“The autistic Palestinian man who was shot dead by a Border Police officer in East Jerusalem in May did not pose a danger to anyone and there was no need to fire at him, said the commander of the force that pursued Eyad Hallaq and cornered him in a trash room in the Old City. The commander, whose name has not been released for publication, told investigators from the Justice Ministry department that probes allegations of police misconduct that he ordered his partner multiple times during the incident to hold his fire. His partner, whose name is also barred for publication, ignored him, firing two bullets from his assault rifle at Hallaq’s torso.” Also see: Times of Israel – Officer reportedly says he told cop not to shoot autistic Palestinian

“The last months have seen Israel crack down on cultural figures and intellectuals in the occupied territories. Critics say the attacks are part of a larger strategy of suppressing Palestinian civil society.”

“Residents of the West Bank village of Sebastia say the military order was the result of pressure by Israeli settlers who visit its famed archeological site.”

“In three decades of failed peace efforts, the Palestinians have never faced a more hostile U.S. administration, a more self-assured Israel or a more ambivalent international community. But even as their hopes for statehood have never seemed so dim, there’s no indication their aging leadership will change course. President Mahmoud Abbas remains committed to the same strategy he has pursued for decades — seeking international support to pressure Israel to agree to a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem, lands Israel seized in the 1967 Mideast war.”

“A 39-year-old man was fatally stabbed in central Israel Wednesday by a Palestinian from the West Bank, who was later arrested at the scene by the Israel Police. The attacker, a 46-year-old from a village near Nablus with a valid Israeli work permit, is being questioned by the Shin Bet. Police said that according to the investigation it is suspected that the attacker had political motives.” Also see: Israel Hayom – Slain rabbi laid to rest, Shin Bet probes attacker’s background; Arutz Sheva – After stabbing attack, new community established in Samaria; Haaretz – Palestinian Suspect in Fatal Stabbing Suffered From Depression, Wasn’t Politically Active, Brother Says; Times of Israel – IDF raids home of Palestinian terror suspect after deadly stabbing; Times of Israel – Netanyahu vows to raze Palestinian suspect’s home after fatal attack; Jerusalem Post – IDF maps house of Petah Tikva terror suspect

“Reports that Israel is compiling lists of officials who might be arrested during travel abroad if the International Criminal Court decides to investigate war crimes in Palestine highlight the power and potential of the Court. Al-Shabaka policy analysts Dana Farraj and Asem Khalil discuss three key indicators that support the strong possibility of ICC intervention against alleged war criminals.”

“Instead of strategy accepting Hamas will stay in power, Israel has taken a confused line – accusing group of holding Gazans hostage, while also imposing economic sanctions.”

“Fears are mounting for the safety of people with health issues as already-strained hospitals are largely without power and the Palestinian territory faces a coronavirus outbreak. Two million residents are surviving on only four hours of electricity a day after Israel cut off the fuel supply, leading to the shut down of Gaza’s sole power plant last week.”

“Health authorities in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip will extend its coronavirus lockdown for another 72 hours amid growing fears of an outbreak in the territory. This week saw Gaza’s first infections outside of quarantine facilities. A wider outbreak could overwhelm the ailing health care system in the densely populated Strip, which is home to some 2 million Palestinians. Hamas, the terrorist group that controls the enclave, announced a 48-hour curfew on Tuesday after finding four cases. On Wednesday, the number of confirmed cases rose to 60, and three people died of the virus.” Also see: Israel Hayom – Gaza coronavirus lockdown extended by 72 hours after infections spread; Haaretz – Gaza Demands Medical Equipment From Israel as Coronavirus Lockdown Extended; Jerusalem Post – Palestinian factions blame Israel for coronavirus ‘catastrophe’ in Gaza; YNet – Gaza man dies of COVID-19 amid first lockdown

“Firefighting officials say blazes have been relatively small and were brought under control, at no point presenting threats to nearby communities.”

