Such is the siege atmosphere around the prime minister that senior advisers complain of plots by Arab leaders, in conjunction with US officials, to undermine Mr Netanyahu's authority. One senior official blamed the previous Labour government for creating an unstable peace process, rather than mistakes by Mr Netanyahu, such as publicly snubbing the Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, and opening an archaeological tunnel near Muslim holy sites. Officials are signalling that an agreement on redeployment from Hebron could be reached within three weeks. The unofficial target is to complete the pull-out before the US presidential elections. But Palestinian negotiators are sceptical.
Chinese laws allow accused to be defended by family members.
A court spokeswoman confirmed Wang Dan had been charged with plotting to overthrow the government but declined to give further details. Wang Dan's mother said the court had yet to inform her of the trial date, but said it could come as early as this week. She said she would defend her son against the charge of collaborating with overseas subversive forces. It has nothing to do with politics. But I must say it for the record.