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It's Not the Economy, Stupid | Foreign Policy

"Although the situation in Gaza is dire, we should not view this dispute solely or even primarily through the prism of economics. The flawed policies of the United States, Israel, and the international community toward Gaza -- and indeed toward the entire Israeli-Palestinian issue -- go far beyond the failure to allow cement and other construction materials into the strip. Without reconciliation between Palestinian factions and the political reunification of the West Bank and Gaza, not only a better future for Gaza but the two-state solution itself will remain out of reach. COMMENTS (24) SHARE: Twitter Reddit Buzz Bookmark and Share More... Gaza's economic plight is a symptom of a larger failure of U.S. policy. The U.S. approach toward the Israeli-Palestinian issue -- which sets the tone for policies by Europe and other interested parties -- is based in part on two assumptions that are almost certainly false. "

Hebron Means Business: Rebranding War-Torn Palestine | Co.

"Some background: Hebron is divided into H1, a Palestinian territory, with about 140,000 inhabitants; and H2, the old city where hundreds of military-guarded Jewish settlers live -- illegally, according to international law -- among roughly 30,000 Palestinians. The settlements pose a constant threat to residents' well-being, with 86 percent of Palestinians in the old city living in relative poverty, as of 2008, the International Committee on the American Red Cross reports. Tales of travel restrictions, scare tactics, and even children getting pelted with stones as they walk to school are not uncommon."

BP Steps Up 'Charm Offensive' - WSJ.com

"Mr. Hayward met with Abu Dhabi's powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during a visit to the oil-rich sheikdom Wednesday. During the visit he said that he would be open to seeing the city state's sovereign wealth fund buy a stake of up to 10% in BP, a person with knowledge of the meeting told Zawya Dow Jones. "

Congress reviewing Cuban sanctions, may lift travel ban

"Mojitos at Varadero Beach . . . fishing in the waters Hemingway immortalized . . . dinner and a show at the Tropicana: A long list of currently forbidden pleasures will become legal for Americans under pending legislation that would lift central provisions of the United States' half-century embargo of Cuba. The bill is being pushed by business and agriculture groups that have long argued that the Cold War-era sanctions against Cuba should be lifted, but it is opposed by an influential anti-communist lobby, which is against Cuba's ruling Castro family. "

Holywood stars snub film festival

"Hollywood actors Meg Ryan and Dustin Hoffman backed out of attending this year’s annual Jerusalem Film Festival, which is set to kick off this coming Thursday, following the international outcry over Israel’s attack on a Turkish-led flotilla that attempted to break the Gaza blockade on May 31, The Jerusalem Post learned Monday."

Poland to extradite alleged Mossad agent tied to Dubai killing - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News

"A Polish court ruled on Wednesday that an alleged Mossad agent tied to the killing of a Hamas leaderin Dubai should be extradited to Germany. Uri Brodsky, an Israeli citizen, is suspected of having helped to forge a German passport used in the January assassination of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh. He was detained in Poland in early June. "