The Senate’s new anti-Semitism guidelines stifle debate on Israel/Palestine

What We’re Reading

US-Israel relations

Opinion: A dumb and dangerous way to fight anti-Semitism,

“Without debate or an actual vote, the U.S. Senate stealthily passed a disturbing and dangerous piece of legislation that would require the Department of Education (DOE) to apply the State Department’s definition of anti-Semitism in evaluating complaints of discrimination on U.S. campuses,” writes James Zogby.

Kerry tells Israeli right: You're deliberately sabotaging peace process,

US Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday accused right-wing Israelis of deliberately thwarting efforts to broker a peace deal with the Palestinians.

Nearly half of Americans support sanctions on Israel, poll finds,

“The number of Americans who support imposing sanctions on Israel over its defiant settlement policies has shot up to 46 percent, the same percentage of Americans who voted for Donald Trump in the presidential election,” writes Mike Omer-Man.

Kushner Foundation Donated to West Bank Settlement Projects, Israeli Army,

Donations include small sum to a radical yeshiva in Yitzhar that has served as a base for violent attacks against Palestinians villages and Israeli security forces.

Palestinian politics

At Fatah congress, Rajoub — and Abbas — walk away with big wins,

The Palestinian news agencies on Sunday published the first results in the Fatah Central Committee elections for key positions in the political party. Coming in first place was Marwan Barghouti, held in Israeli prison for murder after orchestrating deadly terror attacks during the Second Intifada, followed by Jibril Rajoub, the head of the Palestinian Football Association (PFA).

Palestinian President Abbas gets boost in Fatah congress vote,

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas kept a strong grip on his Fatah movement in an election in which his loyalists remained dominant in its top decision-making body, final results showed on Sunday.

Occupation/Human rights

Israel's Lehava stirs 'anarchy' in Jerusalem,

The far-right group stokes hatred and incites followers to violence against Palestinians, say analysts.

Expel and Exploit: A new B’Tselem report surveys the Israeli practice of taking over rural Palestinian land,

About two weeks ago, Israel’s Ministerial Committee for Legislative Affairs approved the Regulation Bill, which is meant to retroactively grant legitimacy to dispossessing Palestinians of land, including duly registered privately owned land. A new report released by B’Tselem illustrates how dispossession of Palestinians was never a matter contingent on this legislation.

The PA should take Israel to the ICC over illegal settlement bill,

Israeli officials know the bill, which would retroactively legalise settlements on Palestinian land, violates international law.

Israeli politics

Bennett, Netanyahu, Kahlon break settlement impasse, wait for A-G’s OK,

The coalition partners agreed to move forward without the so called “Amona article,” which would have overturned longstanding High Court of Justice rulings.