Violence Will Be Crushed, Sharon Says
The Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon, warned Jewish settlers yesterday that he will use all the government's power against any of them who violently resist his planned withdrawal from Gaza and a token part of the West Bank this year.

Seven Children Die in Crossfire As Israelis Target Suspected Militants
Seven children on their way to pick strawberries were killed by Israeli tank shells yesterday after they were mistaken for Palestinian militants.

Israeli Soldier 'urged Revolt'
The Israeli army says a soldier has been arrested for calling on his comrades to refuse to evacuate a West Bank settlement outpost. It is the first case of its kind.

Jenin's Guns Overshadow Peacemaker
In poll run-up, Abu Mazen embraces Israel's most wanted.

Garbage Pail Kids: Not only in the US, but world wide...
Garbage Pail Kids trading cards are famous all around the globe. In Spain they are known as, "La Pandilla Basura". In France as "Les Crados "and in Italy as "Sgorbians", in Israel, "Havurat Ha'zevel", in Japan, "Bukimi Kim", and in Norway as well as Africa "Garbage Gang" In Argentina, Basuritas ......

Forgers 'tried to Rewrite Biblical History'
Hundreds of biblical artefacts in museums all over the world could be fakes, it has emerged after Israeli investigators uncovered what they claim is a sophisticated forgery ring.

Israel Stops Palestinians Voting in Jerusalem
Israel was accused yesterday of undermining the election of a Palestinian Authority president by allowing only a few thousand Palestinians to vote in East Jerusalem.

Israel Accused of Obstructing Palestinian Election in East Jerusalem
Palestinian election workers say they are being obstructed and harassed in east Jerusalem by the Israeli security forces.

World Watch
Ian Black: It is often a sign that something is shifting in Israeli politics when Shimon Peres is in government, and the return to power by the veteran Labour leader is evidence that a breakthrough in the peace process may - just - be possible in 2005.

Blair Bowed to Israel, Say Palestinians
Palestinian officials attacked Tony Blair's planned conference on the conflict with Israel yesterday, saying it was much less than originally promised.

A Rare, Hopeful Calm
Tony Blair will find the most conducive climate in years when he arrives on a peacemaking mission in Israel today, writes Ian Black.

Israel to Free 170 From Prison
Israel agreed to release 170 Palestinian prisoners yesterday as a gesture of goodwill to Egypt and the new Palestinian leadership.

Sharon Woos Old Foe Peres Into Coalition
The IsraeliI Prime Minister Ariel Sharon secured a historic deal yesterday with his bitter political foe, Labour party leader Shimon Peres, to guarantee the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.

Soldier Who Shot Briton Admits Lying
Israeli on trial for manslaughter says peace activist was unarmed.

Israelis Hasten Land Grab in Shadow of Wall
Bulldozers go in as expansion of settlements continues.

Call for Israel to Readmit Deported Palestinian Students
An international campaign has been launched to demand that four Palestinian students deported from their West Bank university to the Gaza Strip be allowed to return to complete their studies.

Blair's Peace Initiative Dismays Israel
Israel is increasingly wary that Tony Blair will use his impending visit to force the pace of the peace process.

Israel and Egypt in Swap of Prisoners
The Egyptian government yesterday freed a convicted Israeli spy in a demonstration of goodwill which leaders of both countries hope will lead to progress on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel's New Road Plans Condemned As 'apartheid'
The message has been consistent: Israel believes the US-backed road-map is the way to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel Shocked By Image of Soldiers Forcing Violinist to Play at Roadblock
Of all the revelations that have rocked the Israeli army over the past week, perhaps none disturbed the public so much as the video footage of soldiers forcing a Palestinian man to play his violin.

Israel Uses Tv Show to Find Its Best Spin Doctor
In some countries, reality television offers contestants fame and fortune. In Israel, the winner gets the equivalent of a job with the civil service.

Israel Rebuffs Straw's Road Map Pleas
The foreign secretary, Jack Straw, pressed Israel to re-embrace the road map to peace on a visit to Jerusalem yesterday.

Straw Welcomes Israeli Poll Pledge
The foreign secretary, Jack Straw, today welcomed Israel's announcement that it would allow international observers to monitor forthcoming Palestinian presidential elections.

Israeli Officer: I Was Right to Shoot 13-year-old Child
Radio exchange contradicts army version of Gaza killing.

Blair May Visit Israel to Revive Peace Process
Downing St irritated as Shalom announces plans.

Israel Pledges Cooperation on Palestinian Poll
Israel today assured Colin Powell, the US secretary of state, that it would do "everything in its power" to ensure the forthcoming Palestinian elections run smoothly.

Israeli Troops Kill Egyptian Police
Sharon apologises and promises inquiry into border shooting.

Gaza Strip Settlers May Go to West Bank
Jewish settlers from the Gaza Strip and the northern West Bank will be able to use the compensation they receive from Israel to build homes in other West Bank settlements.

Israel Rejects Arafat Choice of Burial Site
Even before Yasser Arafat is declared dead, he is at the centre of a dispute over where he will be laid to rest, after Israel refused to allow his burial in the holy city of Jerusalem. The Palestinian leader wishes to be interred at one of the most sacred sites in Islam, Haram as-Sharif,...

MPs' Gaza Revolt Forces Sharon to Defer Budget Vote
The Israeli government was forced to postpone the annual budget vote in parliament yesterday amid a continuing rebellion in the ruling Likud party over Ariel Sharon's plan to pull Jewish settlers out of the Gaza Strip. But, with opposition support, the prime minister won a separate vote...

Sharon Wins Historic Gaza Vote
Support for withdrawal from occupied territory splits Israeli government.

Mark Espiner: Hip-hop on the Arab-israeli Frontline
Globalised rap music may have lost its bite, but in the Middle East it's giving voice to both sides in the conflict.

Israel Settlers Row at Crisis Point
Sharon risks political chaos as parliament debates plan to pull out of the Gaza Strip.

Israel Split Over Settlement Retreat
Fears of Jewish extremist violence grow as Sharon pushes his plan to quit Gaza and the West Bank.

Egypt Offers Elite Military Force to Ease Israel's Withdrawal From Gaza
Cairo proposes to take over border security and help peacekeeping.

Israel Launches New Gaza Missile Strike
Israel today launched a missile strike against a leading Palestinian militant, only hours after it assassinated the Hamas commander Adnan al-Ghoul, prompting vows of bloody vengeance. Ghoul - the second highest ranking figure in the organisation's military wing - was killed when the car...

Israeli Unit Commander is Cleared of Palestinian Pupil's Death
Questions remain after Israeli unit commander is cleared of Palestinian pupil's death.

Sharon Risks Assassination By Extremists, Says Peres
Ariel Sharon, the Israeli prime minister, is in danger of assasination at the hands of Jewish extremists, according to Shimon Peres, the leader of the country's Labour party. The atmosphere in Israel was similar to the political turmoil of 1995 when Yitzhak Rabin, the prime minister, was...

Jabaliya, Gaza: 'they Destroyed All the Houses'
Chris McGreal reports on the aftermath of the Israeli operation in the Jabaliya refugee camp near Gaza city.

Ultra-orthodox Jews 'must Stop Religious Abuse'
Conal Urquhart: Jerusalem's Christian community has demanded that Jewish leaders and the Israeli government take action against what they claim is growing harassment of their clergy by religious Jews.

Steady Stream of Couples Part in Israel's Ancient Court
This is Tel Aviv's rabbinical court, and its main business is divorce. Divorce in Israel is not recognised unless it is sanctified by a rabbinical judge under Jewish laws dating back more than 2,000 years.

Hizbullah is Involved in West Bank, Says Israel
The Iranian-backed guerrilla group Hizbullah is increasingly involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with orders and money flowing from its Beirut headquarters into the West Bank, according to a senior Israeli intelligence official. The group has 10 "controllers" in Beirut who are...

More Feared Dead in Sinai Blasts
There are fears that the death toll will rise after 27 people were killed last night in bomb attacks in Egyptian Red Sea resorts popular with Israelis. Nineteen bodies have been recovered so far, according to the Israeli army, but 38 Israelis are still missing after the attacks, which...

50,000 Trapped By Israeli Assault on Gaza
Israeli forces have demolished the homes of hundreds of Palestinians, bulldozed swaths of agricultural land and destroyed infrastructure in their bloodiest assault on the Gaza Strip in years. More than 70 people have died in Operation Days of Penitence, launched in northern Gaza six days...

Israeli Tanks Start to Reoccupy Northern Gaza
Israeli tanks and troops began the largest reoccupation of northern Gaza yesterday since the Palestinian uprising began four years ago. Ariel Sharon ordered the tanks in to prevent Hamas scuppering his plan to withdraw Jewish settlers from the territory and impose an emasculated state on...

Vanunu Supporters in Embassy Protest
Six people chained themselves to railings outside the Israeli embassy in central London yesterday in protest against the refusal of the Israeli government to allow the nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu to leave the country. The six - members of the Campaign to Free Vanunu - acted on...

23 Killed in Israeli Raid on Refugee Camp
'Long-term operation' begins after Hamas rocket attacks.

Five Children Killed in Gaza Strip Battles
Hamas rocket attack claims two young Israeli lives while three Palestinian boys die in raids.

Israel Kills Hamas Leader in Syrian Capital
Hamas yesterday promised vengeance against Israel for its assassination of one of the Palestinian group's members in the Syrian capital of Damascus. Izz el-Deen al-Sheik Khalil was killed when his car exploded as he turned the ignition yesterday morning. Israeli government...

Cave Dwellers Defy Israeli Eviction Bid
Palestinians who have scratched a living for generations in the desert defend their biblical way of life.

Anglican Group Calls for Israel Sanctions
An influential Anglican group is to ask church leaders to impose a boycott of Israel and firms that do business there in protest at the occupation. The call, by the Anglican Peace and Justice Network, comes amid growing concern in Israel at rising support among churches, universities and...

Middle East Two Israelis Die Tackling Bomber
Two Israeli policemen died preventing a female suicide bomber from entering a packed Jerusalem bus shelter yesterday, probably saving many other lives. The 19-year-old Palestinian woman detonated the bomb when the policeman demanded to search a bag the authorities say contained about 5kg...

Two Israelis Die Tackling Bomber
Two Israeli policemen died preventing a female suicide bomber from entering a packed Jerusalem bus shelter yesterday, probably saving many other lives. The 19 year-old Palestinian woman detonated the bomb when the policeman demanded to search a bag the authorities say contained about 5kg...

Israel is Wild Card in Explosive Middle East Pack
When George Bush first identified the two Middle East members of his "axis of evil", Iran clearly ranked as a far more formidable adversary than Saddam Hussein's Iraq. But President Bush went after the easier target instead.

Britons Held After Raid Blunder By Israeli Police
Muslim women strip-searched before being freed by judge.

Britons Held After Israel Raid Blunder
Muslim women strip-searched before being freed by judge.

Israeli Missile Kills Activists
The Israeli military killed three al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades activists in a helicopter missile strike on a car in Jenin yesterday. The dead included Mahmoud Abu Khalifeh, the deputy commander in the city of the group, which has been responsible for a number of suicide bombings. The army...

Israel is Major Concern As It 'changes Facts on the Ground'
Jack Straw interview: Foreign secretary optimistic about Iraq and Labour's chances in EU referendum.

Israeli Attack on Hamas Activists in Gaza Kills 13 Hamas Supporters
An Israeli attack on Hamas activists training near Gaza City killed at least 13 people early today. The raid came a week after Hamas murdered 16 Israelis in twin suicide bombings on buses in Be'er Sheva. Israel's leaders vowed bloody revenge on the Islamist group. The dead in yesterday's...

Peace Activist Held As 'danger to Israel'
Lawyers question state motives behind detention without trial of former woman soldier who befriended leading Palestinian militant.

Israel Seeks Funds for Separate Arab Roads
Israel is pressing foreign donors to finance the construction of a web of roads through the occupied territories - made necessary by the building of the vast "security" barrier and Jewish settlements in the West Bank. The Israeli government seeks foreign funding to upgrade the back roads...

Drugs and Dance As Israelis Blot Out Intifada
Nightlife in Tel Aviv on a par with the best in London and New York.

Syria on Offensive As Israel Threatens to Avenge Bombings
Israel's threats against Syria after the Beersheba suicide bombings would "exacerbate the deteriorating situation in the region," the Syrian foreign minister said yesterday. The threats lacked "the least degrees of credibility or evidence," Farouk al-Sharaa said, in remarks quoted by the...

Israel Sees Syrian Link in Bombings
Israel warned the Arab world yesterday that it saw Syrian hands behind this week's suicide bombings in Beersheba, as it sealed off a nearby West Bank city and destroyed the home of one of the attackers. After the militant group Hamas claimed Tuesday's bus bombings, which killed 16 people,...

Israel Shaken By Return of the Suicide Bombers
After months of failed attempts, Hamas penetrates security to kill 16 and injure 100 in attack on buses.

Israel's Kibbutzim Swap Socialist Ideals for Personal Profit in Struggle to Survive
Chris McGreal in Kfar Hanasi finds a community in radical change to woo youth.

Israel to Deport Uk Journalist
A British journalist, Ewa Jasiewicz, was ordered to be deported from Israel yesterday after a court ruled that her 'naivety' could be exploited by Palestinian militants.

Hooked on Winning
Sharon knows it's time to cash in his chips and claim the prize of Greater Israel, but his party wants to gamble on.

Prisoners of Gaza Crowd Border in Vain Hope of Leaving
Lives on hold as Israelis block men aged between 16 and 35 and people with metal in their bodies.

Sharon Loses Crucial Party Vote
Blow to prime minister's plan to withdraw from Gaza Strip.

Sharon Orders 1,000 Homes in West Bank
Israel's prime minister is trying to fend off critics of his plan to pull out of Gaza with an expansion of settlements around Jerusalem.

Israelis to Use Barbecues to Break Hunger Strikers
Israel's prison service plans to break a mass hunger strike by Palestinian prisoners by barbecueing meat and baking bread near their cells. The prison service said yesterday that 1,602 out of 3,800 prisoners, who have been convicted of crimes ranging from conspiracy to murder, were...

Death and Destruction Across the Divide
The latest frontline in the Israel-Palestine conflict is between Sderot and Beit Hanoun in the Gaza Strip, where rockets have been countered by army incursions. Conal Urquhart visits both sides.

Israel Reopens Gaza Crossing to End Three-week Ordeal
Israel yesterday reopened the crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, allowing 4,000 Palestinians to return home, three weeks after they were stranded on the wrong side of the border. The Israeli army closed the Rafah entry point, which is the only route Gazans can take to leave or...

Israel Flouts Road Map With New Settlement
Israel has announced plans for thousands of homes in a new settlement near Jerusalem, ignoring its undertaking in the road map to freeze settlement activity. The proposed settlement, on 1,518 hectares (3,750 acres) of West Bank land, would be sited between Jerusalem and the settlement of...

Informer in Pay of Israel Unbowed By Brother's Bloody Fate
After the killing of two Palestinian collaborators this week, a man who aided the occupiers reveals his motives and what his future may hold.

The Guardian and Israel in Context
The readers' editor on the Guardian and Israel in context. Here is a recent exchange of correspondence, of a kind familiar to all journalists involved in coverage of the Middle East.

Departing Jews 'not Threatened'
A chartered El Al jet left Charles de Gaulle airport, Paris, yesterday taking 200 French Jews to a new life in Israel, days after the Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon, outraged France by urging its Jews to flee "the wildest antisemitism". People on the flight told the French media...

Israel Expands West Bank Settlements
Aerial photos reveal extent of land grab, say peace groups.

Court to Decide If Vanunu Can Leave Israel
Mordechai Vanunu, the Israeli whistleblower freed in April after 18 years in jail, will today hear whether he has been successful in his appeal to be allowed to leave the country and to talk to foreigners. The supreme court in Jerusalem will issue its judgment having heard arguments from...

