Here is today’s DeepDive.
Israel’s political system is in disarray yet again, with Gantz’ request for more time to form a new government being denied. Could we see a fourth election? The unthinkable is only ever just around the corner. After all, Mossad is still delivering medical supplies and the PA are still fearing further annexation despite the greatest global health crisis in a century.
Abbas in phone call blitz to prevent Israeli annexation in West Bank (Times of Israel)
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas held a round of phone conversations with Middle East leaders to urge them to oppose Israel’s possible annexation of parts of the West Bank, senior Palestinian official Saeb Erakat said on Saturday.
In a tweet, Erakat said that Abbas spoke with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman, the monarch of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa; the emir of Kuwait, Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah; and the emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to discuss “the Israeli plan of annexation and the need to prevent it.”
Israel’s Not-So-Secret Weapon in Coronavirus Fight: The Spies of Mossad (New York Times)
“It is only in Israel that the Sheba hospital could have enlisted the help of the Mossad,” Professor Kreiss, a former military surgeon general, said in an interview. “Can you imagine Mount Sinai Hospital going to the C.I.A. for help?” he added, referring to the New York medical center.
Professor Kreiss declined to say precisely how Mossad officers had helped the Israeli medical establishment or where the imported equipment came from. But according to six current or former Israeli officials with knowledge of the Mossad’s operations, the agency used international contacts to avert shortages that might have overwhelmed Israel’s health system.
Israel president denies Gantz more time to form government (Al Jazeera)
Israel's president on Sunday rejected parliament speaker Benny Gantz's request for more time to form a government, as talks persist on a possible interim alliance with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Despite reports of progress from the two sides - and from Israeli media - no deal has been agreed upon.
"The president made his decision after also speaking to ... Netanyahu, who did not confirm in their conversation that the parties are close to signing an agreement that would lead to a unity government," a presidency statement said.
Don DeLillo, Ghassan Kanafani, and the coronavirus (Mondoweiss)
A compelling piece by a literature professor from Gaza, Haidar Eid, who meditates on the prospect of death in post-modern, urban environments, linking the coronavirus outbreak to the stories of two respected novels:
“While people are isolated across the globe from a pandemic, in Palestine we are under lockdown from both COVID-19 and Israel. In Gaza, staying at home leads to some existential questions and deep soul searching. The last time we were trapped in our house was during war, where we experienced the trauma of three wars in six years. With time to reflect, I am tempted to cross that invisible thin line separating fiction from reality. The real world of occupation, blockade, apartheid, settler-colonialism, and coronavirus on the one hand, and on the other, the imaginary world of my favorite authors.”
— — —
Here at Palestine DeepDive, we curate the most important news about Israel and Palestine. By presenting a range of articles, we hope that our readers will encounter new voices and perspectives. Make sure you follow us on Twitter.
If you know someone who might be interested in this newsletter, forward it on.
Until next time,
Palestine DeepDive