Word: palestinians
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Egypt, with a population of roughly 76 million individuals, is the most populous nation in the Arab world and a major player in Middle Eastern politics. It has significant clout in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, and last year also attempted to serve as an intermediary between Israel and Hezbollah. While it is certainly not a liberal, democratic state, Egypt largely embraces secularism, pragmatism, and the West. Now that Iraq is not a major power player, a secular and friendly nation such as Egypt is necessary for maintaining the balance of power and checking Iran. If Egypt were...
...move that is likely to bog down upcoming Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert signed off on plans to build more than 1,000 homes inside disputed West Bank territory and in East Jerusalem...
...planned for several years and therefore did not violate the tenets of 2003 U.S.-sponsored initiative, known as the 'Road Map', in which Israel agreed to freeze construction of new Jewish settlements. "This decision pre-dates the government," said Mark Regev, the prime minister's spokesman. But a chief Palestinian negotiator, Saeb Erekat, said Olmert's decision would undermine Washington's efforts to put the derailed negotiations back on track: "It seems to me the Israelis are determined to put a stick in the wheel of negotiations...
...envoy, Lt. Gen. William Fraser, arrives on Thursday in a bid to revive the "road map" peace plan, a cornerstone of which is a freeze on new Jewish settlements in the Palestinian territories. Olmert's move is bound to complicate Fraser's task. The White House's new envoy may be a military man, but his past experience is no preparation for the political minefield he is stepping into...
...Israeli decision comes just days after a Palestinian gunman killed eight male students and wounded eight others last Thursday at a seminary closely linked with the Jewish settler's movement. The government's announcement is seen as an attempt by Olmert to pacify the pro-settlement, rightwing politicians within his fragile coalition. Israel Radio reported that Olmert approved the settlement construction in the face of threats from the ultra-orthodox Shas party to pull down his government. Work will now restart on settlements in Givat Zeev, an ultra-orthodox enclave in the West Bank, and in the East Jerusalem neighborhood...