NEWS:
Israeli occupation forces evict Palestinian protesters from the site of the controversial E1 settlement expansion, and PM Netanyahu vows to complete the project. Some Palestinian activists see such nonviolent protests as the wave of the future. Palestinian factions may be moving closer to a unity agreement, and Egypt says they have agreed to implement previous agreements. An American couple of Jewish origins are taken aback by aggressive security measures by Israel's airline.
The EU details its planned drive for revivified peace talks in 2013.
Jordan's King urges renewed Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. Aid groups in "Area C" must strictly follow Israeli occupation rules or risk having their projects destroyed. Palestinian officials, including PM Fayyad, call on Arab states to rescue the PA from its financial crisis. Palestinian refugees are reportedly starting to return to a beleaguered camp near Damascus. An Israeli soldier is charged with assaulting a Palestinian citizen of Israel at a checkpoint. The JTA profiles Yair Shamir, a possible successor to the indicted FM Lieberman as head of the Yisrael Beiteinu party.
COMMENTARY:
Dan Fleshler looks at threats facing Israeli-Palestinian security coordination. Shlomo Avineri says constructive unilateral steps by Israel and the Palestinians are now the only way forward. AP looks at tensions between Pres. Obama and Netanyahu. Amira Hass says the E1 protest marks a change of tactics for Palestinian activists. Karl Vick
says Palestinians are adopting settler tactics. Aeyal Gross says it's
the Israeli governments settlement policies, not Palestinian protesters, that are violating the law. Oudeh Basharat says Arab citizens in Israel must vote. Aluf Benn looks at the new film "The Gatekeepers." Alon Ben-Meir says lack of trust is a key reason for the impasse between Israel and the Palestinians. Uri Savir proposes a national emergency cabinet for the next Israeli government. Rajab Abu-Sariyyah says the Egyptian initiative for Palestinian national reconciliation is a failure. Larry Derfner profiles MK Zoabi, "the most hated woman in Israel." David Remnick profiles extremist Israeli politician Naftali Bennett.
American Task Force on Palestine - 1634 Eye St. NW, Suite 725, Washington DC 20006 - Telephone: 202-262-0017