The Palestinian health ministry said today two more people were killed after<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-retaliates-as-200-rockets-fired-by-gaza-militant-10-people-killed-261693"> Israel launched airstrikes&nbsp;on Gaza </a>early on Wednesday morning.

Israel's strikes occurred after it killed a top Palestinian militant Baha<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-kills-islamic-jihads-top-commander-in-missile-attack-261537"> Abu Al-Atta in Gaza</a> belonging to Islamic Jihad early Tuesday leading to a tit-for-tat rocket attack by militants from across the border.

Israeli PM Netanyahu said Al-Atta was a "ticking bomb," responsible for cross-border rocket, drone and sniper attacks. Al-Atta, 42, and his wife were killed in the pre-dawn Israeli strike.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/50-rockets-fired-on-israel-from-gaza-261694/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The death toll as a result of the strikes has now climbed to 12, several Israeli's were wounded after militants fired rockets, with some reaching Tel Aviv.

Israel carried out a series of strikes early on Wednesday as citizens ran for cover. &nbsp;Israeli military said Palestinian militants fired about 200 rockets into Israel throughout the day in retaliation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: "Israel is not interested in escalation, but we will do everything required to defend ourselves, adding,"this could take time."

Meanwhile, the US-backed the Israeli strikes in Gaza.

"Palestinian Islamic Jihad, an Islamist terrorist org backed by Iran, is again attacking Israel with 100’s of missiles aimed at civilians. We stand w(ith) our friend &amp; ally Israel," US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman said. 
&nbsp;

The Palestinian health ministry said today two more people were killed after Israel launched airstrikes on Gaza early on Wednesday morning. Israel's strikes occurred after it killed a top Palestinian militant Baha Abu Al-Atta in Gaza belonging to Islamic Jihad early Tuesday leading to a tit-for-tat rocket attack by militants from across the border.

The Palestinian health ministry said today two more people were killed after Israel launched airstrikes on Gaza early on Wednesday morning. Israel's strikes occurred after it killed a top Palestinian militant Baha Abu Al-Atta in Gaza belonging to Islamic Jihad early Tuesday leading to a tit-for-tat rocket attack by militants from across the border. Israeli PM Netanyahu said Al-Atta was a "ticking bomb," responsible for cross-border rocket, drone and sniper attacks. Al-Atta, 42, and his wife were killed in the pre-dawn Israeli strike. Watch Video: The death toll as a result of the strikes has now climbed to 12, several Israeli's were wounded after militants fired rockets, with some reaching Tel Aviv. Israel carried out a series of strikes early on Wednesday as citizens ran for cover. Israeli military said Palestinian militants fired about 200 rockets into Israel throughout the day in retaliation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: "Israel is not interested in escalation, but we will do everything required to defend ourselves, adding,"this could take time." Meanwhile, the US-backed the Israeli strikes in Gaza. "Palestinian Islamic Jihad, an Islamist terrorist org backed by Iran, is again attacking Israel with 100’s of missiles aimed at civilians. We stand w(ith) our friend & ally Israel," US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman said.

Death toll in Israeli strikes in Gaza climbs to 12

Israel's military killed a commander from Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad in a strike on his home in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-kills-islamic-jihads-top-commander-in-missile-attack-261537">triggering exchanges of fire</a> in a violent escalation that left another nine Gazans dead.

The targeted strike prompted a retaliatory barrage of almost 200 rockets fired into Israel, followed by Israeli air raids. Gaza's health ministry reported a total of 10 people killed and more than <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/netanyahu-says-israel-gaza-fighting-could-take-time-261596">40 wounded in the Palestinian enclave</a>.

Israel said its airstrikes targeted Islamic Jihad militant sites as well as rocket-launching squads.

The rocket fire into Israel caused damage and a number of injuries, with at least one rocket hitting a house and another narrowly missing passing cars on a highway.&nbsp;

A factory in the city of Sderot was also hit, sparking a fire.

Israeli medics said they had treated 46 people, 21 of whom had "stress symptoms" related to the rocket fire.

Reports that a separate strike targeted an Islamic Jihad member in Damascus added to the day's tensions.

Islamic Jihad confirmed one of its officials, Akram Ajouri, was targeted, with Syrian state news agency SANA reporting an Israeli strike had hit Ajouri's home in Damascus, "killing his son Muadh and another person".

Israel did not comment on that strike.

The initial Israeli raid in Gaza early Tuesday, thought to have been carried out by a drone, killed Islamic Jihad commander Baha Abu Al-Ata, 41.

Islamic Jihad confirmed his death, along with that of his wife.

Israel blamed Ata for recent rocket fire into its territory and said he had been preparing further attacks.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-israel-palestine-tensions-spike-50-rockets-launched-on-israel-261688/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

As the retaliatory rocket fire followed, air raid sirens rang out in various parts of Israel as residents took cover in bomb shelters.

Israel's military said Tuesday night that some 190 rockets had been fired at its territory throughout the day, with dozens intercepted by air defences.

More than half of the rockets fell in open areas, it said.

Footage posted online showing the rocket that hit the highway near the central Israeli city of Gan Yavne, narrowly missing cars.

- Schools closed - 
Islamic Jihad, allied to Hamas, the Islamist movement that rules Gaza, claimed responsibility for rocket fire from the Strip.

Schools were closed in both the Gaza Strip and in parts of Israel, including in the commercial capital Tel Aviv.

The Israeli army ordered "non-essential" workers in Tel Aviv, central Israel and the Gaza border region to stay home, banning public gatherings.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu charged that Ata had over the past year "planned and executed many attacks" and "fired hundreds of rockets at communities adjoining Gaza".

"Israel is not interested in escalation, but we shall do everything necessary in order to defend ourselves," he said in a televised statement from defence headquarters.

"I'm telling you in advance, it could take time."

Nadav Argaman, head of domestic security agency Shin Bet, said the operation "allowed us to reach the level of the bed in which he slept, the small room in which he lived, in which he hid."

Damage from a blast could be seen at Ata's home in the Shejayia district of eastern Gaza City.&nbsp;

Mosque loudspeakers rang out with news of Ata's death early Tuesday and crowds joined his funeral procession through the streets of the city, occasionally firing guns into the air.

A joint statement by Gaza's militant groups said Israel had crossed "all red lines" and would face consequences.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniya said "today's crime and the Israeli bombardment in Gaza are added to the Israeli criminal record that is intended to liquidate the Palestinian cause".

- Politically sensitive time - 
Israel said Ata was behind rocket fire towards a music festival in the Israeli city of Sderot in August as well as further rocket attacks at the start of November.

It has also accused him of being behind sniper fire and drone launchings.

Ata "is responsible for most of the terror attacks in the last year from the Gaza Strip," the army said, describing him as a "ticking bomb".

It alleged he was "promoting preparations to commit immediate terror attacks in various ways towards Israeli civilians and (Israeli) troops during the recent few days".

The strikes and rocket fire raised the possibility of a severe escalation between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza.

They have fought three wars since 2008 and Gaza has been under strict Israeli blockade for more than a decade.

Islamic Jihad is the second most-powerful militant group in the Gaza Strip after Hamas.

The flare-up comes at a politically sensitive time for Israel.

A September 17 general election ended in a deadlock and a new government is yet to be formed.&nbsp;

It was the second election since April, when polls also ended inconclusively. 
&nbsp;

Israel's military killed a commander from Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad in a strike on his home in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, triggering exchanges of fire in a violent escalation that left another nine Gazans dead.

Israel's military killed a commander from Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad in a strike on his home in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, triggering exchanges of fire in a violent escalation that left another nine Gazans dead. The targeted strike prompted a retaliatory barrage of almost 200 rockets fired into Israel, followed by Israeli air raids. Gaza's health ministry reported a total of 10 people killed and more than 40 wounded in the Palestinian enclave. Israel said its airstrikes targeted Islamic Jihad militant sites as well as rocket-launching squads. The rocket fire into Israel caused damage and a number of injuries, with at least one rocket hitting a house and another narrowly missing passing cars on a highway. A factory in the city of Sderot was also hit, sparking a fire. Israeli medics said they had treated 46 people, 21 of whom had "stress symptoms" related to the rocket fire. Reports that a separate strike targeted an Islamic Jihad member in Damascus added to the day's tensions. Islamic Jihad confirmed one of its officials, Akram Ajouri, was targeted, with Syrian state news agency SANA reporting an Israeli strike had hit Ajouri's home in Damascus, "killing his son Muadh and another person". Israel did not comment on that strike. The initial Israeli raid in Gaza early Tuesday, thought to have been carried out by a drone, killed Islamic Jihad commander Baha Abu Al-Ata, 41. Islamic Jihad confirmed his death, along with that of his wife. Israel blamed Ata for recent rocket fire into its territory and said he had been preparing further attacks. Watch Video: As the retaliatory rocket fire followed, air raid sirens rang out in various parts of Israel as residents took cover in bomb shelters. Israel's military said Tuesday night that some 190 rockets had been fired at its territory throughout the day, with dozens intercepted by air defences. More than half of the rockets fell in open areas, it said. Footage posted online showing the rocket that hit the highway near the central Israeli city of Gan Yavne, narrowly missing cars. - Schools closed - Islamic Jihad, allied to Hamas, the Islamist movement that rules Gaza, claimed responsibility for rocket fire from the Strip. Schools were closed in both the Gaza Strip and in parts of Israel, including in the commercial capital Tel Aviv. The Israeli army ordered "non-essential" workers in Tel Aviv, central Israel and the Gaza border region to stay home, banning public gatherings. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu charged that Ata had over the past year "planned and executed many attacks" and "fired hundreds of rockets at communities adjoining Gaza". "Israel is not interested in escalation, but we shall do everything necessary in order to defend ourselves," he said in a televised statement from defence headquarters. "I'm telling you in advance, it could take time." Nadav Argaman, head of domestic security agency Shin Bet, said the operation "allowed us to reach the level of the bed in which he slept, the small room in which he lived, in which he hid." Damage from a blast could be seen at Ata's home in the Shejayia district of eastern Gaza City. Mosque loudspeakers rang out with news of Ata's death early Tuesday and crowds joined his funeral procession through the streets of the city, occasionally firing guns into the air. A joint statement by Gaza's militant groups said Israel had crossed "all red lines" and would face consequences. Hamas leader Ismail Haniya said "today's crime and the Israeli bombardment in Gaza are added to the Israeli criminal record that is intended to liquidate the Palestinian cause". - Politically sensitive time - Israel said Ata was behind rocket fire towards a music festival in the Israeli city of Sderot in August as well as further rocket attacks at the start of November. It has also accused him of being behind sniper fire and drone launchings. Ata "is responsible for most of the terror attacks in the last year from the Gaza Strip," the army said, describing him as a "ticking bomb". It alleged he was "promoting preparations to commit immediate terror attacks in various ways towards Israeli civilians and (Israeli) troops during the recent few days". The strikes and rocket fire raised the possibility of a severe escalation between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza. They have fought three wars since 2008 and Gaza has been under strict Israeli blockade for more than a decade. Islamic Jihad is the second most-powerful militant group in the Gaza Strip after Hamas. The flare-up comes at a politically sensitive time for Israel. A September 17 general election ended in a deadlock and a new government is yet to be formed. It was the second election since April, when polls also ended inconclusively.

Israel retaliates as 200 rockets fired by Gaza militants; 10 people killed

The Israeli army said that Palestinian militants in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-kills-islamic-jihads-top-commander-in-missile-attack-261537">Gaza Strip pounded</a> the Jewish state with "substantial" rocket fire Tuesday after Israel killed a commander of Islamic Jihad.

"There is substantial fire," army spokesman Jonathan Conricus told journalists in a conference call.

Rockets struck the south of Israel and warning sirens wailed in Tel Aviv, although there were no immediate reports of hits on the seaside city. &nbsp;

"We are preparing for a number of days of fighting," Conricus said.

