[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on Palestine and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Palestine Page co-editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each roundup to Palestine@jadaliyya.com.]
The Occupation Forces
Several Wounded as Israel Demolishes Four Homes in Walajeh
Israeli bulldozers demolished four homes in the Palestinian village of Walajeh early Monday morning. The homes are on the West Bank side of Israel’s separation barrier, but technically inside the boundaries of the Jerusalem municipality. Israeli forces wounded at least seven Palestinian residents resisting the demolitions.
Israeli Bulldozers Destroy Bird Blaughterhouse in Jenin
Israeli occupation bulldozers demolished a slaughterhouse for birds and two Palestinian houses, under the pretext of them not being licensed correctly. Local sources said that bulldozers, from the Israeli Licensing and Building Department and backed by large army forces, demolished the buildings, while preventing the owner, Anan Shafei, from emptying the slaughterhouse.
Israel Threatens to Demolish 189 Homes in Bethlehem
The Israeli occupation authorities have threatened to demolish more than 189 houses in al-Walaja village, west of Bethlehem, local media reported yesterday. The head of the Anti-Wall and Settlements Committee at the Palestinian Authority, Walid Assaf, said that the demolitions carried out by the occupation in al-Walaja come within the framework of an illegal Israeli settlement plan to expand southern borders of the occupied Jerusalem and linking it to the Gush Etzion settlement bloc.
Israeli Forces Quell Protest For Journalists at Military Camp
Israeli forces Tuesday quelled a rally organized by Palestinian journalists near Ofer military prison, west of Ramallah city, causing several injuries, said WAFA correspondent. Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters and concussion grenades at the journalists who were holding a protest rally in support of detained Palestine TV reporter Ali Dar Ali causing several cases of suffocation from tear gas inhalation.
Israeli Forces Injure Dozens, Raid University in Abu Dis
Dozens of Palestinians suffered tear-gas inhalation, on Wednesday morning, during clashes that erupted with Israeli forces surrounding the al-Quds University in the village of Abu Dis, in the central occupied West Bank district of Jerusalem. Local sources said that Israeli forces raided the Abu Dis village and fired tear-gas bombs and stun grenades towards Palestinians.
Domestic Politics
Hamas Leader in Gaza: Siege Will End Soon And Prisoner Exchange Deal Discussed
Talks or efforts to achieve a prisoner exchange deal with Israel were revealed for the first time by Sinawar when he said that there is a possibility of a prisoner exchange deal. On the issue of calm between Israel and Hamas, al-Senwar said that in two weeks there will be significant improvement until mid-October. He also asserted that there was an assassination attempt against him by those attempting to sabotage reconciliation efforts between Fatah and Hamas.
DFLP: Palestinian Cause Deteriorating Because of PA
A senior member of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine said on Monday that the Palestinian Authority is the cause of the deterioration of the political system in Palestine. He also stated that the US-driven “deal of the century” aims to make geopolitical changes in the whole region, and all Arab parties must oppose it.
Israel Threatens to Use Nuclear Weapons to ‘wipe out’ Its Enemies
Standing next to a secretive Israeli atomic reactor earlier in the week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to “wipe out” his enemies. Israel has never acknowledged possessing nuclear weapons, instead maintaining a policy of “strategic ambiguity.” Foreign reports have put the size of Israel’s nuclear arsenal in the dozens to hundreds of weapons.
Abu Rudeineh: Confederacy On Our Agenda Since 1984
The idea of confederacy has been on the agenda of the Palestinian leadership since 1984, said Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for President Mahmoud Abbas. Responding to Israeli reports that President Abbas told an Israeli delegation on Sunday that the Americans have suggested confederacy with Jordan as a solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Palestine Mufti Bans Accepting Compensation For Property Confiscated by Israel
The grand mufti of Jerusalem and the Palestinian territories, Sheikh Mohammed Hussein, yesterday said that taking financial compensation for Palestinian property confiscated by Israel is “forbidden.” Hussein explained in his fatwa, religious edict, that taking compensation for land confiscated by Israel constitutes “an approval for the Israeli occupation’s confiscation of the land,” asking Palestinians who have lost their land or properties to be patient.
Foreign Policy
US Ends All Funding For UN's Palestine Refugee Agency
The United States announced on Friday that it was stopping its funding of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, after determining the organization to be an “irredeemably flawed operation.” Earlier this week, UNRWA warned that if Washington went through with its funding cut it would likely result in greater instability in the region. This comes in the wake of the decision to move the US embassy to Jerusalem and statements rejecting the right to return for Palestinian refugees.
Palestinian Factions Sign Non-interference Agreement in Lebanon
Palestinian factions in Lebanon signed an agreement, on Monday, titled "Palestinian national unit on the Lebanese arena" to protect the Palestinian presence in Lebanon and not interfere in Lebanese affairs. Secretary of the Fatah movement in Lebanon, Fathi Abu al-Urdat, announced the commitment of all national and Islamic forces to the document that aims to strengthen "Palestinian-Lebanese" and "Palestinian-Palestinian" relations.
New Colombian President Says Recognition of Palestine is Irreversible
On 3 August, outgoing President, Juan Manuel Santos announced that he had decided to recognize Palestine as a free, independent and sovereign state. Colombia’s new government later said it would review the decision. The new Colombian president, Ivan Duque on Monday said that the decision by his predecessor to recognize “Palestine” days before he left office is “irreversible.”