Israel Lashes Out at Eu for Backing Un Vote on Wall
Resolution on world court ruling would 'encourage terrorism'.

UN Calls for Israel to Tear Down Wall
EU joins international condemnation amid British fears of US disengagement from Middle East.

World Court Tells Israel to Tear Down Illegal Wall
The world court brands Israel's vast barrier through the West Bank a de facto land grab and told told Israel to tear it down and compensate the victims.

Fears of Far-right Plot to Kill Sharon
Israel's intelligence service has warned of growing concern for Ariel Sharon's safety as the far-right gives increasing support to violent resistance to his plan to remove Jewish settlers from Gaza and parts of the West Bank. The Shin Bet has increased protection for the prime minister...

Academic's Death Adds Fuel to Israeli Boycott Campaign
Leading proponents of an academic boycott against Israel today condemned the killing of an academic in the West Bank and vowed to step up their campaign to cut ties with Israeli universities. University professor Khaled Sallah and his 16-year-old son Mohammed were among five Palestinians...

ElBaradei to Focus on Israel's Nuclear Weapons
The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog, Mohamed ElBaradei, arrives in Israel today to urge the government to begin talks about ridding the Middle East of nuclear arms, whether or not it finally admits to manufacturing weapons of mass destruction. Israel has no intention of...

Israel Retakes Gaza Town, But Hamas Missiles Still Get Through
Tanks, troops and bulldozers reoccupied a Gaza town yesterday in a bid to curb Hamas rocket attacks on Israel, after the crudely made missiles claimed their first Israeli victims, a man and a three-year-old boy. Hamas responded by firing more of the unguided rockets as the prime minister,...

What Vanunu Knows
He has no new secrets, so why does Israel gag him? He was the last breakfast companion I was expecting. Separated from me by a rack of toast was Mordechai Vanunu, the man who 18 years ago revealed that Israel had amassed a secret stockpile of nuclear weapons.

Israelis 'using Kurds to Build Power Base'
Israeli military and intelligence operatives are active in Kurdish areas of Iran, Syria and Iraq, providing training for commando units and running covert operations that could further destabilise the entire region, according to a report in the New Yorker magazine. The article was written...

Two-mile Gaza Moat to Foil Tunnels to Egypt
The Israeli army plans to have an immense ditch dug to stop Palestinians smuggling weapons and cigarettes from Egypt into the Gaza Strip using tunnels in the border town of Rafah. The defence ministry invited companies yesterday to bid for the contract. The ditch will be between 15 and 25...

Israel Goes Ahead With Expansion of Settlements and Fence
The US has objected to Israeli plans to expand the main Jewish settlements in the West Bank and extend construction of its controversial "anti-terror fence" to its deepest point inside the occupied territories. Palestinian officials said both plans reinforced concerns that Mr Sharon...

Gaza Pullout Plan Costs Sharon His Majority
Two far-right Israeli ministers quit Ariel Sharon's government yesterday in protest at his plan to pull Jewish settlers out of the Gaza Strip, robbing the prime minister of his majority in the parliament. The government's survival is now dependent on the opposition Labour party fulfilling...

Sharon Sacks Hardliners Who Stand in His Way
Far-right ministers dismissed for opposing plan to withdraw Israeli settlers from Gaza.

Turkish Pm Accuses Israel of Practising State Terrorism
The prime minister of Turkey, Israel's closest ally in the Middle East, has accused Ariel Sharon of "state terrorism" against Palestinians and likened their treatment to that of Jews under the Spanish inquisition. Recep Tayyip Erdogan's comments to the Israeli newspaper, Ha'aretz, come...

Sharon Ready to Sack Ministers Over Gaza
The Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon, is expected to sack two of his hardline ministers today if there is no last minute majority in the cabinet for his plan to withdraw all Jewish settlers from the Gaza strip and parts of the West Bank. The dismissal of ministers from the far right...

Sharon to Put Pullout Plan to Cabinet Vote
Ariel Sharon yesterday said he will put his plan to withdraw all Jewish settlers and Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank to a cabinet vote on Sunday that could decide the future of the government. The Israeli prime minister said he is confident of winning even...

Sharon Puts His Job on the Line for Gaza Plan
Ariel Sharon staked his premiership on the future of his plan to force Jewish settlers from the Gaza Strip yesterday as a cabinet split widened into a power struggle with his archrival Binyamin Netanyahu. Having been forced to postpone a vote on the plan because it was apparent that he...

A Dangerous Kind of Ambiguity
The readers' editor, Ian Mayes, on ... a justified complaint about an indefensible headline. Among my recent emails was one from Haifa in Israel which came quickly to the point: "Sir, the Guardian is liar of the month in April 2004 at Take-a-Pen."

Muslim Convert Admits Embassy Bomb Plot
A British-born Muslim convert pleaded guilty in Perth yesterday to plotting with Osama bin Laden and senior members of al-Qaida and the Asian militant group Jemaah Islamiah to blow up the Israeli embassy in Canberra. Jack Roche, 50, unexpectedly changed his plea to guilty on the final day...

Briton Says He Was Held in Israeli Dungeon
A British journalist released from Israeli custody said that he had been held in a dungeon with excrement on the walls following his arrest yesterday on suspicion of espionage.

Through the Heart
Israel's 100km 'security barrier' makes life a misery, and a two-state solution a virtual impossibility.

Israeli Troops Pull Back From Rafah Camp
International criticism of death toll spurs withdrawal.

Israeli Minister Attacks Home Demolitions
The Israeli army resumed its assault on Rafah refugee camp yesterday as a member of Ariel Sharon's cabinet caused a storm when his criticism of house demolitions as "inhumane" was interpreted as comparing the Israeli army's actions to Nazi war crimes. A week into Operation Rainbow, which...

Israel's Revenge Attacks Are Disproportionate
Israel's revenge attacks are, as ever, completely disproportionate. Israel's latest outrages in Gaza have produced a rare but tiny hint of American disapproval.

Ten Die As Israeli Tanks Fire on Peaceful Protest
Israeli forces fired tank shells into a peaceful Palestinian protest during the ongoing assault on Rafah refugee camp yesterday, killing at least 10 people - mostly children - and critically wounding many others. The army described the incident as "very grave", claimed it had only fired...

Israelis Fire on Rafah Demonstration
At least eight Palestinians were killed and 35 others injured when Israeli forces fired on a crowd demonstrating against the invasion of a Gaza refugee camp today. Witnesses and Palestinian security sources said tanks and a helicopter had fired on the crowd in Rafah. The wounded were...

20 Dead After Israeli Army Crackdown on Rafah
Palestinian fighters vow to defend camp house by house.

100,000 Tell Sharon to Get Out of Gaza
Israel said yesterday it would intensify its military assault on the Gaza strip, hours after more than 100,000 people rallied in Tel Aviv to demand that Ariel Sharon follow through on his pledge to withdraw Jewish settlers from the territory. The defence minister, Shaul Mofaz, told the...

Israeli Troops Die As Refugee Homes Are Destroyed
Incursion in Gaza met by fierce resistance and condemnation.

Gaza Death Toll Mounts As Israeli Troops Are Ambushed
Five soldiers killed hours before Islamic Jihad and Hamas hand over body parts from earlier attack.

Six Israeli Soldiers Killed in Landmine Attack
Six Israeli soldiers were killed when the armoured vehicle they were travelling in was blown up by Palestinian militants today, according to initial reports. It was the second such attack in 48 hours. A blast in Gaza City yesterday ripped apart an Israeli armoured personnel carrier,...

By Sharon's Standards
It was right to hold Israel to account over Jenin. But why are the US and Britain not in the dock over Falluja?

Youths on Gaza Frontline Keep Hatred Alive
Fighting or waiting to fight, boys bear the brunt of the Israeli incursion.

Vanunu Released By Israel After 18 Years
Vanunu released by Israel after 18 years but fears for his safety remain.

Israel Assassinates Hamas Leader Rantissi
8.30pm update: The Hamas leader Abdel-Aziz al-Rantissi was killed today in an Israeli missile attack on his car, hospital officials said. Rantissi's son Mohammed and a bodyguard were also killed in the attack, they added.

Anger at Restrictions on Vanunu
Protests were lodged yesterday against the restrictions that are to be imposed on the Israeli nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu, who is due to be released from prison next week. Vanunu, who will have served 18 years for revealing details of Israel's nuclear arsenal, is to be...

Arafat Denounces Us-israeli Gaza Plan
Yasser Arafat today insisted that Palestinian refugees would never give up their right to return to their former homes in the West Bank, in defiance of a new US-Israeli initiative to resolve the Middle East conflict. Mr Arafat spoke one day after President George Bush endorsed a plan that...

'The Beginning of the End of the Occupation'
Reaction in the Israeli and US press to Ariel Sharon's plan for unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and his trip to Washington to sell the policy

World Dispatch: Brian Whitaker
In the fourth of a series of articles on democracy in the Middle East, Brian Whitaker looks at how the Arab-Israeli conflict is stifling reform.

What They Said About Sharon's Plan for Gaza
Press review: ... Ariel Sharon struggled this week to garner support for his proposal that Israel unilaterally withdraw from the Gaza Strip.

Israel Claims Blair Phoned to Support Sharon Withdrawal
The Israeli government claimed last night that Tony Blair telephoned the Israeli leader, Ariel Sharon, to support his planned withdrawal from the occupied Palestinian territories. This would amount to a turnaround in British Middle East policy, which until now has opposed unilateral...

Memorials of the Faithful
This essay/article is a review of a book written in 1875 and published for the first time in Haifa Israel in 1927. It was published in a second edition in the USA in 1971. At the core of its content is "the Secret of the Divine Civilization" humanity has been moving toward over the millennia, for the most part unbeknownst to the citizenry of this planet.

Israeli Police Storm Mosque Compound
Thousands of Palestinians today barricaded themselves inside mosques at one of Islam's holiest sites after Israeli police stormed worshippers who they said had been throwing stones at officers. Officers entered the al-Aqsa mosque compound after some of the Muslim worshippers who gathered...

BBC Accused of Bias Against Israel
Report on would-be suicide bomber labelled anti-semitic.

Secret Tapes Put Heat on Sharon
Israeli prosecutors were persuaded to recommend charging Ariel Sharon with corruption in part by secret recordings of the prime minister rehashing one of the most famous army signals of the 1967 war. According to the Haaretz newspaper, Mr Sharon, who was foreign minister in 1999, was...

Sharon's Troubles Deepen in Bribe Case
Israel's chief prosecutor yesterday recommended charging Ariel Sharon with corruption for allegedly accepting bribes from a land developer, prompting demands from within the government for the prime minister to resign. The prosecutor, Edna Arbel, submitted the draft indictment to the...

'He Began Running ... He Would Have Killed Them All'
Israeli soldiers tell how they found explosives strapped to boy.

Why Israel Killed Yassin
The key to the Hamas assassination is Sharon's plan to pull out of Gaza. But he has again strengthened extremism.

Israel Steps Up Security Abroad, Fearing Reprisals
Security for Israeli diplomatic staff abroad has been stepped up amid fears of reprisals for the assassination of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin by Islamist groups sympathetic to Hamas. The move came as Israel was put on a high state of alert until at least the end of the month. Police leave has...

We'll Wipe Out Entire Hamas Leadership, Says Israel
The Israeli government has approved the elimination of the entire leadership of Hamas and other militant groups.

Israel 'targeting Entire Hamas Leadership'
Israel will attempt to kill the entire leadership of Palestinian militant group Hamas, stepping up targeted attacks, Israeli security sources said today. The report comes after Israel attracted widespread international condemnation for its assassination of the Hamas founder and spiritual...

Israelis Braced for Revenge
Jerusalemites, like the residents of other Israeli towns and cities, were yesterday bracing themselves for a large-scale revenge attack they regard as inevitable in the wake of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin's killing. There were more members of the security forces on the streets yesterday. Police...

Israelis Braced for Attacks
Jerusalemites, like the residents of other Israeli towns and cities, were yesterday bracing themselves for a large-scale revenge attack they regard as inevitable in the wake of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin's killing. There were more members of the security forces on the streets yesterday. Police...

Israel Assassinates Hamas Leader
· Yassin killed in missile strike
· Mass protests by Palestinians
· Militants vow revenge attacks

Israelis Say Boy, 11, Used As Bomber
Fatah accused of attack that failed when explosive in rucksack did not go off.

Israel Spurns Ugandan Jews
Israel spurns black tribespeople who converted to Judaism a century ago.

Sharon Backs Total Withdrawal From Gaza Strip
The Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon, is backing a total withdrawal of Israeli settlers and soldiers from the Palestinian Gaza Strip, according to a well-placed Israeli source. Mr Sharon announced the unilateral pull-out last December, but debate has raged among Israeli ministers...

Scars Close Mind to Sympathy and Peace
Israeli pupils are saddened, angered and frightened by the death of schoolfellows.

Alternatives to Dissection Spreading Worldwide
Hebrew University (HU) zoology students in Israel are learning about pigeons. They are studying the birds' digestive and circulatory systems, examining their brains and skeletons.

Trolley Dash: the Last Resort of Hungry Israelis
Huge cuts in welfare benefits have forced poor families to shop without paying.

US to Endorse Israeli Plans for Gaza
Palestinian cooperation crucial to withdrawal.

Israel to Boycott Security Wall Case
International court's jurisdiction questioned by Sharon cabinet.

Shelve Israel Trade Deal, Say Mps
Commons group condemns damage to Palestinian economy and calls for suspension of EU agreement.

Sharon Plan to Move Jewish Gaza Settlers
Ariel Sharon yesterday revealed plans to dismantle all Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip, in the first specific statement of how he intends to fulfil a pledge to unilaterally withdraw Israel from some of the occupied territories. The prime minister drew criticism from his cabinet and...

Sharon Orders Relocation of Gaza Settlements
The Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon, has ordered the removal of 17 Jewish settlements from the Gaza Strip, it was reported today. The move, which is expected to be confirmed by the Israeli government later today, comes two days before a first meeting between Mr Sharon and the...

Israeli Anger at Frank Exhibit
Israel has demanded the removal of a "horrifying" exhibit at the Anne Frank museum in Amsterdam that includes caricatures comparing Ariel Sharon to Adolf Hitler. The museum has defended the exhibit, saying it is intended to explore the limits of free speech and includes criticism of the...

Prisoners Freed As Bomb Kills 10 in Israel
Hundreds freed in exchange deal with Hizbullah despite suicide attack on crowded bus near Sharon's residence.

Release Could Solve Mystery of Missing Israeli
Release could solve mystery of missing Israeli airman. Germany last night offered to release three Iranian-backed assassins who are serving life in prison in return for information that could solve the mystery of the missing Israeli airman Ron Arad.

Sharon Rejects Calls to Quit in Bribe Row
Ariel Sharon has rejected calls for his resignation following the indictment of an Israeli businessman for allegedly paying him substantial bribes for political favours.

Bribes Claim Threatens to Bring Down Sharon
Ariel Sharon is one step away from corruption charges and being forced from office by the indictment of a businessman for allegedly paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Israeli prime minister's family for political favours.

Israel Hits Back After Army Death
The Israeli air force bombed Hizbullah targets in southern Lebanon yesterday in retaliation for the killing of a soldier in a missile attack on Israel's northern border. There was no immediate information on casualties in the first Israeli air strike on the area for five months...

Israel Scrambles to Defend Fence
Sharon vows to complete 'security' boundary, with minor route changes, despite harm to Palestinian lives.

Hate Mail
Jewish activists opposing the Israeli government's policies face intimidation and harassment via email and on the internet. Brian Whitaker reports.

Israeli Envoy Snub to British Jews
Israel snubs British Jews with appointment of ambassador.