The army ordered "non-essential" workers in Tel Aviv and central Israel to stay at home like those in the Gaza border region, ordered schools and universities to close and banned public gatherings.

Israeli public radio said that more than a million pupils and students were missing their studies Tuesday.

The flareup came after a dawn strike on the Gaza home of Islamic Jihad commander Baha Abu Al-Ata, 42. The group said Ata's wife was also killed.

Israel blamed Ata for recent rocket fire into its territory and said he was preparing further attacks.

The strike raised the possibility of a severe escalation between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza, which is ruled by Islamist movement Hamas, which is allied with Islamic Jihad.

Three wars have been fought between them since 2008.

Hamas in a statement threatened revenge on Israel after the strike.

The Israeli army said that Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip pounded the Jewish state with "substantial" rocket fire Tuesday after Israel killed a commander of Islamic Jihad.

The Israeli army said that Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip pounded the Jewish state with "substantial" rocket fire Tuesday after Israel killed a commander of Islamic Jihad. "There is substantial fire," army spokesman Jonathan Conricus told journalists in a conference call. Rockets struck the south of Israel and warning sirens wailed in Tel Aviv, although there were no immediate reports of hits on the seaside city. "We are preparing for a number of days of fighting," Conricus said. The army ordered "non-essential" workers in Tel Aviv and central Israel to stay at home like those in the Gaza border region, ordered schools and universities to close and banned public gatherings. Israeli public radio said that more than a million pupils and students were missing their studies Tuesday. The flareup came after a dawn strike on the Gaza home of Islamic Jihad commander Baha Abu Al-Ata, 42. The group said Ata's wife was also killed. Israel blamed Ata for recent rocket fire into its territory and said he was preparing further attacks. The strike raised the possibility of a severe escalation between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza, which is ruled by Islamist movement Hamas, which is allied with Islamic Jihad. Three wars have been fought between them since 2008. Hamas in a statement threatened revenge on Israel after the strike.

Substantial fire from Palestinian militants in Gaza Strip: Israel Army

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said Sunday he was seeking "non-aggression" agreements with Gulf Arab nations that do not formally recognise the country as a prelude to possible future peace deals.

Details of the proposal were not made public, but it was the latest sign of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israels-parliament-sworn-in-without-new-government-253564">Israel's</a> push to improve ties with Gulf Arab nations with whom it has no formal diplomatic relations.

Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory has long served as a major factor preventing peace deals with Arab countries, but common concerns over Iran are widely seen as having brought them closer in recent years.

"Recently, I have been promoting, under the backing of the United States, a political initiative to sign 'non-aggression agreements' with the Arab Gulf states," Katz wrote on Twitter.

"The historic move will put an end to the conflict and allow civilian cooperation until peace agreements are signed."

Katz said he discussed the initiative with unnamed Arab foreign ministers and US President Donald Trump's outgoing envoy Jason Greenblatt while attending the UN General Assembly in late September.

A spokesman for Katz declined to provide further details for now, and it was not clear how much progress he has made in the endeavour.

Only two Arab countries -- Jordan and Egypt -- have peace treaties with Israel, but there have been overt signs in recent months of improved relations with Gulf nations.

A year ago, <a href="Benjamin Netanyahu’s rival Benny Gantz calls off Israel unity government talks: Reports">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu</a> held surprise talks with Oman's Sultan Qaboos in Muscat.

Katz in July said he had met his Bahraini counterpart publicly for the first time during a visit to Washington.

In late June, a group of Israeli journalists attended the US-led economic conference on Israeli-Palestinian peace in Bahrain.

All did not go well, however, when a group of invitees from Arab states visited Israel in July.

Palestinians hurled abuse and chairs at a member of the delegation -- a Saudi blogger -- as he visited east Jerusalem's Old City.

East Jerusalem was occupied by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed in a move never recognised by the international community.

Israel sees the entire city as its capital, while the Palestinians see the eastern sector as the capital of their future state.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said Sunday he was seeking "non-aggression" agreements with Gulf Arab nations that do not formally recognise the country as a prelude to possible future peace deals.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said Sunday he was seeking "non-aggression" agreements with Gulf Arab nations that do not formally recognise the country as a prelude to possible future peace deals. Details of the proposal were not made public, but it was the latest sign of Israel's push to improve ties with Gulf Arab nations with whom it has no formal diplomatic relations. Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory has long served as a major factor preventing peace deals with Arab countries, but common concerns over Iran are widely seen as having brought them closer in recent years. "Recently, I have been promoting, under the backing of the United States, a political initiative to sign 'non-aggression agreements' with the Arab Gulf states," Katz wrote on Twitter. "The historic move will put an end to the conflict and allow civilian cooperation until peace agreements are signed." Katz said he discussed the initiative with unnamed Arab foreign ministers and US President Donald Trump's outgoing envoy Jason Greenblatt while attending the UN General Assembly in late September. A spokesman for Katz declined to provide further details for now, and it was not clear how much progress he has made in the endeavour. Only two Arab countries -- Jordan and Egypt -- have peace treaties with Israel, but there have been overt signs in recent months of improved relations with Gulf nations. A year ago, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held surprise talks with Oman's Sultan Qaboos in Muscat. Katz in July said he had met his Bahraini counterpart publicly for the first time during a visit to Washington. In late June, a group of Israeli journalists attended the US-led economic conference on Israeli-Palestinian peace in Bahrain. All did not go well, however, when a group of invitees from Arab states visited Israel in July. Palestinians hurled abuse and chairs at a member of the delegation -- a Saudi blogger -- as he visited east Jerusalem's Old City. East Jerusalem was occupied by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed in a move never recognised by the international community. Israel sees the entire city as its capital, while the Palestinians see the eastern sector as the capital of their future state.

Israeli minister seeks 'non-aggression' pacts with Arab nations

By David Mednicoff

While the connection of Jews to Israel is frequently in the news, the changing nature of Jewish and Israeli links to Arab countries is a story that has shown up less frequently.

Yet that change is significant and noteworthy.

A new synagogue recently open in Dubai, the first in decades.

Jared Kushner, an observant Jew and a top adviser to his father-in-law, President Donald Trump, is close friends with the acting ruler of Saudi Arabia.

The foreign minister of Bahrain, a Gulf Arab country, gave an interview to Israeli media, highlighting the important role that Israel has in the contemporary Middle East.

This is a shift in official Arab postures towards Jews and Israel.

Since Israeli independence in 1948, the country’s presence in the region and dominion over Palestinian Arabs have fostered four major wars with Arab neighbouring countries. Israel has only slowly achieved formal peace and diplomatic relations with Egypt, in 1979, and Jordan in 1994.

Why do more Arab states suddenly seem much warmer toward Israel, and, perhaps, by extension, to Jews and Judaism more generally?

There is both a simple and a complex answer here. The simple answer is Iran. The more complex one is that Israel, Arab states and the US have found increasing common priorities of national security and strong authority.

A brief history of Arab-Israeli relations

From the advent of Islam into the 20th century, Jewish communities existed and often thrived across the Arab world.

The founding of the state of Israel changed this quickly. Viewed by most Arabs as an unjust post-colonial incursion of Europeans into a newly decolonised Middle East, Israel found itself attacked when its statehood began. It didn’t help that the emerging country’s military forces, and Arab leaders as well, pushed many Palestinian Arabs to leave their homes for other Arab states.

Given Arab states’ hostility to Israel, Jews in these countries mostly fled to Europe, Israel and the U.S. The influence of strong regional Arab identity and support for Palestinian Arabs in a charged Cold War global climate encouraged further Arab-Israeli wars in 1956, 1967 and 1973.

The 1967 war gave Israel direct control of Palestinian territories, further angering Arab leaders. In 1973, Arab oil producers used the “oil weapon,” stopping oil sales to the US&nbsp;to pressure it to decrease its consistent support of Israel.

To be sure, the depth of Arab enmity towards Israel varied by country. Complex, cooperative links have nevertheless existed unofficially, such as economic ties between Arab Gulf states and Israel.

Still, after Egypt signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1979, it took another 15 years until a second Arab state, Jordan, established diplomatic relations with Israel. While Israel’s peace treaties with both Egypt and Jordan have remained intact for decades, relations have been mostly chilly, and no other Arab state has followed their lead.

Changing times and Saudi power

Now there are growing signs of at least informal relations between Israel and many other Arab states.

The driver for much of this is Saudi Arabia, and its enmity toward Iran.

In recent years, the Saudi government has attempted to become the Arab world’s major power by using its economic clout, in a reaction to its own and neighbouring states’ insecurity in the wake of the 2011 uprisings around the Arab world.

As part of this strategy, the Saudi government has intensified its long-term enmity toward Iran. Since its 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran has been a vocal political force for Shi’i Islam, the major form of Islam distinct from Sunni Islam. Sunni Islam is the majority form of Islam which most Arabs embrace and the Saudis aspire to lead.

Under its crown prince and actual day-to-day ruler, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia has pursued its efforts to be the dominant Sunni Arab power more aggressively. This includes its military engagement in Yemen, where it has tried with limited success to eradicate local Shi’i forces that have some ties to Iran.

Forceful Saudi foreign policy under Salman has also included isolating rival Qatar, allying closely with Egypt’s military ruler Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and increasing its already huge advanced weapons purchases.

All of this is meant to both cement Saudi influence and cripple Iran. But the Saudi strategy has had mixed success.

The war in Yemen has bogged down, forcing Saudi ally, the United Arab Emirates, to pull back. Salman faces blowback from civil rights advocates for increasing Saudi crackdowns on political dissidents.

His limited success has given Salman all the more reason to stress alliances with like-minded rulers in the region. In addition to stalwart allies the UAE and Egypt, this definitely includes Israel. Indeed, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Salman rival one another in their public enmity toward Iran.

New security alliance

Saudi Arabia’s increasing efforts to be the dominant Arab power in the Middle East are part of another trend in the region: the consolidation of states that focus on security at the expense of democratic rights.

The lesson many Arab governments seem to have drawn from 2011’s Arab Spring unrest is that dissent, and even open political expression, can mushroom into political collapse and chaos. Determined to avoid the political challenge, most Arab political systems have amplified their already strong investment in internal security and cracked down on political speech.

At the same time, many Arab societies, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have made efforts to be more open to social diversity. There has been modest progress in gender rights in Saudi Arabia and increased tolerance of religious pluralism in Dubai, for example.

Strong security, limited official acceptance of political dissent and social pluralism also help align electoral democracies under stress with non-democratic governments. This is a current trend evident in the closeness of leaders like Trump and more repressive rulers like Vladimir Putin of Russia or Viktor Orban of Hungary.

It is no less of a trend in the Middle East. The approach of boosting military and police power and decreasing tolerance towards political opposition brings countries like Saudi Arabia and Israel naturally together.

Indeed, if Arab governments stress security to stave off fears of political uprising, they are likely to see Palestinians with little power under direct or indirect Israeli control as a problem to sidestep, rather than a priority to resolve.

In short, the threat of Iran and the prevalence of anti-democratic politics is solidifying a long-standing political affinity, and a growing behind-the-scenes alliance, between Israel, Saudi Arabia and Saudi Arabia’s Arab allies.

Arab-Israeli increasing collaboration may be good news for some Jews wishing to be more secure as visitors or residents in Arab countries. Yet the news is likely less good for people hoping for greater political rights for Palestinians, Yemenis and other beleaguered populations in the Middle East.

(David Mednicoff is Chair, Department of Judaic and Near Eastern Studies, and Associate Professor of Middle Eastern Studies and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Amherst) 
 
(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-increasing-arab-israeli-closeness-matters-119691">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

By David Mednicoff While the connection of Jews to Israel is frequently in the news, the changing nature of Jewish and Israeli links to Arab countries is a story that has shown up less frequently.

