Washington - The Israeli military announced that crossings in and out of the West Bank will be closed for four days during Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, Ma'an News Agency reported Tuesday. The crossings are set to be closed on midnight September 7 to midnight September 11.

Israeli stop sign [Hoyasmeg - Flickr]

Washington - According to Israeli Hebrew-language daily Ma'ariv, rights groups are planning the "mother of all flotillas" to send aid to the besieged Gaza Strip, Ma'an News Agency reported Tuesday.

The Turkish-owned Mavi Marmara, above, was site of the worst violence during Israel's high-seas raid of the May 31 "Freedom Flotilla." 9 activists were killed by Israeli commandos. [Freegazaorg - Flickr]

Washington - Former Israeli ambassador to the United Nations Dan Gillerman joined those protesting the government's decision to deport 400 children of foreign workers, Ynet reported Tuesday.

Canadian marchers demonstrate against the deportation of illegal laborers. [Lordiable - Flickr]

Washington - Former Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and 2005 Nobel Peace Prize winner Mohamed ElBaradei has urged Egyptians to boycott the upcoming November parliamentary elections in order to challenge the stagnant regime of Hosni Mubarak that Egypt has endured for three decades. ElBaradei has stated that "anyone who participates in the vote either as a candidate or a voter goes against the national will," The Guardian reported Tuesday.

Mohamed ElBaradei has been hinted as a presidential candidate. [IAEA - Wikimedia Commons]

Washington - Over the weekend, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said he will pull out of direct negotiations with Israel if the settlement construction freeze, due to end Sept. 26, is not extended. The Associated Press reported Tuesday that the Palestinian president has asked the US to step in on the settlement issue to keep talks on track.

Israeli settlements (like those above) are a major obstacle in direct negotiations, which began last week. [Farfuglinn - Flickr]

Washington - Jordan's King Abdullah II met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Monday to discuss the status of the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks held in Washington, DC last week, Haaretz reported Monday. 

Jordan's King Abdullah II (above) and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak were both invited to Washington to support the Israeli-Palestinian direct negotiations last week. [World Economic Forum - Flickr]