Israelis 'to Kill' Hamas Cleric
Israel has threatened to resume its assassination of senior Hamas figures, including the Islamic organisation's spiritual leader, Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, following this week's Gaza suicide bombing which killed four Israelis. "Sheikh Yassin is marked for death," Israel's deputy defence...

Human-bomb Mother Kills Four Israelis
A 22-year-old Palestinian mother of two small children, pretending to be disabled, killed four Israelis at a Gaza border crossing yesterday after duping soldiers into allowing her a personal security check rather than going through a metal detector. The Islamic resistance movement Hamas...

British Peace Activist Shot By Israeli Soldier Dies
A British peace activist who was shot by an Israeli soldier as he tried to protect Palestinian children from gunfire in a Gaza refugee camp died last night in a London hospital. Tom Hurndall succumbed to pneumonia. He had been left in a persistent vegetative state after being hit by a...

Israel Goes Ahead With Plans for Border Changes
The Israeli government has said it expects to begin withdrawing from parts of the occupied territories and redefining their borders to create an emasculated Palestinian state if there is no progress towards a negotiated peace settlement. The deputy prime minister, Ehud Olmert, told the...

Israeli Hunt for Suspect Kills 19
Nablus search fails to track down alleged master bomber.

Teenage Israeli Refuseniks Jailed
As teenage refusenik Haggai Matar reports to a military prison today, he says he will draw comfort from the judges' description of him as a threat to the survival of Israel.

Peter Beaumont: Babies Who Threaten to Topple Israel
A looming birthrate crisis could make Jews a minority in their homeland within 20 years, writes Peter Beaumont.

Israel Snubs Syria With Golan Plan
Israel plans to double the number of settlers on the Golan Heights, as Syria renews its pressure for talks on returning the territory, taken during the 1967 six-day war. The cabinet committee on settlements has approved a plan by the agriculture minister, Yisrael Katz, to spend about...

Israeli Soldier Held on Shooting of Briton
An Israeli soldier has been arrested after admitting that he shot in the head a British peace activist, leaving him in a persistent vegetative state. The Israeli military announced yesterday that the soldier had been accused over the shooting of 22-year-old Tom Hurndall following an...

Israeli Army Kills Eight Palestinians in Raid on Gaza Camp
An Israeli army raid in southern Gaza yesterday left eight Palestinians dead in the worst outbreak of violence in two months.

If Libya Can Do It, Why Not Israel?
We can no longer turn a blind eye to the fifth largest nuclear power. There's a logic to these things. Muammar Gadafy, growing older, and his isolated Libya, growing poorer, were getting nothing worthwhile from the atomic bomb they hadn't built yet or chemicals they had scant residual use for. Logic - and common sense - meant changing tack. Good for logic. But logic doesn't stop there.

Sharon: Act Now or We Go It Alone
Israeli PM threatens 'separation plan'.

Suitable Cases for Anonymity
Ian Mayes, the readers' editor, on suitable cases for anonymity. On Tuesday this week the Guardian ran, across the top of its front page, a report headed: "Israel trains US assassination squads in Iraq."

Israel Trains Us Assassination Squads in Iraq
Israeli advisers are helping train US special forces in aggressive counter-insurgency operations in Iraq, including the use of assassination squads against guerrilla leaders, US intelligence and military sources said yesterday. The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) has sent urban warfare...

Israeli Academics Fight 'racist' University Test
Israeli academics are threatening to call for an international boycott of their own university heads if admission tests alleged to have curbed the number of Arab students are reintroduced. The heads of the country's five universities last week announced that they would bring back...

Sharon Goes Back on Settlements Pledge
Ariel Sharon has gone back on a personal commitment to George Bush to dismantle illegal Jewish outposts in the West Bank by saying he would allow some to remain for security reasons. Israel's prime minister offered contradictory signals about his intent while speaking to journalists...

Washington Cuts Loan Subsidy to Israel
Washington is penalising Israel for building the "security fence" through the West Bank and its continued expansion of Jewish settlements by cutting nearly $300m (£175m) in loan guarantees. The largely symbolic move will cost Israel a fraction of the $1.4bn in guarantees the US...

Israel Backs Down in Eu Trade Row
Israel has bowed to five years of pressure from the EU and agreed to drop labels claiming that goods produced in Jewish settlements and in the occupied territories are made in Israel. The Israeli government has resisted the move for years, fearing that a distinction between Israel, the...

Mussolini's Heir on Israel Trip As Italian Party Alters Image
Gianfranco Fini, leader of the Alleanza Nazionale and Italy's deputy prime minister, began an official visit to Israel yesterday in an attempt to remake his party's neo-fascist image and fashion himself as a respectable conservative leader. Mr Fini, who founded the AN out of the ashes of...

Israel Admits It Lied Over Missile Raid on Camp
The Israeli military has admitted that it lied about a rocket attack on a Gaza refugee camp, which according to the army led to no casualties, but which the Palestinians have claimed killed 14 civilians.

Israelis to Get the Message on Peace Proposals
Every home to be sent copy of unofficial accord denounced by Sharon as close to treason.

EU Hits Out at Israeli Fence
The European Union is to formally condemn Israel's controversial "security fence" in the occupied West Bank. With relations strained anew by alleged anti-semitism in Europe, the Israeli foreign minister, Silvan Shalom, yesterday demanded a "more balanced" EU stance on the Middle East...

Israeli Gangsters Blamed for Murder of Winnie's Friend
Blonde socialite Hazel Crane was gunned down in broad daylight in a wealthy Johannesburg suburb, a gangland-style murder with all the hallmarks of the Israeli mafia that has horrified South Africans.

Israel on Road to Ruin, Warn Former Shin Bet Chiefs
Four former directors of Israel's Shin Bet security service have given unprecedented warnings that the prime minister, Ariel Sharon, is leading the country to catastrophe by failing to pursue peace with the Palestinians. The criticisms, which follow a warning by the army chief of staff,...

How Europeans See Israel
For the first time, moral critique and self defence have coincided. Ever since its foundation, Israel has been troubled by the thought that it might have as much to fear from supposed friends as from avowed enemies.

Secret Israeli Missile Test Mistakenly Shown on Tv
Reality television finally catches up with the Israeli military. But the country's generals had no idea that their every move was being watched, their secret missile codes broadcast to their enemies or their conversations potentially overheard from Libya to Iran.

Howard Must Purge the Party of Thatcher's Legacy
The Conservatives will be successful when they rediscover conservatism. As Michael Howard stoops to pick up the torch that Disraeli, Baldwin and Thatcher once carried aloft so successfully, this is a good time to ask what kind of...

Seize the Moment in Israel
Public hunger for peace could force Sharon and Arafat to give the Geneva accord the chance it deserves. It would be a macabre exercise, but if anyone were ever to compile a league table of political assassins, ranked solely by success in achieving their goals, there is no doubt who would come out on top.

Arms Sales to Israel Breach Guidelines
Government turning blind eye to human rights abuses.

Israel Learns of a Hidden Shame in Its Early Years
Soldiers raped and killed Bedouin girl in the Negev. For 54 years the fate of a young Bedouin girl who disappeared in the Negev desert was relegated to rumour and a single entry in the diary of David Ben-Gurion, the prime minister of the fledgling Israeli state.

EU Poll Sees Israel As Peace Threat
A European commission opinion poll that claims 60% of Europeans see Israel as the greatest threat to world peace has drawn outraged denunciations of anti-semitism. The poll surveyed 7,500 people in 15 EU countries who said Israel was a bigger threat to world peace than Iran, North Korea...

100,000 Call for Peace at Rabin Memorial Rally
Murdered prime minister was right, Shimon Peres tells huge Israeli demonstration urging an end to occupation.

Israel Outraged As Eu Poll Names It a Threat to Peace
Israel has been described as the top threat to world peace, ahead of North Korea, Afghanistan and Iran, by an unpublished European Commission poll of 7,500 Europeans, sparking an international row. The survey, conducted in October, of 500 people from each of the EU's member nations...

Israelis May Put Pigs on Guard Duty
The reviled pig - whose name ancient Israelites would not even say, and which is still plucked from the boxes of imported toy farmyards - is set to make a comeback in Israel, guarding Jewish settlers from their Palestinian foes. The Hebrew Battalion, an organisation that supplies dogs to...

Israel Tells Peace Brokers to Back Off
The Israeli government has launched a diplomatic offensive to discourage foreign support for a groundbreaking peace initiative that its supporters say has exposed the bankruptcy of Ariel Sharon's policies. The foreign ministry summoned a senior Swiss diplomat to protest against his...

Families Seek Truth Over Israeli Deaths
Chris McGreal talks to the relatives of three British and American victims as they struggle to find out how their loved-ones came to die at the hands of the Israeli army.

Israeli Pm Sneers at Watershed Peace Bid With Palestinians
Israel's prime minister, Ariel Sharon, has dismissed a draft peace agreement drawn up by leftwing Israeli politicians and Palestinian leaders as the "greatest historic mistake" since the Oslo peace accords a decade ago. But supporters of the new "Geneva accords", while acknowledging that...

Rafah Counts Its Dead As Israeli Tanks Pull Out
Raid on camp leaves hundreds of Palestinians homeless.

Israel Deploys Nuclear Arms in Submarines
Israeli and American officials have admitted collaborating to deploy US-supplied Harpoon cruise missiles armed with nuclear warheads in Israel's fleet of Dolphin-class submarines.

Chris McGreal on Israel's missile strike in Syria
Mr Sharon's critics are divided on whether Sunday's missile strike north of Damascus was an act of desperation by a government unable to deliver a victory over the Palestinians, or a cynical calculation to redefine and widen the conflict.

Israeli jets hit Syria camp in blast revenge
Israel launched its deepest raid into Syria in 30 years yesterday to bomb an apparently abandoned Palestinian "terrorist training base" north of Damascus in retaliation for the suicide bombing of a Haifa restaurant that killed 19 people, including four children.

Israeli cabinet extends 'security fence'
Ariel Sharon's cabinet has agreed to extend Israel's controversial "security fence" to encircle Jewish settlements deep in the West Bank, moving closer to formally annexing hundreds of square miles of Palestinian territory.

Israeli Pilot Rebels Accused of Mutiny
Israeli MPs called yesterday for 28 air force pilots to be sacked and tried for mutiny for refusing to attack Palestinian towns. The defence minister, Shaul Mofaz, told the knesset that the pilots were aiding "terrorists" when they signed a letter last week saying they would not carry out...

Israeli pilots refuse to fly assassination missions
A group of Israeli airforce pilots declared yesterday that they would refuse to fly missions which could endanger civilians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Israel fears growing terror threat by settlers
Even Israel's pervasive intelligence services are uncertain whether the Infants Underground and its allies are fringe groups of extremist settlers or the stirrings of a Jewish-style Hamas.

Israeli army forced to share in budget cuts
The Israeli military claimed that large budget cuts agreed by the government yesterday will ground much of the air force and leave the army at its weakest since the Yom Kippur war 30 years ago.

Death Threat Rebuke for Israel
Foreign Office summons ambassador in Arafat row.

Israel May Kill Arafat, Deputy Pm Says
The Israeli government is considering killing Yasser Arafat as one of the means to carry out its threat to "remove" him as an obstacle to peace, Israel's deputy prime minister said yesterday.

Israeli Threat of Exile Strengthens Arafat's Hand
Palestinian president revels among the Ramallah wreckage as US puts immense pressure on Sharon to row back on threat to banish him.

Israelis Threaten to Exile Arafat
Cabinet response to suicide bombings seeks revenge as lowly official rejects Palestinian ceasefire offer.

Israeli jet targets Hamas leader as Sharon flies home
Ariel Sharon, the Israeli prime minister, yesterday cut short a visit to India to return home as Israeli forces attempted to assassinate another Hamas leader and families buried 15 people killed in Tuesday's two suicide bombings.

Bombers Hit Back at Israel
Fifteen die in suicide attacks on troops and nightspot.

Powell attacks Israel, but clings to road map
Senior figures in the Bush administration swiftly reiterated their support for the "road map" to peace in the Middle East yesterday, following the resignation of the Palestinian prime minister, Mahmoud Abbas.

Two Die in Israeli Raid on West Bank
An Israeli soldier and a Palestinian militant were killed today as Israeli forces targeted a Hamas cell in the West Bank city of Nablus, in a raid that could further undermine the troubled leadership of Mahmoud Abbas, better known as Abu Mazen. The gunfight started when Israeli commandos...

Chris Mcgreal Reports on the Israeli Security Fence
Israel claims the security fence is needed to protect its citizens from suicide bombers. But for the many thousands of Palestinians cut off from their work, fields and loved ones, it is part of an illegal land grab intended to drive them from their homes. Chris McGreal reports.

Israeli assassins kill hopes of peace for Palestinians
Two Palestinians were killed and others wounded yesterday in the latest Israeli assassination attack on Hamas members in the Gaza Strip. The men died after an Apache helicopter gunship fired four missiles at a van on a road between two refugee camps in central Gaza.

Israel Kills Activist in Rocket Response
Protests as Abbas freezes bank acounts of 'Hamas' charities.

Israeli Missile Attack on Hamas Leader Misses Target and Kills Passerby
Israeli helicopters blew apart a car carrying Hamas activists in Gaza last night as the army followed through on its threat to "liquidate" members of the Islamic resistance movement. But the helicopters missed their target and instead killed an elderly man. The army said it had intended...

A Jew Among 25,000 Muslims
Even as a young girl in Wimbledon Susan Nathan knew she would one day move to Israel. But why did she choose to settle in the Arab town of Tamra? She explains to Jonathan Cook.

Israeli Missile Attack on Hamas Leader Kills Passerby
Israeli helicopters blew apart a car carrying Hamas activists in Gaza last night as the army followed through on its threat to "liquidate" members of the Islamic resistance movement. But the helicopters missed their target and instead killed an elderly man. The army said it had intended...

Israel Bans Force-Feeding Geese For Foie-Gras
The Israeli Supreme Court ruled this month that the method used to produce foie gras (liver pate) is cruel and that the Health Ministry regulations permitting it are illegal.

Israel kills four in missile attack
Israeli helicopter gunships killed four Palestinians from Hamas last night, hours after the commander of the Israeli army warned that all Hamas members were "potential targets for liquidation".

Israel Vows to Assassinate Militia Leaders
Soldiers move back into the West Bank and Gaza to hunt down Palestinian suspects as hopes for 'road map to peace' dissolve in spiralling violence.

Israel to continue targeting militants
Israel says it will kill other Hamas leaders if the militant group retaliates for the assassination of Ismail Abu Shanab and that it will target them anyway if the Palestinian Authority does not confront "terrorist organisations".

Pragmatist whose two-state solution cut no ice with Israel
In the small inner core of Hamas, Ismail Abu Shanab was one of the key decision-makers, but he was also regarded as one of its most pragmatic members.

Israeli tanks poised to hit back
Abbas risks Hamas confrontation with order to hunt down extremists who had hand in bus bombing. Israeli tanks moved into the outskirts of Ramallah last night as the army prepared for a military assault against "terrorist targets" in the wake of the worst bus bombing of the past three years of intifada.

Muted feelings for 'martyr' with a grudge
When Arij Joubeh's family says she knew nothing of her husband's intentions as he left to blow up an Israeli bus carrying religious Jews, it is not hard to believe them.

'It was a small piece of hell. You just don't know who to help'
The shadowy organisers of last night's slaughter chose their target with care before they dispatched their human bomb. The suicide attacker - homicide bomber, as the Israelis prefer to call them - was not in search of just any passing bus to blow up, as has so often happened in the past.

Sharon Faces New Corruption Inquiry
Attorney general investigates claims that Israeli prime minister favoured childhood friends in compensation for land taken by state.

Palestinians Expect Checkpoint Deal to Clinch Israeli Pullout From Four West Bank Cities
A deal for Israel to pull troops out of four West Bank cities is expected to be finalised today in a move to bolster a six-week-old ceasefire threatened by renewed violence. Negotiations ran into trouble in the early hours yesterday amid disagreements over Israel's attempt to maintain...

