“Israel doesn’t accept criticism,” writes James Zogby. “In fact, whether from friend or foe, even mild criticism is viewed as an existential threat prompting Israeli officials to unleash a torrent of abuse in an effort to silence and/or punish critics.”

Angry journalists, who initially boycotted the session, describe subcommittee’s claims to be part of a ‘witch hunt,’ and slam Israel’s ‘authoritarian’ efforts to clamp down on the media.

The controversial NGO transparency bill passed in a vote in the first reading 50-43 after press time Monday night. The Justice Ministry bill says that, in addition to an existing law requiring the reporting of foreign government funding, any nonprofit organization that receives most of its funding from a foreign political entity will have to label itself as such in any publications.

Dozens of Palestinians active in joint peace groups will no longer be able to cross into Israel to give workshops on reconciliation and dialogue.

“Israelis refuse to understand what drives Palestinians to violence. After all, it is far more convenient to dehumanize them than face reality,” writes Rami Younis.

Mohammed el-Kurd was something of a child star. When he was 11 years old, Israeli settlers took over part of his family’s home in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah, sparking protests by Palestinian and Israeli activists. El-Kurd was the main subject of an award-winning documentary about the episode called “My Neighborhood.” Over six years have passed since the film was made, and el-Kurd is finishing high school and applying to colleges in the U.S. He still lives in the same house, and Israeli settlers still live in that house too.

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Knesset member Issawi Frej of Meretz accused the government of creating an atmosphere permitting the targeting and persecution of Arabs and for ignoring the problem of violence in Arab Israeli communities.

Arab Knesset member Ahmad Tibi (Joint List) tells Al-Monitor that Obama administration officials he met with in Washington are concerned about discrimination against Israeli Arabs.