Netanyahu to decide if Congresswomen Tlaib, Omar can visit West Bank — Middle East Monitor (7/19/19)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will have to decide whether Democratic US Congresswomen Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar can visit Israel and the West Bank next month, local media has reported. Israel has passed a law that bans the entry of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement supporters and it is under this legislation that Netanyahu could ban the Congresswomen from entry. However, the Israeli foreign ministry can waivers be issued in certain cases where denying a person’s entry could harm Israel’s foreign relations, Haaretz reported. According to the paper, Netanyahu will now have to decide whether to allow the two Congresswomen entry. Congresswoman Omar told the Jewish Insider on Wednesday that she and Tlaib were planning to visit the region in the coming weeks. 

'It's hell': The bureaucratic nightmare facing Palestinians in East Jerusalem — Middle East Eye (7/18/19)

Why Are Progressive Democrats Backing an Anti-BDS Bill That Was Introduced at an AIPAC Conference? — Mondoweiss (7/17/19)

On July 17, the House Foreign Affairs Committee will begin to mark up a number of measures including a resolution that condemns the Global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement (BDS Movement). Despite concerns about the bill being unconstitutional, it’s currently supported by 70% of the Democratic Caucus. House Resolution 246 (HRes246) is a nonbinding piece of legislation that identifies the BDS movement as an impediment to a two-state solution. “Whereas the Global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement (BDS Movement) targeting Israel is a campaign that does not favor a two-state solution and that seeks to exclude the State of Israel and the Israeli people from the economic, cultural, and academic life of the rest of the world,” its text reads.

Ilhan Omar introduces resolution upholding right to boycott — Electronic Intifada (7/17/19)

It’s about the Benjamins — Trump’s smearing of congresswomen demonstrates Israel’s influence in US politics — Mondoweiss (7/17/19)

When Israel bombed disabled Palestinians — Electronic Intifada (7/15/19)

Nasser al-Buhaisi had just graduated from college. The 22-year-old obtained a degree in religious law from Gaza’s Al-Azhar University during June. One day later, he died. Al-Buhaisi had been paralyzed due to a road accident in 2006. He had studied hard despite being in intensive care. His determination made me reflect on the situation facing people with disabilities in Gaza. The situation is never easy but becomes far more difficult when Israel attacks vital services – as it did a few months ago. In the early evening of 5 May, Israel bombed the Zoroub building in Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city. The General Union of Disabled Palestinians was based on one floor of the building. Approximately 50 people were told to evacuate that floor before the bombing occurred. Bassam Abu Obaid was the last one from the union to quit the building. “I was finishing off some woodwork and didn’t want to leave,” he said.