Top news stories from Israel/Palestine: April 9, 2018

What We’re Reading

Gaza

Israeli snipers open fire on Gaza protests second week in a row,

Israeli snipers kill at least seven Palestinians, wound over 300 others during the eighth day of the ‘Gaza Return March.’ Protesters attempt to block soldiers’ line of sight by burning tires.

Brutality is the only answer Israel has to Gaza's civil disobedience,

It is impossible to know what will happen along the border with Gaza in the coming weeks. But one thing is certain: Israel will continue to respond with brutality and arrogance in the face of Palestinian nonviolent civil disobedience.

A state-sponsored mass shooting,

On a day when military snipers shot hundreds of unarmed demonstrators, the army declares that ‘the circumstances in which journalists were wounded are unknown.’ The circumstances couldn’t be clearer.

'Israel's nightmare? Mass nonviolent protest on the Gaza border',

Dr. Khalil Shikaki, director of the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research and one of the most well-respected Palestinian analysts, talks about the strategy of the Gaza return march and what to expect in the coming weeks.

'No innocent people in Gaza' says Israeli defence minister,

Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said on Sunday there were “no innocent people” in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip after Israeli soldiers shot and killed 30 Palestinians during 10 days of protests.

Palestinian journalist union says 6 reporters shot by Israel in Gaza,

The group said media personnel were hit during demonstrations despite wearing clothes clearly identifying themselves as journalists.

Israel and Hamas may both be violating international law at Gaza fence, ICC says,

Fatou Bensouda noted that at least 27 Palestinians were killed and more than a thousand wounded, “as a result of shootings using live ammunition and rubber-bullets.”

Occupation/Human rights

Palestinian Families Evicted From Their East Jerusalem Homes Amid Dispute With Settler Group ,

The houses belong to the Rawadi family, whose family member Raziq Rawadi was murdered three years ago. Police suspect it was because of his cooperation with the right-wing group Elad.

Video of Ahed Tamimi's interrogation shows intimidation, harassment,

The family of Ahed Tamimi, the Palestinian teenager who garnered international attention after being detained and sentenced to eight months in prison for slapping an Israeli soldier, released on Monday footage of the 17-year-old girl being interrogated by Israeli officers in the days following the arrest.

video mode Israeli soldiers use a Palestinian man, ‘Abd a-Rahim Gheith, as human shield during clashes in Jericho ,

In video footage shot by freelance journalist ‘Adel Abu Ni’meh, soldiers are seen positioning Gheith’s car so it faces the demonstrating Palestinian youths, then opening its doors and using the car as cover while they fire at the youths.

EU: Gaza Border Deaths Raise 'Serious Questions' About Israel's Use of Force ,

The EU calls on the IDF to clarify how Palestinian protesters targeted Israeli forces and attempted to breach border.

Jeremy Corbyn calls for review of arms sales to Israel over Gaza clashes,

British Labour Party head Jeremy Corbyn called for a review of arms sales to Israel in a message condemning its “illegal and inhumane” actions against Palestinians protesting on the border with Gaza.

Israel politics

Those traitorous human rights advocates,

“On the eve of Israel’s 70th anniversary, human rights in the country are under systematic attack from within,” writes Naomi Chazan.

New Israel Fund sees huge leap in donations after attack by PM,

The New Israel Fund said Friday that it has seen a major boost in donations after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s accusations that the left-wing NGO pressured Rwanda to refuse to resettle African migrants whom the Israeli government wants to deport.

US-Israeli/Palestinian relations

US blocks UN Security Council resolution calling for investigation of Gaza border violence,

The statement proposed on Saturday by Kuwait called for an “independent and transparent investigation” of the Israel Defense Forces use of live fire, rubber bullets and other crown control methods to push back the estimated up to 30,000 Palestinians in six spots along the border.

Palestinian politics

PA won’t be responsible for Gaza if Hamas stays in charge, Abbas warns,

The Palestinian Authority will no longer be responsible for what happens in the Gaza Strip if Hamas refuses to hand over full control of the coastal enclave to the PA government, PA President Mahmoud Abbas said on Sunday.