We are reposting a map and report from Human Rights watch on settlements on Palestinian land because of the current centrality of Israeli settlements to the UN Security Council (UNSC) and the policy of the Obama administration. Look at the map. Could a functioning Palestinian state be created out of this?

Pleasingly, Vox.com assumes that lots of people don’t know what the UNSC is and why its vote on Israel’s settlements matters. They provide a 9-point answer including, No. 8, whether Trump can reverse it. (Not likely)

John Kerry’s bravery is evident in the hugely hostile response to him and his speech in both Israel and the USA. Here we post the two favourable responses from Barak Ravid (‘3 years too late’) and the NY Times.

The Washington Post recounts the steps taken by UNSC members – careful to leave the USA out of it – since last summer to achieve a new resolution on settlements. It was their last chance to save the 2-state solution. Two drafts had been circulating (the UK helped edit the Egyptian one). The US was not involved in either.

The attacks on Kerry flow in: he’s patronising, condescending, scheming, interfering, living in la-la land, ignores the Palestinian terror state. As such, no need to take him seriously. Bring on Trump!

John Kerry, outgoing Secretary of State and indefatigable worker for Palestine/Israel negotiations makes a definitive speech because he thinks that the incoming administration will be a disaster for the 2-state solution – ‘we cannot, in good conscience, do nothing, and say nothing, when we see the hope of peace slipping away.’ Full transcript.

It was hoped that out of the horror and tragedy of the Holocaust would come a determination that never again would a policy of genocide be conceived and carried out. All humanity has failed in this. The obstacle, illustrated by the IHRA’s ‘instructive ‘examples’ is the idea that, says David Rosenberg, this means ‘never again must Jews be at risk of genocide’. As for others, such as Palestinians, – that’s someone else’s problem.

The UN Security Council (UNSC) first decided that Jewish settlements in the oPt were illegal in 1979. Israel relied on the US vetoing further resolutions. A jaded Akiva Eldar doubts if Israel will be bothered about Resolution 2334. It fits into Netanyahu’s narrative of persecution and conspiracy.

This week, December 19th-25th, 2016, ended with an important event for all who have argued and campaigned for Palestinian rights and, in particular, for the ending of Jewish settlements plonked all over Palestinian land: the resolution by the UN’s Security Council affirming the illegality of those settlements. Apart from the key element – “Reiterates its […]

There’s not much point in carrying reports of Netanyahu’s response to the UNSC’s resolution on settlements. It is entirely, self-pityingly, predictable. Here he musters his troops for a fight-back against the rule of international humanitarian law.

The UN security resolution condemning Israeli settlements is a ‘landmark’ change, if only symbolically. It has been received positively by most – which doesn’t include the Israeli government which, rhetorically, condemns the resolution as anti-Israel, a betrayal of common values (a snide reference to the American annihilation of the indigenous population?) In one of the more bizarre events of 2016 Trump – with his large antisemitic following – and Bibi have become brothers-in-arms, the religion of Israel being defence of the nation state. What, if anything, this UNSC act will change is discussed by some of the commentators here.

The people who want to enforce a ban, in the name of Judaism, on Christmas and secular celebrations in public spaces and hotels raise the central question – whether Israel is a religious or secular state.

Jonathan Cook surveys the great Christmas tree war,and the threats being used by the rabbinate – not just one eccentric rabbi – to withdraw kosher status from any hotel that displays one. Hiddush leads the opposition to a narrow-minded and mean-spirited Judaism.

The outpost of Amona, near the Ofra settlement, is testing to the limit the willingness of the Israeli government to abide by its own rules. The Supreme Court ordered the demolition of this particularly aggressive outpost in 2014. It’s still there. The settlers see themselves as the vanguard for the Greater Israel – no place for Palestinians, or the rule of law.

For what possible justification do settlers now receive four times the grants and allowances given to other Israeli citizens? MEMO reveals the results of Calcalist’s analysis. The answer is ‘security’ .

Bethlehem, believed to be the birth-place of Jesus Christ, traditionally has a magnificent Christmas tree in Manger Square, erected in mid-December and following the Gregorian calendar. Most Palestinian Christians follow the Greek Orthodox tradition and celebrate on January 7th. JfJfP wishes all a peaceful and steadfast season.

The family home of the Sub Labans has been claimed by the far-right settlers’ group Ateret Cohanim on the disputed grounds of non-continuous occupation. The Supreme Court has ruled that the parents can stay – but not their children who will also not be allowed to inherit the 3-generation tenancy.

Hannukah is not, and not like, Christmas. It carries no message of love, peace and goodwill (regardless of whether or not Christians heed the message). Rather, writes Rob Eshman, its celebration of the Maccabee revolt hides the ruthless ‘blood-soaked struggle that pitted Jew against Jew’. And intra-Jewish conflict is at another all-time high.

By the time you read this you will probably know whether or not President Obama ordered his country’s UN ambassador to veto the Egyptian/French resolution to oppose all settlement construction in the oPt. You don’t need to read this to know that Donald ‘neutral-on-Israel-Palestine’ Trump is insisting the US veto not be used.

‘The Amona settlers have won the fight over Israel’s character and future. They will call the shots. They will lead, and the government of Israel and its leader will say Amen.’ Shlomi Eldar on a shameful appeasement of hilltop youth.