As Netanyahu grapples with corruption investigations, Minister of Finance Moshe Kahlon has fortified his power base by lowering prices for cell service and building homes.

Palestinians discuss their options as Israel codifies its annexation of the occupied Palestinian territories.

Mahmoud Abbas, chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), president of the State of Palestine and the Palestinian Authority (PA), and chairman of Fatah, the largest Palestinian political faction, is outraged, incensed, disgusted and offended, all at the same time.

“Japan's move to recognize Palestinian statehood is in line with its regional neighbors, most of whom also recognize Palestinian statehood. However, we could also understand it as an attempt to break free from the US' domination of the peace process,” added Dr Hawari.

A senior member of Fatah, the party ruling the occupied West Bank, has been expelled from the mourning tent for a Palestinian slain by Israeli forces.

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin met Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and President Prokopis Pavlopoulos of Greece in the capital, Athens, on Monday, amid criticism from left-wing groups and others.

As the Palestinian Authority (PA) fights to save its role as a legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, experts say its days are numbered, now that the Oslo Accords have proved to be a "total failure".

US President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital came as no surprise to most Palestinians, for, after all the US' political backing and military funding of Israel is older than the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

“While the present Saudi leadership and its allied Gulf states are clearly keen to formalize their relations with Israel, it is Israel that is driving this ‘deal/ultimatum.’ Between the Trump administration and Gulf fears of Iran, Israel sees the perfect opportunity to ‘legalize’ its occupation,” Al-Shabaka's Nadia Hijab tells Al Bawaba.