Update on Conflict and Diplomacy

This update is a summary of bilateral, multilateral, regional, and international events affecting the Palestinians and Israel. More than 100 print, wire, television, and online sources providing U.S., Israeli, Arab, and international independent and government coverage of unfolding events are surveyed to compile the quarterly Update. The most relevant sources are cited in JPS’s Chronology section, which tracks events day by day. JPS Chronologies are archived on the JPS website at www.palestine-studies.org.

Highlights of theQuarter:

The surge of violence (habba) that began before the JewishHighHolidays in 9/2015 continues to subside, and this year’s holidays pass without anymajor incidents. The Palestinian Authority (PA) and Israeli govt. reach deals on electricity and postal service, but neither alters their positions on a return to final-status negotiations, despite the international community’s recent efforts. The Palestinian leadership instead advances initiatives in international institutions, including the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The recently reshuffled Israeli govt. launches a new “carrot-and-stick” policy for administering the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt), while also struggling with internal differences over Amona, an illegal Israeli settlement outpost, as well as with the settlement enterprise itself. Donald Trump is elected president of the United States, ushering in a Republican-dominated U.S. govt. that portends significant changes to U.S. positions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.