SPIEGEL ONLINE
- May 28, 2013
The civil war in Syria is increasingly dividing the Arab world along sectarian lines. The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has now charged into the fray, joining predominantly Shiite government forces in an effort to dislodge Sunni rebels from the key city of Qusair. By Julia Amalia Heyer and Christoph Reuter more... [ Comment ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- March 22, 2013
In a speech to Israeli university students on Thursday, US President Barack Obama insisted that peace with the Palestinians is still possible. But German commentators note that brokering a peace deal still doesn't number among Obama's top priorities. more... [ Comment ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- January 28, 2013
Is Mohammed Morsi a peacebroker or a virulent anti-Semite? A former member of the Muslim Brotherhood, who has known Morsi for 13 years, believes that behind the Egyptian president's veneer of goodwill towards Israel lies a deep-seated hatred. By Dieter Bednarz and Volkhard Windfuhr in Cairo more... [ Comment ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- December 10, 2012
The United Nations has recognized a Palestinian state and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems to prefer confrontation over negotiation. But in an interview with SPIEGEL, Israeli President Shimon Peres says that there is no alternative to re-starting peace talks, adding that it is time to forget the past. more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- December 06, 2012
Despite recent differences between Germany and Israel over settlement construction plans on the West Bank, Angela Merkel and Benjamin Netanyahu pledged friendship on Thursday in Berlin. They have, said the chancellor, agreed to disagree. By Severin Weiland more... [ Comment ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- December 05, 2012
Germany's abstention in the recent UN vote to recognize a Palestinian state, along with Israel's reaction of announcing new settlement construction, have chilled relations between the traditional allies. Ahead of a visit to Berlin, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu even said that he is "disappointed" in Chancellor Merkel. By Matthias Gebauer and Ulrike Putz more... [ Comment ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- December 04, 2012
Europe is furious with Israel for its plan to build 3,000 new settler units to punish the Palestinians, following their elevation to "non-member observer status" in the UN last week. While sanctions appear not to be on the table, German commentators say it is time to get tough with Israeli premier Netanyahu. more... [ Comment ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- December 03, 2012
Berlin has distanced itself from Israel with the decision to abstain from voting on enhancing the Palestinians' status in the UN General Assembly. Israel had expected a clear "no" vote, but Chancellor Angela Merkel balked at Prime Minister Netanyahu's uncompromising approach to the peace process. By Ralf Neukirch more... [ Comment ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- December 03, 2012
Israel's plan to expand settlement construction has drawn fierce international criticism, with Britain and France considering the withdrawal of their ambassadors and Germany expressing serious concern. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the plan could deal an "almost fatal blow" to solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- November 30, 2012
Both Israel and the US were adamantly opposed, but the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday granted the Palestinians non-member observer status, essentially an official recognition of a Palestinian state. The European Union was unable to find a common line, and Germany abstained as expected. By Marc Pitzke in New York more... [ Comment ]