Palestinian politics
Fatah: Communications launched with Hamas to resolve political crisis, Ma'an News
Direct and indirect communications are underway between Fatah and Hamas leaders, a member of Fatah’s central committee said on Thursday, in order for the two movements to take “practical steps towards ending the conflict” between the two political factions, which was aggravated last weekend when the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority (PA) cut the salaries of their Gaza-based employees.
Palestine retold: Tragic anniversaries are not only about remembrance, Ma'an News
For Palestinians, 2017 is a year of significant anniversaries.
US-Israel relations
BDS activists defy US moves to curb Palestine advocacy, Al Jazeera
“We’re seeing an increase in efforts to stifle Palestine advocacy work,” said Rahul Saksena, staff lawyer at Palestine Legal. “One of the more recent trends is a shift towards state lawmakers to introduce and pass bills that aim to suppress or punish activism.”
Opinion: Don't conflate legitimate criticism of Israeli policy with anti-Semitism, Penn Live
“The effort to conflate anti-Semitism and BDS has already had chilling effects, stifling debate and maligning individuals,” write James Zogby and Amy Kaplan.
Occupation/Human rights
China urges establishment of Palestinian state, The Jerusalem Post
PA Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki welcomed the statements made by Yi and said that China should play more of a role in the peace process as it is “a good friend to both parties.”
Israeli politics
Bayit Yehudi candidate calls to censor Koran, re-educate Palestinians, The Jerusalem Post
Arabs must go through a lengthy process to prove their loyalty to Israel that includes studying only censored versions of the Koran in order to obtain citizenship, according to a new English diplomatic plan released Thursday by Rabbi Yitzhak Zagha, who is running against incumbent Bayit Yehudi chairman Naftali Bennett in the party’s April 27 leadership race.
In Israel, Smuggling Hummus and Fries Inside a Shower Kit, Ha'aretz
No other nation in the world searches bags to find forbidden foods, except possibly Iran. The Passover chametz police are more Israeli than Mobileye or Amos Oz.
Gaza
Egypt: Confirm Detention of Missing Palestinians, Human Rights Watch
Egyptian authorities should immediately disclose whether they are or were holding four Palestinian men from Gaza affiliated with Hamas whose whereabouts are unknown, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to Interior Minister Magdy Abd al-Ghaffar. The Palestinians were taken away by armed men after crossing from Gaza to Egypt nearly 20 months ago.
Israel moves forward with barrier to block Hamas tunnels, Al-Monitor
As Israel prepares to erect underground barriers to prevent Hamas from digging tunnels, some worry that the movement will act to obstruct its construction.