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Israel’s Security cabinet announces that it will not lift the Gaza blockade until captured soldier Gilad Shalit is freed (1). The UN says a large stockpile of unexploded weapons is missing in Gaza (2). Kadima party leader Tzipi Livni says that Israel must be prepared to give up ‘considerable territory in exchange for peace’ (3). Israel launches air strikes on sites in southern Gaza (4). Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad says he wants aid for rebuilding Gaza to be sent directly to the needy (5). Speculation continues about holding Israel accountable for alleged war crimes (6). Former U.S. Ambassador Daniel Kurtzer warns against a possible Netanyahu-Lieberman Israeli government (12).
Israel’s seizure of land in the West Bank for a planned settlement expansion draws international criticism and poses an early test for the Obama administration (1) (4). Egypt cracks down on Gaza smuggling tunnels (2). The Washington Institute looks at relations between the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and Iran on issues including Palestine (3). Palestinian factions are invited to Egypt on February 22nd for a dialogue with the goal of creating a transitional government (5). The Jerusalem Post sits down for an interview with former Deputy National Security Advisor Elliot Abrams (7). Haaretz analyzes Israel’s recent actions regarding hostage Gilad Shalit (8). A long-term ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel remains elusive (10) (13).
MJ Rosenberg reviews yesterday’s congressional hearing on Gaza at which ATFP testified (1). Numerous analyses examined the results of Israel’s election (2), (3), (4), (5), (9), (11), (15). Speculation continues on a Hamas-Israel truce including the release of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit (6), (7), while violence continues to flare up (10), (13). The Daily Star analyzes the future of the Palestinian Authority after the Gaza war and the Israeli elections (8), while Hamad Al-Majid it considers what a process of “Somalization” would look like for the Palestinian political scene (12). Raghida Dergham argues that President Obama’s commitment to “justice and moderation” does not bode well for Middle Eastern figures hoping to evade tribunals and trials (14).
ATFP President Ziad Asali testifies before Congress regarding the aftermath of the Gaza war (1). Israeli elections result in political gridlock as the Kadima party winds up with a one seat victory over Likud (2) (3) (7). The Christian Science Monitor looks at the rise of Avigdor Leiberman’s ultra-right wing party (4). A pair of articles by Aaron David Miller discuss the Israeli elections and the future of the peace process (5) (6). Israel allows a temporary easing of the blockade for Gazan farmers to export flowers to Europe (8). IDF planes strike a Hamas post in southern Gaza (15).
ATFP President Ziad Asali is one of the first contributors to a new blog for the Israel Policy Forum (1). With 99% of Israeli votes counted the Kadima party has a one seat advantage over its main rival, Likud (2), though the composition of the parliament could end up favoring the latter (3) causing concern for the future of peace talks (6) (9). The Palestinian Authority presses the International Criminal Court to investigate allegations of war crimes by Israel (4). The UN signals that they intend to hold Israel accountable for attacks on its facilities in Gaza (5). Israeli and Hamas officials signal that Egyptian-brokered talks regarding a long-term truce will continue, despite uncertainty over the new Israeli government (7).

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