What's happened
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Katz's decision to halt administrative detention for Jewish settlers has escalated tensions with the Biden administration. U.S. officials express concern that this move undermines efforts to address settler violence against Palestinians, complicating the already fraught U.S.-Israel relationship.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Axios, U.S. officials have expressed that Katz's decision is 'deeply misguided,' as it undermines the Biden administration's ability to claim Israel is addressing settler violence. The New York Times highlights the legal challenges to Biden's sanctions, with plaintiffs arguing they violate rights related to freedom of religion and speech. Bloomberg provides context on the historical tensions in the region, emphasizing the implications of settler policies on Palestinian rights and international law.
How we got here
The Biden administration has imposed sanctions on Jewish settlers amid rising violence in the West Bank. Katz's recent decision to stop using administrative detention against settlers is seen as a response to perceived threats and international pressure, further straining U.S.-Israel ties.
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The Gaza Strip, or simply Gaza, is a self-governing Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, that borders Egypt on the southwest for 11 kilometers and Israel on the east and north along a 51 km border.
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