“A boycott is part of the freedom of expression. There are economic, religious and political kinds of boycotts. This is not something that has no legitimacy.”

Political nonprofit groups that collect information on controversial construction, issue reports and frequently petition the High Court of Justice in attempts to influence state policy are generally not financed with public funds – at least not when it comes to left-wing groups. Organizations like B’tselem, Peace Now and Yesh Din have never gotten a shekel of taxpayer money. But that’s not the case with Regavim, one of the most prominent right-wing groups in Israel today.

Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman on Wednesday reprimanded his deputy after a recording of Jewish Home MK Eli Ben Dahan bragging about the existence of a small ministry team seeking to legalize West Bank outposts was leaked to the press.

Israeli forces killed a Palestinian and arrested another on Wednesday in the West Bank town of Jenin, according to Palestinian and Israeli media reports. Israeli police say the alleged assailant was involved in last week’s drive-by shooting of a settler, who later died.

“Palestinian digital rights have been repeatedly violated in the last two years, there are many risks and many threats to these rights,” said Nadim Nashif, Director of 7amleh, which organised the Palestinian Digital Activism Forum.

Belgium has pledged to donate 19m euro ($23m) to UNRWA, the UN’s aid organisation for Palestinian refugees, after the US government announced it would slash its funding to the agency by half.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took a step back on Thursday from comments, challenged by U.S. President Donald Trump, that envisioned a one-year timeframe for the planned relocation of the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

“In Mike Pence’s eagerness to be the evangelicals’ messiah, he’s happy to boost the occupation, kill the idea of two states and bully the Palestinians, and frame it all as divinely ordained,” writes Zaha Hassan.

US Vice President Mike Pence’s upcoming visit to the Middle East comes at a time of intensely publicized friction between his administration and the Palestinian leadership, posing a dilemma for his Arab hosts — Egypt’s president and Jordan’s king — on how to safeguard their vital ties with Washington without appearing to ignore Palestinian misgivings.

The Palestinian cause would be much strengthened if the doors to Jerusalem were open to Arabs without persecution, said Palestine’s president Mahmoud Abbas. He urged Arab countries to ease their restrictions on travelling to Israel and encourage their people to visit Jerusalem.

“Abbas’ attack on Trump and top White House officials signals that he no longer wants the U.S. involved in peace negotiations. Gradual recognition of a Palestinian state is now his preferred course of action,” writes Elhanan Miller.