Secretary of State Colin Powell said Israel must ease restrictions and hardships on Palestinians in the Occupied Territories. The comments were made during a joint news conference with Palestine’s new Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen. Powell is in the Middle East to promote support for the U.S.-backed plan for Middle East peace. But Powell left Israel today without gaining any firm commitment from Israel to the plan. Meanwhile, the Israeli army reimposed a full closure of the Gaza Strip late yesterday, because of “security considerations,” less than 24 hours after lifting restrictions to coincide with Powell’s visit. On Friday, Israeli troops raided the offices of the International Solidarity Movement. Two international activists were arrested and will be deported. We’ll have more on that story in a few minutes.