Israelis and Palestinians brace for a tense Friday with increased Israeli restrictions on Palestinian entry to Jerusalem, including Arab citizens of Israel, and calls for a Palestinian "day of rage." US and PA officials urge calm. Ha'aretz outlines the escalation of tensions in Jerusalem, and reports that the US is "furious" about Israeli incitement against Pres. Obama. Israeli Foreign Minister Lieberman dismisses any prospects for peace in the near term. A Palestinian unity deal may be signed in late October. The Jerusalem Post analyzes Prime Minister Fayyad's state-building plan. Hussein Ibish argues that calls for a third intifada, the dissolving of the PA, the resignation of Abbas or the removal of Fayyad are irrational and irresponsible.
The UN Security Council will debate the Goldstone report on the Gaza war, with the support of the PA, on October 14. Israel's Foreign Minister Lieberman reportedly dismisses the idea of a peace agreement in the near future, but Jordan's King Abdullah warns that there is no future without two states. International promises to rebuild Gaza remain unfulfilled, and Gaza residents may have lost up to $500 million in fraudulent tunnel schemes. Arab commentaries assess the political damage to the PA from the Goldstone affair. Hussein Ibish argues that only a determined de-escalation of tensions can prevent an explosion in the occupied territories, especially East Jerusalem.
Tensions continue to mount in occupied East Jerusalem, with the city under "siege." The US calls for calm as fears of an explosion of violence grow. An Israeli Cabinet minister agrees that Jewish extremists are also to blame for Jerusalem tensions. The Washington Post looks at the continued influence of Hamas. Reports suggest that Palestinian President Abbas may have received significant assurances from the United States in return for agreeing to defer debate on the Goldstone report, while PLO leaders say the decision was "a mistake" and Libya has requested a Security Council meeting on the report. The Jerusalem Post reports on efforts by Foreign Minister Lieberman to craft "a new Israeli foreign policy." Hussein Ibish analyzes changes in US foreign policy under the Obama administration, and Paul Salem looks at the lack of Arab diplomacy.
Tensions continue to flare in occupied East Jerusalem, with some observers describing the situation as "explosive," and President Abbas accusing Israel of buying up billions of dollars worth of property in the city. Fallout from the deferral of the UN Human Rights Council's debate on the Goldstone report continues, with anger from the Palestinian public, a US denial that it pressured the Palestinian leadership, and a statement of support for the report by Prime Minister Fayyad's cabinet. Hamas arrests militants in Gaza money to fire rockets into Israel. The Arab News looks at Israel's "PA only"
visas. Al-Ahram highlights a report on the suppression of nonviolent Palestinian protests against Israel's separation barrier in the occupied West Bank. Richard Falk makes the case for the historical importance of the Goldstone report.
The U.N. Human Rights Council postpones its scheduled debate on the Goldstone report into the Gaza war, and Palestinian President Abbas faces an angry backlash for agreeing to the delay. Disturbances between Palestinian worshipers and Israeli police at the Haram Al-Sharif/Temple Mount continue, but in spite of warnings from Prime Minister Fayyad analysts do not anticipate an eruption of violence. The Washington Post profiles Palestinian mayor and Brewer David Khoury. The Ma'an news agency outlines Egyptian proposals for Palestinian national reconciliation. Ha'aretz reports that Vice Prime Minister Ya'alon recently canceled a trip to the UK fearing possible arrest for war crimes. UNRWA plans to teach Gaza children about the Holocaust. In the Arab News, ATFP President Ziad Asali argues that Palestinians should trust President Obama.