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emerged victorious in the political crisis of the past several weeks, according to a new poll taken by Panels Research for the Maariv newspaper that is owned by The Jerusalem Post.The poll asked 537 respondents representing a statistical sample of the Israeli adult population on Wednesday who the main victor was in the standoff. Thirty-six percent said  Netanyahu, 15% said Yamina leader Naftali Bennett, nine percent opposition leader Yair Lapid and only eight percent said Blue and White leader Benny Gantz. One percent said Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman. Thirty-one percent said they did not know.”

“Gantz says Netanyahu sowing societal rifts, hints he’s pushing elections due to corruption trial; Likud accuses rivals of sabotaging government from within.”

“Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi said Thursday that Israeli policy ‘moved from annexation to normalization,’ in the wake of the U.S.-brokered deal to normalize ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates. Ashkenazi spoke during a joint press conference with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas in Berlin. ‘I think it’s very clear and it’s very tangible that Israel government policy moved from annexation to normalization. That’s real, that’s concrete,’ Ashkenazi said.”

“‘This is not the West coming to enlighten the natives, so to speak. This is two different cultures, and they need to learn from each other,’ says University of Haifa president Ron Robin.”

“Israeli investment experts say although the Emiratis have excess amounts of money, there are ‘not enough places to invest it in the Middle East,’ making Israel the perfect option as long as Arab investors overcome their deep-seated animosity towards the Jewish state.”

“Top UAE and Israeli defense officials on Tuesday held their first publicly-acknowledged phone call since their countries’ agreement to normalize ties, officials said, heralding possible security cooperation. The conversation between Defense Minister Benny Gantz and his Emirati counterpart Mohammed al-Bawardi came amid Israeli dissent at the prospect that the US-brokered deal could grant the Gulf power access to advanced weaponry previously denied to it, such as F-35 stealth fighter jets.”

“‘We know that there are more agreements to formalise between the UAE and Israel, but you have taken the first step and I have no doubt that the other steps will come into place, and that’s one of the reasons why Secretary Pompeo is here,’ Morgan Ortagus, Spokesperson for the US Department of State, told WAM in an interview. ‘With respect to the F-35 or any military hardware or infrastructure, I keep reminding people that it is important to know that the UAE and US’ military and security relationship is robust and has been there for decades. Since the Gulf War, the US had sold military aircraft and hardware, F-16s, and others to the UAE,’ she added. This is not a new relationship; this is a sophisticated relationship that we have had for decades,’ she continued.” Also see: Haaretz – Sale of F-35, Other ‘Elements’ to UAE Still ‘On the Table’, Says U.S. Official

“Despite the risks attached to free speech in the Gulf autocracy, some Emiratis are prepared to speak out against the ‘betrayal’ of the Palestinian cause. A network of Emirati activists have launched a campaign against Abu Dhabi’s recent normalisation pact with Israel. Besides demonstrating that support for the disputed deal in the UAE is far from universal, the statement by the group called the Emirati Resistance Union against Normalisation (ERUN) comes amid a crackdown on any form of dissent by the country’s autocratic crown prince, Mohammed bin Zayed. Founding members of the group include both Emiratis living inside the country and those based in other countries.”

“US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday visited Oman’s new sultan, the last stop on a Middle East trip that sought to build on an American-brokered deal to have Israel and the United Arab Emirates normalize relations. However, he returned home after stops in Bahrain, Oman and Sudan apparently empty-handed with none of the conservative Arab nations willing for now to follow Abu Dhabi in normalizing ties with the Jewish state.”

“A prominent Jordanian cartoonist has reportedly been arrested late on Wednesday night following a caricature, in which he sarcastically addressed the tensions between the UAE and Israel only a few weeks after a normalization deal between the two countries was announced by the US President Donald Trump.”

“Cairo has reportedly instructed local media outlets not to publish content criticizing the recent UAE-Israel normalization deal in another blow to press freedom in the country.”