By David Mednicoff While the connection of Jews to Israel is frequently in the news, the changing nature of Jewish and Israeli links to Arab countries is a story that has shown up less frequently. Yet that change is significant and noteworthy. A new synagogue recently open in Dubai, the first in decades. Jared Kushner, an observant Jew and a top adviser to his father-in-law, President Donald Trump, is close friends with the acting ruler of Saudi Arabia. The foreign minister of Bahrain, a Gulf Arab country, gave an interview to Israeli media, highlighting the important role that Israel has in the contemporary Middle East. This is a shift in official Arab postures towards Jews and Israel. Since Israeli independence in 1948, the country’s presence in the region and dominion over Palestinian Arabs have fostered four major wars with Arab neighbouring countries. Israel has only slowly achieved formal peace and diplomatic relations with Egypt, in 1979, and Jordan in 1994. Why do more Arab states suddenly seem much warmer toward Israel, and, perhaps, by extension, to Jews and Judaism more generally? There is both a simple and a complex answer here. The simple answer is Iran. The more complex one is that Israel, Arab states and the US have found increasing common priorities of national security and strong authority. A brief history of Arab-Israeli relations From the advent of Islam into the 20th century, Jewish communities existed and often thrived across the Arab world. The founding of the state of Israel changed this quickly. Viewed by most Arabs as an unjust post-colonial incursion of Europeans into a newly decolonised Middle East, Israel found itself attacked when its statehood began. It didn’t help that the emerging country’s military forces, and Arab leaders as well, pushed many Palestinian Arabs to leave their homes for other Arab states. Given Arab states’ hostility to Israel, Jews in these countries mostly fled to Europe, Israel and the U.S. The influence of strong regional Arab identity and support for Palestinian Arabs in a charged Cold War global climate encouraged further Arab-Israeli wars in 1956, 1967 and 1973. The 1967 war gave Israel direct control of Palestinian territories, further angering Arab leaders. In 1973, Arab oil producers used the “oil weapon,” stopping oil sales to the US to pressure it to decrease its consistent support of Israel. To be sure, the depth of Arab enmity towards Israel varied by country. Complex, cooperative links have nevertheless existed unofficially, such as economic ties between Arab Gulf states and Israel. Still, after Egypt signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1979, it took another 15 years until a second Arab state, Jordan, established diplomatic relations with Israel. While Israel’s peace treaties with both Egypt and Jordan have remained intact for decades, relations have been mostly chilly, and no other Arab state has followed their lead. Changing times and Saudi power Now there are growing signs of at least informal relations between Israel and many other Arab states. The driver for much of this is Saudi Arabia, and its enmity toward Iran. In recent years, the Saudi government has attempted to become the Arab world’s major power by using its economic clout, in a reaction to its own and neighbouring states’ insecurity in the wake of the 2011 uprisings around the Arab world. As part of this strategy, the Saudi government has intensified its long-term enmity toward Iran. Since its 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran has been a vocal political force for Shi’i Islam, the major form of Islam distinct from Sunni Islam. Sunni Islam is the majority form of Islam which most Arabs embrace and the Saudis aspire to lead. Under its crown prince and actual day-to-day ruler, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia has pursued its efforts to be the dominant Sunni Arab power more aggressively. This includes its military engagement in Yemen, where it has tried with limited success to eradicate local Shi’i forces that have some ties to Iran. Forceful Saudi foreign policy under Salman has also included isolating rival Qatar, allying closely with Egypt’s military ruler Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and increasing its already huge advanced weapons purchases. All of this is meant to both cement Saudi influence and cripple Iran. But the Saudi strategy has had mixed success. The war in Yemen has bogged down, forcing Saudi ally, the United Arab Emirates, to pull back. Salman faces blowback from civil rights advocates for increasing Saudi crackdowns on political dissidents. His limited success has given Salman all the more reason to stress alliances with like-minded rulers in the region. In addition to stalwart allies the UAE and Egypt, this definitely includes Israel. Indeed, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Salman rival one another in their public enmity toward Iran. New security alliance Saudi Arabia’s increasing efforts to be the dominant Arab power in the Middle East are part of another trend in the region: the consolidation of states that focus on security at the expense of democratic rights. The lesson many Arab governments seem to have drawn from 2011’s Arab Spring unrest is that dissent, and even open political expression, can mushroom into political collapse and chaos. Determined to avoid the political challenge, most Arab political systems have amplified their already strong investment in internal security and cracked down on political speech. At the same time, many Arab societies, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have made efforts to be more open to social diversity. There has been modest progress in gender rights in Saudi Arabia and increased tolerance of religious pluralism in Dubai, for example. Strong security, limited official acceptance of political dissent and social pluralism also help align electoral democracies under stress with non-democratic governments. This is a current trend evident in the closeness of leaders like Trump and more repressive rulers like Vladimir Putin of Russia or Viktor Orban of Hungary. It is no less of a trend in the Middle East. The approach of boosting military and police power and decreasing tolerance towards political opposition brings countries like Saudi Arabia and Israel naturally together. Indeed, if Arab governments stress security to stave off fears of political uprising, they are likely to see Palestinians with little power under direct or indirect Israeli control as a problem to sidestep, rather than a priority to resolve. In short, the threat of Iran and the prevalence of anti-democratic politics is solidifying a long-standing political affinity, and a growing behind-the-scenes alliance, between Israel, Saudi Arabia and Saudi Arabia’s Arab allies. Arab-Israeli increasing collaboration may be good news for some Jews wishing to be more secure as visitors or residents in Arab countries. Yet the news is likely less good for people hoping for greater political rights for Palestinians, Yemenis and other beleaguered populations in the Middle East. (David Mednicoff is Chair, Department of Judaic and Near Eastern Studies, and Associate Professor of Middle Eastern Studies and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Amherst) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Why increasing Arab-Israeli closeness matter

Israeli warplanes struck at least three targets in the Gaza Strip early on Saturday but caused no apparent casualties, a Palestinian security source said. The strikes, which came after Palestinians fired a rocket from the territory at southern Israel late Friday, hit a Hamas observation post in Beit Hanoun, in the northern Gaza Strip, an unidentified target near Gaza City and open ground near Deir El Balah in the central part of the territory, the source said.

Israeli warplanes struck at least three targets in the Gaza Strip early on Saturday but caused no apparent casualties, a Palestinian security source said. The strikes, which came after Palestinians fired a rocket from the territory at southern Israel late Friday, hit a Hamas observation post in Beit Hanoun, in the northern Gaza Strip, an unidentified target near Gaza City and open ground near Deir El Balah in the central part of the territory, the source said. An Israeli army statement mentioned only two strikes, against "underground targets belonging to the Hamas terror organisation in the northern and central Gaza Strip." It did not elaborate. The army said that Friday night's rocket launch at southern Israel was the first since July 12. A military statement said the rocket was intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome defence system, after air raid sirens sounded in the southern town of Sderot and its surroundings. Earlier Friday, the Palestinian health ministry said that 32 Palestinians were wounded by Israeli live fire during weekly protests along the Gaza border. An Israeli army spokeswoman told that about 5,600 people demonstrated along the border, some throwing hand grenades and explosive devices toward soldiers and attempting to reach the border fence. She said that troops responded with "riot dispersal means" but she was unaware of any live fire. Regular protests along the border began in March 2018. At least 302 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in Gaza or the border area since then, the majority during demonstrations or associated clashes. Seven Israelis have been killed in Gaza-related violence over the same period. The protests have declined in intensity in recent months after UN and Egyptian officials brokered an informal truce between Israel and Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas. Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza, have fought three wars since 2008.

Israeli warplanes hit Gaza after Palestinian rocket attack

Israel and the United States are putting the financial squeeze on the Palestinian Authority, where opposition to a long-awaited US&nbsp;peace plan and anger over Israeli sanctions remain strong.

Analysts see steep cuts in US&nbsp;aid to the Palestinians over the past year as an attempt to draw them towards a blueprint that Washington promises will have economic benefits but which the PA predicts will fall short of endorsing Palestinian statehood.

And during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu`s successful re-election campaign, his right-wing government imposed sanctions that have pushed the Authority towards financial crisis.

In February, Israel announced it would cut by 5 percent the approximately $190 million in tax revenues it transfers to the Palestinian Authority each month from imports that reach the occupied West Bank and Hamas-run Gaza Strip via Israeli ports.

The deducted sum represents the amount of money paid by the Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in the West Bank, to families of Palestinians convicted and jailed by Israel for security offences, including lethal attacks on Israelis.

Israel calls the stipends a "pay for slay" policy.

Palestinians hail their jailed brethren as heroes in a struggle for an independent state and their families as deserving of support.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has refused to accept the partial tax remittances from Israel, saying the PA is entitled to all the money under interim peace deals.

Unless the issue is resolved, the World Bank says, the Palestinians` financing gap could exceed $1 billion in 2019, putting further strain on an economy grappling with a 52 percent unemployment rate.

Already facing international donor fatigue, the Palestinians were dealt a heavy blow by the Trump administration`s cut last year of hundreds of millions of dollars of aid.

In February, the US&nbsp;Agency for International Development announced it had ceased all assistance to the West Bank and Gaza.

While the United States and Israel are applying financial pressure to the Palestinian Authority for different reasons, it is happening just as the PA is being leant on to accept the US&nbsp;peace plan.&nbsp;

Palestinian suspicions over the still-secret US&nbsp;proposals, due to be announced in June, and defiance of Israeli sanctions continue to run deep despite the arm-twisting.

SALARY CUTS

Khalid al-Asili, the Authority`s economy minister, told Reuters in an interview last week that it has been struggling to manage on just 36 percent of budgeted revenues.

The Authority slashed the salaries of government employees in February, March and April to whether the budget crisis, with some Palestinian public servants` wages cut in half.

"Unless they find a solution ... it will be a disaster for the Palestinian economy," Asili said.

With Trump`s "deal of the century" about to be unveiled, Tareq Baconi&nbsp;an analyst with the International Crisis Group questioned the wisdom of Washington`s financial pressure on the Palestinians.

Such a strategy, he said, stemmed from the "misguided belief that economic benefits could be sufficiently compelling for Palestinians to relinquish their political demands".

One of the architects of the Trump plan, the president`s adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner, declined to say in public remarks in Washington last week whether it called for a two-state solution, a goal of past efforts to end the Israeli-Palestinian dispute.

Abbas and his officials have refused to deal at a political level with the Trump administration since the US President`s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel`s capital in 2017 and his move of the US&nbsp;embassy to the holy city last May.

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh has rejected out of hand "any political initiative that does not call for ending Israeli occupation and establishing an independent and sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital".

The Palestinians have long sought to set up a state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, territory Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East War.

Netanyahu further clouded the statehood issue when he said during the election race that he would annex Israeli settlements in the West Bank if he wins, a move that Palestinian leaders said would kill any prospects of peace.

RISKS FOR BOTH SIDES

While both sides await the US&nbsp;proposals, the financial sanctions on the Palestinian Authority could be a double-edged sword, posing risks to its stability and for Israel as well.

"Given that the PA`s main source of legitimacy is its capacity to employ a considerable proportion of the Palestinian workforce, internal discontent could challenge its ability to govern effectively," Baconi said.

For Israel, weakening the Palestinian Authority could have an impact on Palestinian security forces that cooperate with the Israeli military in the West Bank.

"Israel takes it for granted that it&nbsp;has not experienced any major terrorist attack for years now," said Avraham Sela, professor emeritus of international relations at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

"Coordination with the PA is invaluable for Israel`s security," he said.

Economy Minister Eli Cohen, a member of Netanyahu`s security cabinet, said on Monday that Israel has "no interest" in the Authority`s collapse.

But, he said on Israel`s Reshet TV, withholding tax revenues equivalent to the sums of "stipends and pensions being paid to terrorists" is justifiable.

"CATASTROPHIC CUTS"

In the West Bank city of Ramallah, Kadhim Harb, 50, who works in the economy ministry, said the salary reductions have forced him to delay loan payments.

"We are cutting back on everything. We only buy basic things,” Harb, said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

A police officer in Gaza, who asked to be identified only by his first name, Ahmed, said his wages were slashed by 65 percent in March.

