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Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Two Peoples, Divided

Unable to achieve peace, Israelis and Palestinians pull apart.

Full Package | Line of Separation

Revived Israeli Plan for New Homes in West Bank Sparks Outcry
JERUSALEM, July 24 -- Israeli officials on Thursday revived plans to construct a new settlement in the occupied West Bank, two years after U.S. pressure forced Israel to shelve the idea.
 

From CFR

Council on Foreign RelationsIsrael's Political System
Seats in Israel's legislative assembly, the Knesset, are assigned through a system of nationwide proportional representation: Rather than electing individual candidates, voters cast ballots for an entire party.

Related Documents

Key developments in peace process:

Important Institutions

  • Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) An umbrella organization founded in 1964 with the aim of destroying Israel. More recently, the PLO officially adopted a two-state solution.
  • Palestinian Authority or Palestinian National Authority A government created in the early 1990s by the PLO and Israel to oversee parts of Gaza Strip and West Bank.
  • Hamas An Islamic militant movement founded in 1987 that has steadily gained power and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S.
  • Fatah Moderate Palestinian political faction that lost power in the Palestinian legislature in 2006 to Hamas. It is supported by the U.S. and Israel.
  • Palestinian Legislative Council The lawmaking body of the Palestinian Authority that governs parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Hamas holds 74 of 132 seats.
  • Kenesset Unicameral legislative branch of the Israeli government. Kadima is the largest party in the body, holding 29 of the 120 seats.

In Depth

Primer: Israel
Background on Israel's ongoing conflict with militant groups.

Primer: Hamas
Background on the Palestinian group, the Islamic Resistance Movement. Photo Gallery »

» MIDEAST CONFLICT NEWS

Key Players

Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen)
Fatah leader elected president of the Palestinian Authority following the death of Yasser Arafat in 2005. Seen as a moderate Palestinian and since the 1970s he has searched for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.


Ehud Olmert
Became prime minister of Israel in 2006. Olmert offered support to Abbas and the Fatah movement after Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip, possibly opening the door to peace agreements.


Ismail Haniyeh
Hamas leader and former Palestinian prime minister. Though officially removed from his position, he refuses to acknowledge his loss of power and continues to rule with the support of the Palestinian Legislative Council in Gaza.

photo source: Associated Press

Defining the Barrier

Israel is in the process of building a complex system of trenches in the West Bank designed to help stop deadly Palestinian suicide attacks. In this series of multimedia reports, washingtonpost.com examines how Israel's system of fences, walls and trenches in the West Bank affects both Jews and Arabs.

On the Web

Iran Test-Fires Long-Range Missile (Post, July 9, 2008; 8:27 PM)
 
Three Killed in Jerusalem Rampage: Palestinian From City's East Rammed Cars and Buses With Earthmover Before Being Shot Dead (Post, July 3, 2008, Page A10)
 
THE MIDDLE EAST (Post, June 24, 2008, Page A10)
 
Israel Proposes Peace Talks With Lebanon: Offer on Eve of Cease-Fire Gets Cool Reception, but Diplomatic Flurry Is Called 'Extraordinary' (Post, June 19, 2008, Page A01)
 
Rice Urges Israel to Desist on Settlements: Despite Expansion, Secretary Sees 'Chance' For Peace Deal in '08 (Post, June 16, 2008, Page A15)
 
Israel, Syria Disclose Indirect Peace Talks: Turkish Officials Mediating; Golan at Issue (Post, May 22, 2008, Page A20)
 
JITTERY ARAB ALLIES: Iran Remains Key Concern as Bush Returns (Post, May 19, 2008, Page A12)
 
Bush's Comments In Israel Fuel Anger: Linking of Nazis, Iran Seen as Jab at Obama (Post, May 16, 2008, Page A08)
 
In Israel, Bush Speaks Of Hope: Fresh Mideast Violence Underlines Challenges That Negotiators Face (Post, May 15, 2008, Page A11)
 
Scandal Threatens Olmert's Premiership: Corruption Probe of Israeli Leader Could Undermine U.S.-Backed Peace Talks (Post, May 12, 2008, Page A20)
 
Syrian President Open to Israel Talks (Post, April 25, 2008, Page A13)
 
