The next Middle East Update is likely to be January 11.

Wishing you a very happy and healthy New Year!

Arab Apartheid Targets Palestinians – Khaled Abu Toameh (Gatestone Institute) Iraq has just joined the long list of Arab countries that shamelessly practice apartheid against Palestinians. The number of Arab countries that apply discriminatory measures against Palestinians while pretending to support the Palestinian cause is breathtaking. Arab hypocrisy is once again on display, but who who is looking?  The international media -- and even the Palestinians -- are so preoccupied with US President Donald Trump's announcement on Jerusalem that the plight of Palestinians in Arab countries is dead news. 

Countries cutting or freezing funding this year following PMW reports: Denmark, Norway, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland -  Itamar Marcus and Maurice Hirsch (PMW)

We Ignore Iran Cyber Attacks at Our Peril - David Ignatius   (Washington Post)

Fatah's guide to rock throwing for kids -  Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberdik (PMW)

Israel Excluded from Saudi-Hosted Match, Chess Federation Says (Reuters)

Beit Jinn falls to Syrian-Hizballah-Iranian-led force, now 5km from Israeli border (Debka File)

Syrian, Iranian backed forces advance in border area near Israel - Suleiman Al-Khalidi (Reuters)

What You Were Reading: The Top 10 Posts of 2017 – Daniel Pomerantz (Honest Reporting)

A Disappointing, Muted Response to Imams Calling for Violence (IPT News)

Where’s the Coverage of New Jersey Imam’s Call for Genocide? (CAMERA)

US kills Afghan Taliban commander in drone strike inside Pakistan – Bill Roggio (Long War Journal)