Netanyahu Plagued by Political Scandals

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the Likud Knesset faction meeting on Monday, declaring among other things that what he described as the media’s “outrageous” attempt to overthrow his government, would not succeed. “An entire investigation is being conducted on television,” Netanyahu said, referring to an ongoing police investigation against him which he has repeatedly declared to be a waste of time since there is nothing for the police to find.

The National Council for the Child, an Israeli NGO, released a report Monday painting a dire picture of poverty’s impact on young Israelis. “There are too many hardships and too few responses in education, welfare, health, law enforcement and the protection of children,” declared Vered Vindman, who leads the NGO, during the presentation of its findings to the public.

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A Palestinian Authority official confirmed on Monday that the PA has been given autonomy over water projects in Palestinian towns and villages in the West Bank, part of ongoing efforts by Israel to hand over local responsibilities to the PA wherever possible. “I believe this is a step in the direction of comprehensive peace agreement with the Israeli government and a real and serious peace that gives Palestinians and Israelis a real chance,” said Palestinian Authority Civil Affairs Minister Hussein al-Sheikh.

Convening the Paris conference has been more about the Obama administration scoring points over Israel than any serious effort at reviving peace talks. The summit achieved little except the generation of hot air.