"Salary cuts? Please say: catastrophic cuts. I haven`t been able to pay my son`s university tuition this semester," said Ahmed, 39.

Donor countries and institutions have stepped in to try to plug the growing budget deficit.&nbsp;

At Abbas`s urging, the Arab League at a meeting in Cairo last week promised $100 million per month to the PA.

Those pledges would add to an increase in funds from Gulf Arab states following the US&nbsp;cuts.

Saudi Arabia in 2018 gave $222 million to the Authority, up from $92 million in 2017, the World Bank said. Kuwait contributed $53 million last year.&nbsp;

Still, the PA faced a significant financing gap in 2018 - some $400 million, or roughly 10 percent of its budget - forcing it to accrue arrears on loans from local banks and other private sector financiers.

Israel and the United States are putting the financial squeeze on the Palestinian Authority, where opposition to a long-awaited US peace plan and anger over Israeli sanctions remain strong.

Israel and the United States are putting the financial squeeze on the Palestinian Authority, where opposition to a long-awaited US peace plan and anger over Israeli sanctions remain strong. Analysts see steep cuts in US aid to the Palestinians over the past year as an attempt to draw them towards a blueprint that Washington promises will have economic benefits but which the PA predicts will fall short of endorsing Palestinian statehood. And during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu`s successful re-election campaign, his right-wing government imposed sanctions that have pushed the Authority towards financial crisis. In February, Israel announced it would cut by 5 percent the approximately $190 million in tax revenues it transfers to the Palestinian Authority each month from imports that reach the occupied West Bank and Hamas-run Gaza Strip via Israeli ports. The deducted sum represents the amount of money paid by the Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in the West Bank, to families of Palestinians convicted and jailed by Israel for security offences, including lethal attacks on Israelis. Israel calls the stipends a "pay for slay" policy. Palestinians hail their jailed brethren as heroes in a struggle for an independent state and their families as deserving of support. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has refused to accept the partial tax remittances from Israel, saying the PA is entitled to all the money under interim peace deals. Unless the issue is resolved, the World Bank says, the Palestinians` financing gap could exceed $1 billion in 2019, putting further strain on an economy grappling with a 52 percent unemployment rate. Already facing international donor fatigue, the Palestinians were dealt a heavy blow by the Trump administration`s cut last year of hundreds of millions of dollars of aid. In February, the US Agency for International Development announced it had ceased all assistance to the West Bank and Gaza. While the United States and Israel are applying financial pressure to the Palestinian Authority for different reasons, it is happening just as the PA is being leant on to accept the US peace plan. Palestinian suspicions over the still-secret US proposals, due to be announced in June, and defiance of Israeli sanctions continue to run deep despite the arm-twisting. SALARY CUTS Khalid al-Asili, the Authority`s economy minister, told Reuters in an interview last week that it has been struggling to manage on just 36 percent of budgeted revenues. The Authority slashed the salaries of government employees in February, March and April to whether the budget crisis, with some Palestinian public servants` wages cut in half. "Unless they find a solution ... it will be a disaster for the Palestinian economy," Asili said. With Trump`s "deal of the century" about to be unveiled, Tareq Baconi an analyst with the International Crisis Group questioned the wisdom of Washington`s financial pressure on the Palestinians. Such a strategy, he said, stemmed from the "misguided belief that economic benefits could be sufficiently compelling for Palestinians to relinquish their political demands". One of the architects of the Trump plan, the president`s adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner, declined to say in public remarks in Washington last week whether it called for a two-state solution, a goal of past efforts to end the Israeli-Palestinian dispute. Abbas and his officials have refused to deal at a political level with the Trump administration since the US President`s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel`s capital in 2017 and his move of the US embassy to the holy city last May. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh has rejected out of hand "any political initiative that does not call for ending Israeli occupation and establishing an independent and sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital". The Palestinians have long sought to set up a state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, territory Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East War. Netanyahu further clouded the statehood issue when he said during the election race that he would annex Israeli settlements in the West Bank if he wins, a move that Palestinian leaders said would kill any prospects of peace. RISKS FOR BOTH SIDES While both sides await the US proposals, the financial sanctions on the Palestinian Authority could be a double-edged sword, posing risks to its stability and for Israel as well. "Given that the PA`s main source of legitimacy is its capacity to employ a considerable proportion of the Palestinian workforce, internal discontent could challenge its ability to govern effectively," Baconi said. For Israel, weakening the Palestinian Authority could have an impact on Palestinian security forces that cooperate with the Israeli military in the West Bank. "Israel takes it for granted that it has not experienced any major terrorist attack for years now," said Avraham Sela, professor emeritus of international relations at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. "Coordination with the PA is invaluable for Israel`s security," he said. Economy Minister Eli Cohen, a member of Netanyahu`s security cabinet, said on Monday that Israel has "no interest" in the Authority`s collapse. But, he said on Israel`s Reshet TV, withholding tax revenues equivalent to the sums of "stipends and pensions being paid to terrorists" is justifiable. "CATASTROPHIC CUTS" In the West Bank city of Ramallah, Kadhim Harb, 50, who works in the economy ministry, said the salary reductions have forced him to delay loan payments. "We are cutting back on everything. We only buy basic things,” Harb, said. A police officer in Gaza, who asked to be identified only by his first name, Ahmed, said his wages were slashed by 65 percent in March. "Salary cuts? Please say: catastrophic cuts. I haven`t been able to pay my son`s university tuition this semester," said Ahmed, 39. Donor countries and institutions have stepped in to try to plug the growing budget deficit. At Abbas`s urging, the Arab League at a meeting in Cairo last week promised $100 million per month to the PA. Those pledges would add to an increase in funds from Gulf Arab states following the US cuts. Saudi Arabia in 2018 gave $222 million to the Authority, up from $92 million in 2017, the World Bank said. Kuwait contributed $53 million last year. Still, the PA faced a significant financing gap in 2018 - some $400 million, or roughly 10 percent of its budget - forcing it to accrue arrears on loans from local banks and other private sector financiers.

As Trump team prepares Mideast plan, Palestinians face financial crisis

Israeli aircraft targeted several militant sites in Gaza after an "explosive balloon" launched from the Palestinian enclave damaged a house in the Jewish state, the army said Thursday.

"An explosive balloon launched from the Gaza Strip damaged a house in an Israeli community, apparently after exploding in the air," the army said in a statement.

"In response, IDF fighter jets and attack helicopters struck a number of terror targets in a Hamas military compound in the central Gaza Strip," the statement said.

Eyewitnesses in Gaza said a position of Al Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas rulers, was targeted in western Deir al Balah, south of Gaza city late Wednesday.

There were no reports of casualties in Gaza.

Palestinians in Gaza have for months been sporadically launching balloons with incendiary and explosive devices at southern Israel in parallel with weekly protests and clashes taking place at the fence.

At least 251 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since March 2018, the majority shot during weekly border protests and others hit by tank fire or air strikes.

Two Israeli soldiers have been killed over the same period.

Israeli has fought three wars with Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas since 2008 and the enclave has been under a crippling blockade for more than a decade. 
&nbsp;

Israeli aircraft targeted several militant sites in Gaza after an "explosive balloon" launched from the Palestinian enclave damaged a house in the Jewish state, the army said Thursday.

Israeli aircraft targeted several militant sites in Gaza after an "explosive balloon" launched from the Palestinian enclave damaged a house in the Jewish state, the army said Thursday. "An explosive balloon launched from the Gaza Strip damaged a house in an Israeli community, apparently after exploding in the air," the army said in a statement. "In response, IDF fighter jets and attack helicopters struck a number of terror targets in a Hamas military compound in the central Gaza Strip," the statement said. Eyewitnesses in Gaza said a position of Al Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas rulers, was targeted in western Deir al Balah, south of Gaza city late Wednesday. There were no reports of casualties in Gaza. Palestinians in Gaza have for months been sporadically launching balloons with incendiary and explosive devices at southern Israel in parallel with weekly protests and clashes taking place at the fence. At least 251 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since March 2018, the majority shot during weekly border protests and others hit by tank fire or air strikes. Two Israeli soldiers have been killed over the same period. Israeli has fought three wars with Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas since 2008 and the enclave has been under a crippling blockade for more than a decade.

Israel strikes Gaza after 'explosive balloon' damages house

By Jeffrey Heller and Maayan Lubell

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's face beams down from election billboards depicting him as a statesman, shaking hands with US&nbsp;President Donald Trump.

Opponents portray him as a criminal. Even before he called an election for April 9, he was branded "CRIME MINISTER" in huge banners at protest rallies, a reference to three corruption investigations threatening his decade of political dominance.

Love him or loathe him, the election is all about Netanyahu.

Although the names of parties will be on ballot papers, the vote will amount to a referendum on Netanyahu in the shadow of his legal woes. If he wins, he will become Israel's longest-serving prime minister this summer.

"There's no central issue other than Netanyahu's reign and clean government - whether he remains prime minister and what the price is for corruption," said Tamar Hermann, a political science professor with the Israel Democracy Institute.

Opinion polls show Netanyahu's Likud party is likely to win about 30 seats in the 120-member parliament, enough for the right-wing leader, now 69 and in his fourth term, to form the type of nationalist-religious coalition government he already heads.

He faces a strong challenge from former armed forces chief Benny Gantz. But Gantz's centrist Resilience party, which is second in opinion polls, would need to pursue groundbreaking political alliances to outstrip a right-wing bloc.

In power since 2009, after the first stint as prime minister from 1996 to 1999, the man ardent supporters hail as "King Bibi" has struck a chord with an electorate that has moved to the right and watched with delight as, under Trump, Washington lined up with many of Netanyahu's policies.

That has included US withdrawal from the international deal curbing Iran's nuclear programme, Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, the transfer of the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and a cut-off of US aid to the Palestinian Authority over its refusal to resume peace talks that collapsed in 2014.

"He (Netanyahu) has brought us excellent achievements, he represents me with dignity. I feel like my country is flourishing because of him," said Ronit Levy, a 49-year-old insurance agent from the northern city of Afula who goes by the handle of "Ronit the Bibi'ite" on Twitter and Facebook.

The sign on the giant city-centre billboards featuring Netanyahu and Trump says: "Netanyahu. In a different league." 
 
Corruption Cases

But in three corruption cases, Netanyahu is suspected of wrongfully accepting gifts from wealthy businessmen and dispensing favours in alleged bids for favourable coverage in an Israeli newspaper and a website.

He has denied wrongdoing, saying he is a victim of a left-wing witchhunt to topple him and that he has no intention of resigning. But his opponents are attacking his record and underlining the need for clean governance.

In a speech that boosted his ratings on January 29, Gantz said Israel's present leadership encouraged incitement, subversion and hatred, and was so detached from the people that it had adopted "the mannerisms of a French royal house".

"There was already a king who said: 'The State is me,' Gantz said, referring to King Louis XIV of France. "But no. Not here. No Israeli leader is a king. The state is not me. The state is you. The state is actually us. The state is all of us."

Netanyahu's legal saga looks set to enter a new chapter soon. Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit could announce by the end of February whether he intends to file criminal charges, as police have recommended, in the three corruption investigations.

The indictment in court would await the outcome of pre-trial hearings in which Netanyahu would try to dissuade Mandelblit from filing formal charges.

Those hearings would be unlikely to be wrapped up before the election, meaning voters would go to the polls aware that the attorney-general believes there is sufficient evidence to convict Netanyahu of criminal activity.

"The mere notion that in Israel a prime minister can remain in office while under indictment is ridiculous," Gantz said. 
 
Palestinian Issue

Palestinian leaders have had little to say about the Israeli election, maintaining their traditional policy of watching quietly from the sidelines.

They have already broken off contacts with the Trump administration, accusing it of pro-Israel bias. Any new Netanyahu government would be likely to include veteran allies opposed to the creation of a Palestinian state.

Comments last week by Gantz that Israel must find a way "not to have dominion over other people" -- a reference to its continued occupation of the West Bank -- won praise from a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

"It's encouraging if he succeeds and he sticks to this opinion," the spokesman, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, said.

