Facebook removes a page calling for a new Palestinian intifada.
Mohammed Dajani Daoudi and Robert Satloff say it’s important that
Palestinians learn about the Holocaust. Critics say Israel is
undermining its democracy. Neither Hamas nor Israel seem to want a new
war. Deputy FM Ayalon says Israel welcomes Arab democracy.
Palestinians commemorate land day, and burn photos of FM Lieberman. A
Hamas court sentences man to death for treason. One Palestinian is
killed in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza. Israel is considering building
an artificial island off the coast of Gaza. An arrested Palestinian
calls Israel’s charges against him “a farce.” PM Netanyahu sues some
media for libel. Israel makes it clear it supports the continuation of
Pres. Assad in power in Syria. Palestinians ask for UN recognition in
September. Israeli forces and settlers clash at a West Bank outpost.
Analysts say the future of the peace process is ambiguous. Aluf Benn
says Netanyahu spends all his time making excuses and avoiding peace.
UNSG Ban calls the occupation “morally, politically unsustainable.”
Four Palestinians are released after a boy admits lying they raped
him. Amos Oz says Israel must talk to Marwan Barghouti. Jews in Arab
countries facing unrest decline offers to go to Israel. Hamas believes
it’s making progress with Egypt. Newt Gingrich claims the US is run by
an “anti-Israel elite.”
Israel will decide whether to approve 1500 new settlement housing units in occupied East Jerusalem. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is on the international back burner. West Bank villagers are subject to DNA tests regarding the murder of the settler family, and dozens are arrested in possible connection to the attack. The PLO is working on constitutional amendments. Israeli tanks accompany bulldozers into Gaza. Israel makes it easier to revoke citizenship from “terrorists.” Israel is considering annexing some West Bank settlements. Palestinian officials say they might give up US aid for national unity.
Palestinian groups deny involvement in Syria unrest. Israel arrests 16 Palestinians in Hebron. Israel threatens unilateral actions if the UN recognizes Palestine. Akiva Eldar looks at how Israel can help change Muslim attitudes. Israel’s new security chief says it could have destroyed Hamas in Gaza. A new poll shows 46% of Israelis support settler violence. Gershon Baskin says Palestine is inevitable. David Horovitz says Palestinians can use the UN Gen. Assembly to advance statehood. Barry Rubin says another Israel-Hamas war is inevitable. Karma Nabulsi says Palestinians need new PNC elections. The Jordan Times says Israel is being intransigent. Yossi Alpher says in a period of unrest Israel has a stake in strengthening Palestinian moderates. Samir Abdullah says Arab democratic change is good for the Palestinians. Khaled Abu Toameh asks why Pres. Abbas is pursuing unity with Hamas.
Michael Weiss looks at lessons Egypt can learn from PM Fayyad.
Israel deploys an anti-rocket system. Pres. Abbas meets with Hamas
officials in the West Bank. Jackson Diehl says PM Netanyahu is headed
for a showdown with Pres. Obama. An Israeli Labor Party leader says
the party may have deserved its fate. Israel is wary about getting
into another Gaza war. Occupation forces continue to block off the
West Bank town of Beit Ummar. Israel again bulldozes the Palestinian
“freedom road” in “Area C.” Israel seeks clarifications from Argentina
about a bombing in 1994. Impatient Palestinians look towards Arab
change. The PLO executive committee pushes for drafting a
constitution. Netanyahu seems popular among Israelis. Two Palestinians
are killed in another Israeli air raid on Gaza. Akiva Eldar says
Israel is missing an opportunity with the Arab Peace Initiative.
Israel is attempting to quash Palestinian popular protests. Carlo
Strenger says Israel’s problem is settlements, not J Street. The
Israeli right continues to push legislation aimed at left-wing NGOs. A
settler is jailed for assaulting a Palestinian minor. Hamas men attack
women journalists. Jonathan Schachter and Yoram Schweitzer say the
Jerusalem bus attack may not be directly connected to Gaza border
violence. Jeff Barak says the last thing Israel needs is another Gaza
war. Congress is divided over how to support Israel. Many Gazans think
rocket attacks on Israel are way out for Hamas from pressure for
national unity with Fatah. A Gaza family finds itself caught between
Hamas and Israeli attacks. The Arab News says the plight of the
Palestinians remains central to Arab consciousness. Uri Avnery says
the Knesset has adopted two obnoxious and racist laws.
European diplomats press for a new Middle East peace plan.
PM Fayyad says a Palestinian state is in Israel’s interests. Defense Secretary Gates denounces attacks on Israel from Gaza. J Street stirs controversy. Israeli tank shells kill four Palestinians, including three children. The new film Miral narrates the Palestinian experience under occupation. Israel seems wary about another war in Gaza. Aaron David Miller says the Israel-Palestine issue is likely remain on the back burner. Pres. Abbas says Israel and Palestine should have peace, not war. The PA releases detained Islamic Jihad leaders. A new poll shows strong Palestinian support for Mideast changes. The US urges restraint. Analysts say the surge of violence is a result of internal
conflict within Hamas. Rockets land deep into Israel. Dan Rather’s news crew is harassed by Israeli security. Israel again destroys a Palestinian-built road in “Area C.” PM Netanyahu says Israel’s
response will be measured. Oudeh Basharat says that by Israel banning commemorations of the nakba, the Palestinian narrative has won. Ha’aretz says Israel has little to gain from an escalation with Hamas, but that it may be inevitable. Some Israeli leaders threaten a large-scale operation in Gaza. Egypt reiterates its commitment to the treaty with Israel. Israelis fear Palestinian moves for UN
recognition. Gazans continue to live in fear of Israeli attacks. Seth Freedman says the Jerusalem bomb attack will only harm Palestinian interests.
Hussein Ibish says Israel and Hamas are again drifting towards a potentially disastrous conflict. A bomb attack on a Jerusalem bus station raises fears of renewed violence. Another Palestinian is
injured in Israeli air raids on Gaza. Islamic Jihad complains as Palestinian police arrest two of its operatives in connection to the attack. Pres. Abbas and PM Fayyad strongly condemn the Jerusalem
attack. Amid the violence, Defense Secretary Gates calls for peace. PM Netanyahu promises an “aggressive” response. Analysts say the violence is a grave risk to negotiations. Hamas says it seeks calm and stability in Gaza. Abbas will visit Egypt soon. Palestinians hold funerals for eight killed in Israeli attacks. Ha’aretz says another war is not the answer, and that Hamas was probably not responsible for the Jerusalem bombing. Ari Shavit says the occupation is making peace
impossible. Analysts say Hamas could not win another war with Israel. Most Israelis don’t see J Street as a threat. Letty Cottin Pogrebin says settlers practice arrogance and apartheid in Hebron. Ephraim Sneh says peace must be permanent, not provisional. The National says Palestinians desperately need national unity talks. Daoud Kuttab says both Israel and Hamas are responsible for the escalation.