Joshua Lapide

On the agenda Iranian nuclear issue and peace talks with the Palestinians. Israel is criticized for its blockade of Gaza and for failing to stop the settlements. New rules on blockade of Strip: Threats from Turkey. Analysts: Iran attack only after a detente in relations with the Palestinians.

Toll from attack rises to 19 dead. Roads to the West Bank and the Gaza crossings closed. Access to Temple Mount mosques forbidden. Raed Salah, Palestinian leader of the northern Israel is seriously hurt. Arab and Israeli strikes in Gaza. Abbas declares three days of mourning and calls the Israeli operation "a massacre". Israel claims aid ships were "a provocation" with links to terrorism. Anti-Israeli demonstrations in Istanbul. Ankara withdraws its ambassador from Tel Aviv.

Defence Ministry makes the announcement after Iran makes more threats against Israel. Tensions are rising in view of possible attacks against Iran.

The government has closed borders with the West Bank. Young people banned from Temple Mount. Christians can only enter the city with permission. Travel from Gaza almost impossible. Bishop Twal: Jesus came into Jerusalem without escort, without soldiers and without walls of separation. The concern of the pope.

Talks in the White House are held in two sessions. No press release is issued. Israelis say the meeting was conducted in a “good atmosphere”. The Washington Post says the US has a limited leeway over Israel. Netanyahu appears to have been able to sidetrack the Palestinian issue in favour of the Iran question.

Palestinians in Israel and Islamic groups move on Temple Mount, forbidden to men under 50 by Israeli police. Today there will also be the inauguration of the synagogue of Hurva, a further sign the Israeli expropriation of the city.

Threats of abandonment of the coalition government by the Labor Party. 1600 new settlements are likely to eliminate forever the possibility that East Jerusalem become the capital of a future Palestinian state. The government of Tel Aviv plans 50 thousand new homes in Arab and nearby areas.

Abbas’ reaction is “hypocritical”, Netanyahu’s decision is a “provocation”; all because the israeli PM decided to add Rachel’s Tomb and the Cave of the Patriarchs to Israel’s list of national heritage sites. Palestinians fear it is just another land grab. Jewish settlers and nationalists are happy with Netanyahu’s decision.

The visit of Prime Minister to Maleeh Adumim and Gush Etzion a few hours from the meeting with U.S. special envoy for the Middle East. The non-freezing of settlements is an obstacle to dialogue with the Palestinians. Under international law Israel has no right to take possession of space in the Occupied Territories.

“We killed Jesus” and “Christians out”, extremists write. Urinating on the door has become an almost daily event. Graffiti are linked to a statement made by an Israeli deputy ministry claiming that the Vatican wants to claim sovereignty on Mount Zion.

The Israeli premier halts settlement construction for 10 months, but rules out restrictions on the natural growth of existing settlements. Even the settlements around East Jerusalem are exempt from restrictions. According to the Palestinians construction will continue, indeed "get worse."

Twenty-four homes are demolished in Al-Isawiya. The expansion of the illegal settlements of Gilo (home to 40,000 Israelis) makes a contiguous Palestinian state nearly impossible. For Ban Ki-moon, such actions undermine peace. The US reacts timidly following Obama’s about-turn.