Two recent events highlight the continuing issue of land sales in East Jerusalem to Israeli settlers and Palestinian attempts to thwart them.
Articles tagged: ‘Israel’
BDS: three developments
Posted onHSBC disinvests in Elbit, Israel publishes a blacklist, Congress stalls on anti-BDS action.
Lebanon: no government, tunnel tussle with Israel
Posted onLebanon – still no sign of a government following the election in May 2018. Tunnelling on the Israeli border could be a warning of something much worse.
Saudi Arabia still in the doghouse
Posted onTrial of 11 unnamed persons for the Khashoggi murder begins. Any stick will now do to beat Saudi Arabia.
Syria and the Knave of Trumps
Posted onDonald Trump’s announcement that he is withdrawing all US military personnel from Syria may fulfil one of his 2016 election pledges to the American people. But it is also a — domestically driven — betrayal of key American allies, not least the Kurds. Latest clear indicator of the overall shape of US foreign policy for as long as Mr Trump remains in the Oval Office.
Political prisoners
Posted onMany countries in the region hold disgracefully large numbers of prisoners, but information is patchy and unreliable.
Violence in the West Bank
Posted onWest Bank – a week of shootings. Possible political consequences. Kushner’s peace plan still at the other end of the rainbow.
Palestinian diplomacy
Posted onMahmud Abbas and senior Palestinian officials have had high-level exchanges with Russia, Italy and the Vatican. Palestinian unity over a US resolution at UNGA proves short lived.
Airbnb – “Buzz Power”
Posted onAirbnb delists properties in the occupied West Bank. Outrage in Israel. Economically insignificant but will catch attention for BDS at least for 15 minutes.
Bahrain – elections, MBS, Israel
Posted onElections have been held in Bahrain since 2002 but have yet to have much meaning. Homage to MBS. Bahrain in Israel’s sights.