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.
Israel Cannot Abandon the Two State Solution, The Jerusalem Post
The Jerusalem Post’s daily editorial writes, “It is time for Israel to strengthen its ties with moderate Palestinians and keep cooperating with pragmatic Israeli-Arabs. Having Ra’am in the coalition is a huge and historic step in that direction. Its leader, Mansour Abbas, has said multiple times that he recognizes Israel as a Jewish State, and that “it will stay like this.” It is time to start talking again about solutions to the ongoing conflict with the Palestinians. Ignoring it does not serve Israel’s interests of remaining a Jewish and democratic state.”
Israeli Military ID’s Gun That May Have Killed Journalist, AP
The Israeli military has identified a soldier’s rifle that may have killed Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, but said it cannot be certain unless the Palestinians turn over the bullet for analysis, a military official said Thursday. The confirmation marked a small sign of progress in the investigation into the killing of Abu Akleh, who was fatally shot on May 11 while covering an Israeli military raid in the occupied West Bank.
Israeli Army Tries to Intercept Its Own Drone, Causing Panic, The Times of Israel
Defense Minister Benny Gantz met with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan in the White House and thanked him for the Biden administration’s commitment to Israel’s security. Landing in Washington on Wednesday, Gantz made his trip amid tension between Israel and the US, following the killing of American-Palestinian reporter Shireen Abu Akleh in the West Bank and Israel’s new policy for foreigners seeking to enter the West Bank, set to come into effect in July.
Israeli Army Tries to Intercept Its Own Drone, Causing Panic, Haaretz
The Israeli army said Thursday that intercepting rockets were launched at an aerial target after a target was misidentified. According to an initial investigation, Israel’s aerial defenses tried to shoot down an Israeli drone and failed. The rocket sirens sounded earlier Thursday in communities across the Upper Galilee near the border with Lebanon as well as Ma’ale Yosef regional council.
US Ambassador Moving Into New Jerusalem Residence, The Jerusalem Post
The US Embassy in Jerusalem found a residence for Ambassador Tom Nides, more than a year after it stopped using the palatial home it once owned in Herzliya, a source with knowledge of the matter has confirmed. The new residence is off of Jerusalem’s Emek Refaim Street, a busy thoroughfare of cafes and boutiques, as well as historic homes.
Joint List Lawmaker Says Will Present Bill to Bring Down Coalition Next Week, Haaretz
A legislator from the Joint List – an alliance of three of Israel’s Arab-majority political parties – said Friday that he would submit a bill to dissolve the Knesset on Wednesday. This comes a day after Meretz lawmaker Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi announced that she is quitting the ruling government, and leaving it without a majority, thus increasing the opposition’s prospects of toppling it.
Israel Used U.S. Weapons To Destroy U.S. Assets and Aid Projects in Gaza, The Intercept
Documents show that in 2021, arms made and funded by the United States destroyed UNRWA schools, USAID projects, and a Coca-Cola plant.
Yet Another Palestinian Journalist Dies on the Job, The Washington Post
Daoud Kuttab writes, “Much has happened over the years, yet one thing has remained the same: Israel and Israeli soldiers abhor Palestinian journalists, and those with cameras are viewed with even more scorn. I can attest to this personally, based on my four decades of experience. In 1982, in the wake of Israel’s invasion of Lebanon, I decided to apply for an Israeli press card. After months of waiting, security checks and jumping over bureaucratic hurdles to prove that I was a bona fide journalist, I was able to obtain accreditation as a journalist by the Israeli government press office. The Israeli-issued press card allowed me to cross checkpoints, and most of the time it helped. Yet we were never allowed to forget the realities of occupation. We had to surmount countless obstacles and numerous dangers.”