“According to a February Gallup poll, 55% of Americans support the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, while 34% are opposed and 10% are unsure. This reading, conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic that has tested Palestinian and Israeli cooperation in various ways, represents the first time in eight years that the majority of Americans have favored Palestinian statehood.”

“EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said: ‘The European Union takes note of the political agreement that could pave the way for the formation of a Government in Israel. The European Union is willing to closely cooperate with the new Government on fighting the coronavirus.’ But, he pointed out, politics is another matter: ‘The European Union reiterates that any annexation would constitute a serious violation of international law. The European Union will continue to closely monitor the situation and its broader implications, and will act accordingly.’ [Also see: EU Observer – EU: Israeli annexation would ‘not be left unanswered’ & the Al-Monitor – Israel rebuffs EU over criticizing West Bank annexation goal]

“The UN’s special Middle East envoy, Nickolay Mladenov, on Thursday warned Israel not to annex parts of the West Bank, saying such a move would be a ‘devastating blow’ to the internationally-backed two-state solution…’The dangerous prospect of annexation by Israel of parts of the occupied West Bank is a growing threat,’ Mladenov said, warning that such a move would violate international law. The envoy said annexation would also ‘deal a devastating blow to the two-state solution, close the door to a renewal of negotiations, and threaten efforts to advance regional peace.’”

“France threatened to change the nature of its ties with Israel, should the nascent government annex parts of the West Bank, in Ambassador to the UN Nicolas de Rivière’s remarks to the Security Council on Thursday.De Rivière said that annexation “would constitute a blatant violation of international law, which strictly prohibits the acquisition by force of occupied territories…Such steps if implemented would not pass unchallenged and shall not be overlooked in our relationship with Israel,” he added.”

“[Irish] Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has criticised a government formation deal in Israel which includes plans to annex territory in the occupied West Bank…’Annexation of territory by force is prohibited under international law, including the UN Charter, whenever and wherever it occurs, in Europe’s neighbourhood or globally. This is a fundamental principle in the relations of states and the rule of law in the modern world. No one state can set it aside at will.’”

“Germany strongly advises against the annexation of occupied Palestinian territories. This would have serious, negative repercussions on the viability of the two-state solution, the entire peace process, regional stability and ISR standing within the international community.”

“…we are deeply concerned by reports that the new Israeli government coalition has reached an agreement which paves the way for annexation of parts of the West Bank. The UK position is clear: any unilateral moves towards annexation of parts of the West Bank by Israel would be damaging to efforts to restart peace negotiations and would be contrary to international law.”

“Israel’s attempts to annex the West Bank from Palestinians show ‘an extremely dangerous mindset aimed at extorting occupied Palestinian lands,’ Turkey warned Friday. ‘We believe that such grave steps, which would undermine international law and wound the common conscience of humanity, would not be accepted or supported by any member of the international community who has a sense of justice and responsibility,’ said Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy in a written statement.”

“Hamas yesterday rejected statements by the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo which supported the annexation of parts of the West Bank. ‘The American stance on annexing the West Bank is illegal and incompliant with international laws,’ Hamas’ head of media, Raafat Murra, was quoted by Anadolu Agency as saying. He described the US stance as ‘siding in favour of Israel, neglecting the historical rights of the Palestinian people, and ignoring the Palestinian issue.’ Murra called on the Palestinians ‘to unite and stand together to confront the American stance.’”

“Riyad al-Maliki, the Palestinian Authority (PA) ‘foreign minister’, on Thursday praised EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell who had warned Israel against applying sovereignty over portions of Judea and Samaria. Maliki noted positively the European position against recognition of Israeli sovereignty in the ‘occupied West Bank’ and its adherence to international law and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 242 and Resolution 338. He also expressed satisfaction with the EU’s statement that Israeli annexation of territories in Judea and Samaria is a dangerous violation of international law, and with the statement that the EU intends to monitor the situation closely. Maliki called for pressure to be exerted on the Israeli government to dissuade it from the annexation process, taking over any territory, settlement, house demolition or any other unilateral step aimed at harming the possibility of returning to negotiations on the basis of international law. He also said that the EU and other countries should impose daunting sanctions against Israel if it implements the annexation plan.”

“US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s support of Israel’s right to apply sovereignty over West Bank settlements should be viewed as a call to action by the Israeli government, Beit El Council head Shai Alon said. He urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to apply sovereignty now. ‘There are no more excuses. It’s time for action. The ball is in the new government’s court. If sovereignty doesn’t happen now, who knows when the next opportunity will come around,’ he said.”

“Israeli settlers have ramped up attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank since the coronavirus crisis first began,a new report from the left-wing NGO B’Tselem said.The NGO recorded 23 attacks against Palestinians by settlers in the first three weeks of April, and a total of 23 attacks were recorded in March. Eleven of these attacks were in mid-March, taking place after the Health Ministry imposed strict restrictions on movement throughout the country as a means of stemming the spread of the virus. However, B’Tselem argues that the settlers are exploiting the lockdown measures for their attacks.”

“Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Danny Danon spoke with Arutz Sheva about the Palestinian Authority’s claims that Israel is harming them during the coronavirus outbreak. ‘I’m not surprised, but it’s definitely disappointing,’ Danon said. ‘While the entire world joins hands and cooperates to fight this dangerous virus, the Palestinians are going back to their natural behaviors – anti-Semitism, anti-Israelism, and baseless mud-slinging – and trying to use the situation to gain political points. I exposed their true face, and I told the Palestinian representative that he should be ashamed of himself. My message was very clear: The Palestinians need to choose. If they want to continue receiving coronavirus aid, they need to stop the incitement.’” [Also see: Jerusalem Post – 21-year-old Palestinian gets arrested [by Israel], tests positive for COVID-19]

“Civil Administration officers, IDF forces, and Border Police demolished an illegal building at the Kumi Uri outpost near Yitzhar. The building in question had already been demolished and rebuilt. Clashes broke out when Border Police prevented members of the Zarug family from returning to their home in the outpost. Dozens of Jewish teens also attempted to restore the building on Tuesday evening and slashed the tires of a Border Police vehicle.”

“A Palestinian cartoonist’s caricature of an Arab man struggling amid the global oil crisis has caused outrage in Saudi Arabia, and led to competing hashtags on social media regarding support for the Palestinian cause. Mahmoud Abbas, a cartoonist based in Sweden, depicted an exasperated man being pursued by a tumbling barrel of oil. ‘The purpose of the cartoon is to show the oil crisis and its impact on the Arab world and the Middle East region – as it relies heavily on oil as a primary source of income,’ Abbas told Middle East Eye…’I did not mean Saudi Arabia in particular, especially since it was Saudi Arabia that decided to reduce the price of oil at its own will,’ he explained. ‘I am surprised why only the Saudis launched the attacks against me.’ Several Saudi commentators took to social media to criticise not only Abbas, but Palestinians more widely.”

“Exclusive: Foreign Office note released through a Freedom of Information request reveals the British government is no longer ‘a strong supporter’ of the PA’s state-building efforts.”

“The Lebanese newspaper Al Akhbar, which is affiliated with Hamas, reported Thursday that Egypt that’s mediating a prisoner exchange deal between Israel and the terror group, released four Gazan prisoners from Egyptian jails as a gesture of goodwill. According to the newspaper, the release indicates the talks on the prisoner exchange agreement are advancing.” [Original Al Akbhar report in Arabic is here]

“The International Committee of the Red Cross on Thursday delivered vital medical equipment to Gaza, including ventilators, and more equipment crucial for the treatment of severe symptoms of COVID-19. This donation is badly needed in Gaza’s failing health system that contains only 110 ICU beds, most of which are already occupied by elderly patients. There are only 93 ventilators in the entire Strip, which is home to two million residents.”

“The Gaza Strip continues to test for COVID-19 but equipment is in limited supply. The territory, which has been blockaded by Israel for the past 13 years, is now able to test less than 500 individuals per week for the virus.”

“Labor Party leader Amir Peretz and MK Itzik Shmuli signed an agreement with Blue and White leader Benny Gantz early Friday to enter the coalition that Gantz will head together with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.Peretz and Shmuli kept the signing secret from Labor MK Merav Michaeli, who opposes entering the government and learned that the deal had been signed from a news alert from a newspaper that she received on her phone. The Labor activists who are due to vote Sunday on entering the government were also not told in advance that they would only be asked to rubber-stamp an agreement that had already been reached…Labor’s agreement with Blue and White calls for Peretz to become economy minister and Shmuli to become social welfare minister. Gantz welcomed the agreement, praising Peretz and Shmuli’s commitment so socioeconomic issues.”

“The coalition agreement between Likud and Kahol Lavan marks another stage in the executive branch’s takeover of the legislative branch. Politicians like Ayelet Shaked and Yariv Levin like to argue that the gravest problem regarding the separation of powers is High Court intervention in Knesset and cabinet decisions. But the real danger is the Knesset being trampled on by the cabinet, with the fundamental principle of parliamentary democracy – that the government serves by virtue of the legislature’s vote of confidence – turned on its head.”

“Many Kahol Lavan supporters tell Haaretz they feel deceived and betrayed – but others see a pragmatist who opted for the least of all evils by agreeing to an emergency unity government with Netanyahu.”

“The former Vice-President of the Supreme Court of Israel, Judge Elyakim Rubinstein, described the coalition government agreement concluded earlier this week between the Likud Party led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition Blue and White Party Leader Benny Gantz, as ‘terrifying’ and ‘disrespectful’ of basic law. Speaking to Israeli public radio on Thursday, Judge Rubinstein announced that he did not want another election round, but this is not the situation that he had hoped for. ‘This is a terrifying agreement. Basic laws have been ignored as if they were municipal regulations over wastewater,’ he added, noting that he cannot exclude the possibility of the Supreme Court interference on the matter. ‘The coalition agreement is terrifying because it has a lot of legal violations,’ Rubinstein explained.”