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Jeremiah 6:14	Further Study
Ezekiel Chapters 38 & 39	Further Study
Daniel 9:27	Further Study
Zechariah 12:2-3	Further Study
1 Thessalonians 5:2-3	Further Study
Revelation 6:3-4	Further Study

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Current Events

UN Ceremony Includes Map of ´Palestine´ in Place of Israel

Dec. 9, 2005 - A recent "Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People" at the U.N. featured a large map of "Palestine" with no boundary lines for Israel. In fact, it was as if Israel had never existed, even though its 1947 boundaries were originally dictated by the U.N. General Assembly. The flag was on the stage between a Palestinian and a U.N. flag.

The ceremony was held at the UN headquarters in New York and was attended by Secretary General Kofi Annan and the Presidents of the UN Security Council and the General Assembly.

Source:Arutz Sheva

Palestinians take over key border

Nov. 25, 2005 - Israel has released control of the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt for the first time to the Palestinians. Since there is no seaport and they are not allowed to reopen their airport, this is the main link between the Palestinians and the rest of the world.

Source: BBC

Hundreds of Palestinians pass through newly opened terminal - MSNBC

Iranians Rally Against Israel, U.S.

Oct. 28, 2005

World leaders have condemned Wednesday's remarks by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who repeated the words of the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, leader of the Islamic revolution, by saying: "Israel must be wiped off the map."

Nevertheless, Ahmadinejad attended and supported rallies, attended by thousands of Iranians, promoting the slogan "Death to Israel, death to America."

Source:Fox

Sharon vows action to end attacks

Oct. 27, 2005 - Five Israelis were killed, and many others were injured in a suicide attack in died in the northern Israeli town of Hadera on Wednesday. The militant Palestinian group Islamic Jihad claimed credit for the attack.

The attack brought immediate responses from Israeli military, striking West Bank and Gaza targets associated with Islamic Jihad. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz decided on Wednesday night to target the group and eliminate its infrastructure. Mr. Sharon said, "We were dealt a harsh blow by the terrorists... Our activity will be wide-ranging and ceaseless, until we succeed in putting an end to terrorism." He also criticized the Palestinian Authority for not "taking any serious measure in the fight against terrorism"

Source:BBC

Iranian Leader: Israel Will Be Destroyed

Oct. 26, 2005 - Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad denounced attempts to recognize Israel or normalize relations with it. He said Palestinian attacks against Israel will continue, and eventually destroy the Jewish nation.

"There is no doubt that the new wave (of attacks) in Palestine will wipe off this stigma (Israel) from the face of the Islamic world," Ahmadinejad told students Wednesday during a Tehran conference called "The World without Zionism."

Source: Fox

3 Nations Seek Tough Resolution on Syria

Oct. 26, 2005 - U.S., France, Britain have asked the U.N. Security Council to require Syria to show good faith in the struggle against terrorism. They would be expected to detain anyone the U.N. investigators consider a suspect and allow the complete interrogation by U.N. designated officials.

Syria would also be required to renounce terrorism and "commit itself definitively to cease all support for all forms of terrorist action and all assistance to terrorist groups and to demonstrate this undertaking through concrete actions."

If Syria does not cooperate, sanctions would be imposed.

Source: ABC

Hamastan rises on Jewish Gaza's ruins

Sept. 30, 2005 - The Gaza Strip has been taken over completely by the radical militant Hamas, and the Palestinian Authority has no power to stop them. In essence, the abandoned area has become a haven for terrorism.

Now that Israel is gone, Gaza's descent into Taliban-like rule is only expected to accelerate, aided by the reported introduction of Al Qaeda operatives into the area earlier this month.

Source:Jerusalem Newswire

Hamas scrambles to limit Gaza damage

Sept. 13, 2005 - Israel's swift and extensive response to the launching of rockets by Hamas has caused the militant organization to rethink their strategies.

So far, there have been at least 15 raids on what Israel says were militant targets, and Israeli troops have massed on Gaza's perimeter.
Within 48 hours of the start of the campaign, Hamas made a major concession - it announced a halt to all its attacks from Gaza.

In addition, Israel has arrested about 200 Hamas leaders during the past three days, striking a a blow to their claim of victory over Israel, and hurting their chances of success in the upcoming Palestinian elections.

