News Roundup for June 13, 2022

June 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

Biden Planning July Trip to Saudi Arabia and Israel, Axios
President Biden plans to visit Israel and Saudi Arabia in July, the White House confirmed to Axios on Sunday. Three Israeli officials told Axios Biden is expected to visit Israel and the Palestinian Authority on July 14 and 15 before traveling on to Saudi Arabia. The White House has not confirmed those dates, and the Israeli officials all warned that the timing had shifted several times and could change again.

How Shireen Abu Akleh Was Killed, The Washington Post
A Washington Post analysis by By Sarah Cahlan, Meg Kelly and Steve Hendrix of available visuals, audio and witness statements concludes that an Israeli soldier likely fired the fatal shot.

News

Iran Begins to Dismantle Nuclear Program Cameras After Western Criticism, The New York Times
Iran began dismantling the U.N. monitoring system of its nuclear program, partly blinding nuclear inspectors in apparent retaliation for a resolution condemning its lack of cooperation with international inspectors, just at a moment when Tehran is again on the verge of possessing enough fuel for a bomb.

Top US Official Meets Fuming Abbas in Ramallah Ahead of Expected Biden Visit, The Times of Israel
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas hosted Saturday a US delegation led by Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf, issuing a fresh call for Washington to uphold its promises to restore ties ahead of an expected visit by President Joe Biden next month.

Turkey Foiled Iranian Plot Against Israeli Targets, Haaretz
Turkey exposed an Iranian ring that had planned to carry out an attack against Israeli targets in Turkey. An Israeli source said the ring was uncovered following an Israeli tip-off to Turkish authorities about a month ago.

Delegation of German Lawmakers in Israel To Deepen Security Ties, The Jerusalem Post
Nine members of the German Bundestag’s Interior and Homeland Committee are in Israel to enhance security cooperation in meetings with Israeli officials. The German delegation, which arrived in Israel on Sunday, is set to meet Israeli ministers, cyber experts and coalition and opposition MKs in the Knesset to discuss cyber defense and domestic threats.

Opinion and Analysis

Infighting in Israel Imperils Legal Safeguards From West Bank Settlers, The Washington Post
Steve Hendrix and Shira Rubin discuss the prospects of the Israeli government, writing, “[T]he decades-old system in which Israel extends its legal code to its citizens settling in the Palestinian territories is suddenly imperiled. Lawmakers in Jerusalem are deadlocked on renewing the arrangement in a schism that could dissolve the unusual two-tiered legal system and subject the West Bank’s Israelis to the same martial law as their Palestinian neighbors. It is a dispute threatening to bring down the country’s year-old government.”