Two senior Israeli ministers are calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to opt for early elections, following the resignation of Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman.

“The resignation of Defense Minister Liberman could very well trigger elections as early as next March. Many will be going the polls with one question in mind: how much force should we use against Palestinians?” writes Haggai Matar.

If elections were held today, according to the Israel Television News Company’s poll, Netanyahu’s party would get 29 seats, the first time the party has polled below 30 since March.

Following Defense Minister Lieberman’s resignation, Netanyahu takes the defense portfolio in addition to being the prime minister and foreign affairs minister; he is considering giving up the Foreign Affairs Ministry and keeping the Defense Ministry.

Why did Israel carry out this military operation at a time when many were heralding novel progress in diplomatic steps toward alleviating tensions between Israel and Hamas?

National parks are often declared in order to prohibit Palestinians from building. Now, the Knesset is promoting a bill to ensure that settlers can build in these otherwise forbidden zones.

Companies such as Expedia and Trivago are leading tourists to settlements without telling them in marketing material.

An Israeli military court sentenced Abdullah Abu Rahma, a recognized human rights defender, to 110 days in prison for riding a bicycle during a protest against the occupation two years ago.

Censorship at the border chills the space for free discourse for everyone, marking certain beliefs as “off limits” and blocking at least one important avenue for the free exchange of ideas.

For quite some time, supporters of Israel have worried that they are losing in the court of public opinion. Some pro-Israel organizations also resort to character assassination, smear campaigns, and hardball tactics in response.