2 dead in clashes over Temple Mount; Israel-backed insurance fueled early settlements

What We’re Reading

Jerusalem

Major New Crisis on the Temple Mount/Haram al Sharif: Latest Developments,

As of this writing – 10am EST on July 21, tensions in East Jerusalem and the West Bank are running high but violence remains contained, at least relative to how bad things could be. This is an ongoing, evolving crisis.

Everything you need to know about tensions at Jerusalem's holiest site,

Over the last week a series of escalating events on the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif has threatened peace and security at the holy site and for Jerusalem as a whole. Ir Amim have created the following primer to help make sense of these rapidly spiraling events and to raise the call for a swift, agreed resolution of the current conflict.

2 Palestinians reported killed in riots over Temple Mount metal detectors,

Two Palestinians were killed in clashes between rioters and police in Jerusalem over the Israeli government’s decision to keep in place indefinitely metal detectors at the entrance to the Temple Mount, the Palestinian media reported.

Jordan, Israel trade barbs as tension over Al-Aqsa continues,

While Jordan and Israel are keen to preserve the peace treaty and maintain top intelligence and security coordination, the issue of Al-Aqsa Mosque remains a potential deal breaker.

Occupation/Human rights

Insurance against political risk: Settlements and the Yanai governmental insurance corporation,

Archival records, now declassified at Akevot’s request, tell the story of the financial safety net Israeli government provided for commercial companies and settlement agencies beyond the Green Line.

Netanyahu’s Message to the World: Accept Israel as It Is, Occupier and Settler,

” On his Europe trip, the prime minister criticized the Trump administration amid its weakness in Congress. Now he hopes Israel’s corruption investigators will be deterred by his tough talk,” writes Aluf Benn.

US-Israeli/Palestinian relations

The First Amendment Protects the Right to Boycott Israel,

No matter what you think about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, one thing is clear: The First Amendment protects the right to engage in political boycotts.

America's BDS law is an attack on far more than free speech,

“The world long ago made clear to the Palestinians that violence is not a legitimate path for them. Now Congress is trying to criminalize their civil disobedience as well,” writes Michael Omer-Man.

Senators Behind Anti-BDS Bill Say It Won’t Infringe On Free Speech,

Senators behind a bill designed to fight the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaign are pushing back against claims by civil rights groups that their legislation would restrict free speech rights of those wishing to boycott Israel.

Abbas asks Jared Kushner to force Israel to remove metal detectors,

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas spoke by phone late Thursday with Jared Kushner, senior adviser to US President Donald Trump, reportedly to ask that the White House pressure Israel to remove metal detectors installed at the Temple Mount following last Friday’s deadly terror attack.