Israel captured the Arab-dominated eastern section of the holy city in 1967, and later annexed it without international recognition. The international community does not recognize the legitimacy of the settlements in the West Bank and of the Jewish neighborhood in East Jerusalem, which the Palestinians claim to be the capital of their future state.
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Prospect of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks looming
RAMALLAH, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The new round of U.S. efforts to restart the stalled peace talks between the Middle East arch foes Israel and the Palestinians are facing big challenges that might obstruct achieving peace between the two sides.
Palestinian analysts expressed pessimism that the prospect of resuming Israeli-Palestinian peace talks is looming. Full story
PNA condemns Israeli closure of Jerusalem schools
RAMALLAH, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) on Saturday condemned the Israeli closure of two schools in East Jerusalem as well as the closure of al-Aqsa Mosque gates in the old city.
Taysir Tamimi, the Palestinian chief of justice, said in a press statement sent to Xinhua that "the Israeli actions of closing two schools as well as the gates of al-Aqsa Mosque aim at seizing control of the whole area of the old city." Full story
Palestinians demonstrate against Israeli closure in Qalandiya checkpoint
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Palestinian demonstrators try to break through an Israeli checkpoint gate during a demonstration against Israeli closure in Qalandiya checkpoint near Jerusalem City on March 13, 2010. (Xinhua/Fadi Arouri)
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U.S. veep wraps up embarrassing visit with strikes, strokes
JERUSALEM, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Visiting U.S. Vice President Joe Biden concluded his not-so-smooth tour to Israel and the Palestinians on Thursday, leaving behind a newly renewed but already tumbling U.S.-mediated peace process between his two hosts.
During his four-day visit, the highest level to the volatile region by a U.S. official since U.S. President Barack Obama took office early last year, Biden reaffirmed U.S. alliance with the Jewish state and commitment to its security, prodded the two Middle East foes to make bold strides toward permanent peace and reiterated U.S. determination to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Full story
