Settler leaders to attend Trump inauguration

What We’re Reading

US-Israel relations

Settler leaders to attend Trump inauguration,

Israeli settlers will have representation at US President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Friday, with Samaria Regional Council Head Yossi Dagan, Efrat Mayor Oded Revivi and Ma’ale Adumim Mayor Benny Kashriel set to attend.

Peace process

The Two-State Solution’s Silver Bullet,

“If the international community cannot come to recognize the State of Palestine before Trump takes office, the State of Palestine may ultimately be reconstituted from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River,” writes Sam Bahour.

Full text of Paris peace conference closing declaration,

Over 70 countries — but not the UK — declare negotiated solution with two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security is the only way to achieve enduring peace.

Mitvim Analysis on Recent Developments regarding the Middle East Peace Process ,

Mitvim experts offer analysis on the Paris peace conference, the John Kerry speech, the UN Security Council resolution, and possible US Mideast policies under Trump.

68% of Israelis Support Two-State Solution: J Street Poll,

Surprisingly, the J Street poll found that support for two states has actually grown since a 2014 poll that said that 62% of Israelis prefer two states.

Occupation/Human rights

Opinion: The dangerous new myth of 'Palestinian defeat',

“The idea that Israel must ‘defeat’ the Palestinians by demoralizing them until they accept whatever solution is forced upon them is gaining traction on the Right,” write Nathan Hersh and Abe Silberstein.

New Israeli campaign pushes racism in guise of two-state solution,

“Former top generals and commanders in Israel have launched a new campaign that pushes for unilateral separation from Palestinians. But their messaging reminds us just how racist the notion of a Palestinian ‘demographic threat’ really is,” writes Mairav Zonszein.

Gaza

Gaza Palestinian sets himself on fire as tension grips Hamas-run enclave,

Motivation for suicide attempt unknown, but comes as Strip’s Islamic terrorist rulers face fierce dissent over severe energy crisis.

Israeli politics

Caught on tape: Netanyahu pulling the media strings,

Leaked audio tapes – recorded from meetings in 2014 – have allegedly revealed how Netanyahu tried to negotiate a deal with Arnon Mozes, the owner of the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, and a man Netanyahu has repeatedly called his media nemesis.

Two months on, still no evidence of a 'fire intifada' in Israel,

“The Israeli media and politicians’ narrative of a Palestinian ‘arson intifada’ remains in place, despite there not being even a shred of evidence to support their story,” writes Haggai Matar.