Trump administration divide over Israeli annexation, between Jared Kushner and David Friedman, will be resolved in “symbolic” acceptance of annexation, first step being Ma’ale Adumim and Gush Etzion bloc, predicts former Israeli ambassador Danny Ayalon.
A majority of House Republicans have signed a letter supporting the Israeli government’s proposed annexation plan.
Israeli snipers shot nearly 8,000 protesters at the Gaza fence, killing 214, including 59 on the day that the US moved the embassy to Jerusalem; and advocates for Israel such as Dennis Ross ignore this river of suffering when they say that “Nothing happened” when we moved the embassy.
Biden’s likely Defense Secretary Michele Flournoy shows an Israel lobby group she’s got the right line on annexation. It would hurt the special relationship. “I would hate to see some in Congress decided they are going to hold hostage our security assistance to Israel as a way of protesting their policies in the West Bank.”
Anti-annexation forces counted on Yair Golan in Meretz to oppose plans. He has folded, while former hero Benny Gantz uses scatological derision of Palestinians in pushing forward on annexation. “We won’t get into Palestinian deep shit.”
Over 100 organizations are calling on Joe Biden to support conditioning U.S. aid to Israel on an end to violations of Palestinian human rights.
The New York Times covers annexation as if it chiefly affects Israeli Jews. “The fear most unnerving Israelis is that their sons and daughters could be sent into combat,” it reports but all but ignores Palestinian concerns about the illegal move Israel is contemplating.
Annexation was advanced in the U.S. “peace plan” by Ambassador David Friedman, says Palestinian member of Knesset Ahmad Tibi: “The most dangerous figure pushing for this annexation is the American ambassador… Friedman.. He is the most dangerous, and he is to the right of Netanyahu, he is much more Yemina and Settler Council than Likud even. He is playing a very, very dangerous role.”
The Israeli government’s goal is clear: establish an apartheid regime through annexing parts of the West Bank, and liquidate the Palestinian cause all together. Haidar Eid discusses what Palestinian political strategy should be in this moment.
A new poll has Jamaal Bowman up by 10 points over incumbent, and Israel lobby favorite, Eliot Engel. “Though the Democratic old guard has frequently been criticized as out of touch with the party base, name recognition and the right donors have held most would-be challengers at bay. If this poll is accurate, that time is rapidly ending,” tweeted American Prospect executive editor David Dayen.