Joshua Lapide

Many rockets were intercepted; the city of Beersheva hit. In Gaza, 12 people were injured, including women and children. The pain and the "shame" of Shimon Peres for the killing of Palestinian youth by Jewish extremists. Condolences from the family of the Israeli teenager killed along with two others. New problems for the Palestinian national unity government.

Three young Jews out of six arrested yesterday have confessed to the crime today. Mohammed Abu Khdair's autopsy shows that the young man was burnt alive. A video shows the beating of a 15-year-old boy by the Israeli Police. Killing Palestinians to redeem the land of Israel is seen as hastening the coming of the Messiah. Racism is growing in Israel, including the school system.

Mob included a member of Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party. The possible use of the scared site by Christians has been under discussion for some time. The ultra-Orthodox Jews fear the transfer of rights to the sacred site. Only John Paul II and Pope Francis have been allowed to celebrate a mass in the place of the Last Supper and Pentecost.

Employees refuse to implement sanctions on the Palestinian population with regard to water, electricity, transport, health, industry, environment, etc. .. Yair Lapid wants to reopen the Israeli-Palestinian dialogue, even evacuating some settlements. For Tzipi Livni settlements in the Occupied territories must be frozen. Threats to topple the Netanyahu government.

The minister Uri Ariel appreciates the "Zionist response" against the "terrorist government" of unity between Fatah and Hamas. The new crisis comes just days from the prayer meeting at the Vatican, with Shimon Peres, Mahmoud Abbas and Pope Francis.

The prayer meeting is set for 8 June. It will not entail any political mediation but will include a rabbi and an imam. For many Palestinians, the proposal brings their needs back to centre stage. Many Israelis are sceptical in view of the failed US mission to revive talks. Some remember the effectiveness of prayer in the prayer vigil for Syria on 7 September.

Fouad Twal complains about a certain laxity on the part of the government , unable to curb anti-Christian hate speech and graffiti . The bishops fear mounting hatred of the imminent visit of the pope. Jews, Christians and Muslims demonstrate: "Racism screams, while the government is silent".

The decision to "punish" the Palestinians who have declared a "diplomatic intifada " wanting to become signatory members of the 15 UN conventions . Meanwhile, more illegal settlements in the occupied territories .

Training base, military barracks and Syrian artillery targeted in overnight air strike. Yesterday, four Israeli soldiers were wounded by the explosion of a bomb. Israel denounces Hezbollah, allies of Assad and blames Syria for "supporting terrorists".

Israel allows Housing Minister Uri Ariel on Temple Mount. He is a great supporter of settlements in the Occupied Territories. This led to clashes between Palestinian youths and Israeli soldiers. Other clashes occurred last week when Israeli police prevented Muslims under 40 to enter the area for Friday prayers. Jordan fears more violence and growth of religious extremism.

Militant brigade claims 130 rockets were launched, Israel claim 41. Israeli planes target "29 terrorist sites”. No casualties on either side. Lieberman proposes another occupation of Gaza.

At least 500,000 people - adults, youth and children - took over Jerusalem for a few hours. According to the Haredim, military service stops them from studying the Bible and undermines the moral education of their youth. Secular Israelis accuse them of being "parasites" because they live off state subsidies.