“Even as Iranian and American hardliners effectively work toward a common purpose–blocking any moves toward a broader US-Iran détente–progressives must show solidarity toward our Iranian colleagues in their efforts to advance human rights and political reform within Iran, ” writes FMEP President Matt Duss.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has picked as his new chief of public diplomacy a conservative academic who suggested President Obama was anti-Semitic and compared Secretary of State John Kerry’s “mental age” to that of a preteen.

Israel has made an initial request for its annual U.S. defence aid to increase to as much as $5 billion (£3.25 billion) when its current aid package, worth an average $3 billion a year, expires in 2017, U.S. congressional sources said on Wednesday.

A Palestinian man ran over two Israeli border guards near the Halhul junction north of Hebron and was subsequently shot.

“The highest court in the land delays the demolition of a synagogue built atop stolen Palestinian property, fearing retribution by right-wing extremists. Has terrorism officially won in Israel?” asks Michael Omer-Man.

“Hebron does not need an intifada to spark confrontations. The presence of settlers living in small Jewish enclaves within the Palestinian city means countless points of friction,” writes Anshel Pfeffer.

Palestinians from East Jerusalem say they were shot in the face by sponge-tipped bullets while they were at home and posed no threat.

Top PLO official Saeb Erekat warned that the organization was considering rescinding its 1993 recognition of Israel, due to the failure of the current Israeli government to honor the agreements and understandings reached as part of the Oslo Accords.

“As the uprising in the Palestinian territories enters its second month, Palestinians have yet to agree on its nature, objectives and repercussions,” writes Adnan Abu Amer.

53 percent of Palestinians continue to support a two-state solution. Two thirds of respondents believe that it is unlikely President Abbas will terminate provisions of the Oslo Accords. And popular support for a new intifada has risen from 26 percent in July 2015 to 63 percent.

Instead of piloting the opposition while the coalition is leading Israel toward harsh divisions, Zionist Camp leader Isaac Herzog is busy dealing with internal party bickering and threats to his leadership.