Suicide Attacks in Israel Test Road Map to Peace
Two teenage suicide bombers killed two Israelis yesterday in the most serious breach yet of the ceasefire that is seen as crucial to keeping the region's battered road map peace process alive. Hamas claimed responsibility for one of the attacks, on soldiers near the Jewish settlement of...

Israel attacks Hizbullah after fatal shelling
Israeli aircraft attacked suspected Hizbullah positions in southern Lebanon yesterday, hours after shells fired by guerrillas hit northern Israel and killed a teenage boy and injured five people.

Joy and Anger As Israel Frees 339
Palestinian leaders cry foul as prisoners are reunited with families.

Israel's Fence Draws Threat of Us Sanctions
The Bush administration is threatening to impose hundreds of millions of pounds in financial sanctions on Israel if it persists in pushing its security fence and wall in the West Bank deep into Palestinian territory. It said it would tell Israel soon that was considering reducing its loan...

Israel Suspends Pullback From Occupied Areas
Gun attack on settlers and Arafat's detention of Palestinian militants endanger peace process.

Single mother's trek inspires Israeli protesters
One day she was an ordinary mother trying to bring up her two youngest children on a meagre wage and state benefits. The next Vicki Knafo was a national icon for Israel's poor, being courted by journalists and Ministers.

Prisoners protest at Israeli 'security'
Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in three Israeli jails launched a hunger strike yesterday to demand their release as part of the road map to peace, and to protest at prison conditions.

Israeli Law Will Split Families, Say Critics
The Israeli parliament passed a law yesterday that bars Palestinians who marry Israelis from living in Israel. The government justified the measure as necessary to fight terrorism but critics say it is intended to cut Palestinian immigration and to coerce Israeli Arabs into leaving the...

Simon Tisdall on Bush and the Israeli-palestinian Peace Process
The US president has allowed himself to be comprehensively bamboozled by Ariel Sharon, says Simon Tisdall. Peace is as far away as ever.

Simon Tisdall on the Israeli-palestinian Peace Process
George Bush may claim the Israeli-Palestinian road map is making progress, but peace is as far away as ever, says Simon Tisdall.

Mistaken Identity
Sean O'Muireagain travelled to Israel last month to set up an exchange between schools in Belfast and Jenin. Instead he spent five days under interrogation, accused of being an IRA bomber. He talks to Rosie Cowan.

Frightening rumours leak out about sons held in cells
Israel's security system sucked 15-year-old Mohammed Najaar behind the barbed wire of its labyrinth of detention camps nine months ago. For weeks the boy's desperate father heard only disturbing fragments about his son.

Israeli Army Accused of Cruelty
A leading Israeli human rights group has accused Israeli soldiers of "malicious and cruel" treatment of Palestinians and the military leadership of indifference to widespread abuses. The Association of Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) issued its annual report yesterday with denunciations of...

Israel Ordeal of 'ira Bomb Maker'
A west Belfast man wrongly accused of training Palestinian militants to make bombs returned to Northern Ireland yesterday and described his five-day ordeal at the hands of the Israeli authorities. Sean O Muireagain, an Irish language expert who went to the West Bank to set up a schools...

Israel Finds Support From Britain Over Iran
Britain is increasingly alarmed at the threats posed by Iran's nuclear programme and conventional missiles which could reach Israel and US forces in the Middle East. Amid fears that moderates in Tehran are losing their struggle with hardliners, Tony Blair is understood to have told Ariel...

An Israeli Killed in Tel Aviv Knife Attack
An Israeli was killed and another injured in an attack by a suspected Palestinian militant on a restaurant in Tel Aviv overnight. The attack, which police said was the first in an Israeli city since Palestinian groups declared a truce on June 29, came as the Israeli prime minister, Ariel...

Israeli Ploy on Arafat Backfires
Blair rejects Sharon's plea to cut contact with president.

Sharon Set to Rebuff Uk Demands
Tony Blair and the foreign secretary, Jack Straw, will today risk a bruising encounter with the visiting Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon, by calling on him to take urgent steps to protect the peace process. At a dinner in Downing Street, Mr Blair will urge Mr Sharon to dismantle...

Sharon Shuns Bbc Over Documentary
Ariel Sharon has barred the BBC from his meeting with the British press during a visit to London next week amid accusations that the corporation made false allegations against Israel in a report on weapons of mass destruction. The bar follows a decision made by Mr Sharon's office a...

Iran Claims It Has Missile That Can Reach Israel
Iran yesterday claimed to have conducted final tests on a missile capable of reaching Israel and US forces around the Middle East, and was poised to deploy the weapon with its armed forces. The claim, confirming an Israeli allegation last week, is certain to heighten tensions with the US,...

Palestinian Anger As Israel Agrees to Free 400
The Israeli cabinet reluctantly agreed yesterday to free several hundred Palestinian prisoners to bolster the US-led road map to peace. But Palestinian leaders warned that the move could speed the collapse of the peace process after Ariel Sharon ruled out releasing members of Hamas and...

Israeli Claim of Victory Denounced
Israel's army chief claimed victory over the Palestinian intifada yesterday, saying the ceasefire announced by Hamas and other groups was an admission of defeat. Lieutenant General Moshe Yaalon told the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth that, after 1,000 days of uprising, the...

Israel Defies Peace Plan With West Bank Land Grab
Bethlehem pullout is a cover for new settlements, say Palestinians.

Israel Cuts Links With Bbc
The Israeli government has severed all ties with the BBC after accusing the corporation of competing with the 'worst of Nazi propaganda'. By Jason Deans.

Israelis Pull Out But Leave Trail of Devastation
Anti-terrorist assault destroys Palestinian homes and crops.

Hopes muted as road map traps Israel and Hamas in fragile standoff
Within minutes of the long-awaited declaration of a ceasefire in what Israelis call the "thousand day war", both sides were wondering if this was as far as the US-led road map to peace would go.

Israel Dismisses Intifada Truce
Hamas and Islamic Jihad accused of trickery but army begins to withdraw from Gaza.

Israel Pledges to Pull Troops Out of Gaza
Israel agreed the terms of a troop withdrawal from most of the Gaza strip yesterday under American pressure to ensure that the road map to peace begins to deliver practical results to the Palestinians. Its decision came just hours after Hamas and other groups which the Israelis define...

Israel Checks Out Website Run By Russian Racists
The Israeli attorney general has launched a criminal investigation into a local neo-Nazi website that jokes about gas chambers, advocates shooting Palestinians and denies that the Holocaust happened. The website, published in Russian by a group calling itself the White Israeli Union is...

Israel Road Map Suffers New Blow
Israel delivered another blow to the faltering road map to peace yesterday with the assassination of a Hamas leader.

Israeli Offer to Leave Gaza Hangs in Balance
The fate of Israel's offer to make its most significant military withdrawal since the beginning of the intifada hung in the balance last night as the Palestinians demanded an end to the assassination of members of Hamas and other militants.

Is Sharon to blame? Israelis wonder
It is question rarely asked by Israel's Jews, and almost never in public. But yesterday one member of the Israeli parliament, Roman Bronfman, cautiously wondered if the prime minister, Ariel Sharon, did not have Jewish blood on his hands.

Defiant settlers prepare to resist demolition
Hundreds of Israeli settlers congregated yesterday at Havat Gilad, one of dozens of outposts in the West Bank which President Ariel Sharon has pledged to dismantle.

Washington Raps Israel Over Rocket Attack on Hamas Leader
Israel drew stinging criticism from Washington, accusations of terrorism from its Palestinian partner in the peace process and a vow by Hamas to respond in kind after an army helicopter tried to assassinate the Hamas political leader in Gaza. Abdel-Aziz al-Rantissi narrowly escaped with...

Abbas accuses Israel of 'terrorist' attack
Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian prime minister, today accused Israel of trying to destroy the US-backed road map with what he described as a "terrorist" attack on a Hamas leader.

Settlers Resist Move to Demolish Homes
Army fails to back up Sharon's pledge on West Bank outposts. Hundreds of Israeli settlers fanned out across a hillside to block the army from tearing down trailer homes at Amonah, stalling Ariel Sharon's pledge to dismantle dozens of illegal Jewish outposts in the West Bank.

Peace given a chance as Israel bows to US
Ariel Sharon bowed to US pressure yesterday and went further than he has gone before in committing himself to a viable Palestinian state at a Middle East summit with George Bush and the new Palestinian prime minister, Mahmoud Abbas.

Settlers protest against road map
Thousands of settlers protested last night in Jerusalem, claiming that they had been betrayed by Ariel Sharon, the Israeli prime minister, and George Bush at the Middle East summit in Aqaba.

Children shot in third day of Israeli army raids
The screams echoed around the clinic yesterday as a woman brought her seven-year-old daughter in for treatment. She had been shot in the abdomen by an Israeli soldier.

Bush spurned in quest for Israeli promise to end occupation
Ariel Sharon has rejected a request from George Bush to declare "an end to occupation" at a forthcoming summit between the two men and the new Palestinian prime minister, according to the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz.

Palestinians and Israelis upbeat after PMs meet
Palestinian and Israeli politicians were in an uncharacteristically positive mood yesterday after the meeting on Thursday night between their prime ministers.

Israelis Set Terms for Peace Plan
Israel has laid down a demand for a "complete cessation of terror" before it begins implementing the US-led "road map" to a peace settlement. Palestinian negotiators say any such requirement would hold the process hostage to anyone with a bomb or gun. The demand is among 14...

Likud leader condemns army abuses
A leading Israeli politician has accused soldiers of "gross violations of human rights" in the occupied territories, and the army high command of indifference to the abuses.

Israeli cabinet vote fails to convince Palestinians that Sharon is serious
The days of choreographed diplomacy that culminated in yesterday's vote by Ariel Sharon's cabinet to accept the US-led "road map" to end the Middle East conflict have failed to persuade the Palestinians that George Bush is committed to his own plan for peace.

Israel Bows to Us and Accepts Road Map
Grudging approval granted, but half of cabinet refuse to back plan.

US Concession Draws Israel Into Road Map Vote
Ariel Sharon took immediate advantage yesterday of an offer by Washington which will let Israel accept the US road map for peace in the Middle East without intending to implement it fully. Hours after the US said it "understood" Israel's concern about aspects of the the road map, a...

Two Killed in Fifth Attack in Three Days
The fifth suicide bomber since Saturday struck in Israel yesterday evening, killing two people outside a shopping mall and further damaging the already dim prospects of ending the suffering on both sides. Hours earlier, a suicide bomber on a bicycle injured three Israeli soldiers in Gaza...

Mystery of the Last Hours of Failed Suicide Bomber Found Dead in Sea
Relatives' DNA used to identify would-be British attacker in Israel.

Tel Aviv Body is British 'suicide Bomber'
A body found floating in the sea off Tel Aviv last week was today identified as Omar Sharif, the Briton wanted in connection with a suicide bomb attack in the city. Dr Yehuda Hiss, the head of Israel's forensics institute, said that DNA provided by British detectives had allowed...

Secrecy Over Shoot-to-kill Fear in Gaza
Two journalists have been gunned down by Israeli troops, but their families' pleas for an investigation are met with silence.

Israel Seeks Dna to Link Drowned Corpse to British Suicide Bomber
The Israeli police are to ask Britain for DNA samples to help establish whether a decomposing corpse found floating-in the sea off Tel Aviv is that of the Briton wanted in connection with a suicide bombing a fortnight ago Officials said they were exploring the possibility that the body...

Tel Aviv Body May Be Second British Bomber
A body found on the shore of Tel Aviv may be that of Omar Khan Sharif, the Briton suspected of attempting a suicide bomb attack on an Israeli bar. British embassy officials were in Israel today conducting inquiries after the body was discovered yesterday, the Foreign Office said...

New Blockade Imposed on Gaza
Israel imposed new restrictions on travel to and from the Gaza Strip yesterday.

Israel Reimposes Gaza Travel Restrictions
Israel today sealed off the Gaza Strip as it reimposed travel restrictions lifted yesterday during a visit by the US secretary of state, Colin Powell, to ease the daily life of the Palestinians. After talks with Mr Powell, who had requested practical and conciliatory steps towards the...

Gaza visitors must sign waiver in case army shoots them
The Israeli military yesterday began obliging foreigners entering the Gaza Strip to sign waivers absolving the army from responsibility if it shoots them. Visitors must also declare that they are not peace activists.

Israel Ready to Reopen Syria Peace Talks
The Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon, says that he is ready to reopen peace negotiations with Syria. The move comes three years after talks broke down over the Israeli-occupied Golan heights, and Mr Sharon says that the new talks will be held "without preconditions"...

Israel asks MI5 to step up checks after Briton's suicide bombing
Israel has asked MI5 and the police to step up their operations against Islamist extremists after last week's suicide bombing by a British passport holder, but denied a report yesterday that it had sent Mossad agents to Britain.

Why was an unarmed Briton shot in the back?
Six months ago, Jack Straw sounded as if he really meant to lay bare how an Israeli army sniper came to shoot an unarmed British former army officer in the back.

Straw Under Fire for Ignoring Israeli Attacks on Uk Nationals
The father of a British peace activist left in a coma by an Israeli army bullet has accused the Foreign Office of showing more concern at the killings of Israeli citizens than investigating Israeli responsibility for the shootings of Britons. Anthony Hurndall said he would press for a...

UK Envoys Held at Gunpoint By Israelis
Israeli forces opened fire above a British embassy convoy and held it at gunpoint in Gaza while it was carrying diplomats and the family of an English peace activist left in a coma by an Israeli bullet. Two armoured Range Rovers with diplomatic plates to halt as they drove through the Abu...

Israeli Labour leader resigns
Amram Mitzna, the dovish leader of the Israeli Labour party, resigned last night, amid accelerated diplomatic activity to capitalise on the release last week of the "road map" to peace.

Suicide Bombing Leaflets' Uk Link
Leaflets published in the Midlands urging Muslims to become suicide bombers have been found in Israel's occupied territories. The discovery fuels fears that Britain has become a haven for Islamic extremists. Now Israeli authorities have demanded that Britain launch an immediate...

Inquiry Demand After Israelis Kill Journalist
British diplomats have called for a full investigation into the fatal shooting of an award-winning journalist by Israeli troops, writes Sandra Jordan.

C4 cameraman killed in Gaza
A British cameraman was shot dead by Israeli tankfire last night as he filmed after dark in Rafah in the Gaza strip.

Israelis fear fugitive bomber will try again
Israeli police were yesterday hunting for the alleged failed British suicide bomber Omar Khan Sharif, fearing he would attempt another attack.

Boy, 2, among 14 killed by Israeli troops
Israeli troops killed 14 Palestinians yesterday, including two boys aged 2 and 13, as the government promised a series of "confidence building measures" in reply to Wednesday's presentation of the road map to peace.

Eight Killed in Gaza Strip Raid
Israeli troops today launched an incursion into a militant stronghold in the Gaza strip, killing eight Palestinians, including two boys aged two and 13. The raid, an apparent response to yesterday's suicide bombing that killed three Israelis in a Tel Aviv bar, was led by Israeli...

Israel paralysed by national strike
Israel has effectively shut down today after the Histadrut trade union federation launched an open-ended general strike to protest the government's planned budget cuts.

Israeli envoy urges regime change in Syria and Iran
Israel's ambassador to the US called for "regime change" in Iran and Syria yesterday as players in the Middle East staked out their positions before a crucial Palestinian vote that is expected to trigger publication of the American-backed "road map" to peace.

'The Israelis still kill, so why should we stop?'
It can take a day for a Palestinian to travel the short distance from Ramallah to Nablus. So Ahmed Khaled Khatib is unlikely to have heard that Yasser Arafat, the President of the Palestinian Authority, and his Prime Minister-designate, Mahmoud Abbas, had agreed on a Cabinet acceptable to the international community before setting off.

