Popularity Boost for Palestinian Leader Abbas

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas is enjoying a popularity boost after his speech at the United Nations.

Palestinians Seeking Public Support for UN Membership

Palestinian officials are rallying their public to back the diplomatic effort.

Egypt and the Palestinians

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For years, the Arab world was inspired by scenes of the Palestinian intifada. But now many in the West Bank say it’s unlikely that Palestinians will be inspired to protest by the waves of unrest sweeping the Arab world. Daniel Estrin reports from Ramallah. Download MP3
NYTimes: Palestinian Adversaries Unite, for Now, on Egypt

Palestinian president calls for end to peace talks

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The World’s Matthew Bell reports on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ appeal to the Arab League to quit peace talks after Israel’s refusal to extend a freeze on settlement building in the West Bank.

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

Palestinian business hampered by visa problems

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Vice President Biden’s Middle East trip could not change the impression that the peace process there is as stalled as ever. A viable Palestinian state is not imminent and developing the Palestinian economy remains difficult. Investors are even having trouble getting visas to the Palestinian territories – and that’s blocking economic growth in the West Bank. Daniel Estrin reports from Ramallah. Download MP3 (Photo: Daniel Estrin)

• BBC coverage
• On The World: Biden criticizes Israel over building project
• Israel and the Palestinians

Biden criticizes Israel over building project

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Vice-President Joe Biden has again condemned Israel over a controversial building project, saying approval had undermined trust in the peace process. Biden was speaking after meeting the Palestinian Authority President, Mahmoud Abbas, in Ramallah (Photo: David Furst/AFP/Getty Images). Linda Gradstein reports. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• Israel and the Palestinians

Mideast photo-op, Israeli settlements and West Bank economy

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Matthew Bell reports from Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Nablus in this episode of The World’s American Influence podcast. Extended interview with Ha’aretz political columnist Akiva Eldar, author of Lords of the Land.
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Mid-east peace: The view from the West Bank

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Climate isn’t the only topic under discussion today in New York. President Obama made his most direct foray into Middle East diplomacy by convening three-way talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. We take you to the West Bank city of Nablus, where The World’s Matthew Bell has been talking to locals and gauging the mood, and the economy. Download MP3 (Photo: Matthew Bell)

• Video: Nablus Street Scenes
• Latest from the BBC
• Breathing life back into Nablus