Occupation/Human rights
Israelis refuse to leave illegal 'wildcat' West Bank settlement, Middle East Eye
Residents of the illegal Amona settlement say they will not abide by court order, sparking fears of violence on 25 December deadline.
Amona residents call for passive resistance ahead of evacuation, The Times of Israel
Residents expected to be removed next week; activist arrested for inciting violence, including threats to kill education minister.
Palestinians preparing new Security Council draft – report, The Times of Israel
Aim is to win UN approval for resolution condemning settlements before Obama leaves office.
Israel strands Bedouin in their own village, Local Call
The sudden and unannounced removal of a Bedouin village’s only bus stop, by Israel’s Transport Ministry, has placed the community under de facto closure.
Israeli politics
Activist arrested over alleged threats to murder Israeli minister, The Jerusalem Post
A 22-year-old Israeli right-wing activist was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of threatening to murder Education and Diaspora Affairs Minister Affairs Naftali Bennett, as part of his protest against the government decision to evacuate the Amona outpost in the West Bank.
US-Israel relations
In US, Palestinians say they want negotiated two-state solution, The Times of Israel
Visiting Palestinian delegation holds talks with Kerry, but no meetings yet set with Trump team.
Palestinian politics
Exiled Abbas rival sentenced to three years in absentia over corruption, Middle East Eye
Mohamed Dahlan was expelled from Abbas’s Fatah party in 2011 and now lives in exile in the UAE.
Opinion: Abbas comes out of Fatah congress stronger than ever, Al-Monitor
“The Fatah seventh congress concluded without any changes: Mahmoud Abbas strengthened his position within the movement, and the former leaders remained in their positions,” writes Ahmad Melhem.