The buildings were also located in Area C — the more than 60 percent of the West Bank under full Israeli civil and military control. Demolitions of Palestinian infrastructure and residences occur frequently in Area C, with the Jordan Valley’s Bedouin and herding communities being particularly vulnerable to such policies….In response to a request for comment, a spokesperson for the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), the Israeli agency responsible for enforcing Israeli policies in the occupied Palestinian territory, told Ma’an that a total of 15 structures were demolished in the area, due to their proximity to “the archaeological site of the Hasmonean palaces in Jericho.”

Yesterday (Wednesday, 13 Sept. 2017), representatives of the Israeli military and the Civil Administration (CA) came to the Palestinian community of Khan al-Ahmar, which lies east of Jerusalem, and notified residents that their only remaining option is to move to al-Jabal West – a “relocation” site allocated to the community without consulting them next to the Adu Dis garbage dump. The community’s lawyer, Att. Shlomo Lecker, had expressly informed the Civil Administration officer in charge that he is not permitted to meet with his clients without his consent and presence – yet the CA went ahead regardless.

Oren Haber of Ir Amim writes, “Following the eviction of the Shamasneh family from its home in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah, Haaretz publisher Amos Schocken tweeted, ‘Mine is mine, but yours is also mine. Shameful double standard of Israel.’ After the Shamasneh family was removed from its home, settlers quickly entered, escorted by police forces. Where is the double standard here, one might ask. After all, the Shamasneh family lost its court case and was lawfully evicted. But while Israeli law enables property that was under Jewish ownership to 1948 – and passed into the hands of the Jordanian Custodian of Enemy Property, before coming under Israeli authority after 1967 – to be reclaimed by its owners, Palestinians who owned property in West Jerusalem do not enjoy a similar prerogative.”

China recently proposed a new four-point plan to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Is this a major departure along a new track that challenges US hegemony and European passivity? Or is China simply pursuing its own economic interests in the guise of peacemaker?

Amos Harel writes, “Hamas’ latest moves in the Gaza Strip, coupled with its rapprochement with Egypt, may indicate that it’s trying to ensure that the calm in Gaza continues. A delegation of senior Hamas officials is in Cairo this week for talks, mainly about easing Egypt’s blockade of Gaza. And, in a very unusual move, Hamas has actually agreed to pay for some of the fuel Gaza’s power plant needs.”

The Palestinian Prisoners Club on Wednesday quashed rumors about its reported demise, saying there are now no plans to disband it. The announcement followed stories at the weekend that the Palestinian Authority had suspended its funding of the group. According to the prisoners club, the stories about its closure were unfounded rumors.

The danger that Netanyahu represents is inherent in his principles: They are antithetical to democracy, oppress Palestinians who live under Israeli rule in the occupied territories, and promise endless conflict. The danger posed by Trump is quite different: He is a man devoid of principles except self-aggrandizement, a man lacking intelligence, driven by whim, yet capable of manipulating masses, and he is leader of the most powerful country on earth.

The aim of this portrait series is to show the people and their cultures, customs, beauty and diversity, as well as some of their problems and pain.