US criticizes Israeli move to legalize settlement outposts

What We’re Reading

US-Israel relations

US slams Israeli plan to 'legalise' settlement outposts,

State department spokeswoman said the US is “deeply concerned” over proposed bill to retroactively legalise outposts.

AIPAC Quietly Removes Two-State Solution From Peace Process Talking Points,

The term “two-state solution” appears elsewhere on AIPAC’s revised website, but not on its main page devoted to the peace process.

Israeli politics

The West Bank outpost champion,

By advancing the Regularization bill for legalizing West Bank outposts, HaBayit HaYehudi Chair Naftali Bennett shows the settlers that he is fighting for their cause.

Bill that bans boycotters from country progresses,

A bill meant to prevent people who call for the boycott of Israel from entering the country passed a first reading in the Knesset on Monday night.

Settlers vow resistance against demolition of homes,

Palestinian politics

UN envoy warns West Bank camp could ‘explode’,

The UN’s top official on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process said Monday he was concerned the West Bank’s largest refugee camp could “explode” if intra-Palestinian clashes worsen, during a rare visit to the Balata camp.

Abbas affirms Palestinians to attend French peace talks,

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas affirmed his commitment to a French-led international peace conference Monday, days after Israel reiterated that it would boycott the effort.

Abbas cuts salaries to dozens backing rival Dahlan,

In an unprecedented step, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has stopped paying the salaries of 57 PA officials in Gaza because of their alleged support for his rival, the former high-ranking Fatah official, Muhammad Dahlan.

Palestinians condemn Israeli bills on outposts, mosques,

Proposed legislation allowing confiscation of private land and silencing of mosque “noise” could lead to “catastrophe”.