Shimon Peres

Roland S. Martin , a CNN political analyst, is a nationally syndicated columnist and author of "Listening to the Spirit Within: 50 Perspectives on Faith," and the new book, "The First: President Barack Obama's Road to the White House." He is a commentator for TV One Cable Network and host of a one-hour Sunday morning news show. (CNN) -- If you listen to supporters of Israel, they essentially act as if Americans criticizing the Jewish nation is akin to committing treason against the United States.  

Brazil's president made a case Monday for playing a larger role in Mideast diplomacy, despite Israel's deep discomfort with his opposition to sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program. The Brazilian president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, supports Iran's right to develop nuclear energy, a program that concerns Israel and other nations because of suspicions it is a cover for weapons development. The Brazilian leader has also rejected sanctions on Iran, which he sees as a key partner in the sort of  

Germany is challenging a journalist's request to declassify files pertaining to the 15 years Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann spent as a fugitive. German journalist Gabriele Weber filed a claim with the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig requesting the 4,500 pages of secret documents on Eichmann to be released. A Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig is currently examining the Eichmann documents.  

SHEIKH Mohammed Sayed Tantawi, who used his position as one of Islam's leading spiritual authorities to champion Islamic moderation worldwide, has died of a heart attack in the Saudi Arabian capital, Riyadh. He was 81. In 1996, the president of Egypt, Hosni Mubarak, appointed Tantawi grand imam of the Al-Azhar mosque and head of the Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Sunni Islam's pre-eminent centre of learning, a position he held until his death.  

President Shimon Peres was scheduled to meet US special envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell on Tuesday, however the latter postponed the meeting due to the tensions between Israel and the US. Peres used his speech at the annual memorial service for deceased Israeli presidents and prime ministers to convey a message to Washington and said, "The friendship with the US is a bond that must not be broken." He further noted that Israel must "cultivate friendship with other nations, primarily with the US  

Amid growing crisis with the United States, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said he does not understand why the world continues to draw criticism on Israel – despite its gestures during the past year. Lieberman's comments were said during a Monday night telephone conversation with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, ahead of the Quartet meeting and Ban's anticipated visit in Moscow. The foreign minister told the secretary general that all the efforts and positive steps taken by Israel thi  

US Special Envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell has postponed his visit to the region, the US embassy informed the Israeli President's Office on Tuesday. The meeting between Shimon Peres and Mitchell will therefore be postponed. The US move comes following Israel's announcement that the construction in east Jerusalem will continue.  

A Jerusalem municipal engineer recused himself from a District Committee meeting discussing the building plans for Ramat Shlomo due to a conflict of interests. Despite that, the engineer was still able to force his will upon the committee, which approved the plan, at the worst possible time. The Moriah Company and the Israel Lands Administration had assigned the job of planning the expansive complex to Shlomo Eshkol and Eli Reches.  

It is the Obama Administration's turn to be ringmaster in the Gravest Show on Earth, better known as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict — a ceaseless angst-extravaganza which has compelled world leaders to pussyfoot around the Palestinians, and admonish Israel, for the past 50 years. The Oval Office must arm itself with extra-strength aspirin in preparation for a new round of "indirect" peace talks between the pair of adversaries. Plus, reinforce itself with today's facts: Israel is here to stay while Pal