What now for the Middle East Peace talks?

As the settlement freeze comes to an end, what will become of the talks?

In the news: (courtesy of Al-Jazeera English)
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/09/2010926225933392129.html

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/09/2010926204723552186.html

(BBC news):
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11415719

In the news

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2010/09/2010923123930507727.html

Obama is quoted as saying:
"Many in this hall count themselves as friends of the Palestinians. But these pledges must now be supported by deeds."

I totally agree and this should not simply be the case when peace agreements are at stake. We have seen the Palestinians suffer at the mercy of idle hands. Not enough is done through matters of urgency, and not enough has been done over the years. More support is needed and leaders need to speak out more.

A look back in time

I can't remember where exactly I found this image, but I do know it was in a slideshow of Palestine's political past. The young man in the centre of the image, sporting the ray ban-esque sunglasses is none other than the late Yassir Arafat, founder of the Palestinian resistance.

Two state solution

Courtesy of Aljazeera english:
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2010/09/201091965528479820.html

Palestinian refugees

A feature on Al-jazeera english you may find interesting:
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2010/09/2010914122645134498.html

Peace talks round two

Peace talks between the Palestinian and Israeli authorities have entered 'phase two.' They are taking place in Sharm El Shiekh, Eygpt. It seems that the Israelis are playing their cards close to the chest, not really giving much away. The Palestinians have threatened to pull out if the Israelis insist on resuming settlement construction. As we know the moratorium on settlements is due to expire on the 26th of this month, and as of yet there has been no indication that the Israelis intend to extend it.

The Israelis seem to have the upper hand with more control than the Palestinians, and really the Palestinian people have more to gain and lose than the Israelis do. Thoughts?

Some Palestinian and Israeli towns have seen next to no violence in recent months and even years. If the talks 'fail,' what will become of these 'progressing' towns?

Eid in Palestine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bH105wyONA&feature=sub

The Rafah crossing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pLoZsip3Zg&feature=sub

In the news

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/09/20109584024185978.html

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/09/20109318331135635.html

In haaretz:
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/netanyahu-creative-thinking-can-remove-obstacles-on-the-way-to-mideast-peace-1.312277

Talks are underway

For live coverage watch AlJazeera, BBC news, SKY news amongst others.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2010/09/20109123247579469.html

A little about Mahmoud Abbas:
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/spotlight/2010/09/20109173658242619.html

An excerpt from an In-Depth article by Larbi Sidiki (aljazeera)

"Obama, democratically elected and with unparalleled executive might anywhere on the planet, cannot give concrete affirmation to an Islamic cultural centre. It is then a matter of credulity to expect even the enfeebled and embattled Mahmoud Abbas -- whose legitimacy is dubious and contested -- to sign away in Washington whatever left-over land considered sacred by at least half of all Palestinians. Equally, it would take Herculean mental muscle to imagine how the Israelis can themselves magically drop claims to what they view as a 'biblical' or sacred space."

Peace talks to resume

As I am sure many of you are aware, direct talks are set to resume this week in Washington.

I've managed to find this timeline of events on AlJazeera English:

http://english.aljazeera.net/photo_galleries/middleeast/2010831121213978340.html

In other news:

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/middle-east/2010/09/01/killing-palestinian-teenager-fails-make-news

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/08/201083118310524593.html