Some interesting reports in relation to Israel:
BBC News reports:
"An Israeli human rights group says the overwhelming majority of Israeli troops suspected of criminal offences against Palestinians are never indicted.
The small number of investigations and even fewer indictments showed Israel's army was ignoring its duty to protect Palestinian civilians, Yesh Din says.
It said soldiers felt they had immunity from investigation and prosecution, which inevitably led to more offences."
And:
"Between 2000 and 2007, it says, 239 investigations into the killing and wounding of non-combatant Palestinian civilians by Israeli forces had led to just 16 convictions."
Meanwhile, whilst Israel says one thing and does the total opposite with respect to seeking some sort of peace with Palestinians, the NY Times reports:
"Officials in the Israeli prime minister’s office reacted coolly on Wednesday to an indirect approach by the Hamas leader in Gaza offering talks for a truce.
The offer was relayed through an Israeli reporter, Sleman al-Shafhe, of Israel’s Channel 2 television station. On the main news broadcast on Tuesday night, Mr. Shafhe said Ismail Haniya, the leader of the Hamas government in the Gaza Strip, had called him earlier in the day and sought to convey a message to the Israelis.
According to Mr. Shafhe, Mr. Haniya said he had the will and the ability to stop the rocket fire directed at Israel from Gaza, on condition that Israel stopped the killing of Palestinians there and lifted the economic blockade of the strip.
On Wednesday, Mr. Shafhe said in an interview that Mr. Haniya had said that he would have “no problem” negotiating with the Israeli government on these issues, with an eye toward reaching a mutual truce."
And back to BBC News:
"Israel says it is examining plans for a new settlement in East Jerusalem, after facing heavy criticism for expanding an existing Jewish settlement there.
Housing minister Zeev Boim said it was a preliminary look at possible housing development in the Atarot area.
He played down its significance, saying such checks were done year round on areas with building potential.
Palestinians say the Har Homa expansion announced this month threatened to derail re-launched peace negotiations.
"This is a preliminary examination of an initial construction plan. Such feasibility checks are done all year round on all areas with building potential in Jerusalem," Mr Boim said in a statement.
"The ministry has to offer a solution to the housing problem in Jerusalem."
Senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said such plans would destroy the peace process and must be stopped."
"We consider these steps as threatening the beginning of the final negotiations between the two sides."
BBC News reports:
"An Israeli human rights group says the overwhelming majority of Israeli troops suspected of criminal offences against Palestinians are never indicted.
The small number of investigations and even fewer indictments showed Israel's army was ignoring its duty to protect Palestinian civilians, Yesh Din says.
It said soldiers felt they had immunity from investigation and prosecution, which inevitably led to more offences."
And:
"Between 2000 and 2007, it says, 239 investigations into the killing and wounding of non-combatant Palestinian civilians by Israeli forces had led to just 16 convictions."
Meanwhile, whilst Israel says one thing and does the total opposite with respect to seeking some sort of peace with Palestinians, the NY Times reports:
"Officials in the Israeli prime minister’s office reacted coolly on Wednesday to an indirect approach by the Hamas leader in Gaza offering talks for a truce.
The offer was relayed through an Israeli reporter, Sleman al-Shafhe, of Israel’s Channel 2 television station. On the main news broadcast on Tuesday night, Mr. Shafhe said Ismail Haniya, the leader of the Hamas government in the Gaza Strip, had called him earlier in the day and sought to convey a message to the Israelis.
According to Mr. Shafhe, Mr. Haniya said he had the will and the ability to stop the rocket fire directed at Israel from Gaza, on condition that Israel stopped the killing of Palestinians there and lifted the economic blockade of the strip.
On Wednesday, Mr. Shafhe said in an interview that Mr. Haniya had said that he would have “no problem” negotiating with the Israeli government on these issues, with an eye toward reaching a mutual truce."
And back to BBC News:
"Israel says it is examining plans for a new settlement in East Jerusalem, after facing heavy criticism for expanding an existing Jewish settlement there.
Housing minister Zeev Boim said it was a preliminary look at possible housing development in the Atarot area.
He played down its significance, saying such checks were done year round on areas with building potential.
Palestinians say the Har Homa expansion announced this month threatened to derail re-launched peace negotiations.
"This is a preliminary examination of an initial construction plan. Such feasibility checks are done all year round on all areas with building potential in Jerusalem," Mr Boim said in a statement.
"The ministry has to offer a solution to the housing problem in Jerusalem."
Senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said such plans would destroy the peace process and must be stopped."
"We consider these steps as threatening the beginning of the final negotiations between the two sides."
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