Arieh Cohen

After the 1967 war with Jordan and Israel's annexation, all but a few states withdrew their embassies from Jerusalem. With Costa Rica and El Salvador leaving, only unaccredited consulates remain in the Holy City.

The Party of God's disturbing victory is sending shockwaves across Israel's top military and political establishment. Isolating Iran requires a peace deal with Palestine, Syria and Lebanon. Some Israeli leaders are mulling over prospects for a new peace conference. Here is an analysis by AsiaNews's correspondent to Israel.

Hizballah's attack confirms Lebanon's ambiguous position and inaction vis-à-vis the Tehran-led party of God.

Israel's military operation in Gaza is creating more problems than it solves. The leaders of Israel and Palestine are struggling to survive domestic and external crises. The advice of the Vatican.

Henry Hyde, Chairman of the Committee on International Relations of the US House of Representatives, has expressed concern about the lack of progress in negotiations between the Israeli state and the Holy See towards accepting the Fundamental Agreement and for the conclusion – stipulated in it – of a comprehensive accord about pending claims on economic and property matters.

There is no hope in a unilateral solution involving partial pullouts and consolidation of settlements. According to army sources, boycotting Hamas will cause more conflict with the Palestinians.

Tens of thousands of people have been affected by a Supreme Court decision to reject the unconstitutionality of a law, motivated by reasons of security, which bans Palestinians married to Israeli citizens from getting residency and citizenship rights.

The new Israeli government has won the confidence of the Knesset, but it has its work cut out. Poverty, Israel's borders and Iran top the agenda. Support for its plans in the Palestinian territories remains lukewarm at home and in the US. Catholics want to see drawn-out negotiations with the Vatican concluded.

In an unprecedented letter to the deposed Patriarch, Israel confirms that Theophilos III does not have official recognition. He was allowed to preside the Easter ceremonies because of "concern for public order".

Officially the Israeli Government still maintains that deposed Ireneos is the legitimate Patriarch and refuses to recognise Theophilos.

In his first speech after the elections, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert called for peace talks with the Palestinians. One third of the Israeli did not go to vote; Shinui Party has disappeared; the Likkud party abandoned.

For decades the government and private business have been trying to illegally expropriate a building that in Jerusalem is home to poor children, the elderly and people with disabilities in order to build cinemas and entertainment centres. Catholic public opinion around the world is called on to become mobilized.