Thursday, October 07, 2010

10/07/10

* Growing ties between Turkey, China, Iran worry Israel and U.S. The United States and Israel are watching with concern the growing military cooperation among Turkey, China and Iran.

* Israel's Netanyahu backs Jewish loyalty oath Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has re-introduced a proposal to require any non-Jew taking Israeli citizenship to swear allegiance to Israel as a "Jewish and democratic state".

* Vatican's 'Special Middle East Assembly' set to begin An unprecedented Vatican Synod of Bishops - a "Special Assembly for the Middle East" – will be held in Vatican City from October 10 to 24.

* Iraqis trains Kurds for security duty near Turkey Kurdish forces have been training with the Iraq Army for security operations near the border with Turkey.

* Did Israel ever consider using nuclear weapons? Media outlets around the world have reported that state archive documents declassified this week showed that Israel's leadership considered using "drastic means".

* French, Spanish foreign ministers heading to Israel to push Sarkozy's peace summit French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Moratinos are to arrive in Israel Sunday.

* Jerusalem mayor would 'welcome' Palestinian embassy, but not partition Jerusalem mayor Nir Barkat said Wednesday that he would welcome a Palestinian embassy in Jerusalem.

* EU-China summit ends in discord An acrimonious EU-China summit on Wednesday (6 October) ended with a cancelled press conference.

* Is Hizbullah trying to take over Lebanon with Iran's help? Hizbullah and Iran now have a common interest in escalating tensions in the Middle East.

* 'Palestinians accept 2-month freeze extension proposal' The Palestinians have accepted a US proposal calling on Israel to extend a West Bank settlement slowdown for another two months.

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