“Israel’s Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the government could expel the head of Human Rights Watch’s Israel and Palestine office after accusing him of supporting boycotts against the country. The ruling represents the likely culmination of the protracted effort to expel Omar Shakir, a U.S. citizen, and marks an escalation in Israel’s determination to prevent critics from operating in the country under new laws that equate support for the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement (BDS) with challenging Israel’s right to exist. Others have been denied entry visas under the laws, including two U.S. congresswomen in August, but Shakir, who first had his work permit revoked in May, would be the first to be expelled. He has 20 days to leave the country.”

“Israel’s Housing Cabinet approved on Monday the controversial construction plan of a cable car to the Western Wall in Jerusalem’s Old City. The decision to green light the project came despite an urgent inquiry sent several days ago by the plan’s opponents to Attorney General Avichai Mendelbit in which they argued that a project of such importance cannot be approved by a transition government. Last week, Mendelblit’s aides replied that the matter is being looked into, but in the meantime the Housing Cabinet approved the plan, which still needs to undergo a procedural approval by the government. The plan’s opponents intend to petition the High Court of Justice against it.”

“Israel’s Channel 13 broadcast the video on Saturday evening, showing officers – part of the Israeli police – telling a Palestinian to turn back at a West Bank checkpoint on the edge of Jerusalem. As the man walks away, his arms raised, one of the officers fires a sponge-tipped bullet, ammunition generally used for crowd control but which can be lethal at short distances. The man instantly falls to the ground, shouting in pain.”

“Enjoying a Sabbath meal at a West Bank settlement, meeting Palestinian artists in Ramallah, popping over to Israel’s border to see the Gaza Strip from there — a growing number of tourists is interested in seeing more than just the regular tourist sites and attractions of the Holy Land. They want to hear about the people living here, Jews and Palestinians alike, and learn about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict from up close. These aren’t study groups that come to Israel and the West Bank with some specific educational objective. They are “ordinary” tourists, who are taking a break from their busy lives, and paying good money to boot, just to experience the complex realities of this land for themselves. What they find is light-years away from any glittery ad campaign.”

“Rimawi believes that there is no end in sight to such repressive measures and that members of the media need to close ranks and unify efforts. ‘We must accelerate the formation of this alliance to confront repressive policies, create a legal environment conducive to media work and promote freedom of expression in Palestine,’ Rimawi added. He envisions an alliance that includes Palestinian media institutions working on policies to support freedom of expression and to challenge violations of rights, including Israeli actions against Palestinian media freedoms, such as Facebook’s censorship.”

“If passed, the ambitious bill will extend Israeli law over strategic settlements in the southern West Bank, such as Gush Etzion near the Palestinian city of Hebron, and Efrat and Beitar Illit, both of which lie close to the holy town of Bethlehem.”

“With the spotlight on him on Saturday night as he spoke at the memorial, Mr. Gantz focused on a different kind of peace process — not with the Palestinians, which seems hopelessly far off — but among Israelis, before anyone burns what few bridges remain between left and right.”