Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'israel'

Books Tells Of Women's Hope For Middle East Peace

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:00:00 EST

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of the state of Israel. For most Israelis and for many Jews around the world, it marks a time of celebration. But for many Palestinians, it was the 60th year of Naqbeh, also known as "the catastrophe". A new book, Sixty Years, Sixty Voices: Israeli and Palestinian Women highlights the struggle for peace in the words of women.

Israel Reseals Border Crossings With Gaza Strip

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

The United Nations is warning that hundreds of thousands of people in the Gaza Strip face severe shortages of fuel and food because Israel has sealed the borders. Israel allowed a minimal amount of aid into the coastal territory on Monday before reclosing the borders citing Palestinian rocket and mortar fire. The informal truce between Israel and Hamas, which controls Gaza, has all but collapsed. NPR's Eric Westervelt reports.

Iran Poses Early Challenge For Obama Presidency

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:39:00 EST

The Obama administration faces a Rubik's Cube of policy problems in Iran, including Tehran's nuclear activities, its hostility to Israel, its role in Iraq and Afghanistan, its support for Hamas and Hezbollah and the nature of the Islamic Republic itself.

Elections Stall Mideast Peace Negotiations

Sun, 09 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST

The Mideast "quartet" of peacemakers meet today in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh to chart a way forward in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations that have largely stalled because of electoral politics in both Israel and the United States. NPR's Eric Westervelt reports.

Hopes Stumble For Israel's Coalition Government

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EDT

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni was Israel's prime minister designate if she could form a new government. But after coalition talks with two fundamentalist political parties collapsed, that doesn't look likely. Guest Host Alison Stewart talks to NPR's Eric Westervelt about the breakdown of talks.

Livni To Form New Coalition Government in Israel

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Israel's foreign minister Tzipi Livni narrowly won an election to head the country's ruling party. Livni is likely to succeed Ehud Olmert as prime minister. He is leaving office in the midst of scandal. Mark MacKinnon, the Middle East correspondent for the Toronto Globe and Mail, talks with Steve Inskeep about the election.

Israeli Suburb Uses Dog DNA To Punish Owners

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Stepping on dog droppings is one of the more irritating aspects of life. In Israel, a suburb of Tel Aviv is testing a new way to determine who isn't scooping the poop. The local vet is collecting samples of doggie DNA, using a mouth swab from the pets. If droppings end up on someone's shoe, the city can check it against its database and fine the owner. Owners contribute the DNA sample voluntarily, but the city is considering making it the law.

Israel's Livni Vies For Spot As Second Female PM

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:19:00 EDT

Tzipi Livni is a hard-driving yet soft spoken foreign minister who could take over leadership of the ruling Kadima party and as head of state when current Prime Minister Ehud Olmert steps down. Some experts say she's tough and cautious, but friends call her "very funny" and "fun" in private.

Yael Naim's New Soul

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:10:00 EDT

Born in Paris and raised in Israel, multilingual singer Yael Main crafts a mysterious and delicate sound that features elements of folk and jazz. She visits the World Cafe with host David Dye to share music from her self-titled sophomore album.

Family Of 7 Forgets 4-Year-Old At Airport

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Like a scene from the 1990s movie Home Alone, a family flew to France over the weekend — and forgot one of their kids. Officials at Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport found a 4-year-old girl wandering the duty-free shop in tears. The girl was sent on the next flight and reunited with her family. Officials are investigating how only six people boarded the original flight when the family had seven tickets.

Israel's Olmert Announces Plan To Step Down

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:45:00 EDT

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Wednesday he will not run for his party's leadership in September, effectively ending his political career and paving the way for new leadership in Israel. Olmert says ongoing investigations of corruption allegations against him have impeded his ability to fulfill his duties.

