By Chris Phillips. Source: The Majalla

Until very recently, the political climate regarding Syria's relationships with Israel, US and the West improved considerably, and an agreement on the Golan Heights issue seemed likely. However, elections in Israel changed the whole rationale, and the main question now seems to be whether the West-Syria rapproachement is possible, without negotiations and the improvement of relations with Israel.

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By Chris Phillips.

The recent meeting between Obama and Netanyahu focused on the several issues that shape the relationship between the US and Israel in the Middle East. One issue in particular, the peace talks between Israel and Syria, was left out of the press conference that followed the meeting between the two leaders, leaving plenty of space for speculation regarding the future of the talks.

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By Christopher Jenkins.

An FPC 'Fresh Insights' paper

Download Back to Basics - Deterrence and the IDF (280 kilobyte PDF; need help viewing PDFs?)

Thursday 19 November 2009, 4pm-5.30pm, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Room, Houses of Parliament

Speakers:

• Aida Touma-Sliman, General Director, Women Against Violence
• Shmuel Ben-Tovim, Minister - Economic Affairs, Embassy of Israel
• Leo Williams, Manager UK Friends of the Abraham Fund Initiatives
• Adam Hug, Policy Director, Foreign Policy Centre

Chair: Sir Jeremy Beecham, New Israel Fund

The Foreign Policy Centre hosted the launch of its Full and Equal Citizens: How to deliver equality for Israel's Arab Minorities? project, supported by the Pears Foundation. The project will explore some of the main challenges facing Israel's Arab minorities including: community relations, housing, education, economic development, employment, political representation and policing.

It will also examine what lessons can be learnt from UK anti-discrimination practices and how international donors can best support community cohesion in Israel.

Download Full and Equal Citizens event invitation (190 kilobyte PDF; need help viewing PDFs?)