Source: BBC

Israel Vows 'Crushing' Response to Attacks

Sept. 24, 2005 - Israel's response to the first attack from Gaza since their evacuation of the area is underway. An accidental explosion at one of the Hamas victory rallies killed about 15 of their people and wounded many more. Hamas blamed Israel and launched a barrage of 39 rockets. Five Israelis were hurt. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is meeting with his Security Cabinet to determine what the retaliation for the rocket attack should be. Israeli Army chief, Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz said:

We have to make it clear to the Palestinians that Israel will not let the recent events pass without a response... The response needs to be crushing.

Source: Yahoo

Israel fears al-Qaida infiltration

Sept. 15, 2005 - Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said Israel is concerned that terrorist groups will flood into the Gaza area now that Israel has withdrawn, and the Palestinians have not secured their borders against such infiltration. It is believed that terrorists from Iran and Syria are coming in, and it is well known that Hamas and Hezbollah are there. It is also likely that al-Quaida will now come in and establish their global headquarters there.

Source:WorldNetDaily

Flag of Islam Will Rise Over Jerusalem - Jerusalem Newswire

Update: Sept. 23, 2005 - Israel: Al-Qaida likely in Gaza - WorldNetDaily

Sharon After Gaza

Sept. 12 edition - After surviving the political fallout of the Gaza withdrawal, Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is talking about smaller evacuations of West Bank settlements now. While open to talks with the Palestinians, his plans appear to be unilateral moves, including the establishment of his West Bank fence as the border between Israel and Palestian territories. Meanwhile Hamas is taking credit for the evacuation. Palestinians believe the Israelis ran away from Hamas.

The fact that it was a unilateral withdrawal is taken by those same Palestinians as evidence that negotiations by the Palestinian Authority don't get such good results as Hamas's violence.

Source: Time Magazine

Sharansky Says 'Israel Is a Battlefield'

Aug. 23, 2005 - In an interview with a NewsMax reporter, Natan Sharansky, who recently resigned from his post in Israel's government, claimed that even the people living in Jerusalem suburbs feel that they are under seige. He says, "It's a battlefield." Sharansky said he would have been in favor of evacuating Jews from Gaza if the move had been tied to the establishment of democracy among the Palestinians. But, since there is no such connection, the evacuation will lead to greater terrorism.

Source:NewsMax

PA won't disarm Hamas, Islamic Jihad - Jerusalem Post

'Today Gaza - tomorrow East Jerusalem'

Aug. 22, 2005 - "Today Gaza - tomorrow East Jerusalem and the West Bank." This is the mantra one hears and sees everywhere in Gaza City. The slogan is fostered by the activities of Hamas, Islamic Jihad and others who see the Jewish evacuation as a victory for their campaign of terrorism. An unnamed militant leader told the BBC reporter:

"The resistance exists because of the occupation, and the occupation still exists - in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, so the resistance will continue until we kick out Israel from all our land."

Source:BBC

Israel begins Gaza Strip pullout

Aug. 15, 2005 - Some 40,000 Israeli soldiers and police are in the process of handing out eviction notices to the Jewish settlers in the Gaza Strip. They have until midnight on Tuesday to evacuate the area.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas hailed the move as "historic" but said Israel should also pull out of the West Bank.

Source:BBC

Gaza Settlers Confront Soldiers - Fox

Defiant settlers try to block Israeli soldiers - MSNBC

The Disengagement - Ha'Aretz

PA begins pullout deployment - Jerusalem Post

Commentary: Thus The Antichrist Cometh - Hal Lindsey

IN DEPTH

Israel and the Palestinians - BBC

Text of the U.S. Road Map For Middle East Peace - Fox

Map: The Gaza Strip -MSNBC

NOT A COINCIDENCE: TISHA B'AV
Many Jewish tragedies have occured on this date, The Fast of Tisha b'Av (The 9th of Av).
Zechariah 7:5

Ninth of Av - Prophecy Central

Tisha Be Av - Jews For Jesus

Tragedies Occuring On Tishah B’Av - Hebrew For Christians

IDF general compared pullout to Temple's destruction - Jerusalem Newswire

300,000 Israelis say 'No!'

Aug. 13, 2005 - Hundreds of thousands of Israelis demonstrated in Tel Aviv Thursday to protest Israel's withdrawal from Gaza.

Boarding city buses and saturating shopping malls with their presence and the orange color of their cause, they appealed to the people of the largely secular Mediterranean city to help stop the “disengagement” plan that is set for implementation in just three days.