Six killed as Israeli tanks push into Gaza
The Israeli government showed yesterday that it would pursue its military agenda, regardless of demands by Washington and London for negotiations, by carrying out one of the largest raids in Gaza since the start of the intifada.

Largest Israeli raid of intifada
Israeli forces backed by tanks and attack helicopters have raided the Rafah refugee camp in the Gaza Strip in one of the largest operations in 30 months of fighting. At least five Palestinians and one Israeli soldier were killed in the clashes.

Israel seeks pipeline for Iraqi oil
US discusses plan to pump fuel to its regional ally and solve energy headache at a stroke. Plans to build a pipeline to siphon oil from newly conquered Iraq to Israel are being discussed between Washington, Tel Aviv and potential future government figures in Baghdad.

Israelis Shoot Dead Cameraman
An Israeli soldier shot and killed a cameraman with Associated Press television news who was covering a skirmish between troops and rock-throwing Palestinians in the West Bank city of Nablus today, witnesses said. The Israeli military had no immediate comment but said it was looking into...

Americans Lean on Israel to Make Concessions
Sharon told he may not tinker with the 'road map' to peace

Israeli report clears troops over US death
An Israeli army investigation into the death of Rachel Corrie, an American peace activist, has concluded that its forces were not to blame for her death.

Israeli Troops 'shoot British Peace Activist'
Israeli troops today shot a British peace activist working as a human shield with the International Solidarity Movement, witnesses said. The man was reportedly standing between Israeli troops and a group of Palestinian children when soldiers opened fire, Khalil Abdullah, an activist with...

Gunmen kill two Israeli soldiers
Palestinian gunmen killed two Israeli soldiers and injured nine others yesterday after infiltrating an army base in the West Bank shortly before dawn.

Israel plays down president's push for 'road map' to end conflict
President Bush expressed an unusual enthusiasm for addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict yesterday by pledging to expend the same energy on settling it as Tony Blair put into Northern Ireland.

Fischer Rejects Talks Venue
The German foreign minister, Joschka Fischer, provoked a new row about the status of Jerusalem yesterday when he refused to attend a meeting at the Israeli justice ministry because it is in the occupied east of the city. He asked the justice minister for an alternative venue for today's...

Six Killed in Israeli Raids on West Bank
Israeli forces have killed six Palestinians, including a 14-year-old, and detained more than 1,000 boys and men in two days of raids on the occupied territories. Tanks, helicopters and bulldozers led assaults on Rafah refugee camp in Gaza, and West Bank cities including Tulkarem, where...

Israel Accused of 'exploiting' War
Palestinian cabinet minister Saeb Erekat today accused Israel of using the war in Iraq as cover to attack the Palestinians. His comments came after four Palestinians were killed in a raid on a Gaza Strip refugee camp, a suspected Hamas leader was shot dead in Nablus and a teenager killed...

Send in the Bulldozers: What Israel Told Marines About Urban Battles
Martin van Creveld's advice to the US marines on what lessons to draw from Israel's bloody urban battle in Jenin was precise: Forget the helicopters, invest in armoured bulldozers. For months now, the Pentagon has been taking notes from the Israelis in preparation for what looks...

Israeli Cabinet in Tussle Over Policing of Sabbath Work
Ariel Sharon's shaky coalition government appeared to have survived its first crisis yesterday after ultra-orthodox parties refused to attend a cabinet meeting in protest at a de facto lifting of the ban on working on the Sabbath. The National Religious party had threatened to walk out of...

Israelis Fear Blair's Influence Over Bush
Sharon furious as Britain steers White House to strong commitment on independent Palestinian state.

Israel - The Next Target
Its leader seems more comfortable in battle fatigues than in civil suits. He has been long pursuing a policy of bloody oppression and annexation. The regime is often castigated due to rampant human rights violations. The country possesses weapons of mass destruction, though it repeatedly denies the allegations.

Making of a Martyr
Sandra Jordan reports from Rafah on the death of American activist Rachel Corrie, crushed by an Israeli bulldozer as she battled to prevent destruction at a refugee camp.

Israeli Loan Deal Claim Irritates Us
Israel has irritated the US by revealing private assurances from Condoleezza Rice to Benjamin Netanyahu that the White House has approved $10bn (£6.4bn) in aid before it was formally announced in Washington. In a phone conversation on Wednesday, Ms Rice, the US national security...

Action against Israelis and apartheid blocked regularly
The Bush administration and British government have repeatedly blamed France's threatened veto for the failure to secure a second UN resolution authorising military action against Iraq.

British Airways Suspends Flights to Israel
British Airways today announced that all its flights to Israel's capital, Tel Aviv, will be cancelled from Thursday, and will remain suspended until further notice. British Airways currently operates two services daily to Tel Aviv, and a spokesperson for the airline confirmed that both...

Israeli Wall to Encircle Palestine
Sharon accused of turning territories into huge prison.

Israeli Swoop on Gaza Camp Kills 10
Ten Palestinians, including a four-year-old girl, were killed today during intense fighting sparked by Israeli swoops in the Gaza Strip. The bloodshed in Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza and around the town of Beit Lehiya in the north was a fresh blow to US and British attempts to...

Israeli Army Bulldozer Crushes Us Peace Protester in Gaza Strip
Peace campaigner killed as Israeli army destroys homes in Palestinian refugee camp.

Palestinians caged in beach paradise
Bush's unveiling of a 'road map' for Middle East peace will bring hope to Arabs fenced in by Israel. Conal Urquhart reports from Al Mawasi in the Gaza Strip.

Bush outlines Israel peace plan
· Allies on brink of abandoning UN route
· Blair faces Political crisis
· US hopes for Turkey plan fade

Inside Story: Jonathan Ben-artzi , Israelian Pacifist
His uncle is the hawkish former prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu. But Jonathan Ben-Artzi is a conscientious objector who has already spent months in prison for refusing conscription - and today faces a full court martial. He tells Chris McGreal why he will not fight.

Netanyahu nephew faces jail as army refusenik
His grandparents fought to establish the state of his Israel and his father and uncles fought to defend it from aggression. One of his uncles is among Israel' s foremost hawks, the former Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. Yet on Tuesday, Jonathan Ben Artzi faces three years imprisonment for refusing to serve in the Israeli army.

Israel seizes land to build outpost
Israeli forces began constructing a new base yesterday close to the Jabaliya refugee camp in Gaza where eight people were killed by a shell fired into a group of Palestinian firefighters and spectators the previous day.

Suicide bomb kills 15 Israeli students
The new hardline cabinet of the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon faced its first major security crisis last night after a suicide bomber blew up a bus full of university students, ending a two month respite from such attacks.

Israeli minister to relax laws for non-Jews
Israel's new minister of the interior yesterday promised a revolution in Israeli society, even as progress on peace with the Palestinians appeared to have slowed.

Seven Killed in Gaza Raid
Seven people were killed as Israeli tanks raided two refugee camps in the Gaza Strip today. The troops entered the Nusseirat and Bureij refugee camps early this morning, blowing up two houses in the latter, witnesses said. Palestinians said that at least two of the dead, a...

Bedouin Feel the Squeeze As Israel Resettles the Negev Desert
Thousands displaced from ancient homeland.

Labour out in cold as Sharon shifts to right
The Israeli Labour party last night finally ruled out joining a national unity government with Ariel Sharon after the Israeli prime minister insisted on including a rightwing party as a partner.

Angry Bedouin find loyalty to Israel goes unrewarded
For the young men of Zarzir, Omar Hayeb was a hero and proof that an Arab could prosper in the Israeli army. He rose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel and was honoured for his bravery in Lebanon, where he was badly injured by a landmine.

Sharon Finds Key Ally in Secular Party
Ultra-orthodox 'blackmailers' left out of Israel's governing coalition. Ariel Sharon is poised to end the "political blackmail" of Israel's ultra-orthodox religious politicians after a secular party agreed to join his government yesterday in return for the abolition of the ministry of religion and some despised religious laws.

Israel Turns Up Heat on Hamas
11 Palestinians killed in six hours of fighting after tanks and helicopters lead latest attempt to crush militants.

11 Killed in Israeli Gaza Raid
Eleven Palestinians have been killed and 25 wounded in an Israeli military raid in Gaza city last night, Palestinian witnesses said. At about 11pm yesterday (8pm GMT), some 40 tanks entered the city's Shajaiyeh area, together with gun-equipped helicopters, residents said. Several homes...

Stalling Tactics Annoy Uk
The British government expressed growing impatience with Israel and the US yesterday for blocking an internationally agreed Middle East peace plan. British frustration emerged as three days of talks began in London involving representatives from the Quartet group - the United Nations, the...

Israel Holds 12 in Hizbullah Spy Ring
Israel's intelligence service has arrested 12 people, including two soldiers, accused of trading military secrets to Hizbollah in exchange for tonnes of drugs. Among those accused is a Jewish mother of three whose arrest has shocked and outraged residents of her home town, which has been...

Israel scorns 'anti-semitic little Belgium'
Israel accused Belgium of anti-semitism yesterday following a court decision which could lead to the prosecution of Ariel Sharon, the Israeli prime minister.

Labour softens towards Likud-led coalition
Israel's Labour party leader, Amram Mitzna, has softened his stance towards joining Ariel Sharon in a national unity government.

Israel in Surprise Peace Talks
Sharon's secret meeting with Arafat negotiator paves way for new ceasefire discussions today.

Palestinian Nurses Shot Dead in Israeli Search for Bombers
Fresh violence in Gaza and West Bank claims six lives. The Israeli army killed two Palestinian nurses in Gaza in a day of targeted attacks and indiscriminate killings that left at least six people dead. About two dozen Palestinians were arrested in raids across the West Bank.

Israeli Labour Party Rejects Sharon's Call
The leader of Israel's Labour party yesterday told Ariel Sharon he would not join a coalition government unless the prime minister agreed to shut Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip and begin negotiations with the Palestinians. Mr Sharon got more joy from the stridently secular party...

The Columbia astronauts
Six Americans and one Israeli who died returning from a 16-day mission beyond the earth: Rick Husband, Michael Anderson, William McCool, Kalpana Chawla, Laurel Clark, Ilan Ramon and David Brown.

Israel remembers astronaut as Sharon capitalises on US links
The Israeli government yesterday ordered flags to be flown at half-mast and a remembrance medal struck in honour of astronaut Colonel Ilan Ramon, who died in the Columbia disaster. It also used the tragedy to paint Israel as a democratic western nation standing firm with the US against the barbarians.

Israeli Officer Tried for Sabotaging Raid
An Israeli military intelligence officer has been court-martialled for refusing to obey an order he said targeted innocent Palestinians in retaliation for a suicide bombing, and was therefore illegal. The trial of the officer, who has been identified only as Lieutenant A, has divided the...

War 'would Mean Biggest Oil Shock Ever'
The world will suffer a bigger oil crisis than that during the Arab-Israeli conflict of 1973 if the US declares war on Iraq, according to leading US investment bank Goldman Sachs. 'The combined effect of Venezuelan and Iraqi disruptions has the potential to be the biggest shock in oil...

Now Sharon Can Do Just What He Likes
'The bulldozer' is all-powerful, so why does he seem so reticent? Now we may get to see the true face of Ariel Sharon. His crushing victory in the early hours of yesterday morning has given the Israeli people, and the wider world, a chance at last to see what this man really wants.

Sharon Win Pushes Israel Further to the Right
Israeli voters firmly rejected the peace camp yesterday by re-electing Ariel Sharon as prime minister and driving the Labour party to its worst ever defeat, according to normally reliable exit polls. Mr Sharon's victory seemed likely to push Israel even further to the right as he grapples...

Five Killed in Israeli Election Day Violence
Three Palestinians died overnight in an explosion and two more were shot dead by the Israeli army today as it closed down Palestinian areas for the duration of Israel's general election day. Around midnight last night the bodyguard of a Hamas leader and two Palestinian teenagers were...

Jonathan Freedland Reports on the War Within Israel
Israelis are not only in conflict with the Palestinians. They are also bitterly divided among themselves over race, religion and politics. As the country goes to the polls, Jonathan Freedland reports on how deep - and hateful - those divisions really are.

Sharon on Course for Fragile Success
Israelis go to the polls today knowing that Ariel Sharon is assured of a second term as prime minister, but uncertain what kind of government will emerge, or how long it can survive.

12 Killed in Israeli Raid on Gaza Strip
Just two days before an Israeli general election in which Ariel Sharon is campaigning on his militarist policies, Israeli forces yesterday launched their biggest raid on Gaza since the prime minister came to power two years ago. The army killed 12 Palestinians and injured dozens more -...

Voters cling to their faith in Sharon to save Israel
Friday is the busiest morning for the stall-holders at Mahane Yehuda market in west Jerusalem as local Jews come to stock up for the family meal of the Sabbath.

Israelis Detain Hundreds Without Trial
Kafkaesque nightmare awaits arrested Palestinians.

Mitzna fends off call to make way for Peres
Israel's Labour party leader, Amram Mitzna, hit back at internal party critics yesterday, claiming that his leadership had saved Labour from annihilation.

Ian Black: War Clouds Over Baghdad Cast Dark Sha
Yosef "Tommy" Lapid developed a mantra as he made his way through Jerusalem's bars in search of votes. "I am not against Jews," he insisted to Israeli soldiers who slapped him on the back and wished him luck. Mr Lapid is counting on that support in next week's general election to force a...

Is this the man to break the mould of Israeli politics?
Ultra-Orthodox Jews want him 'burned to a cinder', but Tommy Lapid's campaign for a secular state is winning over middle class voters.

Israeli Left lets slip its chance of victory
Israel's Labour Party, which has pledged to initiate immediate peace talks and negotiations for the creation of a Palestinian state, is facing a humiliating rout in what may be the most important elections in a decade.

Space Trip Puts Israeli in a Spin
It took a sceptical Israeli newspaper to drag an exhilarated Israeli public back to earth yesterday as the country's first astronaut blasted off aboard the space shuttle Columbia. The daily Yedioth Ahronoth pointed out that there had been other Hebrew astronauts - Elijah the prophet was...

US Equips Israel With Patriot Missile Batteries
Faith in anti-Scud system that failed in 1991.

Belgium May Revive Sharon War Crimes Case
Belgium is to make changes to its internationally contentious global war crimes legislation which risk resurrecting a politically sensitive case against the Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon. Belgium gave itself the right in 1993 to try cases of war crimes committed by anyone, anywhere...

Israelis Close Palestinian Universities
The Israeli army closed down two Palestinian universities last night, which they claimed had been used as "training grounds" for terrorist attacks. The army said leaders of the Islamic fundamentalist group Hamas had used a chemistry lab in the faculty of science at the Hebron University...

Israeli Labour Party Rules Out Sharon Deal
Israel's opposition Labour party has ruled out rejoining a government headed by Ariel Sharon after the general election in two weeks, a decision which will almost certainly push his administration further to the right if he is returned to power. Yesterday's announcement by the Labour...

Straw to press Israel to quit West Bank towns
Jack Straw, the foreign secretary, will warn today's London conference on Palestinian political reform that there can be no progress towards a final peace settlement until Israel pulls its forces out of West Bank towns.

Sharon Draws Slim Hope From Polls As Revelations Continue
Ariel Sharon drew slight comfort from a new round of opinion polls yesterday that showed his dramatically curtailed television broadcast last week had stemmed the flow of votes from his party ahead of this month's general election. But the polls revealed that most of the Israeli public...

Shady Deals Bring Israel's Bulldozer Close to Defeat
It is a make-or-break weekend for Israel's hawkish Prime Minister, who is fighting for his political life amid an explosive corruption scandal.

Sharon's fightback fades in TV lights
It was meant to be the great fightback. Ariel Sharon, the Israeli prime minister, would confound his critics and regain the initiative in the elections.

