More settler violence in West Bank (Ynet)The Israeli government's decision to crack down on illegal settler outposts in the West Bank has led to continued violence by settlers against both Palestinians and Israeli security.
Attacks continued Wednesday. Ha'aretz reported:
at about 5 A.M. yesterday, masked settlers began blocking roads and stoning Palestinian cars near Karnei Shomron, Kedumim and Yitzhar. Palestinians responded by throwing rocks at the settlers. Four Palestinian civilians were injured in the ensuing clash, but since they were traveling in a car with Israeli license plates it is not clear whether they were hit by Israeli or by Palestinian stone-throwers.The International Middle East Media Center reported:
Witnesses said that settlers from the nearby Yitshar settlement stopped the truck driver then beat him up. They added that the driver escaped with cuts and bruises. Extremist Israeli settlers carried out a series of violent attacks against Palestinians residents and orchards near Nablus this week.The settlements are emerging as a key point of contention between the United States and Israel, both raising tensions in Israel and meeting resistance from Israeli leaders.
Lieberman: Israel is not planning to bomb Iran
According to Reuters, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman stated yesterday in Russia, "We do not have a need," to carry out attacks on Iran, he said. "Israel is a strong country and we can defend ourselves."
HEADLINES
Obama begins Mideast tour in Saudi Arabia (Los Angeles Times)
As Obama Begins Mideast Trip, Focus Is on Israel (Washington Post)
Global ranking: Only 3 countries more dangerous than Israel (Ynet)
Obama to tell Israel: Form new peace policy by July (Ha'aretz)
Barak lobbies US officials on settlements (Daily Star)
Palestine and the Palestinians
Gaza’s Gritty Mixture of Dirt, Despair Produces Houses of Mud (Bloomberg.com)
Gaza aid still in Egypt (The Electronic Intifada)
Hamas officials hand over documents to UN's Gaza war crimes inquiry (Ma'an)
Israel
Israel OKs contentious hotel in east Jerusalem (AP)
Israel Removes 2 West Bank Roadblocks (Voice of America)
Israel's Leumi gets extension to sell Paz stake (Reuters)
Sirens ring out for Israel largest emergency drill (Ha'aretz)
Israeli Army Accused of Stealing Private Palestinian Land for Military Facility (The Media Line)
Ethics Committee: MK Zahalka's participation in anti-Israel rally legitimate (Ynet)
Climate change could prompt Israel to resist Golan pullout (Ha'aretz)
Meretz: Obama's line on Israel correct (Jerusalem Post)
The Neighbors
Sirens heard in south Lebanon as Israel rehearses 'doomsday'(Daily Star)
US, Hezbollah thaw in the cards (Hurriyet Daily News)
Egyptians suspicious of Obama, US policies: poll (Emirates Business)
Syrian president appoints new defense minister (Ynet)
Hezbollah No. 2 wants Lebanon unity government (AP)
US Foreign Policy
Obama Plays Down Divide With Israel (New York Times)
Audio: Obama's Israeli-Palestinian agenda on track, but danger signs (NPR)
White House: No 'rancor,' 'ultimatums' for Israel (Politico)
U.S. envoy Mitchell expected in Middle East soon (Reuters)
International Relations/Law
Arab States Cool to Obama Pleas for Peace Gesture (New York Times)
FM: Israeli-Palestinian conflict part of regional clash of moderates, radicals (Ynet)
Palestinian rights groups slam UN chief over Gaza war inquiry (Xinhau)
Palestinian village sends pair to sue Quebec companies (CBC)
EU leader: Israel relations linked to Palestinian state (Ma'an)
UN chief urges Israel to cooperate with Gaza human rights probe (Xinhua)
Canadian PM: No double-speak on Israel (Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
Ya'alon: N. Korea's nuclear tests will have indirect effect on Israel (Jerusalem Post)
Arts and Activism
NGO organizes health festival for Palestinian children (Daily Star)
Palestinian community educators win children's literature's richest prize (Guardian)
A Lifeline From The United States To Gaza (Australia.to News)
Berkeley activist Barbara Lubin shares the wealth—and the love—with children in the Middle East (The Monthly)
Misc.
Joint Israeli-Palestinian team takes part in European tourney (Ha'aretz)
Rebuilding lives, healing minds (Bulletin of the World Health Organization)
Israel's official blog gets new design (Jerusalem Post)
Israel Parade Has Fewer Delays, And Marchers (The Jewish Week)
Visiting the Samaritans on their holy West Bank mountain (Reuters)
Commentary
Analysis: Obama plans to teach Netanyahu tough love (Ha'aretz)
Benjamin: Obama should visit Gaza (Electronic Intifada)
Eldar: American policy on Israel will require some fine tuning (Daily Star)
Friedman: Obama on Obama (New York Times)
Hijab: A Stifling Embrace (Agence Global)
Kagan: Obama Courageous, Foolish or Both? (Washington Post)
Meretz: Obama's line on Israel correct (Jerusalem Post)
Rabbani: Embattled Palestinians, Elusive Peace (International Relations and Security Network)
Views expressed on this post or on linked web pages do not represent the Palestine Center, the educational program of the Jerusalem Fund for Education and Community Development. All content is for educational purposes only.
