Several thousand Israeli settlers and supporters celebrated to mark the end to a 10-month moratorium on new construction in their West Bank enclaves—as deadly unrest rocked Jerusalem.
The US joined with other Quartet members in calling for Israel to extend the settlement freeze, but brought pressure to defeat a resolution demanding Israel join the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Israel’s interception of a Gaza-bound flotilla violated international law, according to a report released by the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
The UN panel tasked with assessing investigations into the 2008-2009 Gaza Strip conflict issued a report criticizing the investigations carried out by both Israel and Hamas.
Before Hamas resumed armed attacks this week, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman announced plans to “hermetically seal” the Gaza Strip—to little media attention.
Hamas claimed credit for killing four Israeli settlers near Hebron, as Israel’s right-wing Shas party—which opposes any settlement freeze—said that Hamas terror would sabotage the peace process.
European Union’s top diplomat criticized Israel over the conviction of Abdullah Abu Rahmeh, a leader of Palestinian protests against the West Bank separation barrier in Bil’in village.
The UN has issued an urgent call for the lifting of Israeli military restrictions on civilian access to Gaza Strip lands, finding they have dramatically affected the livelihoods of farmers and fishermen.
Israeli soldiers used force to shut down weekly non-violent anti-wall protests in villages across the West Bank, with clashes and tear gas reported in Nil’in and al-Ma’sara.
Fuel for generators is running out as the power crisis in Gaza continues, despite Israel’s supposed easing of the siege. Gaza officials warn that power plants will have to shut down again this weekend.
The Israel Government Tourist Office (IGTO) lost an appeal of a ban by the the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority on a vacation advertisement that described the Western Wall as part of Israel.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry announced it will conduct an investigation into the May flotilla incident. The investigatory commission will report to the UN panel established to probe the incident.