Trump intends to present a long-awaited Israeli-Palestinian peace plan only after the election and has been trying to enlist the support of US&nbsp;Arab allies in the region. But expectations of a breakthrough are low.

Another question looms for after the election: will coalition partners still stick with Netanyahu if Mandelblit, after a hearing, moves ahead with the indictment?

Knives are already out: former Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman, an erstwhile political ally of Netanyahu, has predicted that right-wing parties now pledging their support would eventually turn on the Israeli leader.

Hermann, of the Israel Democracy Institute, said Netanyahu enjoys loyalty from his core supporters of lower-income Israelis who see him as their champion.

Netanyahu's backers, many of them Jews with roots in the Middle East and North Africa, hold grudges against left-wing parties that once dominated Israeli politics, accusing them of maltreating immigrants from those regions.

"It doesn't matter what he does, they don't expect him to conduct himself by the same moral standards that bind ordinary people," Hermann said. "You don't regard the king the same way you do a peasant."

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

By Jeffrey Heller and Maayan Lubell Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's face beams down from election billboards depicting him as a statesman, shaking hands with US President Donald Trump.

By Jeffrey Heller and Maayan Lubell Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's face beams down from election billboards depicting him as a statesman, shaking hands with US President Donald Trump. Opponents portray him as a criminal. Even before he called an election for April 9, he was branded "CRIME MINISTER" in huge banners at protest rallies, a reference to three corruption investigations threatening his decade of political dominance. Love him or loathe him, the election is all about Netanyahu. Although the names of parties will be on ballot papers, the vote will amount to a referendum on Netanyahu in the shadow of his legal woes. If he wins, he will become Israel's longest-serving prime minister this summer. "There's no central issue other than Netanyahu's reign and clean government - whether he remains prime minister and what the price is for corruption," said Tamar Hermann, a political science professor with the Israel Democracy Institute. Opinion polls show Netanyahu's Likud party is likely to win about 30 seats in the 120-member parliament, enough for the right-wing leader, now 69 and in his fourth term, to form the type of nationalist-religious coalition government he already heads. He faces a strong challenge from former armed forces chief Benny Gantz. But Gantz's centrist Resilience party, which is second in opinion polls, would need to pursue groundbreaking political alliances to outstrip a right-wing bloc. In power since 2009, after the first stint as prime minister from 1996 to 1999, the man ardent supporters hail as "King Bibi" has struck a chord with an electorate that has moved to the right and watched with delight as, under Trump, Washington lined up with many of Netanyahu's policies. That has included US withdrawal from the international deal curbing Iran's nuclear programme, Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, the transfer of the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and a cut-off of US aid to the Palestinian Authority over its refusal to resume peace talks that collapsed in 2014. "He (Netanyahu) has brought us excellent achievements, he represents me with dignity. I feel like my country is flourishing because of him," said Ronit Levy, a 49-year-old insurance agent from the northern city of Afula who goes by the handle of "Ronit the Bibi'ite" on Twitter and Facebook. The sign on the giant city-centre billboards featuring Netanyahu and Trump says: "Netanyahu. In a different league." Corruption Cases But in three corruption cases, Netanyahu is suspected of wrongfully accepting gifts from wealthy businessmen and dispensing favours in alleged bids for favourable coverage in an Israeli newspaper and a website. He has denied wrongdoing, saying he is a victim of a left-wing witchhunt to topple him and that he has no intention of resigning. But his opponents are attacking his record and underlining the need for clean governance. In a speech that boosted his ratings on January 29, Gantz said Israel's present leadership encouraged incitement, subversion and hatred, and was so detached from the people that it had adopted "the mannerisms of a French royal house". "There was already a king who said: 'The State is me,' Gantz said, referring to King Louis XIV of France. "But no. Not here. No Israeli leader is a king. The state is not me. The state is you. The state is actually us. The state is all of us." Netanyahu's legal saga looks set to enter a new chapter soon. Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit could announce by the end of February whether he intends to file criminal charges, as police have recommended, in the three corruption investigations. The indictment in court would await the outcome of pre-trial hearings in which Netanyahu would try to dissuade Mandelblit from filing formal charges. Those hearings would be unlikely to be wrapped up before the election, meaning voters would go to the polls aware that the attorney-general believes there is sufficient evidence to convict Netanyahu of criminal activity. "The mere notion that in Israel a prime minister can remain in office while under indictment is ridiculous," Gantz said. Palestinian Issue Palestinian leaders have had little to say about the Israeli election, maintaining their traditional policy of watching quietly from the sidelines. They have already broken off contacts with the Trump administration, accusing it of pro-Israel bias. Any new Netanyahu government would be likely to include veteran allies opposed to the creation of a Palestinian state. Comments last week by Gantz that Israel must find a way "not to have dominion over other people" -- a reference to its continued occupation of the West Bank -- won praise from a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. "It's encouraging if he succeeds and he sticks to this opinion," the spokesman, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, said. Trump intends to present a long-awaited Israeli-Palestinian peace plan only after the election and has been trying to enlist the support of US Arab allies in the region. But expectations of a breakthrough are low. Another question looms for after the election: will coalition partners still stick with Netanyahu if Mandelblit, after a hearing, moves ahead with the indictment? Knives are already out: former Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman, an erstwhile political ally of Netanyahu, has predicted that right-wing parties now pledging their support would eventually turn on the Israeli leader. Hermann, of the Israel Democracy Institute, said Netanyahu enjoys loyalty from his core supporters of lower-income Israelis who see him as their champion. Netanyahu's backers, many of them Jews with roots in the Middle East and North Africa, hold grudges against left-wing parties that once dominated Israeli politics, accusing them of maltreating immigrants from those regions. "It doesn't matter what he does, they don't expect him to conduct himself by the same moral standards that bind ordinary people," Hermann said. "You don't regard the king the same way you do a peasant." (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Love him or loathe him, Israeli election is all about Benjamin Netanyahu

Israel will hold an early <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/israels-netanyahu-in-crucial-talks-as-he-resists-snap-polls-178042">general election in April</a>, a spokesman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday, after members of his governing coalition met to discuss differences over legislation.

"The leaders of the coalition decided unanimously to dissolve parliament and go to a new election in early April," the spokesman wrote on Twitter, quoting from a statement issued by Netanyahu's political partners.

A coalition crisis over a military <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/israel-pm-benjamin-netanyahu-warns-of-plot-to-topple-him-173426">conscription bill affecting exemptions</a> from compulsory service for ultra-Orthodox Jewish men led to the decision.

Netanyahu, now in his fourth term as prime minister, has been governing with a razor-thin majority of 61 seats in the 120-member parliament. He heads the right-wing Likud party.

Under Israeli law, a national election had to be held by November 2019. Netanyahu's government would remain in place until a new one is sworn in, after the April poll.

A series of corruption probes against Netanyahu and pending decisions by Israel's attorney general on whether to follow police recommendations to indict him had raised speculation he would opt to seek a public show of confidence at the ballot box.

Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing in the cases and has given no indication he will step down if charged.

The 69-year-old Israeli leader made no immediate comment after his meeting with the coalition leaders. Recent opinion polls have shown his popularity remains strong among Israelis.

The likelihood of an early election increased in November after Netanyahu’s defence minister, Avigdor Lieberman, quit the government, leaving the ruling coalition with its one-seat majority.

No one in Netanyahu’s Likud has made a public challenge against him, and the party is expected to close ranks around him in the coming election.

Outside Likud, Yair Lapid, head of the centrist Yesh Atid opposition party, is seen as the strongest candidate to succeed Netanyahu in any upset. Lapid’s party is second to Likud in opinion polls.

Israel’s former army chief, Benny Gantz, is seen as a dovish potential candidate who could tip the balance in favour of a center-left bloc, but has not yet thrown his hat in the ring.

On the right, Lieberman and Naftali Bennett, head of the Jewish Home party, could both seek to lead a right-wing bloc if Likud emerges in a weaker position in an election.

Netanyahu first led Israel from 1996 to 1999, and returned in 2009. His current government has been in power since May 2015.

Israel will hold an early general election in April, a spokesman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday, after members of his governing coalition met to discuss differences over legislation.

Israel will hold an early general election in April, a spokesman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday, after members of his governing coalition met to discuss differences over legislation. "The leaders of the coalition decided unanimously to dissolve parliament and go to a new election in early April," the spokesman wrote on Twitter, quoting from a statement issued by Netanyahu's political partners. A coalition crisis over a military conscription bill affecting exemptions from compulsory service for ultra-Orthodox Jewish men led to the decision. Netanyahu, now in his fourth term as prime minister, has been governing with a razor-thin majority of 61 seats in the 120-member parliament. He heads the right-wing Likud party. Under Israeli law, a national election had to be held by November 2019. Netanyahu's government would remain in place until a new one is sworn in, after the April poll. A series of corruption probes against Netanyahu and pending decisions by Israel's attorney general on whether to follow police recommendations to indict him had raised speculation he would opt to seek a public show of confidence at the ballot box. Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing in the cases and has given no indication he will step down if charged. The 69-year-old Israeli leader made no immediate comment after his meeting with the coalition leaders. Recent opinion polls have shown his popularity remains strong among Israelis. The likelihood of an early election increased in November after Netanyahu’s defence minister, Avigdor Lieberman, quit the government, leaving the ruling coalition with its one-seat majority. No one in Netanyahu’s Likud has made a public challenge against him, and the party is expected to close ranks around him in the coming election. Outside Likud, Yair Lapid, head of the centrist Yesh Atid opposition party, is seen as the strongest candidate to succeed Netanyahu in any upset. Lapid’s party is second to Likud in opinion polls. Israel’s former army chief, Benny Gantz, is seen as a dovish potential candidate who could tip the balance in favour of a center-left bloc, but has not yet thrown his hat in the ring. On the right, Lieberman and Naftali Bennett, head of the Jewish Home party, could both seek to lead a right-wing bloc if Likud emerges in a weaker position in an election. Netanyahu first led Israel from 1996 to 1999, and returned in 2009. His current government has been in power since May 2015.

Israel to hold early general election in April next year: Netanyahu

Australia now recognises west Jerusalem as Israel's capital, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Saturday, but a contentious embassy shift from Tel Aviv will not occur until a peace settlement is achieved.

Morrison also committed to recognising a future state of Palestine with east Jerusalem as its capital when the city's status is determined in a peace deal.

"Australia now recognises west Jerusalem -- being the seat of the Knesset and many of the institutions of government -- is the capital of Israel," Morrison said in a speech in Sydney on Saturday.

"And we look forward to moving our embassy to west Jerusalem when practical, in support of and after final status of determination," he said, adding that work on a new site for the embassy was underway.

In the interim, Morrison said, Australia would establish a defence and trade office in the west of the holy city.

"Furthermore, recognising our commitment to a two-state solution, the Australian government is also resolved to acknowledge the aspirations of the Palestinian people for a future state with its capital in east Jerusalem," he added.

Both Israel and the Palestinians claim Jerusalem as their capital.

Most foreign nations have avoided moving embassies there to prevent inflaming peace talks on the city's final status -- until US President Trump unilaterally moved the US embassy there earlier this year.

Morrison first floated a shift in foreign policy in October, which angered Australia's immediate neighbour Indonesia -- the world's most populous Muslim nation.

The issue has put a halt on years-long negotiations on a bilateral trade deal.

Canberra on Friday told its citizens travelling to Indonesia to "exercise a high degree of caution", warning of protests in the Indonesian capital Jakarta and popular holiday hotspots, including Bali.

Morrison said it was in Australia's interests to support "liberal democracy" in the Middle East, and took aim at the United Nations he said was a place Israel is "bullied".

Australia now recognises west Jerusalem as Israel's capital, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Saturday, but a contentious embassy shift from Tel Aviv will not occur until a peace settlement is achieved.

