The U.S. Security Coordinator (USSC) mission in Jerusalem was created in 2005 to help implement security sector reform within the Palestinian Authority (PA). With a single-minded focus on “counterterrorism,” Washington considered the USSC an ancillary mechanism to support U.S. diplomatic and political efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Despite upending long-standing U.S. policy and cutting all other forms of aid to the Palestinians, the Trump administration has maintained the USSC in the run-up to the “Deal of the Century.” This article draws on original interviews with security personnel responsible for enacting USSC interventions. It uses their insights to highlight how the mission tethered Israeli political aims to its remit, and the distorting ramifications that have ensued for Palestine and the Palestinians. In uncovering the full parameters of Washington's securitization policy, this history also points to the ways in which the PA has consequently been woven into the U.S.-led “global War on Terror.”

This quarter (May 16—August 15) was characterized by large-scale displays of solidarity on social media by organizers and activists in Gaza, Haifa, the West Bank, and Ireland. In this issue, the Great March of Return enters its 20th consecutive week of demonstrations, Palestinians in the West Bank cities of Nablus and Ramallah protest PA sanctions against Gaza and security cooperation with Israel, Palestinian activists show their gratitude to Ireland as a bill to outlaw settlement products moves one step closer to becoming law, and free speech advocates from around the world show their support for convicted Palestinian poet-activist Dareen Tatour. Trending hashtags this issue are #GreatReturnMarch #ThankYouIreland, #LifttheSanctions, and #FreeDareen.

Published each issue and updated regularly on Palestine Square ( palestinesquare.com ), Palestine Unbound strives to capture the tenor and content of popular conversations related to the Palestinians and the Arab-Israeli conflict held on new and dynamic platforms unbound by traditional media. Items from the quarter 16 February–15 May 2017, selected because they either have gone viral or represent a significant cultural moment or trend, include the opening of British street artist Banksy's Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem, Palestinian prisoners participating in the Dignity Strike, and popular condemnation of PA security coordination with Israel in reaction to the assassination of Palestinian youth activist Basel al-Araj. Trending hashtags included are # al-Tha'ir_Basel , #SaltWaterChallenge, and #BoycottPizzaHut.