Nobody in the world has the right to criticize Israel’s defensive actions on the Gaza border, even if Israel had used significant force against the Hamas mobs – which it didn’t.

Are any of Israel’s critics daring to ask what type of Palestinian state they are seeking to create? Might the PA be pressed-upon to return to the path of diplomacy with Israel, instead of intensifying its campaign to criminalize Israel – before it is coddled with more cash?

Once again, an American administration is begging Abbas to put on his “moderate” mask, and not to “exacerbate” the situation with an inflammatory speech or with extreme moves against Israel. what difference does it make whether Abbas gives a “moderate” speech at the UN next week? His obstructionism is constant.

Israel must flex some muscle to disabuse Abbas of the delusion that he can bully Israel into retreat. Tactical Israeli restraint, like the decision to retreat from justified security measures at the Temple Mount, comes-off as capitulation to Palestinian terrorism. It reinforces the rejectionist and triumphalist Palestinian narrative.

The fruits of normalization among eastern Jerusalem Arabs.

It hurts when radical Palestinians exploit Israeli goodwill for nefarious purposes; to act with humanity while our enemies act with cruelty… Stories from the world of Israeli medicine and Palestinian abuse of our compassion.

Yaakov Amidror, Hillel Frisch, Gershon Hacohen, Efraim Inbar, Eran Lerman and Max Singer discuss Israel’s policies on the Palestinian issue, in a post-Obama and post-Abbas era. The upshot of their debate: “Don’t do stupid things.” It is wiser for Israel to defer action than to take steps that threaten to make a bad situation worse.

Netanyahu should capitalize on his broadened government, and the coming transitions in Palestinian and American politics, to reset the diplomatic table. He can outline the acceptable contours of a conflict amelioration process in which Israel can pragmatically participate.

My selection of the best essays of the past year on Israel, the Mideast, Obama and Iran, the conflict with the Palestinians, Jewish life, and anti-Semitism.

What do you do when the whole world is swallowing the grossest Palestinian untruths? Hang tough, stick to your principles, give no ground, and maneuver carefully. And know that Israel will win out!