In the wake of Israel’s announcement of hundreds of more units in West Bank settlements, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted a page on its website articulating its view that building in the occupied West Bank is legal under international law. FMEP’s Mitchell Plitnick assesses its claims.

Move comes amid diplomatic tussle between Israel and US over new West Bank homes; Israeli ambassador to the UN Danny Danon accuses Palestinians of using international community to ‘harm Israel’.

Palestinians are not convinced by the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) justifications for delaying a UN Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlement activity.

“The Salafi organization that fired a rocket at Sderot on Wednesday is trying to get Israel to bring down Hamas’s rule so that it can take its place. In response, the IDF is targeting Hamas’s offensive infrastructure to increase its motivation to act against the rebel organization,” writes Ron Ben-Yishai.

The minister of defense commented that despite the two days of fire from Gaza into Israel, he has ‘no intention of launching a military operation.’ However, he did say that Israel would not tolerate any violations of its sovereignty.

Chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, leading visit to region, insists it’s aimed at ‘outreach,’ not war crimes investigation.

“Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ participation in former Israeli President Shimon Peres’ funeral brought out raw anger against Abbas, but he remains adamant in his pursuit of peace through negotiations,” writes Daoud Kuttab.

Amid row with US over settlement building, report also says Tourism Ministry pushing development of promenade in Beit El.

A government task force focuses on deporting activists with the movement, and preventing them from entering Israel.

“As long as Washington views ending the occupation as an Israeli problem instead of a Palestinian problem, it will never even consider using its leverage to do so,” writes Mike Omer-Man.