Australia now recognises west Jerusalem as Israel's capital, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Saturday, but a contentious embassy shift from Tel Aviv will not occur until a peace settlement is achieved. Morrison also committed to recognising a future state of Palestine with east Jerusalem as its capital when the city's status is determined in a peace deal. "Australia now recognises west Jerusalem -- being the seat of the Knesset and many of the institutions of government -- is the capital of Israel," Morrison said in a speech in Sydney on Saturday. "And we look forward to moving our embassy to west Jerusalem when practical, in support of and after final status of determination," he said, adding that work on a new site for the embassy was underway. In the interim, Morrison said, Australia would establish a defence and trade office in the west of the holy city. "Furthermore, recognising our commitment to a two-state solution, the Australian government is also resolved to acknowledge the aspirations of the Palestinian people for a future state with its capital in east Jerusalem," he added. Both Israel and the Palestinians claim Jerusalem as their capital. Most foreign nations have avoided moving embassies there to prevent inflaming peace talks on the city's final status -- until US President Trump unilaterally moved the US embassy there earlier this year. Morrison first floated a shift in foreign policy in October, which angered Australia's immediate neighbour Indonesia -- the world's most populous Muslim nation. The issue has put a halt on years-long negotiations on a bilateral trade deal. Canberra on Friday told its citizens travelling to Indonesia to "exercise a high degree of caution", warning of protests in the Indonesian capital Jakarta and popular holiday hotspots, including Bali. Morrison said it was in Australia's interests to support "liberal democracy" in the Middle East, and took aim at the United Nations he said was a place Israel is "bullied".

Australia recognises west Jerusalem as capital of Israel

There were celebrations in Gaza. People distributed Sweets and celebrated the ceasefire after two 
days of intense clashes between Palestinian factions and Israel on Monday.

On the contrary, the mood in Israel was sombre and there were protests in southern Israeli territories and&nbsp;Tel Aviv with the protesters chanting “Bibi go home”.

The Egyptian brokered ceasefire after the latest bout of violence that brought the two sides on the brink of full&nbsp;scale war since 2014 has stirred a political crisis in Israel.

Be it the general public or coalition partners, all are angry at Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for&nbsp;signing a ceasefire deal with Hamas, the terms of which are still unclear.

The Israeli public and politician demanded a price from Gaza’s Hamas rulers for firing over 400 rockets at 
southern Israel, despite Tel Aviv sparking the latest round of violence. 
&nbsp; 
So how it all started that is threatening the survival of Bibi Netanyahu’s government right-wing government. 
&nbsp; 
The botched Israeli commando operation on Sunday night in Gaza left seven Palestinians including a senior&nbsp;Hamas battalion commander Nour Baraka dead.&nbsp;

A senior Israeli officer was also killed during the operation when Palestinian security forces gave Israelis a chase. 
 
The covert Israeli operation was in complete violation of the previous ceasefire between the two sides.

The Israeli operation is still shrouded in mystery as to what was the purpose of the covert raid. However, Israeli military analysts say such operations in Gaza are routine as part of intelligence gathering. But the tricky part of the raid was that this was exposed this time.

Also, there is suspicion whether Israel has resumed its policy of targeted assassination. Surprisingly, the Israeli commando operation comes days after Netanyahu talked about normalising things in the besieged Palestinian enclave. He even allowed $15 million Qarati cash into Gaza to pay salaries of the employees who had not been paid for years. 
&nbsp; 
Also, the deadly raid in the absence of prime minister Netanyahu, when he was in Paris to attend World War I centenary, raises many questions.

Was Netanyahu being diabolic in his deeds and words on Gaza? If not then who ordered the operation?

Experts argue there are some elements in the Israeli military establishment who doesn’t want normality in Gaza. And this operation could be the part of that larger game. 
&nbsp; 
So has Netanyahu suddenly become a peace dove? Analysts also reject this contention. They say Bibi is playing a divide and rule game with Hamas and Palestinian Authority led by Mahmoud Abbas, who has recently become more combative against Israel and U.S over President’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital.

The ceasefire proposal agreed to by Netanyahu has rattled right-wing leader Avigdor Lieberman, who resigned as defence minister. He has termed the ceasefire as “complete capitulation to terror”. Hamas celebrated his resignation as a political victory. 
&nbsp; 
Leiberman’s resignation and withdrawal of his party from Netanyahu coalition has left Bibi with just one seat majority in the 190 member Knesset.

However, Netanyahu is seemingly unfazed by the political trouble brewing around him. But he has other problems at hand.

His another coalition partner Habayit Hayahud party is demanding that its leader Naftali Bennett be made defence minister. Bennett is considered more hawkish than Leiberman in security matters concerning Gaza.&nbsp;

Though Bennett supported the Netanyahu sponsored ceasefire, he sided with the Leiberman in the security cabinet for harsher actions in Gaza. 
&nbsp; 
The trouble does not end here for Netanyahu. His other coalition partners finance minister Moshe Kahlon and interior minister Aryeh Deri have called on the prime minister to call early election in the best interest of the country. 
&nbsp; 
But despite all the troubles, Israeli media reports say Netanyahu enjoys favourable ratings in the latest opinion polls and an early election would propel him to another term. However, only election will decide whether Netanyahu’s Gaza Gamble will pay off or prove to be his nemesis. 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

There were celebrations in Gaza. People distributed Sweets and celebrated the ceasefire after two days of intense clashes between Palestinian factions and Israel on Monday.

There were celebrations in Gaza. People distributed Sweets and celebrated the ceasefire after two days of intense clashes between Palestinian factions and Israel on Monday. On the contrary, the mood in Israel was sombre and there were protests in southern Israeli territories and Tel Aviv with the protesters chanting “Bibi go home”. The Egyptian brokered ceasefire after the latest bout of violence that brought the two sides on the brink of full scale war since 2014 has stirred a political crisis in Israel. Be it the general public or coalition partners, all are angry at Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for signing a ceasefire deal with Hamas, the terms of which are still unclear. The Israeli public and politician demanded a price from Gaza’s Hamas rulers for firing over 400 rockets at southern Israel, despite Tel Aviv sparking the latest round of violence. So how it all started that is threatening the survival of Bibi Netanyahu’s government right-wing government. The botched Israeli commando operation on Sunday night in Gaza left seven Palestinians including a senior Hamas battalion commander Nour Baraka dead. A senior Israeli officer was also killed during the operation when Palestinian security forces gave Israelis a chase. The covert Israeli operation was in complete violation of the previous ceasefire between the two sides. The Israeli operation is still shrouded in mystery as to what was the purpose of the covert raid. However, Israeli military analysts say such operations in Gaza are routine as part of intelligence gathering. But the tricky part of the raid was that this was exposed this time. Also, there is suspicion whether Israel has resumed its policy of targeted assassination. Surprisingly, the Israeli commando operation comes days after Netanyahu talked about normalising things in the besieged Palestinian enclave. He even allowed $15 million Qarati cash into Gaza to pay salaries of the employees who had not been paid for years. Also, the deadly raid in the absence of prime minister Netanyahu, when he was in Paris to attend World War I centenary, raises many questions. Was Netanyahu being diabolic in his deeds and words on Gaza? If not then who ordered the operation? Experts argue there are some elements in the Israeli military establishment who doesn’t want normality in Gaza. And this operation could be the part of that larger game. So has Netanyahu suddenly become a peace dove? Analysts also reject this contention. They say Bibi is playing a divide and rule game with Hamas and Palestinian Authority led by Mahmoud Abbas, who has recently become more combative against Israel and U.S over President’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital. The ceasefire proposal agreed to by Netanyahu has rattled right-wing leader Avigdor Lieberman, who resigned as defence minister. He has termed the ceasefire as “complete capitulation to terror”. Hamas celebrated his resignation as a political victory. Leiberman’s resignation and withdrawal of his party from Netanyahu coalition has left Bibi with just one seat majority in the 190 member Knesset. However, Netanyahu is seemingly unfazed by the political trouble brewing around him. But he has other problems at hand. His another coalition partner Habayit Hayahud party is demanding that its leader Naftali Bennett be made defence minister. Bennett is considered more hawkish than Leiberman in security matters concerning Gaza. Though Bennett supported the Netanyahu sponsored ceasefire, he sided with the Leiberman in the security cabinet for harsher actions in Gaza. The trouble does not end here for Netanyahu. His other coalition partners finance minister Moshe Kahlon and interior minister Aryeh Deri have called on the prime minister to call early election in the best interest of the country. But despite all the troubles, Israeli media reports say Netanyahu enjoys favourable ratings in the latest opinion polls and an early election would propel him to another term. However, only election will decide whether Netanyahu’s Gaza Gamble will pay off or prove to be his nemesis. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

How calm in Gaza stirs storm in Israel

An Israeli air strike destroyed <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/clashes-erupts-during-gaza-operation-1-israeli-soldier-and-6-palestinians-killed-176719">Hamas's Al-Aqsa TV building in the Gaza Strip</a> on Monday after a series of warning shots, drawing threats of a harsh response from Palestinian militants.

The strike came as violence again flared between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza. Hamas confirmed that the building in Gaza City was destroyed, while Islamic Jihad vowed to respond to Israel's action.&nbsp;

No injuries were immediately reported and workers were believed to have evacuated after the warning shots.

The station began broadcasting again a short while after the strike from an undisclosed location.

Israel's military acknowledged hitting the building, saying in a statement "it contributes to Hamas's military actions, including by providing operational messaging to militants, directing and explicitly calling for terror activities against Israel, and providing guidance on how to carry out such terror activities".

It said the station is "owned and operated by Hamas".

Earlier Monday, Israel's aircraft struck Gaza, killing three Palestinians and wounding nine after a barrage of rocket fire into its territory from the enclave.

The flare-up came after a deadly Israeli special forces operation in the Gaza Strip on Sunday that left Hamas vowing revenge.

The army said an Israeli bus was hit by an anti-tank missile from the Gaza Strip, causing several injuries. A soldier was severely wounded, it said.

Medics reported at least six other Israelis wounded with a number of houses and civilian buildings struck by rockets.

Joint statements from Palestinian militant groups in Gaza, including Hamas, claimed responsibility for the rocket fire and the missile attack on the bus, which it said was being used by Israeli soldiers.

They said the rocket fire was in revenge for the deadly Israeli operation late Sunday.

An Israeli air strike destroyed Hamas's Al-Aqsa TV building in the Gaza Strip on Monday after a series of warning shots, drawing threats of a harsh response from Palestinian militants.

An Israeli air strike destroyed Hamas's Al-Aqsa TV building in the Gaza Strip on Monday after a series of warning shots, drawing threats of a harsh response from Palestinian militants. The strike came as violence again flared between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza. Hamas confirmed that the building in Gaza City was destroyed, while Islamic Jihad vowed to respond to Israel's action. No injuries were immediately reported and workers were believed to have evacuated after the warning shots. The station began broadcasting again a short while after the strike from an undisclosed location. Israel's military acknowledged hitting the building, saying in a statement "it contributes to Hamas's military actions, including by providing operational messaging to militants, directing and explicitly calling for terror activities against Israel, and providing guidance on how to carry out such terror activities". It said the station is "owned and operated by Hamas". Earlier Monday, Israel's aircraft struck Gaza, killing three Palestinians and wounding nine after a barrage of rocket fire into its territory from the enclave. The flare-up came after a deadly Israeli special forces operation in the Gaza Strip on Sunday that left Hamas vowing revenge. The army said an Israeli bus was hit by an anti-tank missile from the Gaza Strip, causing several injuries. A soldier was severely wounded, it said. Medics reported at least six other Israelis wounded with a number of houses and civilian buildings struck by rockets. Joint statements from Palestinian militant groups in Gaza, including Hamas, claimed responsibility for the rocket fire and the missile attack on the bus, which it said was being used by Israeli soldiers. They said the rocket fire was in revenge for the deadly Israeli operation late Sunday.

