10/25/12

* Israel deports activists from Gaza-bound ship Pro-Palestinian activists who were arrested aboard the 'Estelle' while trying to break Gaza blockade sent back to their homelands.

* Abbas: UN bid not a substitute for negotiations PA president ready for peace talks "straightaway" if UN recognizes Palestine; Erekat: Determined to change status quo.

* ADL Blasts European Union's One-Sided Criticism of Israel The Anti-Defamation League blasted the European Union for its one-sided criticism of Israel.

* Truce 'brings calm' after Gaza-Israel fighting Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian militant movement controlling Gaza, are said to have reached an unofficial ceasefire after days of deadly attacks.

* Sudan blames Israel for Khartoum arms factory blast The Sudanese government says it believes Israel was responsible for explosions at a military factory in the capital Khartoum on Tuesday.

* Israel says 79 rockets fired at it from Gaza Palestinians fired dozens of rockets into Israel from Gaza on Wednesday.

* Syria government indicates accepts holiday truce: Russia The government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has indicated it will accept the UN-Arab League's proposal for a Muslim holiday ceasefire in Syria.

* Worried about the Syria war, Golan Heights residents seek Israeli citizenship Although the Golan has been controlled by Israel since the Six-Day War in 1967, most people here consider themselves Syrians - but that may be changing.

* Hajj pilgrims undeterred by regional unrest Muslim pilgrims are descending on Mecca for the Hajj, the world's largest annual gathering, which Saudi Arabia insists will not be affected by instability rocking the region.

* Abbas says ready for peace talks if UN recognition bid succeeds Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Wednesday he would be ready for negotiations with Israel "straightaway" if the UN recognized Palestine as a non-member state.