Source:Jerusalem Newswire

Why we, as Christians, wear Orange - Commentary by Stan Goodenough

Netanyahu attacks Sharon on Gaza

Aug. 11, 2005 - Benjamin Netanyahu, a former Israeli Prime Minister and former Finance Minister says that Prime Minister Sharon's plan to abandon Gaza will endanger Israel

Mr Netanyahu, who quit the Cabinet on Sunday, said a planned port in Gaza could act as a "terrorist base" that would be a direct threat to the region.

Source:BBC

IDF: Settlers must leave by Aug. 17

ug. 9, 2005 - Israeli Maj.-Gen. Amos Yaron has told reporters that the official process of Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip will begin at midnight on Aug. 14. Evacuation orders will be given to the settlers during the next two days

Up until August 16, settlers seeking to leave the area willingly will be able to drive in their vehicles out of the Gaza crossing, but beginning August 17, all those remaining will be forcibly removed by the army.

Settlers who are removed from their homes by the military will not be permitted to return.

Source:Jerusalem Post

Refusal of Disengagement Orders in IDF Intensifies

July 19, 2005 - Increasing numbers of soldiers in the Israel Defense Force are refusing to arrest Jews protesting the disengagement of Israel from the Gaza Strip.

An entire IDF Paratrooper platoon told its commander on Sunday that the soldiers refuse to take part in the Disengagement.

Source:Arutz Sheva

Jews, Christians pray against ‘disengagement’ - Jerusalem Newswire

Hamas and Its Unrelenting Hatred of Israel - CBN

PM closes Strip to Israelis to preempt mass march on Gaza

July 14, 2005 - The Israeli Defense Force has begun the closure of the Gaza Strip to non-resident Israelis to prevent a planned mass protest at the Gush Katif settlement that is planned for next week.

In cases where attempts are made to break through the barriers, they were instructed to push them back by using reasonable force ... The IDF is anxious to ensure that there will not be bloodshed around the barriers.

Source:Ha'Aretz

ISRAEL BETRAYED? Jewish state on verge of unprecedented retreat from historic homeland - WorldNetDaily

Iran Could Destroy Israel With 2 Nukes

July 8, 2005 - At a conference on Iran and its nuclear program, the it was revealed that Israel's Defense Ministry believes Iran could destroy the country with two atomic bombs.

They said authorities have determined that two nuclear bombs that explode in the center and north of Israel would destroy most of the population and all vital infrastructure.

Source:Middle East Newsline

Israel Betrayed?

July 1, 2005 - The government of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon plans to expel 8,000 to 10,000 Israelis from their settlements in Gaza. Force will be used if necessary. The plan is very unpopular among part of Israel's population.

The action is intended, say the Israeli and U.S. governments, to facilitate the ultimate creation of a Palestinian state, and to make Israel and Israelis more easily defendable.

It is likely that Hamas terrorists will take over the abandoned area. Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the retreating from Gaza will encourage terrorists in their goal of destroying Israel.

Source:WorldNetDaily

Bethlehem to be handed to PA next week

June 24, 2005 - Israel is set to turn over control of Bethlehem to the Palestinian Authority next week, and Kalkilya the week after.

Source:Jerusalem Post

Gloom at end of Jerusalem summit

June 22, 2005 - The second meeting of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas was disappointing to both sides, but some progress was made. Both leaders face opposition from their own people, and the the spirit of the talks was dampened by the detention of at least 50 Islamic Jihad activists in the West Bank.

Mr Sharon also offered to hand over the West Bank towns of Bethlehem and Qalqiliya in return for a cessation of militant activity, Israeli officials said.

Source:BBC

Jerusalem summit gets under way

June 21, 2005 -Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas met today. It is their second meeting, and the first time they have been together in Jerusalem. They are discussing security, but just before the summit, Israeli security forces seized 50 Palestinian militants in West Bank territories. Most of those arrested belong to Islamic Jihad.

Source:BBC

Rice: Deal on Gaza Settlement

June 20,, 2005 - During her current Middle Eastern tour, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has helped Israeli and Palestinian leaders agree to demolish homes built by Jewish settlers on land that eventually would be part of a Palestinian state. She said:

"The people who are engaged in this planning are working harder than you could possibly imagine to try and make it work. That's all human beings can do."

