From the FMEP Blog
Policy Brief: Israel’s “Formalization” Law, Mitchell Plitnick
“The so-called “formalization law” would open the door to the complete marginalization of the High Court in Israel,” writes Mitchell Plitnick.
Israeli politics
Israel’s Alarming Settlement Bill, The New York Times
Right-wing Israeli politicians see Donald Trump’s election as helpful towardtheir goal of burying the prospect of a Palestinian state. On Wednesday, Israeli lawmakers gave preliminary approval to a bill that would retroactively legalize settlements built on private Palestinian land in the West Bank.
Likud official: Netanyahu, not Bennett responsible for outpost bill, The Times of Israel
An official in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party on Wednesday claimed key coalition partner Jewish Home was unfairly taking credit for the Knesset passing a preliminary reading of the controversial bill to legalize West Bank outposts earlier that day.
Coalition whip says outpost legalization bill can’t save Amona, The Times of Israel
Coalition chairman David Bitan on Wednesday admitted that legislation would not save the Amona outpost from its court-ordered demolition, as various proposals to recognize illegal West Bank construction cleared the first legislative hurdle in the Knesset.
Lieberman: Trump's team asks Israel to only build within settlement blocs, Ynet News
Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Wednesday afternoon that US President-elect Donald Trump’s close circle has been communicating messages to Jerusalem asking that Israel only builds within the existing settlement blocs in the West Bank.