US ‘reviewing participation’ in UN human rights body over Israel

What We’re Reading

US-Israel relations

U.S. seeks end to U.N. rights council's 'obsession' with Israel,

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration is reviewing its participation in the U.N. Human Rights Council, seeking reform of its agenda and an end to its “obsession with Israel”, a senior U.S. official said on Wednesday.

Congressmen introduce bill to create Israeli-Palestinian peace fund,

Two congressmen introduced a measure to establish and provide money for an international fund to promote peace between Israel and Palestinians.

Palestinian politics

PA says elections to be held in West Bank only,

Hamas, which had threatened to boycott May’s vote, says leaving out Gaza is a ‘recipe for division.’

Occupation/Human rights

Israel demolishes infrastructure, leaving Palestinian farmers without water for domestic and agricultural needs,

In January and February 2017, Israeli authorities demolished water supply infrastructure in two areas in the West Bank.

Opinion: Netanyahu and the 'apartheid state',

“Under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the term “apartheid state” has gone from being a label to becoming substance,” writes Akiva Eldar.

'I'm part of a dying breed that believes in two states',

The election of Donald Trump has emboldened fears that the two-state solution will officially be tossed into the dustbin of history. But in an interview with +972, J Street President Jeremy Ben Ami is undeterred, steadfast in his belief that two states is the only solution.

Are Israel's border police blocking entry of human rights activists?,

Human rights organizations claim that Israel’s border police prevent the entry of activists who are critical of the government’s occupation policy.

Gaza

Gaza: ‘Unlawful Combatants Law’ Violates Rights,

Israel has been detaining Palestinian residents of Gaza under an obscure law that strips away meaningful judicial review and due process rights, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights and Human Rights Watch said today.