US Vice-President Joe Biden and US Special Envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell headed to Israel on Monday in hopes of restarting negotiations between Israel and Palestine again.

Then the Interior Ministry of Israel announced plans to build 1,600 new Jewish homes in east Jerusalem, which just happens to be where Palestinians would like to place the capital of their eventual separate state. Unsurprisingly, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is no longer interested in the current peace talks.

Despite demands by the U.S., Israel is proceeding with plans to continue settlements in the West Bank. Until settlements cease, Palestine is refusing to participate in peace talks.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a speech announcing support for a Palestinian state (i.e. the two state solution) as long as it has "no army, no control of its air space and no way of smuggling in weapons," settlements were allowed natural growth and Jerusalem remains under Israeli control.

President Obama wants an end to all building of Israeli settlements on Palestinian territory. Israel has other ideas, arguing that current settlements need to build more as they grow.

"...according to three top former national security officials" Rep. Jane Harman (D-California 36th) has been very, very bad. She "was overheard on an NSA wiretap telling a suspected Israeli agent that she would lobby the Justice Department reduce espionage-related charges against two officials of the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee, the most powerful pro-Israel organization in Washington." Evidently the Justice Department was investigating this, but then Attorney General Alberto Gonzales had the case dropped in order to gain Harman's support for warrant-less wiretapping. Harman is denying everything.

All of this occurred back in 2005-2006. Why is it coming out now? What's the agenda here and who's agenda is it?

In an unprecedented move, the Obama administration is readying for a possible confrontation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by briefing Democratic congressmen on the peace process and the positions of the new government in Israel regarding a two-state solution.

The G20 officially starts today.

Israel's new foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, says "those who wish for peace should prepare for war".

Kathryn Sibelious, the all but certain Health and Human Secretary, pays up on back taxes and heads before the Senate Finance Committee today.

House Minority Whip Eric Cantor conveniently gets principled on the Democrat's Bonus Bill by voting "present"

Dicey situation for Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty is coming up. He can either sign the election certificate for Democrat Al Franken or hold off for Republican Norm Coleman's continued legal challenges. Either way, somebody or party is going to be pissed.

The House votes today on legislation to regulate, but not ban, tobacco.

Netanyahu to Obama: Stop Iran—Or I Will

Amnesty calls on US to suspend arms sales to Israel: Hellfire missiles and white phosphorus artillery shells among weapons used in 'indiscriminate' attacks on civilians, says human rights group

from the NYT: Benjamin Netanyahu, leader of the conservative Likud Party, was invited by Israel’s president, Shimon Peres, on Friday to take the lead in assembling the next government.

He's invited Livni to accept a post in the new government, but she's not biting.

World View discussion re Avigdor Lieberman.

Israel heads to the polls today, to choose a new Prime Minister. Rightwing Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu was leading against Tzipi Livni, the skin pounding leader of the centrist Kadima party, but they're now essentially tied.

"Hamas is ready in principle to commit to a yearlong cease-fire with Israel in exchange for a full opening of Gaza's border crossings, Hamas officials said Tuesday, ahead of a new round of talks with Egyptian mediators in Cairo."

Israel doesn't sound open to the idea as rockets still strike the country

Benjamin Netanyahu, leader of the right wing Likud party, is leading in Israeli elections. If elected, relations between the U.S. and Israel may become strained.

How Israel brought Gaza to the brink of humanitarian catastrophe: Oxford professor of international relations Avi Shlaim served in the Israeli army and has never questioned the state's legitimacy. But its merciless assault on Gaza has led him to devastating conclusions.

Obama camp 'prepared to talk to Hamas': Incoming administration will abandon Bush's isolation of Islamist group to initiate low-level diplomacy, say transition sources

I don't know what to say about the latest conflict between Israel and Palestine, other than it's tiring. It's tiring to see both sides make repeated mistakes, tiring hear them blame the other while taking a self righteous stance, tiring to see adults so willing to bury their children for reasons that seem centuries old. Frankly, I've often wondered if the world shouldn't just build a wall around the area, lock the two sides in and be down with it. Wishful thinking, I know.

Still, every challenge presents opportunities and peace for the region still seems possible, if only, if only...

Israel has tried to take the initiative in the propaganda war over Gaza but, in one important instance, its version has been seriously challenged.

The February elections in Israel and the end of the current Palestinian president's term in January are escalating the current conflict.

Israeli blockade 'forces Palestinians to search rubbish dumps for food'. "UN fears irreversible damage is being done in Gaza as new statistics reveal the level of deprivation."

Israel asked US for green light to bomb nuclear sites in Iran: US president told Israeli prime minister he would not back attack on Iran, senior European diplomatic sources tell Guardian

Tzipi Livni (Israel's Barack Obama) inches closer to becoming Israel's Prime Minister. Whatever happens next, there's a tough road ahead.

With Ehud Olmert declining to pursue the Kadima leadership primary, frontrunners Tzipi Livni and Shaul Mofaz attempt to define themselves and their opponent.