Time to Break the Silence on Palestine
New York Times

Check out this New York Times opinion piece by Michelle Alexander on her view of Israel and Palestine in light of the memory of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

*CMEP's Bulletin represents an array of perspectives on the issues we cover. CMEP does not necessarily agree with all the views expressed in the articles, and they do not speak on CMEP's behalf.

Image: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (John C. Goodwin).

As New Anti-Terrorism Law Goes into Effect, PA Says it'll Stop Accepting US Aid
The Times of Israel

"The Palestinian Authority has informed [Secretary Pompeo] that it will no longer accept any American security aid dollars as of the beginning of February, in a development seen as a blow to Israeli-Palestinian security ties." This is due to a new law that would "in practice [allow]... American victims of Palestinian terrorist attacks [to] file lawsuits against the PA and PLO in US courts for compensation" if the PA accepts any US aid.

Image: PA Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel).

Palestinians Announce Plans to Again Seek Full UN Membership
ABC News

Shortly after taking over as "head of the key group of developing countries at the United Nations with a promise to confront 'assaults' on multilateralism and a pledge to seek a peaceful two-state solution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," President Abbas announced his intention to once again seek full membership for Palestine in the United Nations.

Image: President Abbas (Majdi Mohammed/AP Photo).  

Trump's Palestinian Aid Cuts Means Thousands Lose Access to Food and Healthcare
Haaretz

"President Donald Trump says the USAID cuts are aimed at pressuring the Palestinians to return to peace talks, but Palestinian officials say the move has further poisoned relations after the U.S. recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital last year. The aid groups, many of which have little or no connection to the Palestinian Authority, say the cuts hurt the most vulnerable Palestinians and those most committed to peace with Israel."

Image: Palestinian girl with food from UNRWA (Lefteris Pitarkis/AP).

Palestinian School And Sewage Projects Unfinished As U.S. Cuts Final Bit Of Aid
NPR

"The White House has blocked an emergency effort to finish major U.S.-funded school, water and sewage projects in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, according to documents reviewed by NPR. It is the latest of a series of moves by the Trump administration to shut down U.S. aid to Palestinians, which is scheduled to end Feb 1."

Image: Palestinian father and girl (Jaafer Ashtiyeh/AFP/Getty Images).

Israel Kills Hamas Militant, Delays Qatari Cash After Gaza Flare-up
Reuters

"An Israeli tank fired into the Gaza Strip... killing a Hamas militant" for retaliation for the wounding of an Israeli soldier "and a brief incursion during a violent Palestinian border protest."  Netanyahu also "canceled a Qatari donation of $15 million for the impoverished enclave that had been due on Wednesday as part of international efforts to head off escalation."

Image: Relative of the wounded Hamas militant (Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters).