Joshua Lapide

With a 180 ° u-turn the U.S. Secretary of State drops the condition imposed by the Palestinians and Barack Obama on the freezing of settlements in the occupied territories. The hopes raised by Obama for peace ends in nothing. Meanwhile unity increases between Hamas and Fatah, which threatens to turn everything into an Islamist movement. Israel wants to rally the world against a war with Iran.

The resolution of the UN Commission on Human Rights condemns Israel for its policy of violence in East Jerusalem. The Palestinian Authority praises the vote. Hamas appreciates the fight against "the Zionist criminals," but does not comment on the allegations concerning itself. United States and Italy among the dissenting votes.

The discussion will take place at the Security Council, at the request of the Libyan representative. Proposal also supported by the Palestinian mission to the UN. After protests critical of Abbas, the Ramallah government recognizes its "mistake" in slowing down discussions of the Goldstone report in Geneva. In Gaza, banners against Abbas, calling him a "traitor".

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish believers stoned. Yesterday, two incidents of clashes between young Palestinians and Israeli police. Police close mosques to the Muslims under 50 years.

Israeli army and Palestinian militants also accused of "crimes against humanity." The report will be presented later this month to the UN Commission on Human Rights. Within six months, if the two authorities do not carry out investigations, the allegations will be presented to the International Criminal Court. For Israel the report is "one-sided" for Hamas "not objective".

by Joshua Lapide Despite the U.S. demand to stop the settlements, Netanyahu calls no halt to settlement building in the Holy City; 2500 buildings already started; "natural" growth of settlements in the Occupied Territories. Meanwhile the Palestinians are preparing to launch state institutions to give birth to a state "despite the Israeli occupation."

Pro-reform delegates quit convention hall over voting rules. Differences flare up over the weight to give to Gaza delegates held back by Hamas. Israeli press is positive about the congress’ openness towards dialogue, peace and a “two states, two peoples” solution.

Party remains open to dialogue with Israel but armed struggle still a possibility. Movement faces many internal problems like corruption, nepotism, inefficiency and youth marginalisation.

Israel’s foreign minister is charged with graft, money laundering, obstruction of justice, witness harassment and ties with the Russian mafia. He calls police action a “campaign of persecution.” If charges are laid Prime Minister Netanyahu will have to rethink his alliance with ultranationalist party Yisrael Beiteinu, which is against dialogue with Palestinians.

Washington is waiting for a reply from Tehran before September. Israel’s Ehud Barak has not closed the door to a military option. Despite US opposition, Jewish West bank settlements are still growing. Syria is ready for dialogue but fears Israeli nukes. The Palestinians are divided.

The organisation ‘Breaking the silence’ collects testimonies, which back charges by the United Nations, the Arab League and humanitarian organisations.

The international organisation accuses Israeli soldiers of killing scores of civilians, using them as ‘human shields’. Hamas is accused of launching rockets against Israeli towns and endangering the lives of Palestinian civilians. Both Israel and Hamas reject report’s findings. UN inquiry continues.