THE MIDDLE EAST peace meeting in Annapolis yesterday comfortably cleared the low bar of expectations that had been set for it. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and President Bush committed themselves and their governments to reaching a two-state peace settlement by the end of next year. At the last minute, the Israeli and Palestinian delegations agreed on a joint statement promising "vigorous, ongoing and continuous negotiations" to resolve "all outstanding issues, including all core issues without exception." The more than 50 countries and organizations that witnessed and implicitly blessed the new peace process included Saudi Arabia, which dispatched its foreign minister, and Syria, whose attendance may have opened a small crack in its alliance with Iran.

The considerable skepticism that surrounds the new talks is justified. Yesterday's meeting resembled the Madrid peace conference arranged by the first Bush administration in 1991, a festival of speeches followed by negotiations that soon bogged down. Yet 16 years later there are some encouraging differences, starting with the far clearer commitment of the Israeli and Palestinian leaders to make peace. Both Mr. Olmert and Mr. Abbas directly appealed to their neighbors yesterday with the same phrase: "The time has come." More concretely, the Annapolis statement bound the two sides to "immediately implement" their obligations under the U.S.-sponsored "road map" of 2003 and established the United States as "monitor and judge" of their fulfillment. That could give a new impetus to Palestinian efforts to take over security in the West Bank and Israeli pledges to dismantle dozens of illegal settlement outposts. It also should ensure that the Bush administration plays a direct and powerful role as negotiations proceed.

Some argue that the administration ought to be setting out the terms for a settlement in order to bridge intractable gaps between the Israelis and the Palestinians. In fact, Mr. Olmert and Mr. Abbas well know what it will take to make a deal, thanks to 15 years of previous formal and informal talks between the two sides. The most important contribution the United States can make in the coming year is to help create the political and diplomatic context the two leaders will need to make those concessions. Implementation of the road map is vital: The dismantlement of illegal settlements and serious Palestinian steps against terrorism could galvanize public support that Mr. Olmert and Mr. Abbas now lack. Equally important is a serious commitment by Arab states. Despite their presence in Annapolis, Saudi Arabia and Egypt have been lukewarm at best in their support for Mr. Abbas.

The situation in Palestine continues to deteriorate, both on a political scale and humanitarian scale. The international blockade of Gaza and the continued illegal collective punishment of its residents by Israel has resulted in soaring food prices (eg. a bag of flour has risen from 80 shekels to over 200 shekels ie. A $23 to A $57). In addition, many foodstuffs, medicines and other goods, such as building material are no longer available. According to the United Nations Office for Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs in the Occupied Palestinian Territories there are zero stocks available for 91 drugs. Hospitals are reporting zero stock availability of pediatric drugs and anti-biotics, as well as a shortage in chronic disease drugs, cancer treatment drugs, a range of kidney dialysis drugs and IV glucose solution. In addition, there are also shortages of kidney dialysis machine equipment.

Fuel... 

 

Israel is expecting any agreement with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas at the Annapolis peace conference or afterwards to include not only the West Bank, but the entire Gaza Strip, which has been under the full control of Hamas since June.

How will Abbas be able to implement any agreement in the Gaza Strip when he hardly has control over the West Bank?

COMMENTO 

Ritengo che su questa vicenda, centrale per l'intera sorte della geopolitca mondiale contemporanea, la miglior soluzione la sappiamo più o meno tutti: due popoli due stati. Ma ovviamente all'atto pratico non è assolutamente cosa facile, anzi. L'unico appunto che mi sento di fare, prima di giudicare come verrà redatta questa ennesima road map, è sul mancato invito di Hamas. 

Alcuni potranno pensare che Hamas è una fazione terrorista, ma io non sono assolutamente d'accordo per svariati motivi: 1) hanno vinto le elezioni regolarmente certificate e democraticamente svolte; 2) il continuo isolamento, vista la loro stretta relazione con la formazione libanese di Hezbollah e quindi a contatto indiretto con Siria e Iran, potrebbe portare ad un avvicinamento reale a posizioni estremiste, di contro un coinvolgimento diretto non farebbe che tentare di sanare questa spaccatura del popolo palestinese (ora più che mai assolutamente necessario) contribuendo anche alla sicurezza di Israele. E così facendo si metterebbe davanti alla propria responsabilità anche Siria e Iran, che non riterrebbero comodo, davanti alla platea planetaria, far fallire una delle loro principali rivendicazioni. In questo modo verrebbero prosciugato parte dell'humus suscettibile di essere bacino di Al Qaeda. 

