Last-minute agreement between the Yesh Atid and Israel Resilience leaders also paves way for Gabi Ashkenazi to become bloc’s third former IDF chief, along with Gantz and Ya’alon; right-wing lawmakers also urge unity.
Palestinian officials claim David Friedman’s remarks encouraging joint economic projects with Jewish settlers normalize Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank; meanwhile Palestinian manufacturers say business with Israelis is key to improving local economy.
Nikolay Mladenov, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, says chances for peace are dimming in light of violence and radicalism on both sides; says Palestinian people ‘who have lived under occupation for more than 50 years — need our support more than ever.’