In an effort to bring international pressure on Israel, the Palestinian Authority declared in 2009 that it would submit to the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes committed in its territory. Three years later, the ICC prosecutor concluded that he does not have the authority under…
FYI: Heritage WebMemos are now called Issue Briefs. Late last year, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) granted membership to the Palestinian Authority—despite opposition from the U.S. and with forewarning that such a step would lead the U.S.…
Abstract: In September 2011, the Palestinian Authority requested membership for “Palestine” in the United Nations—violating its commitment under the 1993 Oslo Accords to seek statehood through negotiations with Israel. Prospective U.N. member states must first receive a recommendation from the Security Council. The Obama Administration has vowed to veto, if…
Since Israel deployed its new Iron Dome artillery and rocket interceptor system in April, it successfully used it to shoot down Hamas Grad rockets. The Israeli experience with Iron Dome shows that the criterion of cost effectiveness for missile defenses has been defined too narrowly in the United States. …
The effectiveness of the Administration’s “new era of engagement”[1] to build goodwill toward the U.S. at the U.N. based upon mutual respect and cooperation will be tested this week when Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas formally requests U.N. membership for the Palestinian delegation. Despite…
My name is James Phillips, and I am the Senior Research Fellow for Middle Eastern Affairs at The Heritage Foundation. The views I express in this testimony are my own and should not be construed as representing any official position of The Heritage Foundation. Since…
Abstract: In September 2011, the U.N. General Assembly is expected to vote on a resolution recognizing Palestinian statehood. This resolution is linked to Palestinian efforts to obtain U.N. membership as a state and to delegitimize Israel. These efforts will have no legal significance because…
James Carafano discusses Obama's recent remarks on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. …
In this week's Heritage in Focus podcast, James Phillips discusses the aftermath of the Arab Spring and escalating tensions around Israel. David Weinberger hosts. To get regular updates on Heritage in Focus podcasts, visit our RSS feed or subscribe on iTunes. To listen to more Heritage…
Palestinians are getting ready to divert the international spotlight away from the “Arab Spring” and focus it on their efforts to gain international recognition for a Palestinian state. Palestinian activists have called for a popular uprising against Israel on May 15. The two strongest Palestinian factions, Hamas and Fatah, signed…
In the aftermath of the recent gun battle aboard a Turkish aid ship heading for Gaza, international leaders have been queuing up to attack Israel. From Ankara to Brussels, the condemnation of the only longstanding democracy in the Middle East has been swift and unequivocal. The United Nations, the European…
Criticism of Israel’s May 31 interception of an “aid” flotilla has prompted a misguided call from the European Union for “an urgent and fundamental change of policy” to allow for the unconditional opening of Gaza border crossings.[1] This criticism directly contradicts the EU’s designation of Hamas as a…
As expected, “Palestine” succeeded in gaining membership in the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural...…
The 39-story United Nations headquarters stands on the banks of the East River in Manhattan. But now the U.N. is...…
“Peace is hard”—this was the theme of President Obama’s speech September 21 at the U.N. General Assembly. The Obama...…
The United States is scrambling to avoid a diplomatic crisis at the U.N. over a Palestinian statehood vote and a...…
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is taking his people's bid for statehood to the United Nations this week with a...…
President Barack Obama’s speech to the United Nations had more than a few elements of a domestic campaign stump speech....…
Catching you up on clips, commentary and news of the day. Sign up for the daily email update from Scribe Obama to...…
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today addressed a joint session of Congress and proclaimed that his government...…
When Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits President Barack Obama at the White House today for three hours of...…
President Obama today delivered a lengthy speech on U.S. policy in the Middle East that promised continued American...…