Israel’s Joint List shows path to Palestinian unity

What We’re Reading

Occupation/Human rights

Ghassan's Prediction and the Emerging New Palestinian Reality,

“In creating their Joint List, the Palestinian citizens of Israel have forged a remarkable national unity bringing together diverse political currents: nationalists, traditionalists, and progressives—Muslims and Christians, alike,” writes James Zogby. “Unlike the divided and visionless leadership of the Palestinian Authority and Hamas, the members of the Joint list have vision, a sound political sense of tactics and strategy, and a demonstrated ability to connect with the people they serve.”

Israeli-Arab Relations: Muddling Through by the Sword,

The recently developing Israeli ties with authoritarian Sunni Arab regimes have more to do with regional conflict and instability than peace and prosperity, writes Paul Pillar.

Israel approves settlement expansions in occupied West Bank,

Israeli authorities approved 466 settlement homes in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, settlement watchdog Peace Now said, despite growing international criticism.

Has Israeli defense minister changed IDF's West Bank strategy?,

The Israel Defense Forces have been carrying out regular operations in the Dheisheh refugee camp and the villages of Hebron Governorate, all inside West Bank’s Area A and ostensibly under full Palestinian control.

Israel's police chief: It's 'natural' to be suspicious of Ethiopians and Arabs,

Israel’s police chief on Tuesday caused controversy by telling a group of lawyers that it is “natural” for his officers to be more suspicious of Ethiopians, migrants in general, and Palestinians.

Gag order extended as police refuse to release CCTV footage of Qalandiya killing,

A Palestinian mother of two and her 16-year-old brother were shot and killed by Israeli security guards at Qalandiya checkpoint in April, even though eyewitnesses say they posed no risk. The police refuse to release the CCTV footage.

How a poem landed this Palestinian woman under house arrest,

A Palestinian posted her poem on YouTube and ended up under house arrest.

Palestinian politics

Arab leaders press Abbas to make peace with Dahlan,

Arab leaders including the Egyptian president, the Saudi and Jordanian kings and the UAE president are pressuring the Palestinian Authority and its leader Mahmoud Abbas to patch up differences within Fatah and make peace with its former Gaza strongman Mohammad Dahlan.

Abbas cracks down on weapons as West Bank faces uncertain future,

Leading Fatah officials are arming their followers in preparation for the post-Abbas era in the West Bank – but the president is having none of it.

Will Palestinian government give in to calls to postpone elections?,

After violent clashes disrupted the West Bank city of Nablus, both residents and political factions have been calling for the local elections slated for Oct. 8 to be postponed until security is restored.