Today’s Top Stories
1. Researchers studying satellite images stumbled upon a secret Iranian facility that appears to be developing long-range missiles. The New York Times explains:
But an analysis of structures and ground markings at the facility strongly suggests, though does not prove, that it is developing the technology for long-range missiles, the researchers say.
Such a program would not violate the international deal intended to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, or any other formal agreement. Still, if completed, it could threaten Europe and potentially the United States. And if Iran is found to be conducting long-range missile work, that would increase tensions between Tehran and the United States.
Five outside experts who independently reviewed the findings agreed that there was compelling evidence that Iran is developing long-range missile technology.
Meanwhile, Israel accused Iran of making two unreported tests on ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, which would violate UN Security Council resolutions.
2. The Media Line and the BBC take a closer look at what Mahmoud Abbas’ hospitalization means for Palestinian politics and succession of leadership. Australia’s ABC News found younger Palestinians are apathetic, saying there are no signs that younger leaders with new ideas will emerge.
“A lot of older people … they’ve lived the past history of Palestine,” said fellow law student Lana Alkhmoui, 20.
“Now I think we need new ideas. New leadership.”
But none of the Birzeit University students believed a shift to a new generation would actually happen.
And judging by the names most commonly mentioned as possible successors to Mr Abbas, they’re right.
3. The US is considering cutting funds to three UN organizations which the Palestinians recently became members of. The Palestinians joined the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Chemical Weapons Convention which is upheld by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
Congress bars funding for UN organizations that give membership to the Palestinians.
4. Gaza Border Coverage: The Blame Game: Was Israel able to effectively tell its story to the press corps?
5. As Israeli-Turkish ties deteriorate, the Knesset is mulling recognizing the Armenian genocide. HR’s Daniel Pomerants discussed its implications with i24 News.
Israel and the Palestinians
• A Palestinian man who opened fire on Israeli Border Police at a checkpoint between Bethlehem and Jerusalem was apprehended this morning. Nobody was injured.
• IDF soldier critically hurt during arrest raid in West Bank. According to Ynet, he was hit in the head by a concrete block thrown by a Palestinian this morning.
Headline today. Soldier "very critically" injured by Pal who tossed a chunk of granite on him from third floor. Not likely to make it. IDF: " we couldn't shoot b/c we weren't sure who did it." Not that anyone will report that. https://t.co/CFa4OB7GTZ
— Daniel Gordis (@DanielGordis) May 24, 2018
• Israel is advancing plans for 3,900 new West Bank settlement homes. According to the Jerusalem Post:
This will include final approvals for 2,500 new homes and the advancement of plans for 1,400 homes. It is unclear how many of these projects are entirely new and how many were part of the more than 10,000 homes for which plans were advanced last year.
In a statement entitled “Gaza — Telling things as they really are,” Foreign Minister Martin Stropnický also posited that deadly riots on May 14 had nothing to do with the relocation of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem on that day.
“The fact is that Hamas, which is also recognized by the European Union as a terrorist organization and which still does not recognize Israel, is the only true ruler of the Gaza Strip, and as such is fully responsible for the form and objectives of the violent actions that have occurred on the border between Israel and Gaza in recent weeks,” he said.
• The Foreign Ministry says Israeli diplomats dominated the media during the Gaza riots, citing 161 media appearances by senior diplomats.
• Arab League severed ties with Guatemala over its embassy move to Jerusalem.
• Worth watching: Filmmaker Pierre Rehov followed up on his previous video about the Gaza clashes with Behind The Smokescreen Part 2. It shines a spotlight on the differences between what Hamas told the world and told Gazans about the “March of Return.” (I wanted embed the video, but the HTML coding wouldn’t cooperate.) UPDATE: The video’s now on YouTube.
• This is satire:
Window into Israel
• Top ministers agree to axe law allowing PM, defense minister to declare war
• According to a survey picked up by Haaretz, “slight majorities of Israeli Jews do not want their government to consider the views of American-Jewish leaders on matters of conversion, prayer at the Western Wall, or the status of the Reform and Conservative movements in the Jewish state.”
Around the World
• New legislation seeks to define antisemitism US education system
• Students at Gutenberg University voted to ban BDS, becoming the second German university to do so. The resolution declares BDS antisemitic and an hostile to academic freedom, and prohibits student bodies from supporting or participating in BDS activities.
Commentary/Analysis
• In a letter to the editor, AP’s former Jerusalem bureau chief Steve Gutkin denies AP or the news industry buries unfavorable stories about Hamas. He was responding to a scathing New York Times commentary by his former reporter, Matti Friedman.
• Here’s what else I’m reading today . . .
– Anshel Pfeffer: Israel’s F-35 strikes carried message to both enemies and allies
– Amb. Danny Danon: Why the UN should condemn Hamas
– Max Boot: Trump is inflicting long-term damage on US-Israel alliance by politicizing it
– Rabbi Chaim Landau: Israel will survive the Middle East
– Terry Glavin: Even rational folks lose their minds when Israel comes up. Hamas counts on it
– Oded Granot: Exposing Iran’s lies
– Dr. Nimrod Gordon: The Israel-Turkey crisis and the need for containment
– Sohrab Ahmari: The EU picks Iran and Hamas
– Melanie Phillips: Livingstone’s departure: Labour’s cynical totem
Featured image: CC BY-SA J Sawkins; Stropnicky CC BY-NC-ND NATO; boycott CC BY-SA HonestReporting;
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