Source:Fox

Rice trip signals US peace hopes

June 18, 2005 - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is in the Middle East in preparation for Israel's planned withdrawal from Gaza in August.

Ms Rice will meet both Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Mr Abbas to ensure everything is going according to plan.

She will also visit US allies - Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia - to encourage them to promote democratic changes in the region.

Source: BBC

Rice likely to go easy on shaky Sharon - Jerusalem Post

Rice, Sharon to discuss keeping Hamas out of elections - Ha'Aretz

Jihad leader: 'Calm' is over

June 8, 2005 - Islamic Jihad, a small but deadly Palestinian faction, is responsible for killing 84 Israelis in their suicide bombings since September 2000. They have not been in favor of the truce brokered by Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, and are now saying that the period of calm is over and the Palestinians should be prepared to resume their attacks on Israel.

Source:Jerusalem Post

PA Chairman's Health Becomes Issue

June 7, 2005 - PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, who is 70 years old, underwent an angioplasty operation last week. He is scheduled to tour Gulf Cooperation Council states on June 15, and meet with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on June 21. It may be weeks before he can do necessary tasks.

Source:Middle East Newsline

One Big Betrayal

June 5, 2005 - In a commentary on the recent talks between President Bush and PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, Hal Lindsey says he was horrified by President Bush's promise that any final status changes in the peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians must be mutually agreed to on the basis of the 1949 armistice lines. This, in effect, would give the Palestinians everything they want at the expense of what is fair for Israel.

Source:Hal Lindsey Oracle

Hamas slams Bush's labeling of terrorist group

May 28, 2005 - During the recent visit by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, President Bush said The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) is still on the US list of terrorist organizations.

"Hamas spokesman Mushir al-Masri accused the US of being unfairly partial to Israel, saying the labelling betrayed the Bush administration's clear support to the Jewish state.

Source:China News

Abbas Ready to Meet Congress, Bush

May 25, 2005 - Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, is spending three days in Washington, meeting with members of Congress, White House dignitaries, and President Bush himself, to try to get the peace process back on track. He has brokered a truce with militant Palestinian groups, and hopes the President can get Israel to return to the negotiating table.

The internationally backed road map peace plan, which calls for the establishment of a Palestinians State, has been long stalled with both sides, Israel and the Palestinians, blaming each other for the deadlock.

Source:Fox

Syrian Soldiers Vacate Lebanon

April 26, 2005 - Syrian troops, which have been prevalent in Lebanon since 1976, when they entered as peacekeepers in Lebanon's civil war, have finally exited the country. The presence of about 40,000 Syrian troops gave Syria virtual control over Lebanese politics.

Anger over the Feb. 14 assassination of former premier Rafik Hariri helped turn the tide against Syria's longtime presence in Lebanon... and U.N. and U.S. pressure intensified on Damascus until it withdrew its army.

Source:Fox

Source: Disengagement will be postponed by 3 weeks

Apr. 22, 2005 - Reliable sources say the date for the disengagement from the Gaza Strip and parts of the northern West Bank will be postponed to August 15. The reason was given by Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz:

...to avoid having people move to new homes during the three-week period of mourning between the 17th of the Hebrew month of Tamuz and the 9th of Av (Tisha B'Av), when it is prohibited by Jewish religious law.

Source:Ha'Aretz

Sharon: Israel does not have plans for an attack on Iran

Apr. 14, 2005 - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said that, despite news reports to the contrary, Israel does not have plans to initiate an offensive against Iran, but that they are partners with the U.S. in the struggle to keep Iran from becoming a nuclear threat. He urged the UN Security Council to take action soon because "there is very little time."

Source:Ha'Aretz

Israel presents aerial photos of Iran nuclear sites to Bush

Apr. 13, 2005 - During Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s summit with President Bush, the President was given detailed photos of Iran's Bashar nuclear reactor, and Israeli public radio reported that the project was at a "very advanced" stage. White House spokesman Scott McClellan said that the leaders had discussed the reactor.

[They] “talked about their shared concern about Iran’s intentions with their nuclear programme” but denied they had discussed the possibility of a preemptive military strike by Israel, aimed at ensuring Iran does not acquire atomic weapons.

Source:Khaleej Times

PM: Atmosphere in Israel looks like eve of civil war

Apr. 11, 2005 - In an interview with NBC news just before his visit with President Bush, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said that the atmosphere in Israel "looks like the eve of the civil war." His own life is in danger from extreme-right Jewish activists who are violently opposed to his disengagement plan.