“The United States will assist normalization between Bahrain and Israel if needed, a senior US State Department official said during a visit by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Bahrain on Wednesday. Pompeo is on a Middle East tour following a US-brokered accord between Israel and the United Arab Emirates to normalize relations announced on Aug. 13. ‘If we can help facilitate normalization with Bahrain we’re ready,’ the official said.”

“Israel and the US are increasingly certain that relations between Israel and Sudan will soon see a breakthrough. A senior official in the US administration told Israel Hayom on Tuesday that within a ‘few weeks,’ Sudan would announce it was about to make peace with Israel. ‘We’re close, and it will happen,’ the official said. Diplomatic officials in Israel confirmed that recent days have seen the start of something new between Khartoum and Jerusalem.” Also see: Al-Monitor: Pompeo floats ending Sudan’s terror designation amid push for Israel ties

“Regional coordination and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict were the central topics at a trilateral summit between Jordan, Egypt and Iraq on Tuesday. Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi ‘reaffirmed the centrality of the Palestinian cause,’ at the summit, stressing that the conflict must be resolved according to international law, UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.”

“Bahrain said Wednesday it was committed to the creation of a Palestinian state in talks with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, implicitly rejecting his push for Arab countries to swiftly normalise ties with Israel. Pompeo was in Manama as part of a Middle East trip aimed at building more ties between the Jewish state and the Arab world after a landmark US-brokered deal with the United Arab Emirates.” Also see: The New Arab – Pompeo meets with Bahrain crown prince amid Middle East charm offensive & Bahrain recommits to two-state solution despite push for Israel deal

“Arab populations are aware of creeping normalization, and some no longer feel able to voice their generalized resentments by venting anger at Israel. By not providing their publics with another safe target for their rage, the Arab autocrats are taking a chance. When their citizens can no longer safely blame Israel, they are more likely to blame their own rulers for corrupt and failing systems. If faced with another instance of mass unrest, which is likely to occur as a result of persistently low oil prices and shifting social bargains especially in the Gulf countries, MBZ and other rulers may rue their willingness to sell out the Palestinians.”

“‘The hard truth is you won’t be safe in Joe Biden’s America,’Pence told the crowd seated on a lawn at historic Fort McHenry in Baltimore. Pence added that a vote for President Trump is also a vote for law and order worldwide. Stating that this administration has ‘Stood up to our enemies and we’ve stood with our allies. Like when President Trump kept his word and moved the American embassy to Jerusalem, the capital of the state of Israel, setting the stage for the first Arab country to recognize Israel in 26 years.’”

“‘The president exited the US from the disastrous nuclear deal with Iran and squeezed the Ayatollah, Hezbollah, and Hamas,’ US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says in special speech to Republican National Convention from Jerusalem.”

“Would-be VP says Democratic presidential candidate will not ‘tie security assistance to any political decisions Israel makes’; also vows to ‘work with allies’ to bolster Iran JCPOA.”

“Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden’s campaign on Wednesday castigated US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for addressing the GOP convention from Jerusalem, calling the move a violation of ethics and an attempt to politicize Israel for US President Donald Trump’s gain.”

“Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on Wednesday called the previous night’s exchange of fire with Israel an ‘important and sensitive’ incident. ‘What happened yesterday in South Lebanon is an important and sensitive measure for us, but I will not comment on it. I will instead leave it until a later point in time,’ he said in an address marking the upcoming Ashura Islamic holiday that was broadcast on Hezbollah’s al-Manar TV channel. According to the IDF’s initial investigation of the incident, at 10:40 p.m. on Tuesday Hezbollah snipers fired two shots from a small arms weapon at combat intelligence troops operating near the Israeli community of Manara close to the Lebanese border. The shots, fired from 200-300 meters (660-990 feet) away, missed their target, hitting a nearby object.”

“Israel is worried that a security incident late Aug. 25 on the border fence with Lebanon means that Hezbollah intends to escalate tensions.”