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Media Summary

Archaeologists uncover prehistoric ‘paradise’ near Tel Aviv

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The Guardian, Independent and the Daily Mail report that Israel has published a list of organisations supporting a boycott campaign against it, whose activists will be banned from entering the country. Members of 20 groups which support the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement will be denied entry visas and residency rights if placed on a list written by Strategic Affairs and Public Security Minister, Gilad Erdan. The list primarily includes European and American organisations and features the UK-based Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) of which Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn is a patron and War on Want.

The Daily Mail via AP reports that Israel says it will restore electricity to the Gaza Strip after ‘cutting it off’ following a request by the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the West Bank. Israel’s Energy Ministry said on Sunday that power supplies will be returned by morning. Last summer, the Palestinian government asked Israel to cut the electricity, as a way to pressure Hamas.

The Independent reports that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC) has claimed to have ended the unrest linked to anti-government protests which erupted last month. In a statement on its website, the IRGC blamed the unrest on the United States, Israel and Saudi Arabia, as parliament and security officials met to discuss the protests on Sunday.

The NME and the Daily Mail report that musicians and actors including John Cusack, Mark Ruffalo, Brian Eno, Roger Waters, and Kathleen Hanna have signed a letter in support of Lorde, following her cancellation of a scheduled concert in Israel. The letter read: “We write in support of Lorde, who made public her decision not to perform in Israel and has now been branded a ‘bigot’ in a full page advertisement in the Washington Post…We deplore the bullying tactics being used to defend injustice against Palestinians and to suppress an artist’s freedom of conscience. We support Lorde’s right to take a stand.”

The Daily Mail via AP reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that he “completely agrees” with US President Donald Trump’s critique of the UN agency aiding Palestinian refugees, saying that UNRWA only perpetuates the problem and should cease from operating in the region. Speaking at his weekly Cabinet meeting, Netanyahu also reiterated his support for Trump’s threat to cut aid to the Palestinians. The remarks came after Israeli media reports indicated that despite its public declarations, Israel was actually concerned about the ramifications of such a move.

The Times and The Financial Times report that 11 Saudi princes have staged a sit-in at a royal palace in protest against their relative, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, after being told to pay their own electricity and water bills. The princes are among millions of Saudis facing reduced circumstances because of policies outlined by the Crown Prince as part of his attempts to reform the economy.

On BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme, Yolande Knell discussed the ongoing case of Palestinian teen Ahed Tamimi as she returns to court today.

All the Israeli media prominently report that the controversial Minimarkets Bill that will be introduced to the Israeli Parliament today for its second and third readings.  The Bill would grant the Interior Minister a final say over municipal bylaws that allow places of business to be open on the Sabbath. As well as the opposition, Yisrael Beiteinu object to the bill on ideological grounds.  Yediot Ahronot also cites opposition within the Likud and quotes Minister Ofir Akunis as describing the bill as “a free gift to Yesh Atid,” whereas Minister Gila Gamliel said: “This is a bad bill that will cause the Likud electoral damage.” Maariv notes, “all the members of the Likud Central Committee are against the Minimarket Bill.” As a result, Haaretz speculates the Government will be “hard pressed to obtain a majority.”  Yediot Ahronot also publishes an open letter to Shas Minister Aryeh Deri from the former Minister of Education Shai Piron.  In the letter he appeals: “Let it go, Aryeh. You’ll be more greatly rewarded for abandoning this needless fight. Opt for a different course of action: establish a national consensus forum to discuss the Sabbath in Israel.”

Channel 10 News reveals that the security cabinet has convened several times in recent days to discuss the situation along Israel’s northern border.  Although they could not reveal details of the discussion they were described as “extremely significant”.  The report quoted Defence Minister Lieberman who is on record saying: “Syria and Lebanon have become one military entity. Israel must prepare for a new challenge.  Any developments will be due to Hezbollah, Assad’s regime and all those collaborating with Assad’s regime, along with the Lebanese army. Unfortunately, this is the reality.”

Maariv notes despite the recent setbacks the US administration is still determined to pursue their Middle East peace plan.  The paper quotes a senior White House official who said: “A peace process and a credible conclusion to that process can’t happen without the US– they know that. And once the plan is revealed, it will speak for itself.”

Yediot Ahronot and Israel Hayom report two hundred victims of terrorism—some of whom were injured in terror attacks and others who lost family members to terrorism—sent a letter last night to Netanyahu in which they demanded that a bill be passed into legislation that would deduct from the Palestinian tax funds levied by Israel the stipends that are paid out by the Palestinian Authority to terrorists.  The paper suggests this initiative is in lieu of the death penalty bill.

Haaretz report the Ministry of Strategic Affairs has revealed its list of 20 organisations that delegitimise Israel and will be banned from entry into Israel.  The paper notes the list includes the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign of which Jeremy Corbyn is a patron.  The paper also quotes a spokesman for the Labour leader clarifying that Corbyn was “not in favour of a comprehensive or blanket boycott.”