Sharon is also concerned about the stability of the Palestinian government.

In their Monday meeting at George W. Bush's Texas ranch, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is expected to tell the president that Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas' rule is collapsing and that the PA chairman is not abiding by his promises.

Source:Ha'Aretz

Israel completes handover of West Bank town

Mar. 22, 2005 - Israel has withdrawn from Tulkarem, the second of five West Bank cities they have agreed to turn over to the Palestinians. The first was Jericho. The next city, according to the plan, is Qalqiliya. It will be followed by Bethlehem, and then Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian government.

Source:MSNBC

'Greater Jerusalem' takes shape - BBC

Palestinian Militants Agree to Cease-Fire

Mar. 17, 2005 - At a meeting of Palestinian groups, agreement was reached to extend the cease-fire started last month throughout this year. They said they would keep the cease-fire as long as Israel follows through with the release of prisoners and holds its own fire against Palestinians. Both Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon praised the agreement.

The declaration was agreed to by the 13 main Palestinian factions including Hamas and Jihad after three days of talks in 6th of October City, outside Cairo. It extends a shaky cease-fire that began in early February...

Source:Fox

Pro-Syrian Lebanese Leader Is Reappointed

Mar. 10, 2005 - Omar Karami has been reinstated as prime minister of Lebanon. He had stepped down from the position 10 days ago because of protests in the country and the influence of Arab nations that are also asking Syria to withdraw its troops from Lebanon.

Syria is keen to keep its hold on Lebanese decision-making as it pulls its forces back to the smaller country's eastern Bekaa Valley and negotiates with the Beirut government on the troops' full removal at a later date.

Source:Yahoo

IDF likely to reoccupy Gaza

Mar. 8, 2005 - At the same time that Israel prepares to hand over many West Bank Cities to the Palestinians, Security Adviser Giora Eiland said that when it is time to evacuate Gaza settlements, large numbers of Israeli soldiers will probably be sent in to temporarily reoccupy some Palestinian areas to insure the safety of the settlers as they leave.

The idea is to create a buffer zone inside the areas adjacent to the settlements to keep snipers and mortar squads out of range.

Source:Jerusalem Post

Syria, Lebanon Announce Troop Withdrawal

Mar. 7, 2005 - Syrian President Bashar Assad and Lebanese President Emile Lahoud agreed that Syrian troops will be withdrawn to Lebanon's eastern Bekaa Valley by March 31.

After a negotiated timeframe, the two governments will "agree to complete the withdrawal of the remaining forces," the statement from the two leader said.

Source:Fox

Bush gives Syria 'non-negotiable' deadline

Mar. 5, 2005 - In an interview with the New York Post editorial board, President Bush said it is necessary for Syria to get all of its troops and agents out of Lebanon by May to pave the way for free parliamentary elections there. He said that military action is the least desirable option to enforce the demand. Further isolation from the world is the immediate consequence of failing to leave Lebbanon.

Source:WorldNetDaily

Arab Leaders Urge Syria to Leave Lebanon - Yahoo

Bombing in Tel Aviv - Palestinians Arrested

Feb. 26, 2005 - Four people were killed and another 50 injured in a homicide bombing in a Tel Aviv nightclub yesterday. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas ordered swift apprehension of suspects in the case. Two suspects were arrested, and more are sought.

Palestinian security officials pointed to the Lebanese guerrilla group Hezbollah, which has been trying to disrupt an informal Mideast truce, as the apparent mastermind of the attack.

Source:Fox

Israeli response - Ha'Aretz

Seven held over Tel Aviv bombing - BBC

U.S. Pulls Ambassador From Syria

Feb. 16, 2005 - Lebanese crowds blamed Syria for the assassination of their former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, who had protested Syrian influence in his country. Syria has maintained 15,000 soldiers in Lebanon for more than a decade.

The United States pulled its ambassador from Syria on Tuesday, expressing "profound outrage" over the assassination."

Source:Fox

Syria and Iran say to build 'common front' - MSNBC

30,000 rally against Gaza withdrawal plan

Jan. 15, 2005 - Israeli Prime Minister Sharon's plan to evacuate Jewish settlements in Palestinian areas is the focus of great protests and even the possibility of civil war in Israel. 30,000 protestors rallied at Gush Katif, the largest Gaza settlement, to show their support of the 8,000 settlers there.

