Kerry to speak today on Israeli-Palestinian peace

What We’re Reading

US-Israel relations

Kerry to set out vision on Israeli-Palestinian peace in Wednesday speech,

As Jerusalem fumes over UN resolution and US role in it, secretary to deliver highly anticipated address; Washington expresses concerns Israel isolating itself. The speech will be streamed live starting at 11:00 AM EST at State.gov.

A Significant Resolution on Israel,

“One thing we know: we are not going to get to a creative solution, or a solution at all, for that matter, if either side continues to take unilateral steps that are viewed as anathema by the other,” special assistant to the President Rob Malley tells The New Yorker’s Bernard Avishai.

In About-face Ahead of Kerry Speech, Jerusalem Okays New Housing for Jews in Palestinian Neighborhood,

Three-story building approved Jewish settlers in predominantly Palestinian neighborhood of Silwan in East Jerusalem after earlier vote was reportedly canceled at Netanyahu’s request.

Hidden Dangers of Moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem,

“There is more at stake in today’s volatile regional environment than simply U.S. credibility in the dormant Arab-Israeli peace process. Moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem risks fueling the flames of an already explosive region in ways that could irreversibly harm U.S. national interests,” writes Dalia Kaye.

Transcript claims to show US worked with Palestinians on UN resolution,

An Egyptian paper published what it claims are the transcripts of meetings between top US and Palestinian officials that, if true, would corroborate Israeli accusations that the Obama administration was behind last week’s UN Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlements.

Occupation/Human rights

UNSC resolution: World placing price tag on settlements,

“The UN Security Council’s resolution is a direct response to right-wing policies in the Occupied Territories, which have placed Israel on a collision course with the world. We need responsible leaders who understand that the military occupation and settlements cannot continue without repercussions,” writes Avner Inbar.

UN vote exposes the true face of Israel's settlement policy,

“Whatever the passage of a UN resolution criticizing the settlements may bring, the fallout has already made one thing clear: the Israeli government subscribes to a de facto ‘Greater Israel’ policy,” writes Natasha Roth.

Opinion: Why UN anti-settlement resolution won't make a difference,

“UN efforts to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have failed miserably, as Israel is unmoved by its resolutions over the years,” writes Akiva Eldar.

Opinion: Punishing the World for UN Vote Will Be Worse for Israel Than BDS,

“After the settlements censure, Israel’s consul general in New York suggested linking Israeli know-how to diplomatic support. But that would be like cutting off our nose to spite our export markets,” writes Sami Peretz.

Gaza

After years of conflict, Egypt eases Gaza blockade,

Signaling interest in improving ties, Cairo allows more Gazans to exit through Rafah, okays commercial imports for first time since 2013.

The long road to rebuilding Gaza,

More than two years after the 2014 war, displaced citizens are still struggling to survive.