Carter: Hamas Ready To Live Beside Israel: Group Says Palestinians Must Back Any Deal (Post, April 22, 2008, Page A10)
 
Revisiting a War That's Seldom Discussed: Reservist Hopes Documentary Will Help Israelis Confront Disquieting Lebanon Conflict (Post, April 20, 2008, Page A22)
 
Gaza's Fuel Is Cut Off After Palestinian Attack on Terminal: Investigators Study How Four Gunmen Crossed Into Israel (Post, April 11, 2008, Page A16)
 
TWO ISRAELIS, SEVEN PALESTINIANS KILLED: Gaza Fighters Attack Fuel Depot Inside Israel (Post, April 10, 2008, Page A12)
 
ISRAELI EXPANSION IN THE WEST BANK: Tiny Party Shows Large Clout on Settlements (Post, April 2, 2008, Page A09)
 
DISPUTED LAND: Israel Planning to Build Hundreds of New Homes (Post, April 1, 2008, Page A11)
 
Israel to Remove 50 West Bank Barriers: Rice Calls Pledge 'a Very Good Start' (Post, March 31, 2008, Page A15)
 
Palestinian Forces' Training Marred by Delays, Politics (Post, March 15, 2008, Page A01)
 
Gunman Kills Eight at Seminary in Jerusalem: Attack Could Strain Already Faltering Peace Negotiations (Post, March 7, 2008, Page A01)
 
60 Gazans Killed in Incursion By Israel: Operation Follows Use of Longer-Range Rockets by Hamas (Post, March 2, 2008, Page A01)
 
Strikes Destroy Ministry in Gaza, Kill 10 Palestinians: Rocket Attacks By Hamas Leave One Israeli Dead (Post, February 28, 2008, Page A11)
 
Bombing Kills Top Figure in Hezbollah: Commander Linked To Anti-U.S. Attacks (Post, February 14, 2008, Page A01)
 
Israel to Add Homes in East Jerusalem: Palestinians Say Plans for Disputed Area Represent a Threat to Peace Talks (Post, February 13, 2008, Page A10)
 
More News
Live Discussions
Tuesday, Aug. 15, at noon ET: PostGlobal: How to End the Mideast War (Michael Young and Saul Singer, August 15, 2006; 12:00 PM)

Crisis Unabated in Middle East: Rice Meets with Leaders in Region (Martin Indyk, July 26, 2006; 1:30 PM)

No Cease-Fire in Lebanon, Israel: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Visits Beirut (Fawaz Gerges, July 25, 2006; 11:00 AM)

Fighting Continues in Israel, Lebanon: Civilian Toll Rising in Second Week of Violence (David Makovsky, July 20, 2006; 11:00 AM)

Live from Syria: Journalist Gives Perspective from Syria on Hezbollah, Hamas and Israel's Offensive (Sami Moubayed, July 17, 2006; 12:00 PM)
More Stories
From the Wires
Gazan bombers target Hamas gunmen, 4 dead (Reuters, July 25, 2008; 6:24 PM)

Unexplained explosions kill 5, wound 20 in Gaza (AP, July 25, 2008; 6:10 PM)

North Lebanon battle kills six, wounds 50 (Reuters, July 25, 2008; 5:45 PM)

Israeli newspaper publishes Obama's private prayer (AP, July 25, 2008; 4:26 PM)

Fighting in northern Lebanon kills 6, wounds 15 (AP, July 25, 2008; 2:19 PM)
More Stories
Editorials

The Mullahs Say Maybe (Post, July 13, 2008, Page B06)

An Unwelcome Hero (Post, July 7, 2008, Page A12)

Truce in Gaza (Post, June 19, 2008, Page A18)

Israel's Syria Card (Post, June 10, 2008, Page A22)

Mr. Obama's Middle East (Post, June 7, 2008, Page A14)
More Stories
Commentary

What if Israel Did That? (Post, July 10, 2008, Page A14)

Teaching Arabic and Propaganda (Post, July 5, 2008, Page A15)

A Middle East State Worth Pursuing (Post, June 16, 2008, Page A18)

OMBUDSMAN: Commemorations Without the Ink (Post, June 15, 2008, Page B06)

Banned in the U.S.A. (Almost) (Post, June 8, 2008, Page B08)
More Stories
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