In an effort to jumpstart negotiations, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Wednesday a 10-month settlement freeze in the West Bank. The decision was confirmed in a vote of 11-1 by his Security Cabinet composed of senior ministers and security officials.

This decision, on November 25, 2009 marks a historic day and the biggest step towards realizing a two state solution in years. Netanyahu acknowledged the difficulty and weight of this decision, as he told his Security Cabinet “ this is neither simple nor easy but it has many more advantages than disadvantages.  It allows us to place a simple fact before the world: The Government of Israel wants to enter into negotiations with the Palestinians, is taking practical steps in order to do so and is very serious in its intentions to promote peace.”

The reaction by American officials has been overwhelmingly positive. George Mitchell, the administration’s special envoy for Middle East peace, acknowledged that it is “more than any Israeli government has done before and can help movement toward agreement between the parties.” Secretary of State Hilary Clinton released an approving statement declaring “today’s announcement by the government of Israel helps move forward toward resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”

For more information, see this Wall Street Journal article

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During the week of November 10th,  President Shimon Peres took the fight against Iran’s growing nuclear program across seas and continents to Brazil. A modest friend of Ahmadinejad’s regime, Brazil is scheduled to host the Iranian President in late November. As South America’s largest country, Brazil can play a crucial part in deciding how far Iranian presence reaches in the Americas. What was once America’s proverbial backyard has become a coalition of extreme left-wing states whose leaders, such as Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez, have all too much in common with the anti-American and anti-Semitic leadership in Iran. continue reading…

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By Consul General Asaf Shariv

November 4th, 2009 marks fourteen years since the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. A picture of the man who worked so hard to make peace — and died for that effort — sits in my office as a constant reminder of the objectives pursued by this great man and by my nation.

Each of the five Israeli Prime Ministers in the last fourteen years has worked to achieve Rabin’s objective: peace between Israel and its neighbors and security for Israel. Each of these Prime Ministers has taken bold steps to create an environment where a peace agreement could be concluded. This is true regardless of whether the press classifies them as hawks or doves. All have and are committed to the complementary goals that motivated Rabin, peace and security for all who live in the area, Arab and Jew alike.

To read Consul General Asaf Shariv’s article in the Huffington Post, visit Following in Rabin’s Footsteps Towards Peace continue reading…

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On Wednesday, November 4, 2009 Israeli commandos seized a shipment of rockets, small arms, grenades, mortar shells, and missiles believe to be Hezbollah bound from Iran.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the IDF and the Navy for their successful operation to foil an attempt to “harm Israel’s cities.”

To take a look at the massive weapons cache discovered, click here.

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