From the FMEP Blog
BDS In Perspective, Mitchell Plitnick
In the ten years since it commenced, the global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement (BDS) has slowly but steadily risen in visibility.
Jerusalem
Why Is Jerusalem Exploding Again?, Ha'aretz
“The latest wave of violence centered on the Temple Mount is as predictable as it is virtually unstoppable,” writes Nir Hasson.
'If Israel keeps violating the status quo, this will become a religious war', Local Call
He left Hamas after Oslo, moved to Ramallah, and joined Abbas’ Palestinian Authority. Following the burning of the Dawabsha family and the conflagrations at Al-Aqsa Mosque, Supreme Sharia judge of the Palestinian Authority Dr. Mahmoud al-Habash warns Israel not to test Palestinian patience.
The Sanctity of Provocation on Temple Mount, Ha'aretz
“Al-Aqsa unites and empowers Palestinian resistance initiatives,” writes Amira Hass. “Here, everybody – religious and secular, Christian and Muslim, Fatah and Hamas – are united.”
East Jerusalem clashes continue for 3rd day, Ma'an News
Clashes broke out in the neighborhoods of occupied East Jerusalem for the third consecutive day on Thursday as tensions continue to run high following increased violence at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, locals said.
Occupation/Human rights
Iceland's capital votes to boycott all Israeli products, The Jerusalem Post
Iceland’s capital Reykjavík passed a resolution Tuesday stating the municipality will boycott all products made in Israel, a move blasted in Israel as a “volcano of hate.” The motion states that the city of Reykjavík will boycott Israeli goods “as long as the occupation of Palestinian territories continues.”
US-Israel relations
GOP candidates united in disdain for Obama, support for Israel, The Times of Israel
Republican presidential candidates sparred Wednesday evening over foreign policy, especially the future of the nuclear deal with Iran and the legacy of the war in Iraq. But in a debate that at times descended into personal attacks, candidates largely seemed to share complete disdain for President Barack Obama’s diplomatic legacy — and passionate support for Israel.
Palestinian politics
Abbas: Blood of ‘martyrs’ spilled on Temple Mount is ‘pure’, The Times of Israel
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday hailed the Palestinian rioters on the Temple Mount, saying any blood spilled in defense of the holy site was “pure.”
Israeli politics
Jerusalem mayor: Israel too ‘merciful’ to Palestinian rioters, The Times of Israel
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat declared “war” against Palestinian youths who throw firebombs and rocks in the capital, saying police must use live ammunition if they are to counter escalating attacks against them and against Jewish civilians.