TV Humiliation As Sharon Fails to Stem Voter Exodus
An Israeli judge pulled the plug on his prime minister Ariel Sharon mid-way through an angry and rambling television address last night which was meant to deny corruption allegations and win back voters who are fleeing his party in droves. With opinion polls showing a rapid collapse in...

Court lifts election ban on Arab Israelis
Two Arab MPs will be able to stand for re-election to the Knesset, Israel's supreme court ruled today. The decision overturns a bar on Azmi Bishara and Ahmed Tibi - both Israeli Arabs - from standing for election over their support for the Palestinian uprising against the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Israeli Anger at Talks With Sharon Rival
Labour leader's invitation to No 10 sends relations to new low.

Arab boycott of American consumer goods spreads
An informal Arab boycott of American consumer goods has been slowly gathering pace around the Middle East over the past two years as a protest against US support for Israel.

Blair Pleads With Israel to Save Summit
Prime minister Tony Blair has today written to his Israeli counterpart Ariel Sharon, urging him to allow Palestinian leaders to attend No 10 summit next week. The prime minister's personal intervention reflects the government's hope that the meeting, to discuss reforms of the Palestinian...

Muted response by Sharon after suicide bombs
Unless Ariel Sharon is holding the worst until last, Israel made only a muted response to the carnage of Sunday night's double suicide bombing in Tel Aviv which claimed 23 lives in addition to those of the attackers.

Britain and Israel in Furious Row As Blair Peace Talks Are Scuppered
The British and Israeli governments were engaged in a full-scale row yesterday after Ariel Sharon banned Palestinians from attending a peace conference in London next week. The conference, a pet project of Tony Blair, is now almost certain to be postponed. Mr Sharon, the Israeli...

Bombings reveal limits of Israel's militarism
With an election due in three weeks, Israel's prime minister remains defiant but is running out of options to punish Palestinian militants.

Israel Tests New Missile System
Israel tested a new interceptor missile system yesterday aimed at countering an Iraqi attack and reassuring the public that there would be no repeat of the Gulf war 11 years ago when dozens of Scuds dropped on Israel. The $2bn (£1.2bn) Arrow system - mostly paid for by American...

Suicide Bombs Kill 23 in Israel
Dual suicide bombings in the heart of Tel Aviv killed at least 23 people last night, many of them believed to be migrant workers from Africa, eastern Europe and the Philippines. The slaughter brought a shattering end to a lull of more than six weeks without such attacks in Israel, just...

Israel Raids Gaza Camps
Israeli troops today raided refugee camps in the Gaza Strip, demolishing two homes and engaging in heavy gunbattles with Palestinians, in what was described as a search for suspected militants. Backed by helicopters the troops entered the Maghazi, Bureij and Nusseirat refugee camps in...

Arab Israeli Mps Appeal Against Election Ban
Israel's supreme court will hear an appeal today against a decision by the knesset to bar two Arab members from running in this month's general election on the grounds they threaten Israel's existence. Azmi Bishara, the country's most charismatic Arab Israeli politician, and Ahmed Tibi...

Israel's Human Shields Draw Fire
Human rights groups return to court over army's use of Palestinian civilians.

Knesset Moves to Bar Arab Members
Israel's impending general election is colouring committee hearings on the expulsion and barring of three 'hostile' parliamentarians.

Americans to Man Israeli Defences
Bush assures Sharon that Washington will give better protection against Iraqi attack than it did in 1991.

Israeli Army Kills Seven Palestinians
The Israeli army killed at least seven Palestinians in a series of "targeted assassinations" in the West Bank yesterday. Among the dead were a senior member of Islamic Jihad, the alleged head of a suicide bombing cell and three teenagers. The killings came as Israeli troops...

Tony Geraghty and David Leigh: The Name of the Game is Assassination
Tony Geraghty and David Leigh: The Pentagon has learned from Israel's policy of 'targeted killings'.

Scientists criticise academic boycott
Four leading scientists have voiced their opposition to the academic boycott of Israel, saying it could only be justified in "extreme circumstances" and as part of wider international "diplomatic, economic, cultural and sporting sanctions".

British Envoy Questions Israel on Terrorism
Britain's ambassador in Tel Aviv has described terrorism as justified, if defined in certain ways, drawing parallels between the Jewish fight for a state of Israel and the present day Palestinian struggle. Sherard Cowper-Coles said that the killing of non-combatants, particularly children...

Israel Amir
Necessity is the mother of invention, as Israel Amir, who has died aged 99, learned on May 16 1948. Two days earlier, Israel had declared independence. Within hours, five Arab national armies invaded the state, and the Egyptian air force attacked Tel Aviv.

10 killed in raid on refugee camp
Palestinians in the Gaza Strip accused the Israeli army of indiscriminately killing civilians yesterday after an army raid on a refugee camp left 10 people dead.

Jenin Riddle: Why Did an Israeli Soldier Shoot a British Official in the Back?
Stand where the Israeli army sniper stood and the questions come flooding in. Foremost among them is how the soldier who shot Iain Hook in the back in Jenin refugee camp could have mistaken the lanky British UN official with a mobile phone to his ear for a Palestinian youth waving a gun,...

10 Palestinians Killed in Israeli Raid
Ten Palestinians were killed overnight in an Israeli raid on a refugee camp in the Gaza Strip. Some of the deaths are thought to have ocurred when a helicopter fired a missile at a two-storey building in the Bureij camp. Others were killed in a gunfight that followed the incursion. Israel...

Israelis Kill Woman, 95, at Checkpoint
The Israeli army killed a 95-year-old Palestinian woman near Ramallah yesterday after opening fire at a minibus taxi in disputed circumstances. Fatima Hassan, the oldest known victim among nearly 2,000 Palestinians killed in the past two years, was returning from a visit to the doctor....

Blair Courts Controversy to Meet New Israeli Leader
Tony Blair is to risk the accusation of interfering in Israeli domestic politics by inviting Amram Mitzna, the leftwing challenger in next month's prime ministerial election, to Downing Street. Mr Mitzna's spokesman, On Levey, told the Guardian that although no date had been fixed the...

German Liberals Expel Party Maverick
The former deputy leader of Germany's liberal Free Democratic party was expelled yesterday in a row over alleged anti-semitism. Jürgen Möllemann is an ardent supporter of the Palestinian cause and has fiercely criticised Israel's actions in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip...

Israel Accused of Hebron Land Grab
Palestinian homes to be demolished on link road.

Sharon Dismisses 'two States' Remark
Israeli envoy spoke to UN 'without authorisation'.

By raids or stealth, Israel vows to get killers
Officials wait for Mossad to confirm identity of attackers before launching cross-border strikes and long-term pursuit.

12 Arrests As Israel and Us Join Hunt
Local police question foreigners including two with US passports as search for perpetrators intensifies.

'Our Long Arm Will Reach Those Who Are Responsible' - Israel
Revenge threat after twin attacks in Kenya. Israel was sucked into the US-led "war on terrorism" for the first time yesterday after a suicide bombing at a hotel in Mombasa, Kenya, left 15 dead and a charter plane narrowly escaped being shot down in an audacious missile attack.

US and Israel Join Kenya Attacks Inquiry
· 12 people detained for questioning
· Death toll rises to 16
· Tourists evacuated from Kenyan coast

For Israelis - and Jews everywhere - fear is now international
The sick fact is that, by Israeli standards, this was not a particularly big one. Suicide bombings inside the country regularly claim a dozen Israeli lives or more, while the terrorists who attacked the Paradise hotel outside Mombasa yesterday killed as many of themselves as they did Israelis (three each).

Pan-Arab support is key motive
Osama bin Laden for years has pinpointed Israel as an enemy but has never succeeded in making a direct attack on its citizens. That appears to have changed yesterday.

Six dead in attack on Likud party HQ
The Israeli leader Ariel Sharon completed a crushing victory over his arch-rival, Binyamin Netanyahu, in the Likud primary elections, but the vote for the ruling party's prime ministerial candidate was overshadowed by the attacks on Israelis in Kenya and at home in the northern town of Beit Shean.

'Our Hand Will Reach Those Who Are Responsible' - Israel
Revenge threat after twin attacks in Kenya.

Paradise Turned Into a Hellish Reminder of Home for Israelis
Survivors fled screaming to the sea as building went up in flames.

Four Killed in Gun Attack at Likud Office
At least four Israelis died after three gunmen opened fire on a Likud party office and shot at passengers in a nearby bus terminal today. Rescue workers said dozens were wounded - and two attackers were killed - as Israelis went to the polls in a Likud party primary election. A...

The Israeli Security Barrier Slicing Through the West Bank
The Israeli government is spending £1m a mile to build this massive wall in the West Bank in the belief that it will keep the suicide bombers at bay.

British Un Official Shot Dead in Jenin
Israeli troops blamed for deadly attacks during raids launched to reassert stranglehold on West Bank.

Israeli Troops Reoccupy Bethlehem
One day after a suicide bomber killed seven adults and four children in Jerusalem, Israeli troops reoccupied the suspected bomber's hometown of Bethlehem early today. Yesterday police named 22-year-old Nael Abu Hilail, allegedly involved with the militant group Islamic Jihad, as the...

Man charged with plot to bomb Israeli embassy
A British-born man appeared in a Perth court yesterday charged with plotting to blow up Israeli diplomatic buildings in Australia.

Dove Wins Israel's Labour Leadership
Israel's Labour party hauled itself back into the peace camp yesterday by electing a dovish former army general to lead it into January's general election. An exit poll gave Amram Mitzna, the mayor of the coastal city of Haifa, 57% of the vote, compared to 35% for the current Labour party...

Five Killed As Israel Storms West Bank Town
Five Palestinians were killed today as Israeli soldiers swept through the West Bank town of Tulkarem. Two were shot and killed - one of them a teenager who had climbed on top of an armoured vehicle, Palestinians said. Near Tulkarem, two Palestinians were killed when their car...

Hijacker 'wanted re-run of Sept 11' aimed to fly into Israeli
The Israeli Arab who scuffled with a flight attendant on a plane flying from Tel Aviv to Istanbul was trying to hijack the aircraft, the Israeli prime minister's office confirmed last night.

Israeli army desertions rise
The Israeli Defence Force has been hit by a sharp rise in the number of desertions among its troops, according to an army report. Military police are dealing with at least 40% more deserters than last year, the result of increasing numbers of reservists refusing to perform military service. One report put the increase as high as 67%.

Israeli Troops Hit Palestinian Security Compound
Israeli helicopters and tanks struck a main Palestinian security compound in Gaza City early today. The attack came as Israel's prime minister, Ariel Sharon, was considering razing Palestinian homes to improve security for Jewish settlers in the West Bank. In Gaza City, Israeli...

Hijack Foiled on Israeli Passenger Jet
A 23-year-old man was today being questioned after security guards on Israel's national airline El Al overpowered a suspected hijacker who tried to storm into the cockpit of a Tel Aviv to Istanbul flight armed with a pocket knife, passengers said. None of the 170 passengers on board the...

El Al hijacking attempt foiled
An attempt to hijack an Israeli passenger jet was narrowly averted last night after passengers and security guards subdued a man who tried to get into the cockpit, armed with a smuggled penknife.

Sharon threatens to expand Hebron enclave
Ariel Sharon, the Israeli prime minister, threatened yesterday to expand the Jewish presence in the West Bank city of Hebron in response to Friday's attack on Israeli security forces.

Israelis march in to seize suspects
Israeli forces last night seized the divided city of Hebron and rounded up blindfolded Palestinian suspects after suffering one of their biggest military losses in the current unrest during a brutal ambush last Friday.

Netanyahu Manoeuvre Ensures He is Heir to Sharon
Binyamin Netanyahu has secured a deal that will put him next in line to succeed Ariel Sharon, although he seems to be heading for defeat in his latest struggle to become prime minister. Israel's foreign minister has manoeuvred the Likud convention into agreeing that the runner up in the...

Paul Foot on Un Resolutions
Paul Foot: Triumphant photographs in the newspapers showing all 15 members of the UN security council voting unanimously for the US-UK resolution on Iraq reminded me of resolution 242 on Israel in 1967.

Israel Goes in After Killings on Kibbutz
New military action comes as mother and children are buried.

Still waiting for No 242
Triumphant photographs in the newspapers showing all 15 members of the UN security council voting unanimously for the US-UK resolution on Iraq reminded me of resolution 242 on Israel in 1967.

Israelis storm West Bank town
Israeli troops hunting the killer of five Israelis, including a mother and her two young sons, swept through the West Bank town of Tulkarem and a nearby refugee camp today, demolishing the home of a local Palestinian militia leader and arresting three wanted men.

Israelis Fear War Crimes Arrests
The Israeli government has ordered an urgent assessment of whether its politicians and soldiers could face arrest and trial for war crimes while travelling abroad. The move follows a report by the justice ministry that singled out Britain, Spain and Belgium as the most likely to prosecute...

Five Killed on Israeli Kibbutz After Police Foil Suicide Attack
At least five people were killed and three others wounded last night when a suspected Palestinian gunman entered a kibbutz near the West Bank and opened fire. The attack came hours after two men in a car blew themselves up when police officers stopped them at a nearby checkpoint...

How the world's press reacted
Voting with the resolution in the Security Council will keep the region away from premeditated designs of a military strike on Iraq that would benefit Israel and enemies of the Arab nation.

Labour chief lags in polls
Israel's Labour party knows it is fighting an uphill battle to win back the prime minister's office. It may have dabbled in power in the past two years as a key partner in Ariel Sharon's national unity government, but the polls show his Likud party will stay on top after February's general election.

Likud Heavyweights Square Off for Battle
The race to decide who will be Israel's next prime minister will be decided long before the average voter gets near a ballot box next February. The opinion polls consistently put Ariel Sharon's Likud party ahead. The prime minister's personal standing is high and a recent survey shows his...

There is a Way Out
Israel's elections need not be a disaster for peace if the left can turn the right's onslaught to its advantage. Israeli governments are developing an unnatural lifespan. Like a breed of frail butterfly, they see out two summers and then die.

Israeli liberalism may not be dead. But it needs a lot of help
Aqraba is an Arab village on the west bank of the Jordan River. These stony hills formed the heartland of the Jewish tribes in biblical times. Here they picked their olives, just as the Palestinians would today, if they could. But they cannot, because modern Jews, settled in the hills around them, won't let them.

Straw Rejects Israeli Call for Attack on Iran
The foreign secretary, Jack Straw, today dismissed an Israeli call to attack Iran immediately following a strike on Iraq, and called a war on Iran "the gravest possible error". In an interview in today's Times, the Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon, identified Iran as a "centre of...

Sharon Calls Election
Six days after his government of national unity collapsed, the Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon, this morning accepted that he could not restore his parliamentary majority and called for elections within 90 days. Convening a last-minute news conference in his office this morning,...

Gay Israeli MP faces new battle in knesset
It is a peculiarity of Israeli society that it is far easier to be gay in its army than in the parliament. Gay soldiers have Uzi Even to thank for that. The former military intelligence colonel, who spent 20 years working as a scientist on Israel's secret nuclear bomb until he was discovered to be living with a male lover, single-handedly saw to it that equal rights were extended to gays in the army.

Russia's Israeli Oil Bond
Last week, Russia and Israel - erstwhile bitter Cold War enemies - have agreed to make use of Israel's neglected oil pipeline, known as the Tipline. The conduit, an Iranian-Israeli joint venture completed in 1968 is designed to carry close to a million barrels per day, circumventing the Suez canal.

Suicide Bomber Targets Israeli Shopping Mall
A suicide bomber blew himself up in an Israeli shopping mall today, killing a bystander and wounding 20 people, including two children, police and medics said. The blast went off just after 6.15pm (4.15pm GMT) six miles north of Tel Aviv in the town of Kfar Saba, which is just across the...

