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Analysis: Annexation: opposition mounts at Bibi prepares retreat

Kremlin.ru, CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons Benjamin Netanyahu is facing mounting opposition at home and abroad to his plans to annex parts of the West Bank. Last weekend saw thousands of Israelis take to the streets of Tel Aviv to protest against the move, as polls indicated growing public opposition. There were also demonstrations last…

In Brief: Iran continues to violate nuclear deal, says international watchdog

Image: Nanking2012, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium has grown by 50 percent in the last three months, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported this week. A former head of Israeli military intelligence warned that Iran has now substantially reduced the "break-out time" - the time in which it would be possible for the Islamic…

In Brief: Israel freezes further lifting of restrictions as coronavirus cases mount

CDC/ Alissa Eckert, MS; Dan Higgins, MAMS, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons The Israeli government decided this week to freeze the further lifting of coronavirus restrictions and step up the enforcement of social distancing requirements and other regulations as cases in the country continued to grow. The Health Ministry announced today that a further 88 coronavirus cases…

In Brief: Norway halts PA education money over incitement in curriculum

Image: IMPACT-SE Norway is withholding more than half of the money it planned to give the Palestinian Authority for education spending this year due to concerns about incitement in the curriculum. Norway is a major donor to the PA and the announcement by foreign minister Ine Eriksen Søreide follows a cross-party vote in the country's parliament last…

In Brief: Israel considers shutting schools as coronavirus rates rise again

Image: Avishai Teicher, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons The Israeli government is considering shutting middle and senior schools once again as coronavirus rates have begun to rise in recent days. More than 30 Israeli schools have been closed - sending 10,000 pupils and teachers into home quarantine - after students at them were diagnosed with the…

In Brief: US cooling on annexation as Israel backs away from 1 July deadline

Photo: U.S. Embassy Jerusalem, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons The Trump administration is believed to be seeking to slow the process of Israel annexing parts of the West Bank, according to Israeli media reports. On Monday, Benjamin Netanyahu held a conference call to discuss the implementation of the administration's peace plan - including its provisions…

Analysis: Bibi has his day in court

Image: Kremlin.ru, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons After months of delays and legal ducking and diving, Benjamin Netanyahu finally appeared in court this week to face a raft of corruption charges. Israel’s longest-serving premier is also the first incumbent prime minister to go on trial. Sunday’s court appearance by Netanyahu was a formality in which he was…

In Brief: Israel reopens bars, restaurants and tourist attractions

CDC/ Alissa Eckert, MS; Dan Higgins, MAMS, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons Israel continued to move out of its tight lockdown this week as bars, restaurants and tourist attractions were given the green light to reopen on Wednesday. Social distance and hygiene rules will be strictly enforced and customers are being told they must wear masks,…

In Brief: PA refuses to accept aid from UAE after it arrives on historic flight to Israel

  The Palestinian Authority is refusing to accept tonnes of coronavirus aid from the United Arab Emirates because it arrived on the first ever direct flight (pictured) from the Gulf state to Israel. The aid was being held at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport while United Nations officials seek ways to distribute it. The UAE, like…