The United Church of Christ, one of the largest Protestant denominations in the United States, overwhelmingly approved a resolution Tuesday calling for divestment from companies that profit from Israel’s occupation or control of Palestinian territories, and a boycott of products from Israeli settlements.

The religious salience of and political contestation around the Esplanade, especially among Jews but also Muslims, has been increasing for two decades. This has eroded the status quo arrangement that has mostly kept the peace since Israel captured East Jerusalem in 1967.

In the Palestinian occupied territories, reconciliation programs have various names: “dialogue,” “exchange,” “conflict mitigation,” “peacebuilding,” etc,” writes Nadim Nashif. “This is an indefinitely sustainable business, since the frequently renewed “peace talks” continue to repeat the same cycle of failure – illegally-constructed settlements, occupation, siege, bombardments – and all other human rights violations become even more entrenched. But is it fair to ask Palestinians to begin to engage in dialogue while these violations are taking place?”

“Why is Israel refusing to talk to the PA, which is actually foiling attacks, yet holding indirect talks with Hamas?” asks Avi Issacharoff.

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group has threatened the Palestinian armed group Hamas, vowing to end the faction’s rule in the territory.

One year after Operation Protective Edge, Haaretz sends its top writers to examine what has changed since the 50-day conflict between Israel and Hamas, and to ask whether – or when – the next war will erupt.

“The Israeli siege makes suppression by Hamas even more effective, because there’s nowhere to escape to,” writes Amira Hass.

“Israel and Hamas are directly and indirectly discussing the possibility of a long-term truce, and their main point of convergence is the quest to weaken the Ramallah leadership,” writes Uri Savir.

The Shin Bet security service has, with the help of the IDF and Israel Police, uncovered over the last few months a large Hamas cell active in the city of Nablus and surrounding towns. The news was cleared for publication on Wednesday.