Israeli Forces Are Accused Of Killing A Well Known Palestinian Journalist, Who Worked For Al-Jazeera: The face of Shireen Abu-Akleh appeared on every home page of media outlets around the world. She was a veteran journalist, who covered the events in the West Bank for years, and was known to millions of viewers all over the Arab world. On Wednesday morning, a special IDF (Israel Defense Force) unit was in a military operation to catch potential terrorists in the West Bank city of Jenin. They were met by armed Palestinian combatants and a battle developed between the two sides. The journalist was covering the unfolding events when she was shot and killed. The Palestinians immediately accused the Israeli forces of killing her. Israel hurried to condemn the shooting, and promised to investigate her shooting death. Israel suggested a joint investigation, by Palestinian and Israeli experts, with the participation of an international representative. An investigation that would include a ballistic test that may identify the exact weapon that caused her death. This is still a developing story.
Either way, the social media platforms are already filled with a lot of incitement and fake news about the cause of her death.
Conflict between police and funeral attendees developed during the funeral of Sheerin Abu Akleh.
An IDF special unit soldier was killed during a further military operation in Jenin
The Arab Joint List, Ra’am, The Only Arab Party in the Coalition, Decided To Continue It’s Partnership: The party, led by Mansour Abbas, decided to freeze its activity in the coalition, due to the clashes on the Temple Mount during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan. Earlier this week the party leaders consulted with the committee of clerics to gain their support.
The party, Ra’am, has not achieved policy changes in favor of their constituency so far, and they may be afraid to go to elections now, because they may be seen as weak. They had to give a lot in order to join the coalition and faced intensive push-back from other Arab parties, leaders and public figures, in addition to intensive push-back and incitement from right-wing MKs’ and other elected persons in the Knesset.
If they do not unfreeze their participation, it may expedite the end of the current government and bring the next general election.
A Key Leader from A Haredi Party in the Knesset, Called for Demolishing the Supreme Court With A Bulldozer: Isaac Pinderus from United Torah Judaism, an opposition party, was recorded telling his supporters how he dreams of a bulldozer going to destroy the supreme court. The recording was published and caused a mini-storm at the political level. The Haredi political players are known for their resentment to the supreme court, claiming that the justices should not interfere in matters of faith. It is important to say for the context, that in Israel Rabbinical law (and for Muslims the Shari’a law) are part of the state law and those laws cover all matters of personal status: marriage, divorce, death, alimony, burials etc.
The Israeli Parliament, the Knesset, Convened for the Summer Assembly on Monday, While the Current Coalition is Weaker and More Fragile than Ever: After the announcement from one of the Yamina party member, Idit Silman, that she no longer see herself as part of the coalition and will no longer vote with the coalition, the political balance, that was fragile from the beginning, leaning on a small majority of 61 out of 120, became even smaller and is now completely balanced 60:60 (which according the the Israeli law, is considers as a majority coalition. The coalition will have to either postpone important law making unless they can insure the majority, or lose many voting. Analysts claim that the clock is already ticking and the days of the current government are numbered.
Disappointment in Israel When Its Song Did Not Make It To the Final At the Eurovision Song Contest: For the first time in 8 years, Israel will not be in the final show of the popular annual pop song contest. It’s the 66th year of the contest, produced by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) which was held this year in Torino Italy. The country that wins the contest gets to host the contest for the next year. Forty one countries were supposed to participate in the 2022 contest, but due to the invasion to Ukraine, Russia was banned from participating. The contest has already become cult culture around the world, but mainly in Europe. Israel has participated forty three times, won four, and hosted the contest in 2019, after winning the 2018 contest. Ukraine is the favorite, and analysts predict that due to the strong sentiment towards the Ukrainian, they will most likely win. The final event will be held in Torino Italy on Saturday night.
For Further Reading:
Palestinian Journalist: Here, here, here
Supreme Court: Here, here, here , here
Eurovision: Here, here, here