Iran Reiterates: No Deal Unless Sanctions Lifted at Signing
Just after President Obama reached an understanding with Congress on a bill that will allow for legislative review of any agreement with Iran over its nuclear program, Iranian President Hassan Rohani reiterated the Iranian understanding of the framework agreement in stark contrast to that offered by President Obama and Secretary of State Kerry: there will be no deal unless all sanctions are lifted the moment the agreement is signed. Speaking in clear and unambiguous terms that fly in the face of what the US administration has dismissed as “spin,” Rohani told a national television audience that, “If there is no end to sanctions, there will not be an agreement.” The same vow was uttered by Iran’s Supreme Ruler, the Ayatollah Khamenei. Talks aimed at reaching a final agreement by the end of June resume on April 21.
Israel’s High Court Upholds Controversial “Anti-Boycott” Law
Calling for a boycott – economic, academic or cultural — of Israel “or areas under its control” [read: post-1967 territories] can be sued for damages pursuant to a new law that was upheld by Israel’s High Court on Wednesday. Damages would have to be proved by the plaintiff according to the ruling. The narrow 5-4 ruling dismissed petitions arguing that the measure impinged on free speech. The bill was controversial because it was presented by the political right prompting charges that its real purpose was to silence left-wing critics of the government and “settlement enterprise” – growing Israeli communities living on land Israel acquired in the 1967 war that are claimed by the Palestinians for their state-in-waiting. The court’s minority argued that the measure undermines free expression to an unacceptable extent.
Reports Indicate ISIS has withdrawn from Yarmouk Refugee Camp
Reports from inside the Yarmouk refugee camp on the outskirts of Damascus, home to about 18,000 Palestinians, indicate that Islamic State (ISIS) fighters have pulled back to the nearby town of Hajar Al-Aswad. The ISIS withdrawal leaves The Nusra Front, an Al-Qa’ida-affiliated Sunni group, as the primary force in Yarmouk. Credit for pushing ISIS back is being claimed by Aqnaf Beyt Al-Maqdis, an opposition group linked to Hamas. On Wednesday, a Palestinian official speaking anonymously told The Media Line that the Gaza-based Hamas sent its forces to Damascus to lead the fight.
Israeli Military Detains 31 Palestinians in Nighttime Operation in Nablus
Israeli troops swept through the West Bank city of Nablus Wednesday night arresting 31 Palestinians, most of whom are associated with the Gaza-based Hamas terrorist organization. Some of the detainees were identified as former prisoners said to be back in active terrorist activities. In a statement, the Israeli army said, “The arrests took place following an increase of Hamas activity in the Nablus area with the aim of carrying out terror activity against Israel. The detainees that were involved in funding and direction of Hamas branches overseas were sent to the Shin Bet for interrogation.” Palestinian officials protested Israel’s apparent violation of agreements not to enter Area “A” (Oslo Accords designation for territory under Palestinian administrative and security control) without coordination with Palestinian Security Services. Nevertheless, the ongoing Israeli security sweeps inside the West Bank show the extent to which Hamas has infiltrated Fatah-controlled territory.
Lebanon Marks 40th Anniversary of Civil War Pledging “Never Again”
Lebanon this week marked 40-years since the start of a devastating civil war that lasted 15-years. Officials used the occasion to pledge that it would never again be allowed to happen. More than 150,000 people died while causing political and economic chaos that is still felt today. Future Party head Saad Hariri made reference to the Syrian civil war next door saying, “We did not end our civil war to push our country into the fires of other Arab wars.” Activities were held around the country memorializing the war and its casualties.