Progressives in Israel are facing attacks on their free speech from the country’s right wing, in what activists say is a concerted effort by right wing NGOs and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.

“Egypt, the Palestinians and even the United States itself favor greater involvement by Quartet members in restarting a more even-handed, two-state solution process,” writes Uri Savir.

The Israeli army is to return West Bank land it requisitioned nearly 40 years ago to its Palestinian owners in what a human rights group called an “extremely unusual” move. Israeli rights group Yesh Din said that the army had taken the decision to surrender control of the land after it petitioned the High Court late last year. The decision, which spares the army a potentially lengthy court case, will see more than 420 acres of what used to be valuable farmland restored to its original owners, Yesh Din said.

“The strong anti-Israeli sentiment, the incitement in Egyptian media and cinema industry didn’t prevent Menachem Begin from signing the peace accords with Egypt,” writes Ksenia Svetlova.

“It seems that the Palestinian Authority is facing greater turmoil than ever before. The Palestinian street in the West Bank is simmering with anger and frustration. Teachers are on strike and university students are joining them,” writes Gershon Baskin.

A delegation from the Palestinian Authority (PA) officially warned Israeli authorities several days ago that the Palestinian government would end its security coordination with Israel if the state did not “commit to past agreements,” a member of the PLO executive committee told Ma’an.