Tensions High At Berlin Conference, Where $242 Million Were Raised To Assist Palestinians

Six days since the ceasefire went into effect Kassam rockets slammed into the Negev town of Sderot. Two people were lightly wounded and a house damaged. Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack after one of its senior commander and a gunman were killed in gunbattles with Israeli security forces in Nablus earlier in the day.

The West Bank raid took center stage at a conference in Berlin.where tensions remained high. Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad declared that such raids in the West Bank muyst stop. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni retorted that while Israel is willing to make compromises it will not settle for a future Palestinian state as its neighbor if it is not a reposnible partner in peace.

Despite the tensions, organizers declared the conference a success, and that $242 million had been raised to assist the Palestinian police, judicial and penal systems, but tensions were evident.06/25/08