SHABBAT READING:
Whom May a Kohen Gadol Marry?: Prof. Rabbi Marty Lockshin, The Torah.com, May 4, 2015 — The beginning of Parashat Emor (Lev 21:1-15) outlines restrictions on kohanim (priests). The questions of whom they may marry and what kind of contact they may have with the dead are still relevant to the rules observed today.
These rules contain two sets of restrictions: one for standard priests and one for the High Priest, who is never allowed to “defile himself” for any dead relative and may only marry a very limited number of women.
ANOTHER MAHMOUD ABBAS?
WATCH: Who Is Hussein Al-Sheikh and Will He Reform the Palestinian Authority?: ILTV Israel News, YouTube, April 2025 — In this ILTV interview, Itamar Marcus, founder and director of Palestinian Media Watch, breaks down Hussein al-Sheikh’s appointment and what it could mean for the future of the Palestinian Authority.
****
The Appointment of Hussein al-Sheikh as PLO Deputy Chairman and the Reforms in the Palestinian Authority—A Unifying Move or a Source of Division?: Yohanan Tzoreff, INSS Insight No. 1982, May 15, 2025
No Time to Lose: A Blueprint for Reforming the Palestinian Authority, : Ibrahim Eid Dalalsha, Shira Efron, Jess Manville, and Gabriel Epstein, Israel Policy Forum, Mar. 2025
Unmasking the Palestinian Authority: Moshe Phillips, JNS, Apr. 22, 2025
The Palestinian Myth: Daniel Greenfield, Front Page, May 14, 2025
***
For Further Reference
New Palestinian PM Announces Reform Package for Beleaguered Authority: Agencies, Jacob Magid and TOI Staff, Times of Israel, Apr. 23, 2025 — Newly installed Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa announced a package of reforms on Tuesday aimed at strengthening the Palestinian Authority amid increased global pressure for a revival of political dialogue with Israel.
Israeli Cabinet Votes to Stop Palestinian Takeover of Judea and Samaria: The American Israelite, May 15, 2025— The Israeli Cabinet voted on Sunday to back a series of “revolutionary” measures aimed at stopping what it said was the Palestinian Authority-led takeover of lands in Judea and Samaria, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced.
Sisi Affirms Support to Palestinian Authority Reforms, Formation of Gaza Community Support Committee: Egypt Today, May 5, 2025 — President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi emphasized Egypt’s continued efforts to achieve consensus among the various Palestinian factions, including the recent announcement of the formation of the community support committee.
How EU Got Played by Palestinian Authority to Tune of $1.8B: Nissan Shtrauchler and Shachar Kleiman, Israel Hayom, Apr. 27, 2025 — European Union foreign policy and security representative Kaja Kallas recently revealed a dramatic move: by 2027, the organization will fund the Palestinian Authority (PA) with 1.6 billion euros.
Voices from the Arab Press: Changes in the Palestinian Authority: The Media Line, Jerusalem Post, May 10, 2025 — The Israeli government is closely monitoring the Palestinian leadership’s recent efforts to adopt new positions and directions in response to proposals discussed at the latest Arab Summit.