01/10/11

* "Travel Palestine" ad is a step back to rejectionsim Board of Deputies of British Jews responds to text in "National Geographic" ad which seems to blot out Israel's existence.

* Palestinians to seek UN recognition for independent state in September Move part of Palestinians' "Plan B" of pursuing alternative to a negotiated peace deal while talks with Israel remain stalled.

* Israel Shocked, Insulted as EU Calls Jerusalem a Settlement Israel is shocked by international criticism of the demolition of a Jewish-owned property in Jerusalem.

* EU envoys: Treat East Jerusalem as Palestinian capital EU envoys in the Middle East are urging Brussels to treat East Jerusalem as the future capital of a Palestinian state.

* Robert Gates in China: Beijing seeks to ease US fears China's defence minister has sought to play down the country's military build-up, after talks with US counterpart Robert Gates in Beijing.

* Hamas Leader Joins Ahmadinejad, Calls Holocaust a Lie A senior Hamas leader has followed in the footsteps of his organization's Iranian benefactor and calls the Holocaust a lie.

* Egyptians chafe under Mubarak's protracted tenure Arab leader on shakey grounds following church terror attack, endures much speculation about upcoming elections

* Greece blasts EU hypocrisy for opposing Turkey wall plans Athens has slammed the "hypocrisy" of unspecified EU member states criticising its plans to erect a wall at the border with Turkey, while at the same time denouncing its incapacity to stem irregular migration.

* Pope decries attacks against religious minorities In his annual "State of the World" address to the Vatican diplomatic corps, Pope Benedict XVI spoke Monday about religious intolerance and discrimination toward Christian minorities around the world.

* Netanyahu defends settlement after U.S. criticism Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying Jews have a right to live anywhere in Jerusalem, defended a settlement project that drew criticism from U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.