On June 9, FMEP President Matthew Duss testified before the Democratic Platform Committee on Israel/Palestine. The full text of his prepared remarks is available on the FMEP website. A video of his testimony is available here.

“Clinton’s and Sanders’s appointees are sharply divided, so there’s sure to be a fracas—one that represents growing divisions among Democrats,” writes Ali Gharib.

Bernie Sanders surrogates questioned Democrats on Thursday on whether they could include in the party’s platform language that Israel is occupying the West Bank.

The State Department underscored its condemnation of an attack on civilians at a Tel Aviv market on Thursday, but cautioned the Israeli government to “exercise restraint” as it vows to increase security control over the West Bank and its residents.

“In his lukewarm statement about the recent Tel Aviv attacks, Abbas was apparently trying to avoid hurting the feelings of his public. His Fatah movement could not condemn the Tel Aviv attack. A statement from the organization called the shooting “a personal and natural response” to Israel’s state violence,” writes Amira Hass.

“With no peace process on the horizon, the terrorist attack in Tel Aviv this week is a reminder that we don’t have the luxury of giving up on a future in which Palestinians and Israelis alike can feel secure in their own homes, streets and cafes,” writes Michael Omer-Man.

Israel’s cancellation of entry permits for Palestinians following a deadly attack in Tel Aviv may amount to collective punishment, which is banned under international law, according to the office of the UN’s top human rights official.

Tensions have risen Thursday afternoon on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount after Israel police began preventing vehicles from entering the compound to deliver thousands of meals for worshippers to break their Ramadan fast.

“In the past, Avigdor Liberman called to use an iron fist against Palestinians in order to curb terror, but as Israel’s new defense minister he might change his tone,” writes Ben Caspit

Fatah’s Central Committee Azzam al-Ahmad said in a press statement that the focus of the talks would be to continue discussions on ways to implement the reconciliation agreement between the two major Palestinian parties