Israeli air strike destroys Hamas TV building

Watch: WION Dispatch, 12th November, 2018

Israel's parliament will renew debate next week on a bill that would make it easier to sentence Palestinian attackers to death, Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Tuesday while vowing to have it passed.

"After over three years of a stubborn struggle, the death penalty for terrorist law will finally be brought to the law committee next Wednesday (November 14), and then for its first reading in the Knesset plenum," Lieberman said on Twitter.

"We won't relent or stop until completing the mission."

The bill, which passed a preliminary vote by the full parliament in January, would ease the requirements military courts in the occupied West Bank must meet to sentence Palestinians convicted of "terrorist" crimes to death.&nbsp;

As the law stands now, a panel of three military judges must unanimously approve any death penalty in military courts.

The new bill, planned by members of Lieberman's Yisrael Beitenu party at his behest, would change the requirement to a majority instead of unanimity.

Israel has not carried out any executions since 1962, when Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann was hanged.

Israel abolished the use of capital punishment for murder in civil courts in 1954, though it can still, in theory, be applied for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, treason and crimes against the Jewish people.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed support for the death penalty in certain cases.

But a senior member of Netanyahu's party said Tuesday that he would object to the bill since the Israeli security establishment opposed it.

"I won't support imposing the death penalty before there's a serious debate and decision in the government and security cabinet," Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz wrote on Twitter.

"According to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces), Shin Bet (internal security service) and all the security establishment not only would (the death penalty) not help the fight against terror, it would cause great damage," he said.

A law to sentence "terrorists" to death was one of Lieberman's election promises in 2015, and government support for it was a condition for Yisrael Beitenu joining Netanyahu's coalition.&nbsp;

Israeli elections are expected to be called in the coming months and politicians have been ramping up campaign rhetoric.

The Palestinian government on Tuesday said the bill was "a public invitation to commit murder, and execution, and carry out massacres against our Palestinian people."&nbsp;

"This is a clear breach of laws, international and humanitarian," a statement from the Palestinian government said.&nbsp;

Israel's parliament will renew debate next week on a bill that would make it easier to sentence Palestinian attackers to death, Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Tuesday while vowing to have it passed.

Israel's parliament will renew debate next week on a bill that would make it easier to sentence Palestinian attackers to death, Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Tuesday while vowing to have it passed. "After over three years of a stubborn struggle, the death penalty for terrorist law will finally be brought to the law committee next Wednesday (November 14), and then for its first reading in the Knesset plenum," Lieberman said on Twitter. "We won't relent or stop until completing the mission." The bill, which passed a preliminary vote by the full parliament in January, would ease the requirements military courts in the occupied West Bank must meet to sentence Palestinians convicted of "terrorist" crimes to death. As the law stands now, a panel of three military judges must unanimously approve any death penalty in military courts. The new bill, planned by members of Lieberman's Yisrael Beitenu party at his behest, would change the requirement to a majority instead of unanimity. Israel has not carried out any executions since 1962, when Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann was hanged. Israel abolished the use of capital punishment for murder in civil courts in 1954, though it can still, in theory, be applied for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, treason and crimes against the Jewish people. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed support for the death penalty in certain cases. But a senior member of Netanyahu's party said Tuesday that he would object to the bill since the Israeli security establishment opposed it. "I won't support imposing the death penalty before there's a serious debate and decision in the government and security cabinet," Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz wrote on Twitter. "According to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces), Shin Bet (internal security service) and all the security establishment not only would (the death penalty) not help the fight against terror, it would cause great damage," he said. A law to sentence "terrorists" to death was one of Lieberman's election promises in 2015, and government support for it was a condition for Yisrael Beitenu joining Netanyahu's coalition. Israeli elections are expected to be called in the coming months and politicians have been ramping up campaign rhetoric. The Palestinian government on Tuesday said the bill was "a public invitation to commit murder, and execution, and carry out massacres against our Palestinian people." "This is a clear breach of laws, international and humanitarian," a statement from the Palestinian government said.

Israel lawmakers to debate death penalty for Palestinian 'terrorists'

A rocket was fired on Israel from the Gaza Strip early Wednesday, the Israeli army and police said, causing damage in a southern city.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/israel-says-it-has-destroyed-a-gaza-attack-tunnel-170910">Watch: Israel says it has destroyed a Gaza attack tunnel</a>

It is one of the first projectiles fired in recent weeks from the Palestinian territory under Israel's blockade and comes at a time of renewed tensions between Israel and Palestinian armed groups.&nbsp;

"At 4:00 AM (0100 GMT) Israelis in the city of Be'er Sheva were running to bomb shelters after a rocket was launched from the Gaza Strip at Israel," the Israeli army tweeted.&nbsp;

"We will defend Israeli civilians," it added, suggesting there would be a military response.

The Israeli police said that "a rocket struck the city of Be'er Sheva a few moments ago causing damage", although it did not specify the extent of the destruction. There were no reports of injuries.

The rocket fell into the garden of a house occupied by a family with three children who were being treated for shock, local media reported.

The Israeli army reported another rocket was fired towards the sea.

It was unclear who fired the projectiles but the Israeli army says it holds Hamas accountable for what is happening in the territory under its control and commonly hits positions of the Islamist movement in retaliation after such incidents.

It comes after months of violent Palestinian protests on the Gaza border, sparking deadly gunfire from Israeli troops and fears of an all-out conflict between Hamas and Israel, which have fought three wars since 2008.

At least 205 Palestinians and one Israeli have been killed since March 30.&nbsp;

The protesters were demanding to be allowed to return to land now inside Israel, from which their families fled or were displaced during the 1948 war surrounding the creation of the Jewish state.

Israel's defence minister said Tuesday that the protests could not be allowed to go on.

"We are not prepared to accept the level of violence we see week after week," Avigdor Lieberman told troops and commanders at an army base near southern Israel's border with Hamas-ruled Gaza.

He also suspended shipments of fuel that had been trucked daily into Gaza over the previous week under a deal brokered by the UN and backed by the United States, Israel and others.

It had seen thousands of litres brought into the fuel-starved Gaza strip.&nbsp;

The UN says Israel's 11-year blockade of the enclave, ruled by the Islamist movement Hamas, has resulted in a "catastrophic" humanitarian situation.

Gaza's two million residents endure dire living conditions including a shortage of safe drinking water and regular power cuts, partly due to a lack of fuel for the strip's power station.

A rocket was fired on Israel from the Gaza Strip early Wednesday, the Israeli army and police said, causing damage in a southern city. Watch: Israel says it has destroyed a Gaza attack tunnel It is one of the first projectiles fired in recent weeks from the Palestinian territory under Israel's blockade and comes at a time of renewed tensions between Israel and Palestinian armed groups.

A rocket was fired on Israel from the Gaza Strip early Wednesday, the Israeli army and police said, causing damage in a southern city. Watch: Israel says it has destroyed a Gaza attack tunnel It is one of the first projectiles fired in recent weeks from the Palestinian territory under Israel's blockade and comes at a time of renewed tensions between Israel and Palestinian armed groups. "At 4:00 AM (0100 GMT) Israelis in the city of Be'er Sheva were running to bomb shelters after a rocket was launched from the Gaza Strip at Israel," the Israeli army tweeted. "We will defend Israeli civilians," it added, suggesting there would be a military response. The Israeli police said that "a rocket struck the city of Be'er Sheva a few moments ago causing damage", although it did not specify the extent of the destruction. There were no reports of injuries. The rocket fell into the garden of a house occupied by a family with three children who were being treated for shock, local media reported. The Israeli army reported another rocket was fired towards the sea. It was unclear who fired the projectiles but the Israeli army says it holds Hamas accountable for what is happening in the territory under its control and commonly hits positions of the Islamist movement in retaliation after such incidents. It comes after months of violent Palestinian protests on the Gaza border, sparking deadly gunfire from Israeli troops and fears of an all-out conflict between Hamas and Israel, which have fought three wars since 2008. At least 205 Palestinians and one Israeli have been killed since March 30. The protesters were demanding to be allowed to return to land now inside Israel, from which their families fled or were displaced during the 1948 war surrounding the creation of the Jewish state. Israel's defence minister said Tuesday that the protests could not be allowed to go on. "We are not prepared to accept the level of violence we see week after week," Avigdor Lieberman told troops and commanders at an army base near southern Israel's border with Hamas-ruled Gaza. He also suspended shipments of fuel that had been trucked daily into Gaza over the previous week under a deal brokered by the UN and backed by the United States, Israel and others. It had seen thousands of litres brought into the fuel-starved Gaza strip. The UN says Israel's 11-year blockade of the enclave, ruled by the Islamist movement Hamas, has resulted in a "catastrophic" humanitarian situation. Gaza's two million residents endure dire living conditions including a shortage of safe drinking water and regular power cuts, partly due to a lack of fuel for the strip's power station.

Rocket fired on Israel from Gaza: Israeli army

Clad in white suit and spoting a blue hankerchief, Prime Minister Modi looked elegance personified when he landed in Israel yesterday. His dress, interestingly, bore&nbsp;clear resemblance to the Israeli flag. The world by this time know that the long frosty relationship between India and Israel is about to melt. In the name of countering terrorism, in the name of development and in the name of standing against anti-semitism, the two countries are all poised to collaborate on strategic and&nbsp;technical matters.&nbsp;

But when everything looks so warm and fuzzy, nagging questions keep&nbsp;coming back: has India&#39;s stand&nbsp;on the Palestine questioned changed? Are we not supporting the aspirations of the Palestinians any more? Not a single time in the last two days have the national media, PM Modi, and the Ministry of External Affairs mentioned Palestine. The silence is so deafening that we can&#39;t but wonder whether very surreptitiously India is deserting the Palestine cause in the promise of a new partnership with Israel.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Modi is a technocrat; he believes in delivering, in building infrastructure, in separating good governance from the messiness of electoral politics. Palestine is all messy: no clear political leadership, not economically promising, people housed in shoddy refugee camps. The country has nothing to offer to an aggressively growing economy like India. Plauged by constant terrorist threats, cyber attacks and farming problems, India needs Israel more than Palestine as an ally.

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While the diplomatic and strategic needs of India are clear, the doubts that continue haunt us is, whether in the name of development and security, India is giving up on the moral leadership that constituted the core of its foreign relation in the past.&nbsp;

If India aspires to a position of global power, such a stature does not come with economic prowess alone. Diplomatic relations are based on negotiations and not necessarily on keeping mum on differences. It is not that Israel alone has lot to offer to India, the latter&nbsp;also has lot to offer in terms of technological manpower, market, investment and in fighting jointly against terrorism.&nbsp;

India could have used these as leverages to bring up the miserable state of Palestinians who live as refugees in their own country.