 

FELAFEL ( Arabic: فلافل falaafil ; also known in Egypt and Sudan as ta'meya)

 

I felafel sono un piatto tipico della tradizione Araba, costituito da polpette fritte a base di fave o ceci tritati con cipolla, aglio e coriandolo.
Qui in Italia, i felafel sono diventati un piatto conosciuto solo da poco tempo, da quando hanno preso piede i ristoranti, take away e le rosticcerie di prodotti Orientali, stile kebab.
Semplice da prefarare, i felafel, sono ottimi da utilizzare come antipastini durante una cena o come spuntini per un aperitivo.

Per prima cosa immergete in acqua i ceci secchi per almeno 4 ore fino a che si saranno ammorbidite.
Mettete i ceci, la cipolla, l’aglio, il prezzemolo, il cumino, il coriandolo, il lievito, il sale e il pepe in un mixer e tritate il tutto fino ad ottenere un composto morbido ed omogeneo che lascerete riposare per almeno 20 minuti.
A questo punto, possiamo preparare i nostri felafel: prendete una noce del composto ottenuto e fate una pallina che schiaccerete leggermente con il palmo della mano.
Preparate tutti i felafel e lasciateli riposare in frigo per circa 60 minuti affinchè mantengano la forma che gli avete dato, senza sfaldarsi.
Fate scaldare l'olio in una padella fonda e friggete i felafel fino a doratura, quindi serviteli ancora caldi accompagnandoli con una buona insalata e del pane pitta.

Welcome into this brand new post: the international press brought you by GamberoGonzo:

                                        

In Iowa, Huckabee Moves Toward Front of Pack

Post-ABC News Poll | Buoyed by strong support from Christian conservatives, former Arkansas governor is now challenging Romney for the lead.

Lost in the post: 25m at risk after data discs go missing: Mass fear of fraud as personal details of 7m families are mislaid by HM Revenue & Customs

  Blunder leaves 25 million exposed to ID fraud risk: Alistair Darling admits entire child benefit database is lost in the post.

 

El Alcalde de Utrera pide que se declare "zona catastrofica" 

Más de mil viviendas de la localidad sevillana han sido afectadas por las fuertes lluvias de esta madrugada.- Málaga y Granada mantienen la alerta naranja por las precipitaciones.- Cádiz y Murcia, el nivel amarillo. Alerta en Andalucia por las lluvias

 La lluvia deja cientos de viviendas y garjesinundados en Utrera: El alcalde de la localidad sevillana ha pedido la declaración de 'zona catastrófica' y las clases han sido suspendidas en todos los centros escolares del municipio.»

                                     

 Jerusalem eanmarks NIS 200m. to develop east of city
Municipality's new plan seen as statement against possible division of the city in any future agreement with the Palestinians.

 

  Writers strike priced at $21 million a day

A Mideast meeting defined by fear
By TRUDY RUBIN - Philadelphia Inquirer Thirty years ago, on Nov. 19, 1977, I stood at Israel's Ben Gurion airport as Anwar Sadat's plane landed on the tarmac.

                                                   

Ahmadinejad, Chavez predict fall of US 'empire'
Compiled by Daily Star staff Tuesday, November 20, 2007 Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on a visit to Tehran on Monday that the "empire of the dollar is crashing,"

 

Moussa blames both sides in Lebanon's presidential crisis
Berri postpones electoral session for fourth time By Rym Ghazal Daily Star staff Wednesday, November 21, 2007 BEIRUT: Arab League chief Amr Moussa expressed frustration Tuesday as the continuing...

 

Um plano especial para evitar novo caos aéreo

Jobim promete apresentar um projeto para garantir a normalidade nos aeroportos durante as férias

 

Resiste Sarkozy pese a otra jornada negra