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Addresses the city of Jerusalem, Israel and the struggles for peace experienced within. History and significance of the city as the religious center for Christianity, Judaism and Islam; Effect of peace talks between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat; Outlook. INSETS: The Mother Who Won't Stop Fighting;A Soldier's Vision;The Militant Poet;The Monk on the Roof

Looks at the after effects of terror bombings in Israel in early 1996 which resulted in the deaths of 55 people and the four Palestinians who set the bombs off. How Yasir Arafat is coping; The peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt and the people who plan to attend including President Bill Clinton; How Israel finds itself at war; How Arafat is an ally to Israel; Arafat's task. INSETS: Terror in the Holy Land;When fear masters everything, by David Grossman.

Looks at the existential dilemma of Israel, a modern state that draws its legitimacy equally from the United Nations and a promise from God. Yigal Amir saying he killed Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in the name of God; How the assassination could advance Amir's political goals by depriving the other side of its most competent leader; The pioneering Zionist spirit of the kibbutzim, collective farms, being sapped by prosperity; Israel's modernization.

Reports on the suicide bus bombing in Tel Aviv, Israel that killed at least 22 and injured dozens more. Islamic Resistance Movement's (Hamas) claim that the bomber was West Bank Palestinian Saleh Abdel Rahim al-Souwi, 27; Islamic militants who are bent on preventing peace between Israel and Arabs; Actions by Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin; President Bill Clinton's trip to Israel for peace treaty signing; Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat.

This article reports on Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, his health after suffering a stroke, and how his health impacts the future for Israel and the Middle East. Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert gained power once Sharon became incapacitated. Following Sharon's stroke doctors induced a coma, tried to keep the pressure inside Sharon's brain down in hopes of keeping him in a state that would allow his brain to rest. INSET: Sharon's Final Fight?.

Examines the landmark agreement between PLO leader Yasir Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in October 1995. The plan to withdraw Israeli troops from Palestinian towns in the West Bank; Criticism that this could lead to the destruction of the Jewish state or to the permanent denial of Palestinian rights; The West Bank being divided into three zones; A look at four pairs of peacemakers which reveals the promise and pitfalls of what lies ahead for the area.

Highlights the actions of Arabs and Israelis who are eyeing the profits of peace between their countries since the treaty signing. Arab businessmen who are slipping into Israel in record numbers; Regional economic summit conference of Arabs and Israelis in Casablanca; Tourism.

Focuses on a violent week in the Mideast that stained the Nobel Peace Prize and threatened peace talks. The Israeli raid on Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) kidnappers to rescue Nachshon Waxman; The deaths and injuries that ensued; The announcement on the same day that Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Foreign Minister Shimon Peres had won the Nobel Peace Prize; Details.

Discusses effects of Israel's attacks on Lebanon's Shiite Muslim heartland in retaliation for ambushes by Islamic fighters. Death of 130 Lebanese; Refugees; Hizbullah; Israel's strategy; Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin; US Secretary of State Warren Christopher; Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri; Israeli public reaction; Cease-fire.

Discusses the implications of Israel's withdrawal of its military forces from Lebanon. Reaction of Hizbullah guerillas to Israel's withdrawal; Details of still-unresolved disputes surrounding Lebanese territory; Outlook for the withdrawal's effect on Syrian forces stationed in Lebanon. INSET: `We Are Not Refugees,' by Joanna Chen et al.

Discusses the town of Beit Jala, West Bank in Israel. Experience of the author in living as a Palestinian in a town under Israeli control; Snipers in Beit Jala who shoot at the Jewish neighborhood of Gilo; Public reaction to violence in the area; Outlook for the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Looks at the frustration in Israel's internal-security force, the Shin Bet, after the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin and the rash of terrorist bombings in early 1996. Results of granting Palestinians self-rule; Failures for the organization; Crackdown on the Palestinian group Hamas, which is responsible for most of the terrorism.

Reports on bombings in Israel in early 1996, relating to other bombing incidents in the past, and their effects on Israeli citizens. Terrorist attacks, including one on a commuter bus in Jerusalem; Victims including Hofit Ayash and the feelings of the people they left behind; Public sentiment towards Shimon Peres; Relations between Jews and Arabs.

Reports on the February 1996 riots that resulted from the disclosure that the Israeli blood bank destroys blood donated by Ethiopian-Israelis because of fears of spreading the AIDS virus. Details of the demonstrations by angry Ethiopian-Israelis and police actions to quell them; Other problems faced by the Ethiopians in Israel; List of grievances by Ethiopians with accusations of racism; Comparison to other groups like the Yemenite Jews.

Reports on the pursuit of Mousa Mohamed Abu Marzook and Yehya Ayyash by the Israeli government in connection with a terrorist bombing in July 1995 aboard a bus in the outskirts of Tel Aviv. How both men are connected to Hamas, the militant Islamic movement; The charge against Ayyash; Marzook's arrest and why he believes he is being treated as a scapegoat; How Marzook's arrest could expose the United States to terrorism; Marzook's possible extradition.

Focuses on Hamas (the Islamic Resistance Movement), which grew out of the intifada, the Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation that began in late 1987. Sheik Ahmed Yassin; Hamas' armed attacks starting in 1989; Number of people they have killed; Israel's difficulty in infiltrating Hamas; Who supports Hamas; Comments by Hamas spokesman Dr. Mahmoud al-Zahhar. INSET: Back and forth in blood: The terrorists' war (dates of killings).

Comments on Syrian dictator Hafez Assad's move toward a peace accord with Israel in exchange for the full return of the Golan Heights. Reaction of Golan settlers, who could be more of a problem for Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin than the zealots of the West Bank; What Israel wants from Assad.

Questions the viability of the Mideast peace plan as Israelis and Palestinians continue their long-standing dirty tricks against each other. Palestinian attacks on Israeli soldiers; Suicide bombings; Demolishing of Palestinian houses by Israelis; Hogging water sources; More.

The article discusses an incursion into Syrian airspace by Israeli military aircraft. Some interpreted the mission as a threat that Israel will use military force to halt Iran's nuclear program, while others speculate it was aimed at nuclear technology Syria was thought to have obtained from North Korea.

Focuses on the capability of Bashar Assad to replace his father, Hafez, as president of Syria. Change of the constitution by the Syrian Parliament to allow for Bashar to take leadership; Efforts made to allow Bashar to assume leadership, including the suppression of opposition from supporters of his uncle Rifaat, and the promotion of pro-Bashar officers; Attributes of Bashar, including his determination to clean up corruption; Peace negotiations with Israel that Bashar will have to face.