With Hungary’s ICC U-turn, Israel loses a key European ally Hungary’s parliament voted to remain in the International Criminal Court, reversing a planned withdrawal and marking a shift in Budapest’s approach to Israel and the EU. Israel
Who was Mohammed Odeh, Hamas military commander killed by Israel in Gaza? Odeh was killed in a Tuesday strike in the Palestinian enclave just days after he assumed his leadership position. Palestine
Analysis 'Very bad news’: Israel alarmed as Trump pushes ahead toward Iran deal Israel fears that Iran could emerge from the war strengthened by access to its frozen financial assets and regional acceptance of its dominance over the Strait of Hormuz and potentially resume its nuclear program. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran’s Bagheri: No deal on Hormuz yet US-Iran negotiations drag on as Israel escalates operations in Lebanon and Gaza and Gulf states prepare for Eid under wartime strain. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing US strikes Iran as ceasefire in limbo By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Is a new West Bank settlement Obama's red line? If Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists on defying the US president and building a new West Bank settlement, Barack Obama could respond by abstaining in a UN Security Council vote on Palestinian Statehood. Palestine
How Netanyahu sidelined Peres’ vision for peace By naming Israel’s nuclear facility after Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ignores his peacemaking efforts to position himself as heir to Peres' security legacy. Israel
Will Salafi groups trigger Israel-Hamas clash? Salafi groups have adopted the tactic of firing rockets at Israel in an attempt to weaken Hamas by pushing it into a military confrontation with Israel. Palestine
Has Israel’s defense minister given up on toppling Hamas? Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman seems to have realized that attacking Hamas targets in retaliation for rocket fire from rogue groups could damage the organization’s efforts to contain those elements. Palestine
How Peres' funeral highlighted rift among Israeli Arabs Despite a boycott of late President Shimon Peres' funeral by Arab Knesset members, several Arab-Israeli regional council heads and mayors paid a condolence visit to his family, to wide public approval. Israel
Can Israel's becoming more Jewish make it more democratic? Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked's claim that the more Jewish Israel becomes, the more democratic it will be, actually challenges the Zionist idea of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state. Israel
Will PA wait for US elections to submit new UN resolution? Palestinians are not convinced by the Palestinian Authority's justifications for delaying a UN Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlement activity. Palestine
Why secular Israelis love an ultra-Orthodox minister Ultra-Orthodox Health Minister Yaakov Litzman might not have Facebook or Twitter accounts, but through a series of nonpartisan reforms in the health system, he has managed to capture the hearts of both religious and secular Israelis. Israel
Speeches and eulogies won’t advance Israeli-Palestinian peace American presidents have made historic speeches about the Middle East, and have delivered inspiring eulogies at the funerals of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and President Shimon Peres — but all that has not brought peace any closer. Palestine
Who could replace Peres? The late President Shimon Peres is irreplaceable, but one of three people — his son Chemi Peres, former Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi or former Chief of Staff Benny Gantz — could go on from where Peres left off. Palestine
Iran emerges as a top issue in tight congressional races The pro-Iran deal J Street is spending $500,000 to unseat nuclear deal opponents. Israel
Is Israel's Labor Party dead? Zionist Camp leader Isaac Herzog keeps denying reports by which he is negotiating with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the possibility of joining the government. Israel