"J-Street has become a major player in the U.S. political arena which can no longer be ignored."--Yedioth's diplomatic affairs reporter Itamar Eichner writes about the end of the Israeli government's boycott of J-Street.
- B'Tselem: More than 50% of Palestinians killed in Israel's last Gaza operation were civilians - Israeli rights group's report finds that 35 percent of the non-combatants killed in Operation Pillar of Defense were under 18, also cites violations of international law by both Palestinian militant groups and IDF. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
- UN report: Israel strangles east Jerusalem's development - Non-Jews are third of city's population, but enjoy only 7% of municipal spending, report says; 77% live below poverty line, compared to 25% of Jews. (Agencies, Ynet)
- Chinese president urges Israeli, Palestinian leaders to 'build trust' - Chinese state media says the visits this week of Abbas and Netanyahu emphasize nation's 'active involvement in Middle East affairs.' (Agencies,Haaretz)
- According to Likud officials: Erdan will be sent to Washington - Israel will likely appoint Home Front Minister Minister Gilad Erdan as Israel's ambassador to Washington in two months time. But the sources say the final decision lies with Avigdor Lieberman, the former foreign minister who is waiting for his graft trial to end so he can become the next foreign minister. (Maariv, p. 1/NRG Hebrew)
- Archaeologists call to dig at Jewish site discovered in Palestinian territory - After publication in Maariv, a delegation of senior Israeli archaeologists visited the site near Bethlehem of the rare findings from the period of the First Temple. Israel Antiquities Authority: "The subject is sensitive, we are working to have the site revealed completely." (Maariv, p. 9/NRG Hebrew)
- Renowned Islamic cleric visiting Gaza, rejects Israel's existence - Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi says,' This land has never once been Jewish. Palestine is for the Arab Islamic nation.' (Agencies, Ynet)
- American media museum honors Hamas cameramen - Washington based Newseum to add names of two cameramen, labeled terrorists, killed by IAF strike in Gaza operation, to memorial wall. (Ynet)
- Paving the way to an indivisible Jerusalem - A new highway connecting Jewish neighborhoods in northern Jerusalem is the latest addition to a network of roads making a future division of the city increasingly unlikely. (Haaretz+)
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