Israel Passes Provocative Law to Retroactively Legalize Settlements, The New York Times
Israel’s Parliament passed a provocative law late Monday that would retroactively legalize Jewish settlements on privately owned Palestinian land, pressing ahead with a statement of right-wing assertiveness despite the likelihood that the country’s high court will nullify the legislation.
Opinion: The settlements law sanctions a brazen robbery after the fact, The Jerusalem Post
“Netanyahu and Liberman know the law pushes Israel into the abyss of countries that don’t respect international law, but this hasn’t stopped them from voting for it in order to pander to the Right,” writes Yossi Melman.
UN: Israel outpost law crosses ‘thick red line’, The Times of Israel/AFP
French FM calls outpost bill ‘a blow to the two-state solution’ after world body says it may lead to full annexation of West Bank.
Israeli settlement law dubbed 'unacceptable' by Arab leaders, Middle East Eye/AFP
The Arab League accused Israel on Tuesday of “stealing the land” of Palestinians after the Israeli parliament passed a law “legalising” dozens of settlements in the occupied West Bank.
EU Delays Summit With Israel Over Settlement Buildup and Land-grab Law, Ha'aretz
France, Sweden and Ireland’s opposition brings about postponement of summit, which would have signaled thaw in Israel, EU relations. Washington will wait for Israeli Supreme Court ruling before responding to land-grab law.
US-Israel relations
US keeps mum on Israeli law legalizing West Bank outposts, The Times of Israel
A week after issuing subtle critique of settlement expansion, Trump administration says it will withhold response on Regulation Law, consult with all parties first.
Congress: No Money for Palestinians, More Sanctions for Iranians, Americans for Peace Now
Americans for Peace Now’s Lara Friedman gives a rundown of what Congress is up to and what individual members are saying, particularly about Israel-Palestine and Iran.
Why the US might cut Palestinian aid drastically, Al-Monitor
The Palestinian Authority worries that the new US administration will withhold aid, in part to pressure Palestinians to return to the negotiating table with the Israelis.
US, PA officials said to hold secret meet to discuss policy, The Times of Israel
Representatives of the Trump administration have secretly met in recent days with Palestinian Authority officials in order to focus Washington’s position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, according to a Palestinian report published on Monday.
Occupation/Human rights
The home demolitions Israel's media isn't talking about, Local Call
The Jerusalem municipality has repeatedly refused to come up with master plans for its Palestinian neighborhoods. The result? It has taken to demolishing illegally-built homes.
Settler takeover makes life hell for East Jerusalem Palestinians, +972 Magazine
In Jerusalem’s Batan al-Hawa neighborhood, Palestinians have been facing a series of ‘quiet’ evictions by state-backed settler organizations.