Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Abbas to Issue Referendum on Whether the Palestinians Should Recognizing Israel

By Admin, PBS News Hour

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Thursday he would call a referendum on whether the Palestinian government should accept Israel if Hamas does not back the idea within 10 days.

Israeli Prime Minister Urges U.S. to Back Border Plan

Appearing before the U.S. Congress Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert outlined his plan to finalize Israel's border, promised to negotiate with the Palestinians and called a nuclear-capable Iran "intolerable."…

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Rival Palestinian Forces Face Off in Gaza City

By PBS News Hour

Tensions between members of Hamas and Fatah intensified Friday when authorities at a Gaza border crossing briefly detained a senior Hamas official trying to enter the territory with the equivalent of $800,000 in cash hidden under his clothing.

U.S. Role in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

By PBS News Hour

With the largest Jewish population outside of Israel and a growing Arab-American population, the United States has unique social, cultural and diplomatic ties to Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Key Player: Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas

By PBS News Hour

Mahmoud Abbas became president of the Palestinian Authority in January 2005, intent on opening a new chapter in Palestinian-Israeli relations and restarting talks toward achieving goals under the road map to peace.

Key Player: Settler Movement

By PBS News Hour

When Ehud Olmert became prime minister of Israel in March 2006, he vowed to pursue a plan to physically separate Israelis from the Palestinians by removing Jewish settlements from large chunks of the occupied West Bank.

Key Player: Hamas

By PBS News Hour

Hamas, the largest Islamist movement in the Palestinian territories, was formed in 1987 after the beginning of the first Palestinian uprising.

Key Player: Ehud Olmert

By PBS News Hour

Ehud Olmert, a detail-oriented millionaire and a savvy backroom politician, ascended to the leadership of Israel on Jan. 4, 2006 after Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was incapacitated by a stroke.

Key Player: Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh

By PBS News Hour

After gaining control of the Palestinian Authority in January 2006 elections, the radical Islamic group Hamas selected Ismail Haniyeh as the government's prime minister.

U.S. and Europe Halt Payments to Hamas Government

By PBS News Hour

The United States and European Commission halted aid payments to the Hamas-led Palestinian government Friday after the new cabinet refused to renounce violence or recognize Israel's right to exist.