Israel launches Palestinians-only buses

Two Palestinians-only bus lines were launched by Israel at the beginning of the week (photo AFP)

Two Palestinians-only bus lines have been launched by Israel in the occupied West Bank, a move described as racist by an Israeli rights group.

The Transport Ministry said it was an improvement in service.

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Fatah and Hamas reach agreement on unity government

On Monday Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Palestinian Authority (PA), and Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal have agreed on the formation of a unity government between the Fatah and the Hamas, which will prepare for upcoming elections in the West Bank and Gaza (photo, from bbcimg.co.uk).

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EU report wants legislation against Israeli settlements

In a confidential report sent to Brussels this week, some EU diplomats urge the European Commission to consider drafting a legislation in order to ensure that financial transactions by EU members do not support Jewish settlements in East Jerusalem.(map from bbcimg.co.uk)

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Israel : clashes over gender segregation in Beit Shemesh

Clashes took place on Sunday and Monday between ultra-Orthodox Jews and police in the Israeli town of Beit Shemesh (photo from bbcimg.co.uk), near Jerusalem, leaving a police officer slightly hurt and a number of Orthodox Jews detained, according to reports.

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Israel : Western powers criticize new settlement plans

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu (photo, from aljazeera.net) announced on Tuesday that a plan to build 2,000 new housing units for Israelis in the West Bank and in East Jerusalem would be accelerated.

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US cuts Unesco funding after Palestine gets full membership

The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) voted to admit Palestine as a full member on Monday during a meeting in Paris (photo, from 20minutes.fr). After the vote the US government announced it cancelled its part in annual funding.

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Hamas and Israel reach prisoner-swap deal

More than 1,000 Palestinians will be released in exchange for Israeli Sgt Gilad Shalit who has been held by Palestinian militants since June 2006, when he was captured in a cross-border raid.

The announcement on Tuesday brought celebration both in the Gaza Strip and in Jerusalem (photo, from europe1.fr).

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Western countries angry at Israel over settlement plans

Israeli interior ministry announced on Tuesday that it had approved plans to build 1,100 new homes in Gilo (photo, from bbcimg.co.uk), a settler enclave in southeast Jerusalem, a move condemned by the European Union and the United States.

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Abbas makes UN recognition bid

On Friday Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas has submitted a written request to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon (photo, frombbcimg.co.uk) for recognition of the Palestinian territories as a full member.

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Turkey lowers ties with Israel over Gaza flotilla row

A day before the release of the anticipated official release of a UN report into last year’s raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla (photo, from bbcimg.co.uk), Turkey has expelled Israel’s ambassador and suspended military agreements between the countries, announced Ahmet Davutoglu, the Turkish foreign minister on Friday during a news conference.

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