Semaine 27 / 2012

‏          The UN's top human rights body has appointed three independent experts to conduct a fact-finding mission on how Israel's West Bank settlements affect the Palestinians. The president of the United Nations Human Rights Council Uruguay Ambassador Laura Dupuy-Lasserre, named three delegates to the panel on Friday evening.‏ French judge Christine Chanet will lead the panel, which will also include Pakistani lawyer Asma Jahangir and Botswana judge Unity Dow. Dupuy-Lasserre said their... [Lire la suite]

              Israel's budget deficit is growing much faster than expected amid signs that the economy may be slowing down. This is according to figures released this week. On Sunday, the government decided to raise the budget deficit target for 2013 amid strong criticism of the move by Bank of Israel governor Stanley Fisher. The budget deficit reached 9.7 billion shekels in the first half of the year. That is nearly double the amount during the corresponding period a... [Lire la suite]

            On Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, a ceremony has taken place in memory of those killed in the 2006 Second Lebanon War. Speaking at the event, cabinet minister Yossi Peled said that in hindsight, the war has been shown to have been necessary, and that it restored Israel's deterrent capability. Minister Peled told the gathering that because of the war, there has been quiet for the residents of northern Israel for the past six years. The minister added that apparently peace is... [Lire la suite]