Before US withdrawal from UNESCO this week,Arab States Backtrack on UNESCO Resolutions Criticizing Israel - Barak Ravid (Ha'aretz) For first time since 2013, a group of Arab countries, headed by Jordan and the PA, have backtracked on presenting resolutions critical of Israel at the UNESCO executive board session in Paris this week. A senior official in the Israel Foreign Ministry said the decision to delay for six months a vote on the resolutions was made following quiet diplomatic talks last week between the UNESCO committee chairman, Michael Worbs, Israel's UN ambassador, Carmel Shama Hacohen, and the Jordanian ambassador to UNESCO, Makram Queisi. Jason Greenblatt, President Trump's adviser on Israel, was personally involved. 

Belgium Suspends PA Construction Projects after Palestinian School Renamed for Terrorist - Shiri Moshe (Algemeiner and PMW) The Belgian government is suspending any efforts to construct or furnish Palestinian schools, after one built with Brussels' aid was renamed in honor of Dalal Mughrabi, who led a massacre of 38 people - including 13 children - near Tel Aviv in 1978. Belgium "will not allow itself to be associated with the names of terrorists in any way."  

Iran to Block Waze Navigation App Due to Israeli Origin - Fatih Karimov (Trend-Azerbaijan) Abdolsamad Khorramabadi, secretary of the Iranian Committee for Determining Criminal Web Content, has demanded that Iranians' access to Waze, a GPS-based navigation application, be blocked due to its Israeli background.

Israeli-Palestinian women’s peace march exposes Palestinian divides - Gabe Carroll (Times of Israel) Two weeks of events drawing thousands throughout Israel, West Bank culminate in Jerusalem rally backed by PLO, slammed by Hamas and BDS movement. Hamas called on Palestinians to “confront” the march and “isolate those who set it up.”  The march was also condemned, by the Palestinian National Committee of the international BDS campaign. In an Arabic release, the committee denounced the “feminist normalization march” and called for a boycott and “peaceful sabotage” of the initiative. Abbas, meanwhile, sent the marchers a personal letter, in which he called for the creation of a Palestinian state living side by side in peace with Israel. 
 

Jordan terms visits by Jews to the courtyard area of Temple Mount "storming of Al Aqsa Mosque " (Petra)

Century-Old Kurdish Statehood Dream Not Handiwork of Israel - Bashdar Ismaeel (Kurdistan24)
The Trump Administration Just Stabbed the Kurds in the Front - Michael J. Totten (World Affairs Journal)

Teens Detained by Hamas in Gaza Face Torture (IMEMC-PA) Defense for Children International-Palestine has documented six cases since January where children in conflict with the law under the current Hamas-led government in Gaza were at severe risk of abuse during detention. Three children were tortured during police interrogations, and one was physically abused by police station guards and adult prisoners, prompting the boy's suicide.

Turkey Poised to Roll Into Syria (Stratfor)  Great map!

U.S. Officials Warn of Potential Hizbullah Threat to U.S. Homeland - Jeff Seldin  (VOA News) "Make no mistake, Hizbullah has no political wing. It is a single organization, a terrorist organization, and it is rotten to its core."  
ACLU sues over Kansas law that targets Israel boycotts - John Hanna (Times of Israel)  Lawsuit filed on behalf of public school math teacher alleges state anti-BDS law violates free speech.  Twenty-one states have such policies.  “Boycotts of Israel are really a discriminatory effort by a few people who aren’t necessarily interested in a peaceful resolution in the Middle East,” said Jacob Millner, Midwest regional director for the Israel Project. But Dima Khalidi, executive director of Palestine Legal, a group supporting pro-Palestinian advocates, said the Israel government and pro-Israel groups unfairly attempt to paint boycott backers as radicals or terrorism supporters.

UN Ambassador Nikki Haley:  "The purpose of UNESCO is a good one. Unfortunately, its extreme politicization has become a chronic embarrassment....Just as we said in 1984 when President Reagan withdrew from UNESCO, U.S. taxpayers should no longer be on the hook to pay for policies that are hostile to our values and make a mockery of justice and common sense." 

US resumes strikes against Islamic State in Libya - Thomas Joscelyn & Bill Roggio (Long War Journal)

Palestinian Reconciliation: Abbas Says No to "Hizbullah Model" in Gaza as Hamas Seeks to Retain Armed Wing - Jack Khoury  (Ha'aretz) The pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat reported over the weekend that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has stipulated three conditions for reconciliation. First, that Hamas dismantle its military wing; second, that there be no foreign involvement in the administration of Gaza; and third, that any money for restoration and development only be channeled through the Palestinian government. According to Palestinian officials, these conditions are intended to block any involvement by former Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan or countries like Qatar.

4,500-Year-Old Bronze Age Settlement Flattened by Hamas Bulldozers (AP-The National-Abu Dhabi) Palestinian and French archaeologists in Gaza unearthed a rare 4,500-year-old Bronze Age settlement 20 years ago. Now Hamas bulldozers are flattening the last remnants of the excavation - Tel Es-Sakan - the largest Canaanite city between Palestine and Egypt.  In 2013, Hamas seized the 3,000-year-old Anthedon Harbor to build a military training camp, parts of which were bulldozed. In 2016, the remains of a Byzantine church were discovered in Gaza, but authorities are believed to have destroyed them. 

