“Neither government officials nor senior military commanders, who devised policy, were responsible for the orders and made operational decisions during the fighting – were ever investigated by any official body nor held to account for their responsibility for the devastating effects of their decisions,” a B’Tselem report concluded.

In bipartisan letter, lawmakers say ‘even well-intentioned initiatives’ on Israel can hinder progress, call on president to remain ‘trusted mediator’.

“The Republican Party and Republican candidates have been moving over the past few years ever more fully into the embrace of Israel’s right-wing government, even more than American politicians in general do,” writes Paul Pillar.

US secretary of state stresses US commitment to peace along with concerns over Palestinian violence and settlements.

“The diplomatic faux pas is indicative of just how impossible it is to distinguish between Israel and its illegal settlements these days,” Edo Konrad writes.

‘I have the distinct feeling that the next time we come back, none of what we are building will be here.’

“Many of the problems in the Middle East today either originated with the occupation of Palestine or have existed in paralleled with it such as a lack of respect for international laws, the violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions, the rise of extremist non-state actors, and the failure to tackle refugee issues and demographic changes,” writes Mina al-Oraibi.

“Pressure, harassment and unadulterated racism is ugly, but it will not stop Palestinian Jerusalemites from insisting that they are not going anywhere. A serious effort needs to be made to address their complaints and honor their right to live and thrive in their city of birth,” writes Daoud Kuttab.

“Right-wing activists keep suing Israeli police — and winning — for false arrests and other abuses of power. Maybe it’s time the state start paying for its abuses against left-wing activists and Palestinians,” writes Yael Marom.

High-ranking Arab politicians in Israel condemned the latest wave of political arrests made by Israeli police on Sunday morning, after 20 officials and activists from a leading party were detained. The arrests are part of an ongoing investigation into the financing of the Balad party, which is one of the few political parties in Israel that represents the views of the Arab minority there.

Palestinians are disappointed by the postponement of the local elections, and with the political divide as deep as ever, the wide disillusionment and frustration plaguing both the West Bank and Gaza is giving way to apathy.

International aid to the Palestinian Authority fell by 70% over the last four years, significantly affecting the Palestinian government’s budget, and consequently, the economy.