News Roundup for February 13, 2023

February 13, 2023

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Top News and Analysis

Israel Legalizes 9 West Bank Outposts Despite U.S. Objection, Axios
The Israeli Security Cabinet on Sunday decided to legalize nine illegal outposts in the occupied West Bank and turn them into new settlements, according to the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office. The decision — the first legalization of illegal outposts by the Israeli government since 2012 — was approved despite objections by the Biden administration. It is expected to create tensions between the U.S. and Israel.

Israeli Forces Raid Jenin, Killing 14-Year-Old Boy, Palestinian Officials Say, CNN
Israeli forces raided the West Bank city of Jenin on Sunday, killing a 14-year-old boy, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said. Qusai Radwan Waked was shot in the abdomen, the ministry said. The target of the raid was Jibril Zubeidi, who was detained, Israeli and Palestinian authorities said.

Palestinian Killed by Jewish Settler in West Bank, Palestinians Say, Reuters
A Jewish settler fatally shot a Palestinian in the occupied West Bank on Saturday, Palestinian officials said. A number of Jewish settlers carrying pistols and one with a rifle had approached the village of Qrawat Bani Hassan and one fired a shot, killing 27-year-old Mothqal Rayyan, a Palestinian witness told Reuters.

Israel Seals Home of Palestinian Ramming Attacker Ahead of Demolition, Haaretz
Israeli forces on Sunday sealed the home of the Palestinian who killed three people in a car ramming attack in Jerusalem on Friday, police reported.

News

Herzog Urges Sides to ‘Stop the Madness,’ Unveiling Compromise on Legal Overhaul, The Times of Israel
Opposition leader Yair Lapid releases a statement in response to President Isaac Herzog’s speech urging compromise on judicial reform, which he calls “a proper framework.”

Israel Moves to Reverse 2005 Disengagement, Starting in West Bank, The Jerusalem Post
Israel took its first small step toward the reversal of the 2005 Disengagement, with ministers approving the legislation that would pave the way to rebuild the four northern Samaria settlements destroyed in that year.

Arab Leaders Warn Israeli Actions Threaten Regional Turmoil, ABC News
Dozens of leaders and senior officials from Arab and Islamic countries warned on Sunday Israeli actions in Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank could worsen regional turmoil, as violence surges between Israel and the Palestinians.

Thousands protest Netanyahu’s plan to weaken Israel’s judiciary as president warns of ‘social collapse’, CNN
Protesters held signs with messages including “there is no democracy without equality” and “destroying the country to avoid trial” – a reference to the perception that Netanyahu’s desire to halt his corruption trials is behind his government’s planned judicial reforms.

Opinion and Analysis

Israel is Annexing the West Bank. Don’t be Misled by its Gaslighting, Just Security
Three legal experts in Israel discuss the implicaitons of the new government’s proposed policies for the West Bank.

In 46 Words, Biden Sends a Clear Message to Israel, The New York Times
Thomas Friedman writes, “If Biden’s message is not clear to the Netanyahu coalition, let me try to put it as simply as I can: America has supported Israel militarily and diplomatically and with billions of dollars in aid since its foundation, but not because it shares our interests. It does not always. Israel has stayed neutral between Ukraine and Russia, it is indifferent to human rights abuses in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and Israeli businesses sometimes sell defense technologies to China that are very worrying to the Pentagon. We have given Israel so much support since its founding because we believe Israel shares our values.”