Sanders: Netanyahu’s Peace Is Israel Between Mediterranean Sea, Jordan River, The Jerusalem Post
“We must say loudly and clearly that we oppose reactionary policies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, [which] does not make anyone anti-Israel,” Sanders said. “Let me say it again. I am vigorously opposed to the reactionary racist and authoritarian policies of Donald Trump. That does not make me anti-American, and I am not anti-Israel because I oppose Netanyahu’s policies.”
New Palestinian Premier Warns of a ‘Very Hot Summer’, New York Times
Pressured by the Trump administration, confronted with Israeli talk of annexing the West Bank, increasingly isolated in the Arab world and running out of money, the beleaguered Palestinian Authority is staring at what its new prime minister acknowledges could be its own demise. “We are in a collapsing situation,” the premier, Muhammad Shtayyeh, said in an interview.
Growing Number of U.S. Jews Support Evacuation of All West Bank Settlements, Survey Finds, Haaretz
A growing number of American Jews, the survey shows, are also unhappy with Israel’s policies toward the Palestinians and support a full evacuation of West Bank settlements.
EU Chiefs Tell Kushner: Peace Plan Has to Take Into Account Palestinians and Israelis’ Aspirations, Haaretz
A statement released by the European officials following the meeting said that both Juncker and Mogherini stressed to Kushner that any economic solutions the U.S. administration offers the Palestinians have to be accompanied by a “viable political solution that takes into account the legitimate aspirations of both the Palestinians and the Israelis,” and that it must also agree with accepted “international parameters.”
Likud says Smotrich can ‘forget’ about Justice Ministry, Times of Israel
Likud sources have reportedly said there is no chance that MK Bezalel Smotrich will be appointed justice minister after the lawmaker stated he would like to see Israel governed by religious law.
Gaza Officials Warn of Escalation Over Israel’s ‘Foot-dragging’ in Implementing Ceasefire Agreements, Haaretz
Officials in Hamas and other Gaza-based organizations warn of escalation in this week’s planned demonstration along the border fence with Israel, over what they describe as foot-dragging in implementing agreements reached with Israel.
Relaunching campaign, Gantz says Netanyahu leading Israel into ‘total chaos’, Times of Israel
Benny Gantz, leader of the centrist Blue and White party, kicked off his election campaign on Monday, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of leading the country into “total chaos” and slamming his decision to call another national poll five months after the last one a “farce” and a “national joke.”
Democracy in Netanyahu’s Israel Under Greater Threat Than in Trump’s America, Warns Lawfare Editor, Haaretz
Benjamin Wittes, one of the most sought-after commentators on legal affairs in Trump-era America, says Benjamin Netanyahu could wreak a lot of damage on the legal system in a very short space of time.
Nechama Rivlin to be buried Wednesday evening at Jerusalem’s Mount Herzl, Times of Israel
Nechama Rivlin, the wife of President Reuven Rivlin, will be buried on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Mount Herzl national cemetery in Jerusalem. Rivlin passed away Tuesday morning at the age of 73.
High Court Rules Against Terrorist Visitation Rights, The Jerusalem Post
The Israel High Court of Justice rejected a petition by Hamas members from Gaza against Minister of Interior Security Gilad Erdan’s decision to prevent visits by families of incarcerated prisoners in Israel.
Palestinians angry as PA cabinet revealed to have given itself secret pay raise, Times of Israel
According to one leaked document, the monthly salaries for PA ministers spiked from $3,000 to $5,000, while the prime minister’s salary was raised to $6,000.
A New Black-Jewish Caucus Aims For Solidarity — But Will Israel Get In The Way?, The Forward
Aiden Pink writes, “Jewish and African-American activists and politicians have cited the importance of standing together in the face of rising white nationalism. But it remains to be seen whether political differences will get in the way.”
Stepping inside the shoes of occupation deniers, +972 Mag
Tom Pessah writes, “Does watching footage of human rights abuses change the way people think about the occupation? A new film challenges us to put ourselves in the shoes of our political rivals in order to change their minds.”
Jared Kushner Just Killed the Palestinian Peace Camp, Haaretz
Muhammad Shehada writes, “‘Incapable’ of governing themselves: Kushner’s condescending slur betrays the Palestinians who have backed negotiations, and boosted the most violent and extreme voices in Palestine.”
Could he be PM, what’s his beef with Bibi, and 3 other Liberman election queries, Times of Israel
Marissa Newman writes, “With Israelis still reeling from the political whiplash and bracing for more twists, turns, betrayals and recriminations in the three months before trudging back to the ballot boxes, what follows is a look at five of the key claims, rumors, and unanswered questions that swirled around Liberman before the curtain fell at midnight Wednesday on the Greek tragedy that was the 21st Knesset.”
New Israel Vote All About Netanyahu Corruption Probes, Bloomberg
Ivan Levingston writes, “Much of the country is fed up with Bibi, as Netanyahu is known, particularly because of the corruption charges swirling around him. That has complicated his bid to win a fifth term as prime minister and given his opponents an opening.”