Amnesty calls for arrest of Israelis for war crimes
Amnesty International has called on Britain and other signatories to the Geneva conventions to put on trial Israeli soldiers "responsible for war crimes" in Jenin and Nablus earlier this year.

Let My People Go - The Jackson-Vanik Controversy
The State of Israel was in the grip of anti-Soviet jingoism in the early 1970's. "Let My People Go!" - screamed umpteen unfurled banners, stickers, and billboards.

Sharon Tries to Neutralise Netanyahu With Job Offer
Former Israeli prime minister unlikely to accept cabinet post in collapsing government.

The Us Must Now Redraw Israel's 'road Map' to Peace
The Sharon government has offered revenge, but no resolution. It is an indication of how weirdly oblique Israeli politics can be that the Labour party could only raise the profoundly moral issue of the settlements by staging a row about what they are costing the government.

Diasporas and Modern States
From its very inception - as a budding concept in the febrile brain of Herzl - the Jewish State was considered to be the home of all Jews, wherever they are. A Law of Return granted them the right to immediately become Israeli citizens upon stepping on the country's soil.

Shrewd move forms part of Ben Eliezer's waiting game
Benjamin Ben-Eliezer, the Israeli Labour leader, who finally took his party out of the national coalition government yesterday, is a superb machine politician. His battered face is matched by an equally bruising approach to politics.

Israel Faces Swing to Right As Coalition Falls
Sharon woos minor parties after Labour walks out.

Israeli Coalition Government Collapses
Israel's national unity coalition government collapsed tonight after Labour party ministers handed in resignation letters following a budget row. The resignations are a hammer blow to the Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon, but will not immediately put him out of office, instead forcing...

Sharon Puts Government at Risk With Threat to Expel Labour
The Israeli government has been brought close to collapse by the prime minister, Ariel Sharon, warning his Labour coalition partners that he will expel them from the cabinet if they carry out their threat to vote against next year's budget in the Knesset tomorrow. Labour has said it will...

Meet the new Zionists
At first sight, the scene is very familiar: one that happens in Washington DC and other major American cities all the time. On the platform, an Israeli student is telling thousands of supporters how the horrors of the year have only reinforced his people's determination.

German Embassy Invites Israeli Officers to Ceremony Honouring Third Reich Soldiers
The German embassy in Tel Aviv has adopted a novel approach to atoning for Nazi crimes.

Dying Bomber Kills Three Israeli Soldiers
Mohammed Kashir's intended objective yesterday was, by one definition in the shifting standards of the war for Palestine, a "legitimate target". The young man from Nablus had his eye on dozens of Israeli soldiers waiting at a petrol station on the edge of Ariel, one of the biggest Jewish...

Armed settlers force out villagers
When the Six Day War raged around him and Israel expelled the Jordanian army from the West Bank in 1967, Yusuf Sobeih refused to leave his home.

Israel Shocked By Spy Trial of Bedouin Colonel
Court told Hizbullah victim sold secrets for drugs.

Israeli Troops Take Control of Jenin
Hundreds of Israeli troops today seized control of the West Bank town of Jenin, in response to Monday's suicide attack on a bus in northern Israel that killed 14 people. In the biggest Israeli military offensive since April, hundreds of soldiers and 16 armoured vehicles moved into Jenin...

US Says No Talks Until Attacks End in Israel
President Bush's Middle East envoy told Palestinian leaders yesterday that they had no hope of renewing negotiations for an independent state until they took decisive action to stop "terrorism and violence". But William Burns went on to warn Ariel Sharon that his government should swiftly...

Israeli retaliation targets olive harvest and waterholes
Israel signalled yesterday that in deference to Washington's campaign against Iraq it will hold back from its usual tough response following Monday's suicide bombing which killed 14 bus passengers.

Israel's Hi, Tech - Bye, Tech
During the 1990's, the number of Israeli firms on NASDAQ was the second or third largest (depending on the year) after American and Canadian ones. Israeli IPO's were hot. Israeli hi-tech was cool. The Internet was conquered by Israeli ingenuity and chutzpah.

Israel asks US for $10bn to halt recession
Ariel Sharon is pressing Washington for billions of dollars of emergency aid to revitalise the Israeli economy, driven deep into recession by the two years of Palestinian uprising.

14 Die As Israel Faces New Bomb Threat
Suicide bombers in Israel reverted to one of their most devastating tactics yesterday, detonating a car packed with explosives next to a crowded rush hour bus.

Suicide Bomb 'kills Seven Israelis'
A suicide bomber detonated a car filled with explosives next to a bus in northern Israel during today's afternoon rush hour, setting it on fire, according to police and radio reports. Israel's army radio reported that seven people were killed. Most or all of the dead were trapped in the...

Israel's Economic Intifada
A Danish firm, SID, as it was canceling an order with an Israeli supplier, dispatched to it this unusually blunt message: "When the soldiers of the Israeli army brutalize the areas of the Palestinians ... we do not feel it is the time to do business with your country. We hope this ugly war will end soon."

Jewish Group Demands Recall of Uk Envoy to Israel
The Simon Wiesenthal Centre has written to the foreign secretary, Jack Straw, demanding that he recalls the British ambassador to Israel for "Holocaust revisionism". The centre, set up by the world's leading Nazi hunter, accuses Sherard Cowper-Coles of describing Israel as turning the...

BBC in press freedom row with Israel
The BBC has become embroiled in a dispute about accreditation for Palestinian journalists covering the Middle East conflict, a further souring of relations between international media organisations and the Israeli authorities.

Israeli refusenik guards only his principles
Yuval Lotem phoned another defiant old soldier who refuses to serve in the Israeli army just to remind himself what prison felt like. Then the 45-year-old former paratrooper reported to the local barracks, expecting a swift transfer to an army jail.

Another round to the settlers
The Israeli government backed away from a confrontation with hundreds of angry settlers and abandoned an attempt to close an illegal outpost in the West Bank yesterday.

Editors dismiss Israeli press chief's allegation of bias
The head of the Israeli government press office has provoked stinging criticism from international news organisations by accusing them of gross bias in favour of Palestinians.

Illegal Settlers Win Compromise From Israeli Government
The Israeli government backed away from a confrontation with hundreds of angry settlers and abandoned an attempt to close an illegal outpost in the West Bank yesterday. It was the first attempt by Ariel Sharon's government to remove Jews who have settled illegally on land in the occupied...

Israeli Phone Box Bomb Kills Militant
Israeli security forces used a booby-trapped public telephone outside a hospital to blow up a Palestinian member of the suicide bomb brigades in Bethlehem. Palestinian officials claim the Israelis got the wrong man when they killed Mohammed Abayat as he made a phone call after taking his...

Ten die as Israeli helicopter fires on Palestinian crowd
The worst came just as the residents of Al-Katiba thought they were safe. A little before 4am yesterday, hundreds of Palestinians spilled on to the streets to check on their neighbours and vent their anger as dozens of Israeli tanks withdrew after a gruelling three-hour raid on the Gaza strip.

Israeli Soldiers Kill 10 Palestinians
Violence again flared today in the Gaza Strip as Israeli soldiers made their deadliest raid for three months and the head of the Palestinian riot police was shot dead in mysterious circumstances. Masked men opened fire on Colonel Rageh Abu Lehiya's car in Gaza City, killing the police...

Bush Hopes Missile Shield Offer Will Keep Israel Out of Conflict
The US is to offer to deploy a Patriot anti-missile shield in Israel in an attempt to win assurances from the Jewish state that it will stay out of any conflict with Iraq. The Israeli government said yesterday that Ariel Sharon would meet George Bush on a visit to the US on October 16....

City under curfew reaches boiling point
Colonel Noam Tibon and much of the city he has kept under lockdown for the past 100 days or more agree on one thing. Two young boys - Rami al-Barbri and Mahmoud Zaglul - should not have died this week. There is no such accord on the fate of Ari Weiss, an Israeli soldier killed within minutes and yards of one of the dead children.

Israel: Interview With Amram Mitzna
In the first intifada he was an army general who hammered the Palestinians; now he is the Israeli peace movement's best hope of toppling Ariel Sharon and ending the violence. In the last article in our series on the Middle East conflict, Jonathan Steele meets Amram Mitzna.

Radical Israeli in u-turn on Palestinians
The radical Israeli historian who did more than any other to force his country to face up to its responsibility for the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in the 1948 war now believes the Middle East might be at peace if David Ben-Gurion had expelled all the Palestinians.

US Forces Israel to Lift Siege of Arafat
Israel pulled its tanks and soldiers out of Yasser Arafat's West Bank headquarters yesterday, under intense American pressure to end the 11-day siege.

Sharon vows to defend Israelis if attacked
The Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon, says he will ignore American objections and respond with force against Iraq if any Israeli civilians are killed or weapons of mass destruction are used against the Jewish state during another Gulf war.

Hamas Chief Survives Israeli Attack
A man described as one of the militant Palestinian group Hamas's main bomb-makers was wounded in a rocket attack meant to kill him, an Israeli cabinet minister admitted today as debate grew on the tactic of using airstrikes in civilian areas. The helicopter attack on two cars yesterday in...

Israeli Gunships Fire on Top Hamas Bombmaker
Israeli helicopter gunships fired rockets at two cars in a crowded street in Gaza City yesterday afternoon, killing at least two members of the militant Palestinian group Hamas and wounding 25 civilians. A government spokesman, Dan Seaman, said the target was Mohammed Deif, whom they...

Israel Defies Un Vote Demanding End to Arafat Siege
US abstention on security council resolution strengthens hand of Palestinians in standoff.

UN Demands Israeli Retreat
· New resolution passed
· US abstains from vote
· Nine die in Gaza City fighting

Israel denounced as Arafat siege tightens
A rising chorus of European and Arab governments as well as thousands of Palestinian protesters on the street demanded action yesterday to stop Israel's tightening siege of Yasser Arafat's half ruined offices in Ramallah.

Arafat Hq Spared But Israeli Siege Continues
But on these occasions they had other priorities of which their young fans could know nothing. "It becomes a real pain," Sir Stirling Moss began rather unexpectedly last week, when I asked him how he handled requests for his autograph, the first of which came more than 50 years ago,...

Peace Hopes in Tatters As Israel Ditches Arafat Flag
Jonathan Steele in Ramallah watches the final humiliation of the besieged Palestinian leader.

EU Attacks Israeli Reprisals Against Arafat
British gap-year student dies after Tel Aviv suicide bombing.

Israeli Tanks Trap Arafat in Office
Israeli tanks and bulldozers smashed their way through Yasser Arafat's compound in Ramallah last night, forcing more than 20 of his aides to surrender, and leaving the Palestinian leader trapped in his office.

Israelis Attack Arafat's West Bank Hq
Israeli troops today blew up buildings next to Yasser Arafat's West Bank compound in response for a suicide bomb attack yesterday in Tel Aviv that killed five and injured more than 50 others. Palestinian officials said the explosions wrecked a building under construction for the national...

Israel targets Arafat HQ after suicide bombing
Israeli tanks tonight opened fire on the headquarters of the Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, according to Palestinian security officials. The move came just hours after a suicide bomber killed five people in an attack on a Tel Aviv bus.

Suicide Bomb Kills Israeli Policeman
A Palestinian suicide bomber blew himself up at a bus stop near the Israeli-Arab town of Umm el-Fahm in northern Israel yesterday, killing himself and an Israeli policeman and wounding another policeman and a bystander. It was the first such attack for more than six weeks...

Several Hurt in Israel Suicide Bombing
Several people were today reported injured in an explosion at a bus stop in northern Israel. Police blamed a suicide bomber for the blast near the Israeli Arab town of Umm el-Fahm. It was the first such attack since August 4 when a bomber blew himself up on a bus, killing...

Israel Rejects Palestinian Ceasefire Offer
Israel today turned down a Palestinian offer to end attacks on civilians as the first stage of a gradual truce. If accepted, the partial ceasefire would have paved the way for a three-part plan under negotiation in New York to create a provisional Palestinian state next year ahead of a...

Israeli missile defences beefed up
Israel is better equipped to handle any Iraqi counter-attack than it was in the Gulf war when some 39 Scud missiles landed on the country, the army chief, Moshe Yaalon, assured Israelis yesterday.

Fatah Says It Will End Attacks on Israeli Civilians
Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement yesterday announced a unilateral halt to attacks on Israeli civilians and said it would try to prevent other militant Palestinian groups carrying out suicide bombings and other such attacks.

Modest inventor of Uzi fired by armies, movie stars and street gangs dies at 79
The gun he invented could hardly have had a higher profile. It helped the Israeli army establish a fledgling nation, took a starring role in Hollywood action movies, and outraged campaigners against the scourge of firearms on the streets of inner-city America.

Israeli Economy Buckling From Cost of War
A senior Israeli commander, Major-General Uzi Dayan, completed his tour of duty yesterday with a warning that the ailing Israeli economy will be unable to support the military campaign against the Palestinians for much longer. Gen Dayan, who resigned yesterday morning as head of the...

Israelis foil big car bomb attack
Two soldiers killed as lull in violence ended by Palestinians. The Palestinians ended a month-long lull yesterday with a series of attacks that left two Israeli soldiers dead and an attempted car bomb that the Israelis said contained so much explosive it could have altered the course of Middle East history.

Barghouti Defies Israeli Court
A prominent organiser of the Palestinian intifada today told an Israeli court it did not have the right to try him, because he is an elected political leader, not a criminal. Marwan Barghouti, 43, the most senior Palestinian to be tried by Israel, said he was representing himself to...

Israeli Police Discover 600kg Car Bomb
A 600kg car bomb, one of the largest ever discovered, was detonated by Israeli police this morning as Israel braced itself for a possible new wave of attacks by Palestinian militants during the weekend's Jewish new year. The explosives were packed around two barrels filled with fuel and...

Roman Bronfman: Dissent is not disloyalty
Israel's supporters have a duty to warn that the country is marching towards a precipice. The past week has witnessed two remarkable independent, yet related, events. One, in Britain, has been the controversy surrounding Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks's interview in this paper.

Sharon orders attack readiness by November 1
Preparations being made 'for any scenario'. The Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon, yesterday ordered all preparations being made by the military and emergency services for an Iraqi counterstrike in response to a US attack to be completed by November. 1.

Israeli Court Exiles Militant's Relatives
Israel's supreme court ruled yesterday in favour of sending relatives suspected of helping a Palestinian alleged to have planned a bombing into internal exile despite protests from human rights groups that the action contravenes international law. The landmark ruling will mark the first...

Israel to Expel Bomber's Relatives
Israel's supreme court this morning upheld a decision to deport from the West Bank two Palestinians accused of helping their brother to coordinate a suicide attack. If the expulsions are carried out, Intisar and Kifah Ajouri, sister and brother of Ali Ajouri - a member of the al-Aqsa...

Israelis Fear Army May Be Trigger-happy
President calls for investigation after troops kill 11 Palestinians, including two children, in 24 hours.

Rein in Hizbullah or Face Attack, Israel Tells Syria
Israel warned Syria yesterday that it will face reprisals if the Islamist group Hizbullah launches new rocket and mortar attacks this weekend.

Israeli Minister Backs Chief Rabbi's Views and Warns of 'ethical Crisis'
An Israeli government minister yesterday warned of a "deep Jewish ethical crisis" as he sided with Britain's chief rabbi, Jonathan Sacks, in a row over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The deputy foreign minister, Michael Melchior, himself a former chief rabbi of Norway, criticised those...

Israel Halts Talks After Violence Flares in Gaza
Israeli-Palestinian talks on the further withdrawal of Israeli forces from Palestinian territory were shelved yesterday after a night of violence in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli defence minister, Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, cancelled a meeting with the Palestinian interior minister, Abed Razak...

Hardliners Condemn Sacks Over Israel Stance
Britain's chief rabbi, Jonathan Sacks, was yesterday on the receiving end of fierce criticism from sections of the Jewish community after his strong warning to Israel about its conduct in the Middle East crisis. A hardline Israeli rabbi said Dr Sacks had become "irrelevant" in the world...

