Quarterly Updates

Since taking office in 6/2014, Egyptian pres. al-Sisi has supported Palestinian efforts in international fora, but remained largely removed from the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

The Palestinian community’s fate in the ongoing conflict in Syria appeared increasingly precarious this quarter. While humanitarian conditions in Yarmouk r.c. outside Damascus remained dire, renewed fighting nr.

Seven mos. after resuming in 11/2015 (see JPS 45 [3]), the Israeli-Turkish reconciliation process culminated in a formal agreement this quarter.

Along with the apparently growing sectarian rift in the region in recent years, the Israeli govt. under PM Netanyahu has attempted to strengthen ties with the Saudi-led so-called Sunni axis as a counterweight to Shi‘adominated Iran.

Iran was largely uninvolved in the IsraeliPalestinian sphere this quarter. After an Islamic Jihad delegation’s visit to Tehran in 4/2016, Asharq Al Awsat reported (5/25) that Iran intended to resume supporting the group and end 2 years of strained relations.

Continued Tension with Israel

The Israeli govt. launched a major diplomatic offensive in Africa this quarter that contrasted starkly with its relative isolation in the international community.

The Middle East Quartet published its long-awaited report on obstacles to the 2-state solution and recommendations for restarting peace negotiations this quarter.

The Palestinian leadership embarked on a new effort this quarter to achieve justice in the international legal system.

Leading up to the 40th session of the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization’s World Heritage Comm. in Istanbul on 7/10–20, the Palestinians and Jordanians put forward a res.

Scandals erupted in the realm of international aid this quarter. In 6/2016, Israeli forces had arrested Mohammad El Halabi, the Gaza director of the Christian charity World Vision.

Two major organizations lent their support to the BDS movement this quarter. On 8/1, the Black Lives Matter movement, a coalition of over 50 antiracism activist groups across the U.S., published its 1st-ever platform of policy positions, including several on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

The phase of violence that began in Jerusalem in 9/2015 continues to dissipate while the Israeli govt. further expands and extends its crackdown on the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt), as well as on the Palestinian minority in Israel and left-wing Israeli activists.

With most diplomatic initiatives stalled, the Palestinian habba (surge or revolt in English) continued to dominate international and local media.

There were a few noteworthy UN-related developments this quarter. On 3/24, the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) approved, 32–0, with 15 abstentions, a res.

In the lead-up to local elections across the UK on 5/5, the Labour Party came under renewed accusations of anti-Semitism after the schism within Labour between the old guard and the new progressive wing over new Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s break with the party’s traditional pro-Israel positions

After mos. of uncertainty, secret negotiations, and public hand-wringing over the Israeli govt.’s nomination of former settler leader Dani Dayan as amb. to Brazil (see JPS 45 [2, 3]), the Israeli govt. relented this quarter. The Brazilian govt.

As the quarter opened, Pres. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s govt. supported the PA’s diplomatic initiatives within international institutions, but its relations with both Israel and Hamas remained strained.

After increasing media reports of such transactions, on 3/15, the Jordanian parliament passed a law barring the sale or lease of land to Israeli citizens in and around the ancient city of Petra.

Although UNRWA aid personnel were allowed into certain areas of Damascus at the end of last quarter (see JPS 45 [3]), and a U.S.- Russia–brokered cease-fire went into effect on 2/27, conditions for the Palestinian community in Syria did not improve this quarte

The growing regional rift between the Saudi-led Sunni axis, on the one hand, and Iran and its allies, on the other, put the Palestinians in an increasingly precarious position this quarter, placing a strain on their relationship with Tehran.

Turkish-Israeli reconciliation talks, resumed in 11/2015 after over 6 mos. of interruption (see JPS 45 [3]), stalled again this quarter.

For the first time since 9/30/2015, the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC), the chief policylevel coordination mechanism for development assistance to the Palestinians, held a working meeting in Brussels on 4/19, chaired by Norwegian FM Børge Brende and presided over by European Union foreign policy

Continued Tension with Israel

In ‘Ayn al-Hilwa r.c., a brief outbreak of violence between Islamist groups and Fatah’s security forces aggravated tensions in the overcrowded locality.

Labeling Israeli Settlement Produce

UN Reports of Possible War Crimes

Like the U.S., the EU this quarter was largely focused on talks with Iran over its nuclear power program.

Other than being the chosen arena for the Palestinians’ pursuit of recognition and justice, the UN remained relatively uninvolved in Israeli and Palestinian issues this quarter. There were a few developments of note, however.

Continued impatience with the absence of progress on a negotiated resolution of the conflict as well as frustration over Israel’s ongoing settlement construction were reflected in a number of European measures in support of Palestinians’ unilateral actions this quarter.

As OPE was still under way in the summer of 2014, the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) commissioned an inquiry into alleged war crimes committed in Gaza but Israel had denied the commission entry (11/12) on the grounds of anti-Israeli “bias.” Tel Aviv’s efforts to undermine and discredit the commi

Having offered Israel arguably critical support during OPE, there was frustration in Brussels as Israeli settlement construction announcements unfolded thick and fast on the heels of the 50- day war.

As the quarter opened, UN Secy.-Gen.

There was no significant new EU initiative with regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict this quarter and official reactions to events on the ground consisted of statements rather than any involvement of substance.

One UN official in particular was active and vocal in the lead-up to Israel’s assault on Gaza. In early 6/2014, Robert Serry, the UN’s special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, joined other international leaders in welcoming the PA unity govt.