Analysts say Hamas is expected to step up the violence against the settlement in the coming months in an effort to make it appear they are driving the Israelis out of Gaza, increasing the terror group's credibility with the local Palestinian population.

Source:WorldNetDaily

Abbas warns Hamas of strong response if cease-fire broken

Feb. 12, 2005 - After yesterday's firing of more than 40 mortar shells at the Gush Katif settlements yesterday, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas convened an emergency meeting of his Fatah party's central committee to discuss the action. The committee issued this warning:

"The PA will confront these provocations, these attempts to give Israel an excuse to evade its commitments at the Sharm el-Sheikh summit and to gamble dangerously with the future of the Palestinian people."

Israel is still refraining from any military response to give Abbas time to control the situation.

Source:Ha'Aretz

Abbas sacks top security officials - Jerusalem Post

Palestinian groups disown truce

Feb. 9, 2005 - Two militant groups, Hamas and Islamic Jihad, say that they are not bound by the ceasefire agreement between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. Nevertheless, they have been observing an unofficial truce.

Source:BBC

Sharon, Abbas: This time it's for real - Jerusalem Post

Hopeful Signs in the Middle East - Crosswalk

Mid-East leaders announce truce

Feb. 8, 2005 - A ceasefire was declared by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. They met at the highest level talks between Israel and the Palestinians since the Palestinian intifada (uprising) began more than four years ago. The summit was held at the Egyptian resort of Sharm al-Sheikh and was also attended by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Jordan's King Abdullah.

Mr Abbas said the ceasefire, which begins immediately, would lead to a "new era of peace and hope"....Mr Sharon vowed to cease military action against Palestinian targets, in response to a cessation of violence by militant groups.

Source:BBC

Bush Invites Abbas, Sharon to Meetings

Feb. 7, 2005 - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's first trip abroad was to the Middle East where she met with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. After two days of talks in the area, she announced that President Bush will meet separately with the two leaders to advance the peace process.

Source:Yahoo

State of Union: Bush pledges 350 million to PA

Jan. 3, 2005 - During President George W. Bush's State of the Union speech, he made statements about several issues that affect the Middle East. They include these:

"The goal of two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace, is within reach, and America will help them achieve that goal."

$350 million in aid will be offered to the Palestinians.

Syria and Iran are nations that still export terror.

Iraq elections are a proof of democracy's march.

There will be no artificial timetable for troop withdrawal from Iraq.

Source:Jerusalem Post

Transcript of President Bush's State of the Union Address - The White House

Rice: No peace deal without viable Palestinian state - Ha'Aretz

IDF chief orders reduction of offensive operations in Gaza

Jan. 28, 2005 - Israel Defense Forces will minimize their offensive operations in all Palestinian areas, but especially in the Gaza Strip. They will do this to allow the hundreds of new Palestinian police officers to take security responsibility in the Strip.

Palestinian leadership banned civilians from carrying weapons and [Israeli] Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said conditions were ripe for a breakthrough toward peace.

Source:Ha'Aretz

Sharon Sees Chance for 'Historic Breakthrough' - Yahoo

U.S. bids to jump-start Mideast peace process

Jan. 25, 2005 - Secretary of State William Burns plans to visit Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, and Egypt in the coming days to assist the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

Burns is in Brussels for meetings with officials from the United Nations, European Union and Russia. Together with the United States, they make up the so-called Mideast Quartet that sponsors the "road map" for peace between the Israelis and Palestinians.

Source:CNN

Israel Holds Off on Gaza Retaliation

Jan. 17, 2005 - Palestinians launched rocket attacks against the Israeli town of Sderot, inflicting at least four deaths. The Israeli government has decided to hold off on a major military retaliation in order to give new Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas time to control the violence. Residents of Sderot are observing a general strike to protest thee delay.

Source:Fox

PLO demands militants halt all attacks - Ha'Aretz

Palestinians give Abbas big win

Jan. 10, 2005 - The first election for a Palestinian President resulted in a landslide victory for Mahmoud Abbas. Polls indicate he received 61 to 70% of the vote in a high-turnout election.

The election... propelled Mr. Abbas from a reclusive Arafat deputy into the forefront as a leader who Palestinians hope will end four years of violence, overhaul their government and resuscitate their economy.

Source:Washington Times

'Abbas as bad as Arafat' - WorldNetDaily