Israel Set on Tragic Path, Says Chief Rabbi
Britain's chief rabbi, Jonathan Sacks, today delivers an unprecedentedly strong warning to Israel, arguing that the country is adopting a stance "incompatible" with the deepest ideals of Judaism, and that the current conflict with the Palestinians is "corrupting" Israeli culture. In a...

Jonathan Cook @ Jericho
A huge, modern glass edifice dominates the entrance to the West Bank city of Jericho. Two years ago, before the outbreak of the intifada, it was a magnet for thousands of Israelis, who were drawn each weekend to its gaming tables.

Britain Tightens Arms Exports to Israel
The British government is tightening the controls on arms exports to Israel, according to a leaked Department of Trade and Industry document. Though both the British and Israeli governments publicly deny that an embargo is in place, it is clear that a partial one is being applied...

Israel Arrests Five Accused of Bomb Attacks
Five Palestinians accused of carrying out some of the worst bombing atrocities in Israel, including the attack last month at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, have been arrested, the Israeli internal security service said yesterday.

Uncertain Pause Follows Agreement on Israeli Pullout
Hope that Israeli forces were about to pull out of Bethlehem and ease their roadblocks in Gaza were on hold last night as residents waited for clear signs of action on the first security agreement between senior Israeli and Palestinian negotiators for several months. Under the deal...

Peace Activists Urge Talks in Israel
Palestinian and Israeli peace campaigners met yesterday to plan an international petition to press Israel to reopen talks.

Simply Red
Eliat has set its sights on becoming more than just a diver's haven, reports Michael Freedland. Israel's tourism ministry, understandably, leaves off the country tag when promoting Eilat, preferring instead to flag up its glorious location on the Red Sea and its claim to the title of the Riviera of the Middle East. Yet it remains the one town in this troubled country that hasn't heard a shot fired in anger in 55 years.

Israelis watch the street, not the skies
The concluding article gauging reactions to an attack on Iraq finds people facing more urgent problems at home. Israel has told President Bush it will strike back if Saddam Hussein launches any kind of attack on it, according to senior government sources.

Israel Puts Pressure on Us to Strike Iraq
Israel signalled its decision yesterday to put public pressure on President George Bush to go ahead with a military attack on Iraq, even though it believes Saddam Hussein may well retaliate by striking Israel. With foreign policy experts in Washington becoming increasingly critical of the...

Israel Promises Response to Any Iraqi Attack
·Air force chief: we will react
·Hamas promises revenge for killing
·Discussions on Gaza pull-back planned

Israeli rockets kill Hamas leader
Army says Palestinian military chief was plotting suicide attack. Israeli forces fired rockets into a house in the West Bank yesterday, killing a disabled Hamas military leader as well as another Palestinian. The soldiers then used bulldozers to demolish the house in the village of Tubas near Nablus.

Terror Trial May Put Israel in the Dock
Handcuffed and in a brown prison uniform, but looking energetic and in high spirits, Israel's most famous Palestinian detainee, Marwan Barghouti, made his first public appearance yesterday since he was arrested near Ramallah in April. Cameras, reporters, and security men scrummed around...

Israeli Court Stops Expulsion of Palestinians
Israel's supreme court yesterday ordered the Israeli army to delay expelling to Gaza three relatives of West Bank Palestinians who were suspected of organising and planning suicide bombings in Israel. In the on-again, off-again case which has pitted human rights groups against the army,...

Labour left puts hope in ex-general
Israel's chronically divided Labour party hailed a potential saviour yesterday - a dovish ex-general and popular mayor who said he was prepared to lead the party into the next election and is flying high in the polls.

Suzanne Goldenberg Reflects on Two and a Half Years in Israel
After two and a half years in Jerusalem, the Guardian's award-winning Middle East correspondent is moving to a new post in Washington. Suzanne Goldenberg looks back on how violence has brutalised both Palestinians and Israelis.

Israeli 'restraint' Still Means Terror for the Palestinians
Curfews, shootings and house demolitions happen daily. It is hard to know which is more shocking: the mound of rubble in the centre of Jenin, which local residents call "ground zero", or the hole in Gaza city where an aircraft dropped a one-tonne bomb and flattened a house.

Woman Charged After Ignoring Bus Warning
Israelis today expressed disbelief and outrage as details emerged of two women who got off a bus shortly before it blew up on Sunday, having been warned by the suicide bomber that "something horrible" was about to happen. The two women - both Israeli Arab students - hailed a taxi and...

Arafat Gives Wary Approval to Israeli Offer of Withdrawal
Despite grassroots scepticism, Palestinian cabinet hopes its response will give momentum to US talks.

Israel to Strip First Arabs of Citizenship
Israel's one million Arab citizens, who are already treated with suspicion by their Jewish compatriots, faced a new threat yesterday when the country's interior minister revealed plans to strip two of them of their citizenship. The punishment - on the grounds that they harmed state...

Israeli peace protesters may face treason charge
Israel's prime minister, Ariel Sharon, is trying to stamp out dissent over army actions on the West Bank by ordering an inquiry into whether a peace group committed treason by telling officers they could be charged with war crimes.

Israel Bans Palestinian Travel
· Five West Bank towns cut off
· 13 killed in 24 hours
· Netanyahu: 'get rid of Arafat'

Israel Shaken By Day of Violence
A wave of violent attacks in which 15 people were killed left Israel reeling yesterday, making nonsense of its three-day-old offensive into the West Bank city of Nablus.

Israeli Troops Storm Nablus
Army revives deportation of relatives under a new name.

At Least Four Killed in Israeli Raids
At least four Palestinians were killed and five houses destroyed by the Israeli army early today during overnight clashes and operations in the West Bank city of Nablus and elsewhere.

The Tragedy of Jenin
The long-awaited UN report into Israel's reoccupation of the main cities of the West Bank found no evidence to support claims that Israeli forces were responsible for a massacre in the Jenin refugee camp.

Security Fears Scupper Israeli Orchestra's Us Trip
The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra has called off its concert tour to the US, saying that it has been unable to get insurance cover for its musicians because of concerns of terrorism. "We did not cancel the tour, they cancelled us," the orchestra's chief executive, Avi Shoshani, said...

Peace is possible in Israel
A solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is within grasp, if hardliners on both sides could just reach out and grab it, writes Brian Whitaker

Israel sacks press officer
The press officer of the Israeli embassy in Dublin has been sacked after she took the extraordinary step of writing letters to newspapers condemning the air strike on Gaza last week, which killed 15 people.

Powell reviews use of US arms after outcry at Israeli F-16 raid
Gaza bombing may have breached export laws. The Bush administration warned yesterday that it is reviewing Israel's use of American arms in operations that kill civilians after a bomb dropped by a US-made F-16 fighter plane killed 15 people, including nine children, in Gaza on Tuesday, and provoked worldwide protests.

Peres: Israelis will 'pay dearly' for Gaza strike
Suspected Palestinian gunmen shot dead an Israeli motorist this morning as Israel's foreign minister warned that civilians would "pay dearly" for the bomb that killed the Hamas military leader, Salah Shehada, and 10 children.

Esther Addley Talks to Israeli Architect Eyal Weizman
Israeli architect Eyal Weizman's invitation to an international conference was abruptly cancelled when it was discovered that his work criticised Israel's illegal settlements in the West Bank. He talks to Esther Addley about the politically loaded nature of planning in the region.

Israelis Row Over Bombing Blame
Israeli government and military officials yesterday tried to shift the blame onto each other for a devastating one-tonne bomb dropped on a Gaza neighbourhood which killed a Hamas military commander and 10 children. The internal debate on Israel's strategy of assassinating Palestinian...

What the Papers Say
What the world's newspapers have to say about Israel's rocket attack on Gaza City.

Do not treat Israel like apartheid South Africa
Whatever it was that prompted Steven and Hilary Rose to call for a boycott of Israeli academic institutions, it is unlikely to have been anti-semitism. That they happen to be Jewish is, of course, no guarantee.

Israel to Deport Families of Militants
The Israeli army imposed a harsh new form of collective punishment on the Palestinians yesterday, rounding up 21 relatives of suspected militants for exile and blowing up their homes. The army's plans to deport family members of Palestinian militants from the West Bank to Gaza were...

Seven Killed in West Bank Attack
Seven settlers are killed in a carefully planned raid - the first fatal attack by militants since Israel's reoccupation of the West Bank.

Israel urges Egypt to forget Arafat
Israel renewed its efforts yesterday to banish Yasser Arafat from the political stage when its defence minister, Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, met the Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak.

Hilary Rose and Steven Rose: Why We Launched the Boycott of Israeli Institutions
The carnage in the Middle East continues; today a suicide bomber, tomorrow an Israeli strike on Palestinians with helicopters, missiles and tanks.

Israel Seeks to Expel West Bank Leader
Marwan Barghouti, the West Bank leader credited with being a key organiser of the intifada, is to be expelled to Lebanon under a deal taking shape between Israel and the Hizbullah guerrillas, Israel Army Radio reported today. The report said Israel would send Mr Barghouti, credited with...

Israeli Raid Targets Plo Moderate
Ariel Sharon's government moved yesterday to silence a Palestinian peace activist who commands the trust of many Israelis.

Firing on Our Friends
Sacking two translators because they are Israeli is not just morally wrong, it is tactically absurd. We've had smart sanctions; now make way for dumb boycotts. And they don't come much dumber than this: a campaign to exclude Israel from the world community of scholars.

Straw Provokes Row Over Arms for Israel
Anger over export guidelines which sanction British components for warplanes bound for Middle East.

Cabinet in Arms to Israel Row
Britain is bypassing its own arms embargo on Israel by selling military equipment via America. In a move that has split the Cabinet, the Foreign Office is set to reveal that components for F16 fighter planes will be allowed to leave the country despite being destined for aircraft already...

Israel Stung By Imports Ruling
British supermarkets have been told that they must clearly identify produce on sale from the illegal Jewish settlements of the West Bank and Gaza. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said yesterday that it told importers last week that cherry tomatoes, baby potatoes,...

Israel: Most Wanted Men Are Dead or in Custody
Israel has killed or arrested all the suspected West Bank militants on its most wanted list, a senior official claimed today. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official said that its two recent military campaigns in territories put under Palestinian control in the 1990s peace...

Bush on Speaking Terms With Israel Peace Deal
On closer inspection, the US president's 'Arafat must go' speech may give a glimmer of hope for the Palestinians, says Brian Whitaker.

Israelis to Dismantle Outposts
Defence minister orders groups of illegal settlers off Palestinian land.

Palestinian Hq 'attacked By Israeli Bulldozer'
· Bid to end four-day siege
· Troops fire on Palestinian pupils
· US military threat to Arafat

Israeli Troops Storm Palestinian Headquarters
Israeli troops attacked the fortress-like Palestinian headquarters in the city of Hebron early today, reportedly killing three policemen and occupying the seventh of eight main West Bank towns. Israeli troops surrounded the hilltop compound, exchanged fire with police, then stormed the...

Israel to deport the families of suicide bombers
Israel will deport families of suicide bombers from the West Bank to Gaza after demolishing their homes, it emerged yesterday, amid signs that the government was feeling increasingly impotent as the spate of suicide attacks continues.

Israeli Troops Take Control of Ramallah
·Tanks surround Arafat HQ
· Palestinians arrest Hamas members
· Helicopter attack kills six

Children shot dead in their home
Settlers mourned in devastating week for Israeli civilian deaths. The children's bikes are still propped against the wall of the burned out shell of Rachel Shabo's home. The roof has gone. The walls and windows are scorched and pock-marked by bullets.

Israeli army 'error' kills four
Israeli tank and machine gun fire killed three Palestinian children and a teacher in the West Bank city of Jenin yesterday in what Israeli military sources claim was an error made by soldiers.

Israelis Threaten to Drop Cnn After Turner Comment
Israelis yesterday began to take punitive action against the US global television network CNN, whose founder, Ted Turner, accused the country of engaging in terrorism. One of Israel's biggest satellite companies, Yes, bowed to the furore Mr Turner's remarks created by allowing in CNN's...

Bus Bomb Kills 19
Israeli PM pledges retaliation after suicide bomb on a bus in a suburb of south Jerusalem killed 19 people and injured more than 50.

Suicide Bomber Strikes at Israeli Police
A Palestinian suicide bomber blew himself up today near a group of Israeli border police, killing himself but causing no injury to bystanders. The Israeli defense minister, Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, said he believed the bomber was one of five assailants Israeli security forces have...

Israelis Turn to Berlin for Refuge From Conflict
Increasing numbers of Israelis are applying for German citizenship in order to have a secure country to escape to should the Middle East conflict escalate, diplomats say.

Israel Fears Invasion of Immigrants
Israel is introducing stringent new measures to reduce dramatically immigration by Palestinians from the occupied territories who marry Israeli Arabs. The move threatens to deter thousands of couples planning marriages in which one partner is an Israeli Arab and the other a Palestinian...

Saudi official defends suicide bombers
Israeli outrage as ambassador says he envies 'martyrs'.

Israel Begins Fencing Off Palestinian Areas
Bulldozers move in to start construction of a fence that is planned to be 70 miles long.

Israelis Bet on Site of Next Bombing
The Israeli police are investigating a claim that an illegal gambling ring is running a sweepstake on the location of the next Palestinian suicide bombing. Reports in the newspaper Ma'ariv and on Israel Radio alleged that the ring, based in the town of Kiryat Malachi, was distributing...

Palestinian leader accuses Israel of torture
Marwan Barghouti, the Palestinian politician who is credited with being the key organiser of the intifada, is being "systematically tortured" while in Israeli detention, according to his lawyers.

Bush and Powell in Public Split Over Israel
US moves to launch a Middle East peace initiative were in chaos last night after a split between the president, George Bush, and the secretary of state, Colin Powell, burst into the open.

Origins and aims of groups targeting Israel
Hamas Established in Gaza in late 1980s, as offshoot of religious groups associated with Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood. Name is acronym for Islamic Resistance Movement, but also means "zeal" in Arabic.

Suicide Bomber Kills Girl, 15, at Restaurant in Israel
Two bombings injured more than a dozen people yesterday as a suicide attacker blew up a restaurant in a town north of Tel Aviv and a school bus exploded near Hebron.

Israel Hit By Suicide Bomb and School Bus Blast
Two bombings injured more than a dozen people yesterday as a suicide attacker blew up a restaurant in a town north of Tel Aviv and a school bus exploded near Hebron.

Hebron Bomb Injures Three Teenagers
A bomb exploded near a road outside the West Bank city of Hebron today, injuring three Israeli teenagers, one seriously, who were preparing to board a bus. The bomb blast occurred after about 40 Israeli teenagers had helped pick olives and were returning to the bus south of Hebron, near...

Violent death visited on everyday life
The bombers killed babies in their pushchairs, teenagers at a shopping mall, ultra-Orthodox Jews emerging from their prayers at the close of Sabbath, new immigrants from the former Soviet Union, and Israeli soldiers.

Israeli Troops Raid Ramallah
Israeli tanks and troops this morning made a pre-dawn raid on Ramallah, the main Palestinian town, and declared a curfew. The incursion - the second in the town since Thursday - came just hours before the Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon, was due to meet the US president, George Bush,...

Israel's Tanks Return to Jenin
Israeli troops today re-entered Jenin, two days after a Palestinian militant from the West Bank town carried out a massive suicide bombing on an Israeli bus. Witnesses said that about 20 tanks rolled into Jenin and soldiers declared a curfew, confining residents to their homes...

Israeli Tanks Attack Arafat's Hq
· Reprisals follow bus blast
· Sharon cancels visit to US
· Palestinian leader defiant

Carnage at Armageddon junction
Bus number 830 was turned into an inferno of death at 7.15am, somersaulting along this stretch of road in the lower Galilee in a ball o