Congress’ destructive anti-Palestine agenda

What We’re Reading

US-Israel relations

Congress’ destructive anti-Palestine agenda: The international outrage that nobody is talking about,

“Members of Congress want to ignore international law and recognize illegal Israeli settlements,” writes Wardah Khalid.

Illinois Boycott Law is Quietly Erasing Israel’s Green Line,

Illinois legislators have initiated what could be a dangerous new trend in anti-boycott legislation. The proposed law, tucked away discreetly in an amendment to Senate Bill 1761, stipulates that the Illinois state pension system must withdraw money from any company that boycotts Israel or supports a boycott. Perhaps even worse, the bill specifies that boycotting the State of Israel includes “companies based in the State of Israel or in territories controlled by the State of Israel.”

Israeli sources: Israel willing to accept Iran deal for US compensation,

As deal between US and Iran seems more likely, some Israeli sources say it might be time to shift gears and trade silence for compensation.

Peace process

Confederation Is the Key to Mideast Peace,

“We who know that a peace settlement is essential for Israel’s future should now rethink the ultimate goal,” writes Yossi Beilin. “When I do that, I keep returning to the idea of an Israeli-Palestinian confederation, rather than a classic two-state solution.”

Israeli politics

What to expect from Netanyahu's fourth government,

“The new government, which could actually survive longer than most observers expect, intends to resume the implementation of the Prawer Plan, aimed to force the Bedouin Palestinian population in the “unrecognized villages” into a narrow territory,” writes Noam Sheizaf.

Netanyahu's No. 2: New government's basic character prevented me from joining,

MK Gilad Erdan, number two on the Likud party list, took to his Facebook page on Friday morning to clarify his decision to remain outside of Benjamin Netanyahu’s fourth government. Erdan stated that the very character of the government is what made him chose not to join.

Israel will struggle to hit fiscal targets: Moody's,

Israel could struggle to keep to its fiscal targets because of spending promises made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, credit ratings agency Moody’s said, warning that the new government could be “short-lived, even by Israeli standards.”

Gaza and Hamas

No Gaza, No Peace,

“A lasting settlement in the Holy Land is still possible,” writes Jimmy Carter. “But Israel must end the siege on Gaza first.”

Investors remain wary of Gaza,

A recent conference of investors landed six projects for the West Bank, but none for Gaza because of the risk involved.

Occupation/Human Rights

Palestinians remain rooted in the land,

Far from ‘forgetting’ the Nakba, many Palestinians hold regular events inside their original villages.

Palestinian politics

Hamas-Fatah divide cripples Palestine’s judiciary,

Efforts to reach a reconciliation agreement between Hamas and Fatah have failed, and the dichotomy separating judiciaries in the West Bank and Gaza Strip is growing.