Top news stories from Israel/Palestine: November 20, 2017

What We’re Reading

US-Israeli/Palestinian relations

Palestinians to suspend US ties if PLO office closed,

Palestinian officials have warned that they will freeze all communication with the US, following steps by the Trump administration to close the Palestine Liberation Organisation’s (PLO) office in Washington, DC.

After PLO halts ties with US, Arab League steps in to salvage peace process,

The Arab League has reportedly approached the United States government regarding its recent decision to punitively shut down the office of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in Washington D.C, over the Palestinian leadership’s efforts to bring Israel before the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Occupation/Human rights

Jerusalem Fast-tracks Planned Cable Car to Western Wall Despite Criticism,

73 cars, 3,000 passengers per hour: Opponents fear a proposal to alleviate Old City traffic would be ‘Disneyland-like’ and subvert public interest in favor of settlers.

'You are all traitors': The political persecution of Breaking the Silence,

“That the minister of justice can singlehandedly launch an investigation against the anti-occupation group is a symptom of the decline of the rule of law and creeping authoritarianism within the Green Line,” writes Joshua Leifer.

Israel's Attorney General Paves Way for Legalization of at Least 13 West Bank Outposts,

Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit’s legal opinion on the expropriation of private Palestinian land may have discussed the outpost of Harsha, but the Civil Administration’s maps in the West Bank show that even the narrowest interpretation of Mendelblit’s opinion could lead to the legalization of at least 13 West Bank outposts.

Is Palestinian reconciliation good or bad for Israel? That’s not the question.,

“Instead of playing the part of a neutral observer commenting on political developments outside of its control, Israel should acknowledge the large degree of control it wields over civilian life in the Palestinian territory and make further decisions that benefit lives in the region as a whole,” writes Amir Rotem.

Israel to demolish Palestinian structures in Hebron Hills,

Israeli authorities reportedly notified Palestinians on Sunday of a decision to demolition residential and agricultural structures in the south Hebron Hills, or Masafer Yatta area, of the southern occupied West Bank district of Hebron.

Israel’s president rejects pardon request for soldier who shot downed Palestinian terrorist,

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin rejected a request to pardon a former Israeli soldier convicted of shooting and killing an injured Palestinian terrorist as he lay on the ground.