Jordan Rejects US Plan for Palestinian Confederation
Jordan yesterday rejected and condemned the alleged US plan for a Palestinian-Jordanian confederation, saying it was not a matter up for discussion. The proposition was revealed after Abbas met with a delegation from Israeli NGO Peace Now in Ramallah. In response, Abbas told Kushner: “Yes, I want a three-way confederation with Jordan and Israel,” the Times of Israel (ToI) reported.
Settlers and Illegal Settlements
Israel to Approve New Settlement Units in Beit Hanina
Israeli Jerusalem Municipality's Local Planning and Construction Committee is planning to construct some 150 new settlement units in the Palestinian neighborhood of Beit Hanina, in occupied East Jerusalem.
Jewish Settlers Vandalize Palestinian Cars in West Bank Village
Jewish settlers vandalized on Monday several Palestinian cars in the village of Beita, north of the West Bank, according to local sources. They said the settlers broke into the village during the night, slashed tires of several cars and painted hate slogans in Hebrew on the walls of buildings.
Boycott, Divest, and Sanctions Movement
Shanti Celeste, DJ Seinfeld, Volvox, More Pull Out of Meteor Festival in Israel
Shanti Celeste, DJ Seinfeld, DJ Python and Volvox are amongst the names that have pulled out of Meteor Festival in Isreal over the occupation of Palestinian land. The event, which runs from 6 - 8 September, has been targeted by the Boycott, Diversity & Sanctions movement, which focusses on Israeli cultural and economic assets and has been campaigning for artists to cancel their performances.
Deported Swedish Activist: 'This is how Israel treated us in prison'
Swedish solidarity activist, Divina Levrini, one of the many international activists, who were attacked and detained by Israeli naval forces aboard the Freedom Flotilla ship last week, talked to Ma'an regarding the Israeli treatment of international activists inside the Israeli Givon (al-Ramla) prisons. Levrini told reporters that they were held for two days, during which they were beaten, deprived of basic rights, denied medications, psychologically tortured and then deported.
Musician Shlohmo Cancels Israel Performance Over 'Human Rights Atrocities'
American electronic musician Henry Laufer, known by his stage name Shlohmo, has canceled his planned appearance at an Israeli music festival, he announced on Twitter Saturday. “Sorry to the fans I am letting down and to the festival staff but supporting the oppressed thru my absence is more important to me especially after the government's recent human rights atrocities,” he tweeted.
Law
Israel Seals Galbou Prison After Assault On Palestinian Prisoners
The Israeli Prisons Services of the Galbou prison sealed the entire prison after its suppression forces raided section one of the prison, assaulted Palestinians prisoners, searched and destroyed their personal belongings, on Friday. Qadri Abu Bakr, head of the Prisoners and Former Prisoners’ Affairs Committee, called upon international and local humanitarian or rights-based institutions to intervene and take immediate action to stop such attacks.
Israeli Farmers to File Lawsuit Against Hamas Movement
Israeli farmers from Israeli communities surrounding the besieged Gaza Strip will be filing a lawsuit against the Hamas movement leaders before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague. According to a Hebrew-language news outlet, Israeli farmers said that the lawsuit would be filed accusing Palestinians of violating international laws, including destruction of property resulting from the launch of incendiary kites and balloons.
Israel Issues Administrative Detention Orders Against 64 Palestinians
Israeli authorities recently issued administrative detention orders against sixty-four Palestinians, the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society (PPS) said on Tuesday. PPS attorney Mohammad Halabi said that thirty-one orders were issued against Palestinian detainees for the first time or against ex-detainees who were re-detained after being released. The rest had their detention renewed.
Israeli Court Decides to Demolish Khan Al-Ahmar Village
The Israeli High Court of Justice on Wednesday has decided to demolish the Bedouin West Bank village of Khan al-Ahmar. The ruling comes despite long petitions and protests by those in the area. Member of the Palestinian Liberation Organization executive committee, Ahmed al-Tamimi, said that the decision was a flagrant challenge to the whole world and a serious violation of international humanitarian law and human rights.
35 Israel Soldiers Arrested For Drug Use, Trafficking
Thirty-five Israeli Occupation Forces soldiers have been arrested for using or trafficking drugs and will be brought before an Israeli military court. Drug use among the Israeli Occupation Forces is rife.
Economy
Business Cycle Index Shows Improvement in West Bank, Decline in Gaza
Overall, the rise in the West Bank’s index reflected higher production during August, despite the relatively stable sales, and along with better future expectations about production in the coming three months, as indicated by the economic firms’ owners. Conversely, the volatile index in GS resumed declining during August, falling to -30.0 points compared to -26.9 points in July. It is worth noting that the Gazan index register mostly negative values, which reflects the adverse long-lasting political and economic conditions in the Strip.
Expert Alert: Palestinian Olive Harvest Cut in Half Due to Climate Change
Experts at We Effect’s partner organization ESDC warned that the upcoming olive harvest in Palestine will be only half from last year’s, impacting one hundred thousand families who are in rapid need to counter-act the effects of climate change. Irrigation and trimming olive trees to require less rain water, are possible counter-actions.