US-Israeli/Palestinian relations
US ambassador to Israel lobbies in favor of settlers, Al-Monitor
“US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman acts more like an ambassador of the settlers vis-a-vis the Trump administration,” writes Akiva Eldar.
Israeli officials discussed ways to manipulate ‘naive’ Kushner — report, Times of Israel/AP
Officials in Israel and three other countries discussed ways they could manipulate White House official Jared Kushner by taking advantage of his complex business arrangements, financial difficulties and lack of foreign policy experience, according to a report Tuesday.
US team said headed to Israel to coordinate consulate transformation, Times of Israel
An American delegation coordinating the transfer of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem will land in Israel next week, according to a report Tuesday.
Trump peace plan could recognize Palestinian state – report, Times of Israel
The Trump administration’s plan for peace in the Middle East may include US and international recognition of a Palestinian state and acceptance of East Jerusalem as its capital, the London-based Saudi newspaper Asharq al-Awsat reported on Wednesday.
Occupation/Human rights
Adding insult to injury: Israel officially recognizes Gilad Farm settlement , B'Tselem
The settlers’ presence on the site and their seizure of land from the villages have been accompanied from the outset by violence against local Palestinians.
The IDF spreads a lie and the Israeli press plays along, +972 Magazine
“Facts show that Mohammed Tamimi was shot in the head by Israeli soldiers. But the facts were not enough for the Israeli army, or the journalists who tow the government line,” writes Haggai Matar.
How the occupation seeped into Israel's judicial system, Al-Monitor
The ongoing investigations against Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu have exposed the use of detention by Israeli police and court officers in Israel to pressure suspects into breaking, a tactic typically used by the Shin Bet on Palestinians in the occupied territories.
Demolition of homes in West Bank outpost delayed by 3 months, JTA
Israel’s Supreme Court delayed by three months the scheduled demolition of homes in a West Bank outpost built completely or in part on Palestinian-owned land.
Jerusalem's Holy Sepulchre reopens: 'This is a victory', Al Jazeera
Palestinian Christians, pilgrims, celebrate church reopening after three days of closure in protest of Israeli policy.
Money, not the protection of Palestinian Christians, was at the root of Holy Sepulchre protest, Middle East Eye
“Whatever the public relations spin, the Holy Sepulchre was shuttered chiefly because the churches’ business interests were in jeopardy,” writes Jonathan Cook.
UN Palestinian aid agency plans fundraiser in response to US cuts, Times of Israel/AP
The UN aid agency for Palestinian refugees is planning a special fundraising conference next month in Rome to make up for the millions of dollars in funding cuts by the Trump administration, the body announced Wednesday.
Gaza
An economy in ruins leaves Gazans with hard choices, Reuters
The man who makes crisps, chocolate and vanilla snacks for Gaza had just finished explaining how his business was going through the worst economic crisis of his life when the lights went out, shutting down his factory. Again.
Will the crisis in Gaza finally force Israel to lift its siege?, Al-Monitor
Israeli politics
The Scorched Earth Of Netanyahu’s Israel, LobeLog
“For Israeli Jews there will be some gains in Netanyahu’s departure. But in terms of Israel’s overall trajectory, little is apt to change,” writes Mitchell Plitnick.