Ban Ki-Moon’s Inconvenient Truths

What We’re Reading

From the FMEP Blog

Ban Ki-Moon’s Inconvenient Truths,

“No one seriously would argue that the Shin Bet and the IDF are trying to justify Palestinian terrorism. Neither was Ambassador Shapiro. And neither is the UN Secretary-General, as he made clear in his initial remarks, and again in today’s op-ed,” writes FMEP President Matt Duss.

US-Israel relations

Tom Cotton's New Law Would Allow A Product Made In Gaza To Be Labeled 'Made in Israel',

Slamming what he characterized as a global effort to “delegitimize Israel,” Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) introduced a new bill on Monday that would reverse decades of U.S. policy and allow goods produced in the West Bank and Gaza to be labeled “Made in Israel” when they are sold in the U.S.

Occupation/Human rights

Almost All West Bank Land Deals for Illegal Settlements Forged, Investigation Finds,

A fraud squad investigation has revealed that 14 of 15 supposed real estate acquisitions made by Al-Watan, a company run by pro-settlement activist Ze’ev Hever, were forged.

More than a dozen buildings demolished by Israel in West Bank,

Israeli forces demolished at least a dozen buildings in a disputed military zone in the southern West Bank on Tuesday, leaving a number of families homeless, authorities and residents said.

Why the Israeli debate on the occupation misses the point,

“In the eyes of most Israelis, democracy consists of two Jews arguing over the fate of the Palestinian,” writes Noam Sheizaf.

Palestinian politics

What makes Palestinian security officials turn on Israelis?,

“The reality in the West Bank has pushed some Palestinians to enforce an occupation against their own people,” writes Edo Konrad.

Israeli politics

How Im Tirtzu dominates Israel's public debate,

“While its campaign of intimidation against supposed left-wing Israeli artists seems to have backfired, Im Tirtzu’s role in Israel’s current political climate cannot be understated,” writes Mairav Zonszein.