Russia: Airstrikes Wipe Out 300 IS Militants in Syria in Two Days (TASS-Russia)

Drone Strike Kills 8 Hizbullah Fighters in Syria  (AFP-Al-Monitor) On Monday an unidentified "drone hit a Hizbullah position near the town of Sukhna (in central Homs province) killing eight fighters, and injuring more than 20," said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The War in Syria Is Far from Over - Anshel Pfeffer  (Ha'aretz)  The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported this week that September was the bloodiest month this year, with 3,055 people killed - at least a third of them civilians, among them 207 children.  There are still significant pockets of resistance, with most of the casualties caused by the fighting against ISIS in Raqqa and the Euphrates Valley. Idlib province in northwest Syria, where rebels remain largely in control, has seen ferocious Syrian and Russian airstrikes in recent weeks.

In Moscow, Saudi king slams Iran, signs billion dollar defense, energy deals (Times of Israel)  In first official visit by a Saudi monarch to Russia, King Salman tells Putin Iran must stop regional meddling, says wants to see Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as capital

Turkey Opens Large Military Base in Somalia - Abdi Latif Dahir (Defense One)

A terrorist defies the BBC’s narrative (BBC Watch) Anytime the BBC reports on a terror attack against Israelis, the corporation tends to tell its audience something like, "Israelis blame Palestinian incitement; Palestinians blame frustration over the occupation." But sometimes terrorists themselves unambiguously deny the BBC's narrative. Ziad Awad, who was recently sentenced for an April 2014 terror attack, confirmed his religious motivation to his son before the attack, saying that "according to Islam, whoever kills a Jew goes to heaven." The BBC only belatedly reported on the original attack and ignored the arrest, indictment, and the motive behind the murder.

Afghanistan's President Explains His 'Two Minute' Trump Rule - Eric Fish (Asia Society)

 

Egypt Wants Hamas to Cut Ties with ISIS in Sinai - Alex Fishman (Ynet News) Cairo is hosting negotiations to renew the reconciliation process between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.    Meanwhile, Egypt isn't opening the Rafah crossing because it doesn't believe Hamas will cut its ties with the Islamic State in Sinai. The Egyptians not only want Hamas to close the tunnels to Sinai completely, they are also demanding real cooperation in turning in ISIS fighters from Gaza. Last week, 16 Egyptian policemen were murdered in Sinai and the fuel supply from Egypt to Gaza was stopped for three days.

 

'State of Palestine' admitted to Interpol as new member - Ed Adamczyk (UPI)

European Parliament Hosts Convicted Palestinian Terrorist (European Jewish Press) Leila Khaled, a Palestinian woman convicted of terrorism who has continued to advocate violence against Israelis, is slated to speak at the European Parliament about women’s rights.

 

From the frontlines of trauma in Iraq, one clinic’s challenges - Marina Zellner (Women's Media Project)

 

Why Are Middle East Girls Better in Schools Than Boys - Amanda Ripley (The Atlantic)

 

The Mysterious Death of Hizbullah Leader Nasrallah's Bodyguard - Yasser Okbi (Maariv Hashavua) Kuwait's Al-Jarida claimed that Musa Muhamad Wahabi, Hizbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah's personal bodyguard, was assassinated last week because he knew too much about the 2005 murder of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, which has been attributed to Hizbullah.

 

Chilling: the Palestinian terrorist who just killed 3 people near Har Adar was described by Israelis who knew him as “completely normal” and “good-natured.”

The Har Adar Attacker Became a Palestinian Hero and Secured PA Payments to His Family - Ron Ben-Yishai (Ynet News) 

Fatah: Munich Olympic massacre was "excellent operation" - Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberdik (PMW)

75 Palestinian Authority schools named after terrorists and Nazi collaborators and honoring Martyrs and Martyrdom - Itamar Marcus (PMW)

Son of Hamas Leader Delivers Plea for Palestinian Human Rights at UN   (UN Watch) Mosab Hassan Yousef, the son of a Hamas leader, slammed the Palestinian Authority for its human rights abuses at the UN Human Rights Council headquarters in Geneva on Monday.   "Finally, you use this platform to mislead the international community, and to mislead Palestinian society to believe that Israel is responsible for the problems you create." 

Senior Russian Diplomat and Hamas Delegation Hold Talks in Moscow  (Tass-Russia) Russian Special Presidential Envoy for the Middle East and Africa, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, held a meeting in Moscow last week with a Hamas delegation led by political bureau member Mousa Abu Marzook.

Russian Jets Strike U.S.-Backed Forces in Eastern Syria - Erin Cunningham and David Filipov (Washington Post) The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces said Russian warplanes targeted SDF fighters in three locations in Deir al-Zour province Monday, including at a major gas field they had seized Saturday from militants. It was the second time this month that the SDF has been targeted by Russian strikes.

