Friday, October 13, 2017

IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against Israel’s occupation, settlements, and separation wall in 3 villages near Ramallah (Nabi Salih, Bil‘in, and Ni‘lin), Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya, and along Gaza’s border near Jabaliya refugee camp and al-Bureij refugee camp; 6 Palestinians are injured. Meanwhile, IDF troops arrest 3 Palestinians during latenight raids near Jenin and Hebron, and patrol near Qalqilya and Tulkarm. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmland near Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries. (MNA 10/14; PCHR 10/19)

U.S. pres. Trump announces that his administration will not be certifying the 7/14/2015 Iran nuclear deal, triggering a 60-day period for the U.S. Congress to either reinstate sanctions, do nothing, or pass new legislation outside the context of the deal that could change the U.S. position toward Iran. Trump also announces “tough” new sanctions on Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps and promises to “work closely with Congress and our allies to address the deal’s many serious flaws so that the Iranian regime can never threaten the world with nuclear weapons.” In response, Iranian pres. Hassan Rouhani says that Tehran will expand its ballistic missile program, yet continue to honor its obligations under the deal. The leaders of the UK, France, and Germany reaffirm their commitment to the agreement. (AJ, BBC, CNN, HA, REU, TOI, WP 10/13)