In Israel, Obama Offers Carrot-Stick Iran Policy

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:31:00 EDT

Barack Obama says he'll use "big sticks and big carrots" to negotiate with Iran and persuade the country's leaders not to develop nuclear weapons. Speaking in Israel, he also said he'd push for "tough serious direct diplomacy" with Iran.

Scholar Believes Israel Will Strike Iran Nuclear Sites

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:37:00 EDT

An Israeli professor believes that Israel will attack Iran's nuclear program within the next four to seven months. He bases that timeline on unsuccessful diplomatic efforts and Iranian tehnological advances.

Obama Meets With Palestinian, Israeli Leaders

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Barack Obama is in Israel and the Palestinian territories Wednesday. The Democratic presidential candidate meets with senior officials of the Israeli government and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.

Obama Continues Mideast Trip

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:00:00 EDT

After a whirlwind tour of Afghanistan and Iraq, Barack Obama has met with U.S. reporters in Amman, Jordan, before meeting the king and then flying on to Israel. The Democratic candidate is making the most of his photo opportunities in his week abroad.

Critics Question Israel's Prisoner Swap

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:10:00 EDT

Israeli officials freed five Hezbollah militants on Wednesday in exchange for the bodies of two Israeli soldiers captured and killed by the militant group in 2006. Guests and callers weigh in on the controversial deal, which some people have criticized as a lopsided exchange.

Lebanese Celebrate Return Of Five Prisoners

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:09:00 EDT

Five Lebanese prisoners and the bodies of almost 200 others held in Israel are being turned over to Lebanon in exchange for the bodies of two Israeli soldiers captured in a Hezbollah raid in 2006.

In Wake Of Prisoner Swap, Israel Mourns, Reflects

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:52:00 EDT

Two Israeli soldiers return home in coffins, two years after their kidnapping sparked a month-long war between Israel and Lebanon. They were sent back in exchange for Israel's release of five Lebanese prisoners. The country now reflects on the consequences of negotiating with Hezbollah.

Israel, Hezbollah Begin Prisoner Swap

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 07:35:00 EDT

Israel confirmed Wednesday that two caskets turned over by Hezbollah contained the bodies of soldiers captured two years ago. The confirmation was a condition for Israel turning over five Lebanese prisoners to Hezbollah as part of an exchange negotiated earlier.

Israel, Hezbollah Plan Prisoner Exchange

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Israeli forensic experts are working to positively identify two sets of remains turned over by Hezbollah on Wednesday. If they turn out to be Israeli soldiers captured two years ago, Israel will return five Lebanese prisoners to Hezbollah.

New Mediterranean Union Aims To Promote Peace

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:30:00 EDT

Leaders from Europe, North Africa and the Middle East have pledged to work for a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction. The Mediterranean regional summit's launch Sunday in Paris marked a few firsts, like bringing Syria's president to the table with Israel's prime minister.

Oil Up, Stocks Down

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:34:00 EDT

News that Israel might be preparing for airstrikes against Iran sent oil prices higher today. Oil set a new record over $147 a barrel before falling back some. And it's another rough day in the stock market. The Dow Jones industrial average is down.

Israelis Propose Laws To Punish Terrorists' Families

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Following last week's bulldozer rampage in Jerusalem, some Israeli politicians want to pass laws that penalize families of people who launch attacks. That would mean revoking health insurance and unemployment benefits for Arab residents of East Jerusalem. While some Jewish lawmakers say it's necessary for Israel to toughen laws, critics say the proposals are about revenge.

Iran Test-Fires Missiles In Show Of Defiance

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 07:28:00 EDT

Iran test-fired missiles Wednesday, an exercise that Iranian officials say was a response to hostile rhetoric from the United States and Israel.

Captured Israeli Soldier's Family Awaits His Return

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 06:00:00 EDT

It's been two years since Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was captured on the border with Gaza. Shalit's parents say the government isn't doing enough to get their son released. It's hoped the Shalit will be freed during a prisoner exchange between Israel and the Hamas militants who control Gaza.