Middle East

Muslims demolish church building in Egypt

Originally published in Aina Hundreds of Muslims came out of mosques today with hammers and destroyed a social services building belonging to the Coptic Church while chanting Islamic slogans. Security forces arrived after the building was completely razed. The 100 square meters social services building in the village of Fanous, […]

Netanyahu: We will build in Jerusalem

Originally published in Charisma News Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday his government would press ahead with expanding Jewish settlements around Jerusalem despite Western criticism of its plan to build 6,000 more homes in territory Palestinians seek for a state. In addition to several thousand housing units approved […]

‘Abbas slams Mashaal for not recognizing Israel’

Originally published in Jerusalem Post Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday criticized Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal’s statement that his group would never recognize the state of Israel, Turkish daily The Hurriyet reported. “I don’t agree with Khaled Mashaal’s statement on the non-recognition of Israel because we, in fact, recognized […]

Palestinians win upgraded UN status by wide margin

Originally published in BBC News The UN General Assembly has voted overwhelmingly to recognise Palestine as a non-member observer state – a move strongly opposed by Israel and the US. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said this was the “last chance to save the two-state solution” with Israel. Israel’s envoy to […]