Israeli Settlement Ordered Demolished

Israel’s settlements in the West Bank have long been a point of contention with the Palestinians. Now, a legal ruling to demolish one of those settlements could prove to be a test case for many more.

Israeli Settlers Threatening Israelis

Israeli settlers are increasingly threatening and outright attacking Israelis they consider traitors. The actions are the “price tag” for supporting Palestinian, anti-settler causes. Matthew Bell reports.

Kenya’s Wildlife Losing Ground to Development

The growth of Nairobi is choking a big piece of African wilderness, The Nairobi National Park.

Global Political Cartoons: September 23 – 30, 2010

Kim Jong Il annoints his youngest son to be next in line; the Arab-Israeli negotiations are unsettled by settlements; and a computer worm infects Iran.

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Abbas urges settlement freeze extension

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Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has urged Israel to extend its just-expired partial freeze on the building of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank. He said an extension of three or four months could give the recently resumed Middle East peace talks a chance for success. The US says it is “disappointed” by Israel’s decision not to extend a ban on settlement building. Matthew Bell reports. Download MP3 (Photo: Alon Tuval) BBC video: Jon Donnison on the extent of Israeli construction work

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

Radicalized West Bank settlers

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There’s been recent violence by Israeli settlers near the West Bank settlement of Yitzhar. Some religious Israelis are concerned about increasing fanaticism in the settler population. And they’re pointing to one book published by Yitzhar rabbis that could be interpreted as a license to kill. Daniel Estrin brings us the story from Jerusalem. (Photo: Daniel Estrin) Download MP3

• BBC coverage: Israel and the Palestinians
• Culture war in Tel Aviv

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

Peace process to dominate Arab League summit

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Arab foreign ministers are meeting in Libya this weekend and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is at the top of their agenda. The World’s Matthew Bell reports on how the Arab states fit into the stalled peace process that the Obama administration wants to revive. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• On The World: Israel and the Jerusalem issue
• Fear and foreboding in the Middle East

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

A Palestinian view of US Mideast policy

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Palestinians take a dim view of President Obama’s performance in advancing the Middle East peace process over the past year. That’s according to Mustafa Barghouti, a leading Palestinian politician, who speaks with anchor Marco Werman. Download MP3

• BBC coverage of Middle East crisis
• On The World: Obama omits Middle East in State of the Union address

Israel’s settlements

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President Obama seems have to backed off his call for a building freeze on Israeli settlements. Israel says “natural growth” within existing settlements must be permitted, while Palestinians want a freeze. On today’s show Matthew Bell reports on an issue that has plagued the Middle East peace process for many years. Download MP3 (Photo: Matthew Bell)

• View Matthew Bell’s pictures from the West Bank
• Israel and the Palestinians
• Matthew Bell’s ‘American Influence’ podcast