“Israel claims the Palestinian right of return under UN GAR 194 to be an unacceptable “demographic time-bomb,” as the inflow of millions of Palestinians would threaten the “Jewish and democratic” status of Israel,” writes James Spencer. “However, the right being returned is not electoral rights, but property rights and enjoyment thereof. The ownership of property does not confer citizenship rights on the owner—thus there is no electoral issue, no ‘demographic time-bomb.'”

Under the escort of Israeli forces, bulldozers entered the village of Qalandiya on the outskirts of the central occupied West Bank district of Jerusalem late Monday evening, where they demolished 12 homes, according to locals.

B’Tselem says Israel’s wrecking of Palestinian homes in past 7 months exceeds almost every year in past decade.

“Boston-born Hebron settler Baruch Marzel glorifies Arab-killers. We shouldn’t be surprised that one of his regular Shabbat lunchtime guests, Sgt. Elor Azaria, is on trial for shooting dead an incapacitated Palestinian,” writes Larry Derfner.

“Saying Israelis and Palestinians can reach peace without outside intervention is like saying George Wallace and MLK could have ended discrimination without federal help,” writes Peter Beinart.

Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) on Monday compared Israeli settlers to termites while discussing Israel-Palestine relations. “There has been a steady [stream], almost like termites can get into a residence and eat before you know that you’ve been eaten up and you fall in on yourself,” he said.

Following heavy criticism over his decision to postpone the opening of a new public broadcasting corporation to replace the ailing, cash-strapped Israel Broadcasting Authority, Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu, who is also the communications minister, has reached a compromise deal with Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon to launch the new authority by April 30, 2017.

Palestinians working with B’Tselem and other human rights organizations are worried that the new Knesset law will restrict their work.

“In many ways, Israel is recognizing and perpetuating the Hamas government — and not for the first time; it has already done so in multiple ceasefire agreements. Israel needs Hamas and, in consenting to this Qatar payment agreement, is sending an unequivocal message to the Islamists’ leadership in Gaza and elsewhere that it wants to do business, not war,” writes Avi Issacharoff.

Hamas has accepted to participate in the local elections that the Palestinian government announced to be held in October, but some observers believe the current division might obstruct said elections.

PA top diplomat tells Arab League that Britain is responsible for all ‘Israeli crimes’ committed since the end of the mandate in 1948.