Protesters blocked roads in the West Bank as a hunger strike in Israeli prisons entered its 36th day. Short visit, broad agendaAhead of Trump’s arrival, Israeli ministers approved measures aimed at improving economic conditions for Palestinians and removing some restrictions on their mobility. For one example, they gave the nod to streamlining transit procedures at Shaar Ephraim, a busy crossing point in the northern part of the occupied West Bank for Palestinians with permits to work in Israel. “Haaretz” reported that at Sunday night’s meeting Education Minister Naftali Bennett and deputy foreign minister Ayelet Shaked, of the religious-nationalist Jewish Home party, “objected vehemently” to the building plans. Scandal-plagued at home, fatigued on the road, Trump will meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and visit sites holy to both Muslims and Jews.

Source: Egypt Independent May 22, 2017 12:33 UTC