From the point of view of international opinion, any option seems better than another Operation Cast Lead; this Ha’aretz story of how the IDF plans to respond to rocket fire from Gaza implies that Israel knew it could rely on US/EU tolerance of the lethal offensive against Gaza civilians. But not again.

The North London Waste Authority is considering tenders for the massive job of waste disposal in North London. People who are concerned about the responsible disposal of waste are equally concerned about respect for international law and human rights. As Veolia flouts these laws in Israeli settlements local campaigns against Veolia getting this contract have become intense. Check here for updates.

Who is going to support the minority of Israeli Jews like Akiva Eldar, who judge Israel to be ‘an occupying, belligerent and racist country’? While there have been several reports on diaspora Jews turning their backs on Israel, few journalists have found signs that many American Jews support anti-Occupation Israelis.

The World Bank has one idea: private sector growth in a free market in a democratic state. Even when it acknowledges there is no free market or democratic state, as in the oPt, it still presses its policy. An Al-Shabaka brief picks apart its recommendations.

Formally, the world holds one view: Israel and the PA should negotiate two states into existence. So unilateral moves that diverge from this view – such as settlement building or this week’s bid by the PA for UN observer status – are condemned by the big players. A Sunday night call with Obama confirms his opposition.

Benny Morris was a ‘new historian’ who rejected the Zionist foundation narrative with his account of the forced expulsion of Palestinians. Since then, he has re-positioned himself within the camp which sees all Palestinians as being, like the Israeli right, determined to take over the whole land. Interviews LA Times, YUP.

The announcement by Israel’s Housing Ministry of tenders for new settler homes in East Jerusalem was quickly condemned by Lady Ashton, the UK, France and Germany. The EU, like the USA, is committed to negotiations for 2 states which settlement building makes impossible.

A 95th anniversary is not usually the occasion for significant commemoration but such is the pressure to untangle the strands of the Israel/Palestine conflict that much activity about the 1917 Balfour declaration has already begun. Here, letters on Balfour declaration and report of Balfour Project conference. UPDATED 12.11.12

Exit and pre-election polls show that the majority of Jewish, Arab and Muslim voters voted for Obama in the US Presidential election; polls also showed that economic and social issues were the determining factor for all groups, not Israel/Palestine. Jews make up about 2% of the electorate, Muslims 1%.

Israel presents the Separation Wall as a clear line that holds back a horde of terrorists from destroying Israel. In fact, says B’Tselem, the Wall serves to incorporate settlements into Israel, to separate Palestinians from farms and towns, and to provide checkpoints through which Palestinians must pass to reach land or work.

A diplomat previously responsible for countering BDS arguments, has written a private report for his Foreign Ministry department advising them that their propaganda about ‘delegitimisation’ is counter-productive. Only serious statehood talks with Palestinians will restore Israel’s reputation. Or Israel should acknowledge its power and stop playing the victim.

Palestinians have been making charcoal since at least the 19th century. The separation wall forced them westwards so the trade does not get choked by permits and checkpoints. Now nearby settlers have taken them to court, backed by Regavim, to close down the polluting industry. The case is at the High Court.

Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan, head of the conservative Justice and Development party, has said he will shortly visit Gaza. This will be the first visit by a head of government of a NATO member. Despite reports of an angry reaction from Fatah, Erdogan says he will invite Pres. Abbas to go with him to Gaza. 3 reports

Research in the Istanbul Archive has found petitions on all matters sent to the Ottoman rulers of Palestine. Amongst much else they reveal the profound difference towards property between the European Jews, for whom it could be bought and sold, and the Arab villagers, for whom right to land usage was customary.

Omar Saad, a young viola player from al-Mughar in Galilee has been summoned to enlist in the IDF. He is Druze, a religion of Islamic origin which took in aspects of Judaism, and other monotheistic beliefs. Druze have been subject to military call-up since 1956. He has refused. He opposes conscription saying ‘ I am a man of peace and I hate all forms of violence’.

The assertion of control over Jewish holy sites by the Ultra-Orthodox has many challengers. Women of the Wall are amongst the most active in claiming their own right to perform Jewish rituals at the Western Wall. As the haredim ‘schmooze’ with the police, the women are frequently arrested, though not charged. Anat Hofman tells +972 her story.

Palestinians make up about a fifth of Israeli citizens but while their proportion has grown their participation in elections has fallen. Some argue they should use their vote to make themselves heard; others that “You don’t use the tool of the occupier to become free and have your rights.” JK D’Amours reports. Picture caption, Balad party MK Hanin Zoabi.

On Friday Pres. Abbas told Israeli TV he would not personally exercise a right of return to his home village of Safed; the next 24 hours were engulfed in noise: he had abandoned refugees and sacred positions, this was the usual specious Palestinian speech. On Saturday he told an Egyptian channel this was his personal position, the PLO’s had not changed..

Netanyahu and Lieberman have cobbled together a new creature designed, like Frankenstein’s monster, to be super-big and strong but intended to pass as normally human. So far everyone who has looked upon it has drawn back aghast. Uri Avnery and Anshell Pfeffer give their reactions.