ISRAEL

The prospect of Israelis and Palestinians living side-by-side in peace is gradually fading, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said.

Israel denies committing war crimes in Gaza and has kept the small coastal enclave under a blockade largely since Hamas seized control there in 2007.

Friday’s meeting in Paris, which will witness the participation of foreign ministers from 26 countries, has already been denounced by the Israeli government.

Israeli leader says a 2002 Arab League initiative based on the land-for-peace principle could be a framework for talks.

Israel’s state comptroller has alleged that Benjamin Netanyahu’s financial records from his days as the finance minister raise “suspicions of criminal conduct.”

The Israeli prime minister will make far-right opposition legislator Avigdor Lieberman defense minister, which is likely to stir disquiet at home and abroad.

Some prominent Jews continue to back the Republican, even though some of his other supporters have spewed anti-Semitic rhetoric.

Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal for direct talks between Israel and Palestinian representatives was rejected by the latter.

Conservative Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu turned his back on a deal to bring the center-left into his coalition, instead joining hands with a far-right nationalist.

Moshe Yaalon announced his resignation following an attempt by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to replace him with ultra-nationalist ally.

Egypt was the first of a handful of Arab countries to recognize Israel with a U.S.-sponsored peace accord in 1979, but Egyptian attitudes toward their neighbor remain chilly.

The appointment of Ilan Goldfajn comes as Brazil’s interim government works to win back investor trust and revive Latin America’s biggest economy.

The bill obliges the Iranian government to seek compensation for “material or moral” damages Tehran has suffered due to “hostile” American policies over the past 63 years.

The Israeli prime minister told his cabinet that the only way to reach peace with Palestinians was “through direct talks, without preconditions.”

Eighteen teams will compete Thursday for 10 spots in the final stage of competition, which is scheduled for Saturday.

Songs from France, Russia and Australia are among this year’s favorites to win one of television’s longest-running competitions.

Palestinian political factions traded accusations after a deadly blaze that was ignited by candles being used because of power outages.

Cross-border incidents have been escalating for days, but neither side seems to be seeking another war.

Among the biggest buyers, the Middle East has dedicated more than $17 billion to American-made military wares in the past several months.

The somber occasion known as Yom HaShoah provides an opportunity to remember those who died and to pass on the lessons of the Holocaust to future generations.

Maj. Gen. Yair Golan had, on Wednesday, drawn parallels between the “revolting processes” in Nazi Germany and elements in present-day Israel.