“The Australian Friends of Palestine Association is concerned about the apparent accord between the United Arab Emirates and Israel on two main counts.”

“The Israeli decision to establish 1,000 new settlement units in the E1 area between Jerusalem and the Jordan Valley was basically the announcement of the start, to all intents and purposes, of the annexation and Judaisation process. Some analysts thought that this had been postponed or stopped, despite Benjamin Netanyahu reiterating almost daily that it is on the table for further investigation and implementation.”

“Israel’s government, currently led by Benjamin Netanyahu, wants to rush ahead with annexation before the US election because it fears a change of US administration would put an end to this appalling and dangerous plan.”

“The programmes of the two major forces competing in Israel’s elections are almost identical. For the Palestinians especially, there’s nothing to hope for”

"The roads leading to the Wadi al-Hummus area of Sur Baher are narrow, bumpy, full of potholes and so steep your heart skips a beat and your hand switches to first gear. These narrow arteries are surrounded by very dense construction, inconsistent in its style and quality. Here and there, a few ancient stone buildings stand out, their beauty untainted despite the rushed additions of a floor or a few rooms."