Israeli politics
Benjamin Netanyahu veers Israel away from democracy, LA Times
“Rep. Ilhan Omar’s comments on Israel and its American supporters were dumb and offensive,” write the editors of the LA Times. “But the real prize for repugnant, mean-spirited and undemocratic speech on the subject of Jews and Israel in recent days goes to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.”
Israeli Third Temple party gains traction, Al-Monitor
According to recent polls, former Knesset member Moshe Feiglin’s Zehut party, which means identity in Hebrew, will pass the electoral threshold and may well constitute the surprise of the elections. Feiglin proposes dismissing the waqf (Muslim custodian) and transferring management [of the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif] to the Chief Rabbinate.
Netanyahu Said Israel Is Nation-state of Jews Alone. The Data Show He's Right, Ha'aretz
The numbers shed a harsh light on how different the Israel of secular Jews, Arabs and ultra-Orthodox really is.
Occupation/Human rights
Little Ghosts From Gaza, Ha'aretz
“As long as life in Gaza is governed by Israeli drones, artillery and snipers, this cruelty will continue to kill bodies there – and souls here too,” writes Hagai El-Ad.
Selling Jerusalem: How Palestinian homes end up in settler hands, Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera investigates claims behind the selling of Palestinian homes in occupied East Jerusalem to Israeli settlers.
Palestinian men shot dead by Israeli forces in occupied West Bank, Al Jazeera
Mohammad Shaheen, 23, shot dead in Salfit while Yasser Fawzi Shawki was killed following alleged knife attack in Hebron.
US-Israeli/Palestinian relations
Florida bill defining anti-Semitism as racism advances, Watchdog
Free speech advocates warn House Bill 741 faces a potential “Pandora’s box” of legal challenges unless hate speech directed against Jews is not clearly separated from political criticism of the state of Israel.