Top news stories from Israel/Palestine: November 5, 2018

What We’re Reading

Occupation/Human rights

Opinion: Normalization Doesn’t Advance Israeli/Palestinian Peace,

“Normalization with Israel doesn’t advance peace. It merely emboldens them to consolidate their annexation of Palestinian land,” writes Jim Zogby.

What’s Driving Israeli Claims to the Golan Heights?,

“The abundant water in the Golan lies at the core of Israeli claims that it needs the Golan Heights for its security, as well at the base of Israeli demands for recognition,” writes Zena Agha.

Jewish Home bill seeks to forcibly relocate terrorists’ relatives in West Bank,

According to the proposed legislation by Education Minister Nafatli Bennett and MK Moti Yogev, within a week of an attack or attempted attack, the IDF’s Central Command will be permitted to expel the relatives of the Palestinian assailants from their hometowns to other areas of the West Bank.

Everyone Knows Settlers Cut Down Palestinian Olive Trees. But Israel Doesn't Care ,

Israelis coming from a nearby northern West Bank outpost damage trees, steal olives and throw stones, yet the Palestinian villagers say involving the police is a waste of time.

Government Prepares a Plan for a New Hebron Settlement Compound,

Hebron is the ugliest face of Israel’s control in the Occupied Territories. In order to maintain the presence of 800 settlers among a quarter of a million Palestinians, entire streets in Hebron are closed to Palestinians.

Gaza

Report: Israel-Hamas ceasefire includes easing of blockade, work permits,

The agreement includes a series of stages, to be put into place over the course of the next year, in which will act to remove 70% of the Israeli blockade on Gaza until the weekly violent marches along the Israel-Gaza border stop entirely.

Why Gaza’s status quo is unlikely to change,

In Gaza, despite Hamas’ pacification, a shift to nonviolent protests, and UN warnings of collapse, Israel shows little intention of lifting the blockade.

Is another war in Gaza imminent?,

Al Jazeera discusses why Gazans are losing hope, with humanitarian aid worker Najla Shawa and journalist Donald MacIntyre.

US-Israeli/Palestinian relations

Support for Israel 'continues to drop' among US liberals, youth,

Only 25 percent of US liberals view Israel as an ally, poll shows, as the issue of support for Israel becomes increasingly partisan.

Iran

US reimposes all sanctions on Iran lifted under nuclear deal,

The Trump administration on Friday announced the reimposition of all US sanctions on Iran that had been lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal, ramping up economic pressure on the Islamic Republic as President Donald Trump completed the unraveling of what had been one of his predecessor’s signature foreign policy achievements.