News Roundup for April 13, 2022

April 13, 2022
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J Street works to promote an open, honest and rigorous conversation about Israel. The opinions reflected in articles posted in the News Roundup do not necessarily reflect J Street’s positions, and their posting does not constitute an endorsement from J Street.

Top News and Analysis

Israeli Forces Kill Palestinian as West Bank Raids Continue, AP
Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian man during clashes on Wednesday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said, as Israeli troops continued a days-long operation in the occupied West Bank in response to a spate of deadly attacks. The Health Ministry said Israeli forces shot Muhammad Assaf, 34, in the chest. The Palestinian Health Ministry said 11 others were injured as a result of the Israeli military’s activities. The military said one soldier was lightly wounded in the clashes and that it arrested 15 people in its raids Wednesday.

News

Israel Plans to Grant Palestinians ‘Tens of Thousands’ More Work Permits, Gantz Says, Haaretz
Defense Minister Benny Gantz said on Tuesday that Israel “is promoting solutions that will permit tens of thousands of additional Palestinian laborers to enter Israel in an orderly fashion.” The defense minister spoke on a tour of the area between the separation fence and the Green Line, often referred to as the seam line.

Despite Terror Wave, Israel Determined To Keep Al-Aqsa Open for Ramadan, Al-Monitor
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett decided to avoid collective punishment over the latest wave of terrorism, keeping Al-Aqsa Mosque open for Ramadan prayers and keeping the crossing points from Gaza and the West Bank operating as usual.

High Court Orders State To Explain Its Limits on Ukrainian Refugees, The Times of Israel
The High Court issued an order requiring the state to explain and defend by the end of the month its policy on accepting Ukrainian refugees. After a petition against a cap was filed last month, the High Court ordered the state to provide reasoning for its decision to limit Ukrainians without Jewish heritage or family in Israel from entering the country, when normally any Ukrainian can enter as a tourist for three months.

Israeli Commander Invokes ‘Promised Land’ in West Bank Op ‘Endangering Troops’, Haaretz
Israeli troops were deployed Wednesday to guard repair works on Joseph’s Tomb after the holy site was vandalized earlier this week during a wave of Israeli-Palestinian violence that has erupted as Muslims mark the holy month of Ramadan. ‘We get to restore the honor to this land and the people of Israel,’ regional military commander tells soldiers securing settler-led repair works.

Opinion and Analysis

The Mizrahi Feminists Shaking up Israel’s Human Rights Scene, +972 Mag
Ben Reiff profiles the Mizrahi feminist organization ‘Shovrot Kirot.” He notes of their work, “Despite defining itself as a Mizrahi feminist movement, the nature of Shovrot Kirot’s work enables connections between the Mizrahi struggle and the struggles of other oppressed communities in Israel — including Palestinian citizens.”

An Irresponsible Israeli Police Chief, Haaretz
Haaretz’s Editorial board argues, “In his testimony on Monday before the official state commission of inquiry on the Mount Meron disaster, which took place almost a year ago on Lag Ba’omer, Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai provided an outstanding example of taking responsibility without anyone being responsible, and taking blame without anyone being to blame.”