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.
Hebron Palestinians ‘Never Seen Anything Like’ Weekend Violence From Jewish Visitors, Haaretz
Palestinian residents have always prepared for potential altercations during the annual Shabbat pilgrimage to Hebron, but have never experienced violence of this magnitude after 30,000 Jews marched in the city this past weekend.
Ex-Police Brass: Expanding Ben Gvir’s Powers As Minister Imperils Democracy, The Times of Israel
Former Jerusalem police chief Arieh Amit warned on Tuesday that anticipated changes to the relationship between the police force and the public security minister, demanded by far-right lawmaker Itamar Ben Gvir, could spell the end of Israeli democracy.
U.S. Officials Hope Netanyahu Ally Dermer Gets Senior Post in Israeli Government, Axios
Biden administration officials say they hope Ron Dermer, the former Israeli ambassador to Washington and incoming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s close confidant, will be appointed to a senior post in the new Israeli government.
There’s No Palestinian Culture!’: Far-right Protesters Disrupt Jewish-Arab Event in Haifa, Haaretz
Several dozen right-wing activists attended a demonstration on Sunday in Haifa to protest a Palestinian culture event sponsored by the city’s Beit Hagefen Jewish-Arab culture center. The event, entitled “Limits in Palestinian Culture,” was held as part Beit Hagefen’s Haifa Story festival at the Tikotin Museum of Japanese Art.
Smotrich Says Human Rights Organizations Are ‘Existential Threat’ to Israel, The Times of Israel
Religious Zionism leader Bezalel Smotrich said Monday that the new government would need to “take action” against certain human rights organizations when it enters office, calling the groups an “existential threat to the state of Israel.”
Palestinian Leader Quietly in Qatar for World Cup Opening, AP
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arrived in Doha on Saturday to attend the World Cup opening ceremony, Qatar’s news agency reported, in a visit unannounced by the Palestinians.
Jewish Israeli Arrested for Assaulting Female IDF Soldier in Hebron, The Jerusalem Post
A 17-year-old Jewish Israeli was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of attacking a female IDF soldier during the Shabbat Chayei Sarah celebrations in Hebron last Saturday. The suspect was brought to the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court for a hearing on Tuesday morning.
The American — and Jewish — Divide Over Israel, The American Prospect
In an excerpt from his new book Eric Alterman writes, “What has been lost is not only American Judaism’s previous focus on social justice and social services but any attention to the substance of what it means to be an American Jew.”
Three Weeks After the Election, What Does the Incoming Government Look Like?, Haaretz
Haaretz explains: “Almost one in every two members of Knesset from Israel’s incoming coalition – some 30 lawmakers – will receive ministerial portfolios, officials involved in the negotiations estimated on Tuesday. Here is where the coalition negotiations appear to stand at the moment.”
