#ISRAEL: US Put Pressure On Israel To Delay Jerusalem Settlement Annexation Bill

[world politics news]

Under pressure from the United States, Israel has delayed a bill that would connect a number of settlements in the West Bank to Jerusalem. The "Greater Jerusalem Bill" aims to solidify the city's Jewish majority, but stops short of formal annexation, making the practical implications unclear. The bill says the communities would be considered "daughter municipalities" of Jerusalem.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#ISRAEL: Furious Response After US Consulate Official Tells Israelis Western Wall "Not Yours"

[world politics news]

The American official who sniped at his Israeli counterparts that the Western Wall, the holiest place for Jews to pray, is not part of Israel and not Israel’s responsibility was named in a TV report as David Berns, the political counselor at the US Consulate in Jerusalem. A second US official, the consulate’s economic counselor Jonathan Shrier, was also involved in the bitter diplomatic incident, which quickly led to an angry shouting match. The official made the remarks while preparing for Pres. Trump's visit next week.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#ISRAEL: Arab Knesset Members Protest E. Jerusalem Call To Prayer Ban

[world politics news]

A controversial bill being considered in the Israeli Knesset would bar mosques from using loudspeakers for delivering call to prayer (azan) in occupied East Jerusalem. Many Palestinians calling it a blatant violation of their freedom to worship. Two Arab Knesset members attempted to make the call to prayer inside the Knesset, with one succeeding.

[FULL STORY HERE]