Sanders, Warren push resolution decrying Israeli annexation plans, Times of Israel
“Five Democratic senators, including the party’s deputy leader in the chamber and two leading presidential candidates, on Thursday introduced a resolution decrying any Israeli plan to annex West Bank territory, an apparent shot across the bow at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has recently spoken in support of extending Israeli law to all settlements […] The liberal Mideast policy organization J Street welcomed the resolution.”
Democratic Senators Release Resolution Against Israeli Annexation of West Bank, Haaretz
“The resolution won praise from the progressive Jewish group J Street, which works to promote a two-state solution. ‘This resolution is an important warning to the Trump administration against any attempts to encourage annexation or undercut the ultimate prospects for a two-state solution,’ said the organization’s president Jeremy Ben-Ami.”
Dems Introduce Resolution Reaffirming U.S. Commitment to Two-State Solution, The Jerusalem Post
“According to J Street President, Jeremy Ben-Ami, ‘It’s vital that the Senate recommit to long-held, bipartisan principles — and reject a path that leads Israel down a path towards permanent occupation and endless conflict.’”
The Trump team is only making the Israeli-Palestinian conflict worse , Times of Israel
J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami writes, “If this plan never sees the light of day, no one who cares about peace should shed any tears. Based on their actions and statements so far, it’s now 100 percent clear that the effort led by Jared Kushner and David Friedman is not a good-faith attempt to bring about a peaceful, lasting and viable resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”
AIPAC and J Street support bipartisan effort to restore funds for Israeli-Palestinian peace dialogue, JTA
“AIPAC and J Street support bipartisan effort to restore funds for Israeli-Palestinian peace dialogue.”
US economic aid bill for Palestinians proposed, Globes
“The bill is supported by Democrats, Republicans, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC – the pro-Israel lobby in Washington), J Street, and Peace Now – organizations that rarely agree on anything.”
Israel said to be trying to block bipartisan Senate two-state resolution, Times of Israel
Israeli diplomats in Washington have been working to prevent the Senate from passing a bipartisan resolution that would endorse a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, according to a report published Wednesday.
Ilhan Omar is joining newly formed black-Jewish congressional caucus, JTA
Rep. Ilhan Omar will participate in a new bipartisan black-Jewish congressional caucus […] The caucus, launched after a meeting convened by the American Jewish Committee in January, will work to bring blacks and Jews together to back hate crimes legislation and combat white supremacist ideology and actions.
Trump’s hard-line approach to Iran is a ‘strategic mistake,’ former US energy secretary says, CNBC
Moniz, who was energy secretary from May 2013 to January 2017 under former President Barack Obama, said he believed Iran was still adhering to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). But he warned that the nuclear power could change its mind “within a month or so.”
Israel Foiled Hamas Attempt to Smuggle Materials for Missiles Into Gaza, Army Says, Haaretz
The Israeli army said Friday it foiled an attempt by Hamas to smuggle materials to manufacture projectiles into the Gaza Strip last month.
Abbas calls Rivlin to offer condolences on wife’s passing, Times of Israel
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas called his Israeli counterpart Reuven Rivlin on Thursday to offer condolences on the passing of First Lady Nechama Rivlin, drawing fire from his rivals.
Child Beggars Are the Face of Poverty in the Gaza Strip, Haaretz
The Israeli blockade, the sanctions imposed by the Palestinian Authority and additional taxes imposed by Hamas are making the situation more dire.
Amir Ohana Is Gay and Right-Wing. How Far Can He Go in Israel?, New York Times
Matti Friedman writes, “The Israeli right isn’t the American right; here right-wing mainly means a tough stance on the conflict with the Arab world, and the rest is flexible. Or, as Mr. Ohana has said before entering the Knesset in 2015, ‘Being attracted to men doesn’t mean you have to believe in creating a Palestinian state.’”
Iran nuclear deal is hanging by a thread – so will Islamic Republic now develop a bomb?, The Conversation
Annie Waqar writes, “Tehran has rightly said the deal agreed to end Iran’s financial isolation in return for the strict limitations on its nuclear activities. But by bolstering sanctions, the US has scared organisations and banks into diminishing, ceasing or avoiding altogether business with Iranian partners, with serious repercussions for Iran’s economy.”
One Year Into Trump’s Iran Strategy: Where Do Things Stand?, Lawfare
Hilary Hurd and Nathaniel Sobel write, “As tensions between the U.S. and Iran continue to mount, a looming question remains: How far is the administration willing to go to make Iran change its behavior?”
‘No real check on Israeli power’ leaves Palestinians stateless, Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera analysis: “The yet-to-be-revealed US Middle East peace plan, dubbed the ‘deal of the century’ by President Donald Trump, is expected to do little to assist the Palestinians in their struggle for freedom and statehood, years after the Oslo Accords proved futile.”
Netanyahu’s Losing Rivals Need Open Primaries or Even a Reality Show: The Choice, Haaretz
Chemi Shalev writes, “The center-left bloc was given a new chance for a return match that its leaders didn’t pray for, did nothing to advance and don’t seem enthusiastic to exploit. Apart from the vote for leadership of the now-truncated Labor Party, which became unavoidable after Avi Gabbay’s embarrassing fall into the honey trap laid by Netanyahu, the center-left intends to field the exact same team that lost the previous round.”