The United Nations have been very forthright about the state of Palestinians in Israel.&nbsp;

The number of Palestinian houses demolished in 2016 has doubled compared to 2015. The UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, in his message on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, has called Gaza to be a &ldquo;humanitarian emergency&rdquo;. Two million people are struggling every day in Palestine, clueless as to when their sojourn for nationhood would come to an end. Palestinians are mostly jobless in an economy that is for decades paralysed due to ongoing conflicts.&nbsp;

It is ironical that the UN adopted the <a href="https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/RESOLUTION/GEN/NR0/312/75/IMG/NR031275.pdf?OpenElement">solidarity resolution</a> the same day, that is, 29 November, 1977 as it did 30 years earlier when it adopted the resolution on the partition of Palestine. The resolution came as the UN General Assembly expressed deep concern at the continous occupation of Arab territories by Israel, leading to what they saw as the deprivation of inalienable rights of Palestinians.&nbsp;

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Over the years, Edward Said and several other writers and commentators on the Israel-Palestine conflict have interpreted the situation in Palestine as a struggle to achieve social justice which takes us beyond the narrative of military occupation, resistance and counter-terrorism measures.&nbsp;

Said, the most famous of Palestine-US scholars supporting the Palestine cause, has proposed that &ldquo;cultural exchange&rdquo; is necessary between all parties concerned to promote understanding. The only way to achieve peace, Said argued, will be to minimise the existing gap in communication between the US and the Arab world, and between Israel and their Arab neighbours.&nbsp;

Such cultural exchanges and opening up communication channels are, however, contingent upon easing up the suffocating atmosphere of mistrust that has build-up in the region over the years following the partition. Evidently, Arabs from Egypt and Jordan refuse to travel to the occupied territories because they &ldquo;<a href="https://electronicintifada.net/content/edward-said-puts-palestinian-narrative-struggle-global-context-culture-and-resistance/4943">won&rsquo;t submit to the humiliation of being examined by Israeli policemen at the border or the barrier</a>.&rdquo;&nbsp; Such termination of interaction between communities, Said argued, has been preventing Arabs from coming up with a plan which would actually help Palestine to &ldquo;deal&rdquo; with Israel.&nbsp;

This mutual ignorance is evident in the day-to-day relationships between Jews and Arabs living in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza that has fed into the practice of stereotyping each other. David Shipler as the New York Times bureau chief in Jerusalem witnessed some of the worst forms of these stereotyping. &nbsp;

In his immensely popular book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Arab-Jew-Wounded-Spirits-Promised/dp/0553447513/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1464078501&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=shipler+arab+and+jew">Arab and Jew: Wounded Spirits in a Promised Land</a>, Shipler talks about the severe distortion of history, especially on the Palestinian side. Evidently, the Palestinians have come to see Israelis only as &ldquo;colonialists&rdquo;. The current discourse on Palestine&rsquo;s liberation not only demands Israel&rsquo;s withdrawal from&nbsp; the territories conquered in the Six-Day War but &ldquo;gives no recognition of Jewish history in the Land of Israel, of the Holocaust, and the real reasons for the creation of Israel,&rdquo; Shipler <a href="http://www.timesofisrael.com/after-30-years-author-finds-arab-and-jewish-spirits-more-deeply-wounded/">pointed out</a>.&nbsp;

Shipler&rsquo;s observation has been that with the expansion of the Jewish settlement in the West Bank, brutality and nastiness have been increasing on both sides; both sides are &ldquo;radicalizing&rdquo; each other. Both sides, Shipler comments with some amount of irony, knows how to push the right buttons to provoke the other side.&rdquo;

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One of the worst victims in this relationship based on hatred are the children on both sides. In the Jewish Israeli and Palestinian high schools that Shipler visited in different points of time, each group saw themselves as the victims and the other as the perpetrator. Thus, the very basis of reconciliation that could have emerged from recognising that it had victimised the other is sadly missing. Both the communities are sadly losing the nuances of a political decision and, thus, moving away from the possibility of a democratic solution.

The deterioration of the situation is evident from the <a href="https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N16/311/12/PDF/N1631112.pdf?OpenElement">following report</a> published by the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People. It categorically states that extrajudicial killings and excessive use of force by the &ldquo;Israeli occupying forces&rdquo; have increased in the period between 7 October 2015 to 3 October 2016. This has raised serious concerns about the protection of civilians, including children.&nbsp;

In 2012, as violence broke out between Israel and Palestine, UNICEF had set up an emergency psychosocial response unit in Gaza. A rapid psychosocial assessment carried out by the UNICEF revealed severe psychosocial distress among selected children living in the 35 hardest-hit areas of Gaza during the hostilities. One such kid, named Oudai, showed complete &ldquo;disassociation&rdquo; with reality; he stared blankly, sat in a corner, completely unable to shake the trauma of Israeli bombing. Experts have expressed concerns that such psychosocial distress would get even more pervasive as hostility continues in the region

On top of this, Israel continues to expand its illegal settlements in the West Bank, including in East Jerusalem. Settlement construction was accompanied by official plans to build thousands of new settlement units, further fragmenting Palestinian land, and disconnecting communities. Much to the chagrin of the Palestinians, Israel attempts to retroactively &ldquo;legalize&rdquo; settlement outposts that have cropped up in newly encroached lands.&nbsp;

Though Israel&rsquo;s representatives have often accused the UN of passing &ldquo;<a href="http://www.timesofisrael.com/un-lambasts-israel-on-palestinian-solidarity-day/">biased resolutions</a>&rdquo; and putting forth empty symbols, the United Nations has consistently maintained the position that a just and permanent settlement of the question of Palestine could be reached only by ending the Israeli occupation that began in 1967, achieving the full independence of the State of Palestine on the basis of the pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. With the approach of the fiftieth anniversary of the Israeli occupation, the General Assembly, at its seventy-first session, is expected to declare 2017 as the &ldquo;International Year to End the Israeli Occupation&rdquo;, with activities and efforts to be organised to that end.

The past is never perfect and that is the reason we strive to built a better future. But at least in the past, Indian governments, while giving instantaneous recognition to Israel, also exercised the moral authority to critique Israel&#39;s blatant disregard for the human rights of Palestinian refugees. India somehow is ready to give up on that in its quest for a different global equation where strong men rules.

India's technocratic regime does not find Palestine significant any more.

Clad in white suit and spoting a blue hankerchief, Prime Minister Modi looked elegance personified when he landed in Israel yesterday. His dress, interestingly, bore clear resemblance to the Israeli flag. The world by this time know that the long frosty relationship between India and Israel is about to melt. In the name of countering terrorism, in the name of development and in the name of standing against anti-semitism, the two countries are all poised to collaborate on strategic and technical matters. But when everything looks so warm and fuzzy, nagging questions keep coming back: has India's stand on the Palestine questioned changed? Are we not supporting the aspirations of the Palestinians any more? Not a single time in the last two days have the national media, PM Modi, and the Ministry of External Affairs mentioned Palestine. The silence is so deafening that we can't but wonder whether very surreptitiously India is deserting the Palestine cause in the promise of a new partnership with Israel. Prime Minister Modi is a technocrat; he believes in delivering, in building infrastructure, in separating good governance from the messiness of electoral politics. Palestine is all messy: no clear political leadership, not economically promising, people housed in shoddy refugee camps. The country has nothing to offer to an aggressively growing economy like India. Plauged by constant terrorist threats, cyber attacks and farming problems, India needs Israel more than Palestine as an ally. The country has nothing to offer to an aggressively growing economy like India. Plauged by constant terrorist threats, cyber attacks and farming problems, India needs Israel more than Palestine as an ally × While the diplomatic and strategic needs of India are clear, the doubts that continue haunt us is, whether in the name of development and security, India is giving up on the moral leadership that constituted the core of its foreign relation in the past. If India aspires to a position of global power, such a stature does not come with economic prowess alone. Diplomatic relations are based on negotiations and not necessarily on keeping mum on differences. It is not that Israel alone has lot to offer to India, the latter also has lot to offer in terms of technological manpower, market, investment and in fighting jointly against terrorism. India could have used these as leverages to bring up the miserable state of Palestinians who live as refugees in their own country. The United Nations have been very forthright about the state of Palestinians in Israel. The number of Palestinian houses demolished in 2016 has doubled compared to 2015. The UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, in his message on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, has called Gaza to be a “humanitarian emergency”. Two million people are struggling every day in Palestine, clueless as to when their sojourn for nationhood would come to an end. Palestinians are mostly jobless in an economy that is for decades paralysed due to ongoing conflicts. It is ironical that the UN adopted the solidarity resolution the same day, that is, 29 November, 1977 as it did 30 years earlier when it adopted the resolution on the partition of Palestine. The resolution came as the UN General Assembly expressed deep concern at the continous occupation of Arab territories by Israel, leading to what they saw as the deprivation of inalienable rights of Palestinians. Two million people are struggling every day in Palestine, clueless as to when their sojourn for nationhood would come to an end. × Over the years, Edward Said and several other writers and commentators on the Israel-Palestine conflict have interpreted the situation in Palestine as a struggle to achieve social justice which takes us beyond the narrative of military occupation, resistance and counter-terrorism measures. Said, the most famous of Palestine-US scholars supporting the Palestine cause, has proposed that “cultural exchange” is necessary between all parties concerned to promote understanding. The only way to achieve peace, Said argued, will be to minimise the existing gap in communication between the US and the Arab world, and between Israel and their Arab neighbours. Such cultural exchanges and opening up communication channels are, however, contingent upon easing up the suffocating atmosphere of mistrust that has build-up in the region over the years following the partition. Evidently, Arabs from Egypt and Jordan refuse to travel to the occupied territories because they “won’t submit to the humiliation of being examined by Israeli policemen at the border or the barrier.” Such termination of interaction between communities, Said argued, has been preventing Arabs from coming up with a plan which would actually help Palestine to “deal” with Israel. This mutual ignorance is evident in the day-to-day relationships between Jews and Arabs living in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza that has fed into the practice of stereotyping each other. David Shipler as the New York Times bureau chief in Jerusalem witnessed some of the worst forms of these stereotyping. In his immensely popular book Arab and Jew: Wounded Spirits in a Promised Land, Shipler talks about the severe distortion of history, especially on the Palestinian side. Evidently, the Palestinians have come to see Israelis only as “colonialists”. The current discourse on Palestine’s liberation not only demands Israel’s withdrawal from the territories conquered in the Six-Day War but “gives no recognition of Jewish history in the Land of Israel, of the Holocaust, and the real reasons for the creation of Israel,” Shipler pointed out. Shipler’s observation has been that with the expansion of the Jewish settlement in the West Bank, brutality and nastiness have been increasing on both sides; both sides are “radicalizing” each other. Both sides, Shipler comments with some amount of irony, knows how to push the right buttons to provoke the other side.” In the past, Indian governments, while giving instantaneous recognition to Israel, also exercised the moral authority to critique Israel's blatant disregard for the human rights of Palestinian refugees × One of the worst victims in this relationship based on hatred are the children on both sides. In the Jewish Israeli and Palestinian high schools that Shipler visited in different points of time, each group saw themselves as the victims and the other as the perpetrator. Thus, the very basis of reconciliation that could have emerged from recognising that it had victimised the other is sadly missing. Both the communities are sadly losing the nuances of a political decision and, thus, moving away from the possibility of a democratic solution. The deterioration of the situation is evident from the following report published by the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People. It categorically states that extrajudicial killings and excessive use of force by the “Israeli occupying forces” have increased in the period between 7 October 2015 to 3 October 2016. This has raised serious concerns about the protection of civilians, including children. In 2012, as violence broke out between Israel and Palestine, UNICEF had set up an emergency psychosocial response unit in Gaza. A rapid psychosocial assessment carried out by the UNICEF revealed severe psychosocial distress among selected children living in the 35 hardest-hit areas of Gaza during the hostilities. One such kid, named Oudai, showed complete “disassociation” with reality; he stared blankly, sat in a corner, completely unable to shake the trauma of Israeli bombing. Experts have expressed concerns that such psychosocial distress would get even more pervasive as hostility continues in the region On top of this, Israel continues to expand its illegal settlements in the West Bank, including in East Jerusalem. Settlement construction was accompanied by official plans to build thousands of new settlement units, further fragmenting Palestinian land, and disconnecting communities. Much to the chagrin of the Palestinians, Israel attempts to retroactively “legalize” settlement outposts that have cropped up in newly encroached lands. Though Israel’s representatives have often accused the UN of passing “biased resolutions” and putting forth empty symbols, the United Nations has consistently maintained the position that a just and permanent settlement of the question of Palestine could be reached only by ending the Israeli occupation that began in 1967, achieving the full independence of the State of Palestine on the basis of the pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. With the approach of the fiftieth anniversary of the Israeli occupation, the General Assembly, at its seventy-first session, is expected to declare 2017 as the “International Year to End the Israeli Occupation”, with activities and efforts to be organised to that end. The past is never perfect and that is the reason we strive to built a better future. But at least in the past, Indian governments, while giving instantaneous recognition to Israel, also exercised the moral authority to critique Israel's blatant disregard for the human rights of Palestinian refugees. India somehow is ready to give up on that in its quest for a different global equation where strong men rules.

With Israel in between, are Indians and Palestinians looking at an estranged friendship?