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.
Why Is the Israeli Left Still Turning a Cold Shoulder to Gulf States?, Haaretz
“Officials in the U.S.-based liberal advocacy group J Street agree that the Abraham Accords constitute an opportunity for anyone who wants to promote a solution for the Palestinian question. “Even if they were born in negative circumstances, the Abraham Accords can serve our agenda,” says Nadav Tamir, executive director of J Street Israel, and formerly a senior adviser to President Shimon Peres. “We need to take advantage of this regional context also to further a move vis-à-vis Iran, but also one that will help on the Palestinian issue. American leadership could create shared interests here, that’s relatively easy.””
Israeli PM Calls for Saudi Relations Ahead of Biden Visit, AP
Israel’s prime minister expressed hope Sunday that his country will establish formal diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia, days before President Joe Biden visits the two countries as part of a regional trip. Israel and Saudi Arabia do not have official diplomatic relations, but have shared clandestine security ties over a mutual enmity of regional arch-rival Iran. The kingdom is widely believed to be among a handful of Arab states weighing open ties with Israel.
Blue and White, New Hope Announce Union, Will Run as Joint Slate in November Vote, The Times of Israel
Defense Minister Benny Gantz’s Blue and White party and Justice Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s New Hope party have inked an agreement to run as a joint slate in the upcoming election, set for November 1, they announced on Sunday evening.
Parents of Slain Israeli-American Girl Seek Biden Meeting, The Washington Post
The family of an Israel-American girl killed in a 2001 Palestinian suicide bombing in Jerusalem is seeking a meeting with President Joe Biden in hopes of forcing Jordan to extradite a woman convicted in the deadly attack. The parents of Malki Roth turned to Biden on Sunday asking to meet with the president when he comes to Jerusalem this week. They want the president to put pressure on Jordan, a close American ally, to send Ahlam Tamimi to the U.S. for trial.
Biden to Announce $100 Million for Palestinian Hospitals on Middle East Trip, Axios
President Biden will announce $100 million in aid to Palestinian hospitals in East Jerusalem during his visit to the Middle East this week. The Biden administration sees the funding pledge as its main deliverable to the Palestinians during the visit. Biden is expected to visit one of the hospitals, Augusta Victoria Hospital, during his trip.
Lapid Tells Sissi He Will Look Into Report of an Israeli Mass Grave of Egyptian Commandos, Haaretz
Prime Minister Yair Lapid spoke to Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi on Sunday, and assured him that he would look into reports claiming that there is a mass grave of Egyptian soldiers in central Israel.
Biden to Talk up Jerusalem Consulate, but No Announcement Expected, The Jerusalem Post
US President Joe Biden is expected to reaffirm his aim to open a consulate for the Palestinians in Jerusalem, but not to announce any progress on the matter during his trip to Israel this week, a US official said on Monday.
Jenin Violence Rages Two Months After Death of Al Jazeera Journalist, The Guardian
Bethan McKernan and Sufian Taha write, “The veteran Al Jazeera journalist was covering the violence when she lost her life, most likely as the result of being shot by an Israeli sniper. Abu Aqleh is one of 25 people who have been killed in the Jenin area since the beginning of the year: the near-nightly IDF raids on the camp have become one of the biggest Israeli military operations outside wartime for two decades.”