Voices from Jerusalem

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It’s been a busy week for Mideast diplomats. The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Middle East envoy George Mitchell met with Israeli and Palestinians leaders numerous times over several days. The World’s Matthew Bell has been gauging public opinion on both sides of the divide. Friday he visited the Mehane Yehuda market in downtown Jerusalem and brings us these voices. (Photo: Matthew Bell)
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• Audio Slideshow: Voices from Jerusalem
• Palestinian view of peace talks
• Attack overshadows Middle East talks
• Matthew Bell on The World

West Bank tourism

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Jewish settlers have come up with a new campaign to hold onto the West Bank. They want to attract tourists to their area and hope the visitors will not want the West Bank to become part of a Palestinian state. Linda Gradstein reports. Download MP3

• Israel and the Palestinians
• Biden criticizes Israel over building project

Relaunching Mideast talks

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Israeli-Palestinian proximity talks are set to start this week. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told reporters on Friday that US special envoy George Mitchell would be returning to the region. Plans to launch the indirect negotiations failed last month over a row about Israeli plans to build 1,600 homes in occupied East Jerusalem. As The World’s Matthew Bell reports, optimism about success is hard to find. (East Jerusalem photo: Matthew Bell) Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• Non-violent resistance for Palestinians?
• Cartooning for Peace

Non-violent resistance for Palestinians?

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As peace talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders continue to stall, Palestinian leaders have been trying out a new strategy. They’re advocating non-violent resistance to the Israeli military occupation of the West Bank. Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson just paid a visit to a West Bank village. But Daniel Estrin reports from Ramallah that talk of peaceful resistance leaves some Palestinians scratching their heads. Download MP3 (flickr image: Rusty Stewart)

• BBC coverage of the Middle East conflict
• Photos from Ramallah
• Palestinian business hampered by visa problems
• Other stories by Daniel Estrin

What’s in a street name?

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In the hothouse of Israeli-Palestinian relations, deciding what to name a city street can be a matter of great pride or biting offense. The World’s Matthew Bell reports from Jerusalem. Download MP3

• Illustrated feature for this story
• Matthew Bell on the East Jerusalem issue
• Israel and the Palestinians

The Arab view of US-Israeli relations

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Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has dismissed the idea that US-Israeli relations are in crisis amid a quarrel over Jewish settlers in East Jerusalem. The spat has certainly been getting a lot of attention in both the US and Israel. But what’s been the reaction in the Arab world? The World’s Jason Margolis has more. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• The East Jerusalem issue
• Jerusalem’s controversial archaeology

The East Jerusalem issue

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US Middle East envoy George Mitchell has postponed a visit to Israel amid a continuing quarrel over Israel’s decision to build more Jewish homes in East Jerusalem. The building announcement angered Washington. Tension remains high in Jerusalem, with more security forces moving in as rock throwing protesters vent their frustration. The World’s Matthew Bell chronicles the developing tensions over East Jerusalem. Download MP3 (photo: Matthew Bell)

• Matthew’s pictures from East Jerusalem
• BBC coverage
• On The World: Strains in US-Israel relations

Change for Syria?

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US special envoy George Mitchell will be in Syria soon. Anchor Katy Clark speaks with Syria expert, Joshua Landis, about the prospects for change in the Middle East. Landis is assistant professor of Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Oklahoma.

Restarting the peace process

President Obama’s Middle East special envoy George Mitchell meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tomorrow. Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with Bernard Avishai, author of The Hebrew Republic, about Mitchell’s prospects for bringing Israelis and Palestinians to the negotiating table. Listen