Topic: Saeb Erekat

WASHINGTON, June 9 (UPI) -- If the people of the Middle East could vote in the U.S. presidential elections, chances are they would have voted in favor of Sen. Barack Obama over his Democratic rival, Sen. Hillary Clinton, or his political opponent, Republican Sen. John McCain. But that was last week. In the short span of a few days, much has changed in the delicate juggling act that ties American domestic politicking to the more Machiavellian politics of the Levant, the lands of Arabia and of the Persians.

WASHINGTON, June 6 (UPI) -- AIPAC’s organizers expected an uncertain trumpet for its annual convention in the nation’s capital. American Jews were worried Barack Obama would stake out a neutral stance that would begin to detach Israel from the United States. However, Obama, at least his rhetoric, demonstrated rock-solid attachment to the Jewish state.

RAMALLAH, West Bank, June 5 (UPI) -- Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas urged talks resume with Hamas, a move observers say could portend a breakdown of talks with Israel.

JERUSALEM, April 14 (UPI) -- Israel, with the help of Egypt, offered a limited cease-fire with Palestinians in Gaza, Palestinian sources said Monday.

JERUSALEM, April 8 (UPI) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert held intense negotiations to push for a peace settlement, officials said.

WASHINGTON, March 10 (UPI) -- President George W. Bush had promised he would help usher in peace in the Middle East through his efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian dispute -- the core conflict in the Middle East -- before his term as president expires in January 2009.

JERUSALEM, March 9 (UPI) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert reportedly has approved a plan to build up to 750 new settlement homes in the West Bank, an official said.

JERUSALEM, March 2 (UPI) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Sunday pledged increased military action would follow attacks on Hamas leaders in Gaza meant to deter rocket attacks.

RAMALLAH, West Bank, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Census figures show that Palestinians are likely to become a majority in Israel and the occupied territories in five years, a report said Wednesday.

JERUSALEM, Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Israeli and Palestinian leaders met in Jerusalem despite apparent discord over the content of their talks and what they are trying to achieve.