Egypt: Cairo Government Under Pressure Over Gaza

Trouble in Cairo: the Egyptian Government has been facing criticism for its opposition to the entry of 1400 international members of the Gaza Freedom March into the territory and its construction of an iron wall between the border of Gaza and Rafah in Egypt, trying to prevent smuggling tunnels under the 14-kilometre (9-mile) frontier.

On 22 December, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit defended the wall as a defense "against threats to national security". Eight days later, he reiterated, "What Egypt is doing is placing structures on its territory related to Egyptian defense." Meanwhile, Egypt's upper house of parliament, the Shura Council, endorsed the government's security measures in northern Sinai and along the border.

Israel’s “Grand Strategy”: Build More and More Settlements

Cairo also announced on Tuesday that only 100 internationalists would be given permission to cross the border. The Egypt Government also gave way to the 450 members of the Viva Palestina convoy, who are moving from Damascus to Egypt's El-Arish port, from where the group expects to enter Gaza.

Israel's "Grand Strategy": Build More and More Settlements

Army Radio reported on Wednesday that the Israeli Government has announced its plan to promote planning and construction in the northern West Bank settlement of Kiryat Netafim.

It is unclear how this new plan, following the announcement of 700 new apartments in East Jerusalem and hundreds of housing units in the West Bank, is compatible with the official declaration of a 10-month freeze in settlement construction or how it will contribute to the re-starting of peace talks.

Middle East Inside Line: Egypt & Israel Hope on "Peace Process" with Palestine

On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned from meetings in Cairo  with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, intelligence chief Omar Suleiman, and Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

Netanyahu said, "I was very encouraged by the commitment of President  Mubarak toward promoting the peace process between us and the Palestinians. I expect and hope to see such readiness on part of the Palestinian Authority."

In Cairo, Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit praised Netanyahu and his proposal on restarting peace talks with the Palestinians. despite the Israeli decision to build 700 more apartments in East Jerusalem. Gheit said, "I can't talk about details, but the prime minister was discussing positions that surpass in our estimate what we've heard from them in a long time. I can't say that he has come with changed positions, but he is moving forward."

Israel-Palestine: Foreign Minister Lieberman “No Peace for 10-20 Years”
Israel: 700 More Apartments in East Jerusalem Despite US Objections

Today on EA - 29 December 2009

Iran: Two days after Ashura and the Iranian Government is desperately trying to reestablish some form of control.

The list of Ashura detainees continues to grow and now includes the sister of Nobel Peace Prize holder Shirin Ebadi, many eminent journalists and the brother of Mir Houssein Mousavi's wife Zahra Rahnavard.

We're still adding to our video collections from the Ashura protests. Set three is here. Previous sets are here and here. We also have video analysis from Karim Sadjadpour and Trita Parsi.

America's President Obama addressed the nation on the attempt to blow up a commercial jet on Christmas Day. We have the video, a transcript and our analysis on his take on anti-terrorism and the Iran protests.

All the latest news is, as always, in our liveblog.

Israel: Israel has announced it will build a further 700 apartments in East Jerusalem, despite US objections.

Israel/Palestine: On Sunday, Israel's Foreign Minister Lieberman said he saw no chance for a comprehensive Israel-Palestine agreement in the next 10 to 20 years.

Israel: 700 More Apartments in East Jerusalem Despite US Objections

On Monday, the government spokesman Mark Regev announced that Israel is planning to build nearly 700 new apartments in east Jerusalem. He said: "We make a distinction between the West Bank and Jerusalem. Jerusalem is our capital and remains such."

Following Regev's announcement, Palestinian Authority negotiator Saeb Erekat said: "We condemn this Israeli policy of continuing settlement activities, and we hope this will be an eye opener for the US administration and other [governments]."

An unnamed Israeli official stated that the Obama administration had been informed about the latest planned construction. A State Department official followed up, telling The Jerusalem Post that Washington had conveyed its displeasure before  the announcement.

Israel-Palestine: Foreign Minister Lieberman “No Peace for 10-20 Years”
Palestine: Abbas “I Promise, No Third Intifada”

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said: "The United States opposes new Israeli construction in east Jerusalem", with the "permanent status issue" of the city to be resolved through negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. He continued:

Neither party should engage in efforts or take actions that could unilaterally pre-empt, or appear to pre-empt, negotiations. Rather, both parties should return to negotiations without preconditions as soon as possible. The government of Israel noted its plans to issue tenders in east Jerusalem and we strongly objected, noting that these types of announcements harm peace efforts.