Palestinian state in 2 years

The U.S.-led “Quartet” driving Middle East peace talks gave qualified approval to a Palestinian plan for statehood within two years. “Recalling that transformative change on the ground is integral to peace, the Quartet welcomes the Palestinian Authority’s plan for constructing the institutions of the Palestinian state within 24 months as a demonstration of the PA’s serious commitment to an independent state that provides opportunity, justice, and security for the Palestinian people and is a responsible neighbour to all states in the region,” said the statement issued last week by the grouping of the United States, the European Union, the United Nations and Russia. Israeli officials rejected the two-year plan for statehood proposed last month by PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, saying it amounted to a unilateral move.

Olmert trial postponed

Former prime minister Ehud Olmert’s graft trial was postponed until February. The former prime minister appeared in  Jerusalem District Court last Friday. He faces charges of corruption, related to cash he accepted from U.S. businessman Morris Talansky. He won’t face charges of bribery.

Nevzlin donate $6M

Russian-Israeli businessman Leonid Nevzlin will donate $6 million to the Museum of the Jewish People. Nevzlin, who chairs the international board of governors of Beit Hatfutsot, home of the new museum, announced the donation last week. Nevzlin was the initiator and leading force behind the establishment of the Museum of the Jewish People in Beit Hatfutsot, which will cost an estimated $24 million and is scheduled to be opened in 2012.