 

Religion And Nationalism: Is Southeast Asia Turning Into The Next Middle East? - Dominique Moisi  (Les Echos/World Crunch)

Phyllis Chesler, at war with the 'Faux Feminists' of the left - Richard Landes (Tablet)

Egypt to reorganize Libya's army - AbdulkaderAssad (Libya Observer)

Egypt's President Sisi Urges Palestinians to Co-Exist with Israelis  (Reuters-U.S. News)

 

Hezbollah’s New Strength Leaves Israeli Border Tense - Sulome Anderson (NBC News) Hezbollah is now playing a much larger role in Syria and Lebanon.... Three years after ISIS appeared on Lebanon’s northern border, Hezbollah has emerged from the morass of the Syrian conflict stronger and more powerful than ever, thanks to a steady stream of funds and advanced weaponry from its patron, Iran.

Israel Intercepts Iranian Drone Sent by Hizbullah from Syria - Anna Ahronheim (Jerusalem Post)

The Growing Power of Iran and Hizbullah (Economist-UK)

 

Revolution Unveiled: A Closer Look at Iran's Presence and Influence in the Middle East - Phillip Smyth, Tim Michetti, and Owen Daniels (Atlantic Council) Through four case studies of Iraq, Syria, Bahrain and Yemen, this report systematically examines new or less-known methods Iran employs to project its influence beyond its borders. The picture that emerges shows Iran as the preeminent state actor working to undermine U.S. policy in the Middle East and restructure the regional order to its liking. 

 

Palestinian Poll: 3/4 Support Abbas' Decision to Suspend Security Coordination with Israel - Dr. Khalil Shikaki (Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research)

Jerusalem Imam Issues Fatwa Against Muslims Studying Israeli Curriculum - Nasouh Nazzal  (Gulf News-Dubai)
Half of Jerusalem Arab Parents Want Israeli School Curriculum - Yori Yalon (Israel Hayom)

Fatah spokesman to Hamas:  Don't recognize Israel; Fatah doesn't and never will - Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberdik (PMW) Fatah and Hamas announced yesterday that they are moving ahead towards Palestinian reconciliation and possible national elections.

 

As Libyan Route Shuts Off, Migrants Turn To Tunisian Coast -  Giacomo Tognini (World Crunch)

 

Why Trump's Iran Posture May Be 'More Carrot Than Stick' to the Country's Hardliners (Asia Society)  Trump’s withdrawal from the nuclear deal would, in fact, be detrimental to the political change there that he claims to advocate — and might embolden the very anti-American hardliners Trump decries.

U.S. Military Cedes Territory in Syria to Iranian Proxies - Thomas Gibbons-Neff (Washington Post)

 

UN says Americans unjustly held in Iran part of ’emerging pattern’ - Jon Gambrell (Times of Israel) Agency experts say Tehran increasingly targeting dual nationals in wake of 2015 nuclear deal with Western powers

9/11 & The Changing Face Of Islamic Terrorism - Charles Bybelezer (The Media Line)

Documentary Exposes Iranian Involvement in 9/11 (Al-Arabiya)

Textbook Featuring Israeli Flag Raises Ire in Egypt - Roi Kais (Ynet News) A textbook for eighth grade students showing Israel's flag on a map of the Middle East has raised ire in Egypt. The publisher said this was an error that would be rectified in future copies of the book.

French Police Discover Bomb Factory in Paris - Rory Mulholland (The Local-France)

Does Condemning Islamic State Jihadis Constitute "Hate Speech"? -Denis MacEoin (Gatestone Institute)

Spain, Morocco Bust Terror Cell Preparing Large-Scale Attacks (AFP)

ISIS Agent Told Undercover BBC Reporter to Attack London- David Brown and John Simpson (The Times-UK)

Not sure if this story goes under Europe, London, Myanmar? Weaponizing Myanmar to Bash Israel - Simon Plosker (Honest Reporting)

Video: Escaped ISIS Militants Regrouping in Northeast Iraq - Dilshad Anwar (VOA News)

Hamas Setting Up in Lebanon with Iran's Support - Judah Ari Gross (Times of Israel)

Hamas Rejects Red Cross Demand to Visit Israelis Detained in Gaza - Kifah Ziboun (Asharq Al-Awsat-UK)

Palestinians' War on Art- Bassa m Tawil (Gatestone Institute) related: PA Arrests Palestinian for Hosting Israeli MK during Holiday (Ma'an News-PA)

Governor of Ramallah is is an avid supporter of terrorist murderers - Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberdik (PMW)

Qatar Hires Public-Relations Firm to Court American Jews - Amir Tibon (Ha'aretz)

Israel Just Bombed a Chemical Weapons Factory that Syria Shouldn't Have Had - Alex Ward (VOX)

UN Panel: North Korea Suspected of Chemical, Missile Cooperation with Syria (Yonhap-Korea Herald)

Hundreds of ISIS Defectors Mass on Syrian Border Hoping to Flee - Martin Chulov (Guardian-UK) nearby Turkish border, 

U.S. to Return Jewish Artifacts to Iraq, Despite Protests - Josefin Dolsten (JTA)