Israel's defense budget means costs elsewhere

Unlike late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will likely once again give in to the terrifying annual intimidation campaign of the defense establishment eager to secure its budget.

Israel

Knesset member withdraws Temple Mount bill amid warnings

Labor Party Knesset member Hilik Bar, champion of the two-state solution, retracted his bill designed to organize prayer time slots for both Jews and Muslims on Temple Mount, after harsh reactions from both the Jordanian monarchy and the Shin Bet.

Israel

Most Palestinian Christians back Maronite patriarch's visit

Many Palestinian Christians support the visit to the Holy Land by Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rai, although the PFLP, the Boycott movement and others have criticized it

Palestine

Israel pushes West Bank toward economic disaster

Turning the West Bank into the economic twin of the Gaza Strip will provoke new threats to Israel's security, which is why the US administration leans toward cooperating with the new Palestinian unity government.

Palestine

Is Israel's 'startup nation' a mirage?

In an interview with Al-Monitor, economist Dan Ben-David warns that despite Israel's world-leading high-tech, its productivity remains among the lowest in the developed world, threatening rate of growth and quality of life.

Israel

Turning to Talmud, young Israelis find a 'Game of Thrones'

The secular yeshiva offers young Israelis the opportunity to search and interpret Judaism and tradition, while defining a Jewish secular identity.

Israel

Likud leaders claim Netanyahu blocks settlements

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu freezes construction in settlement blocs, hoping to keep the diplomatic process underway — not for the sake of reaching an agreement — and reduce international pressure.

Palestine

Israel adjusts to Syrian insurgents on Golan border

Israel is assessing the consequences and contingencies for dealing with Syrian insurgents on its northern border and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's holding on to power.

Israel

Attack on Israeli journalists might indicate shift to violence

The attack of two Israeli journalists in the West Bank town of Beitunia might indicate that despite the apparent lack of Palestinian interest in a surge of violence, a third intifada could erupt.

Palestine

Israel threatens NGO's tax status for political stand

In an interview with Al-Monitor, the chairman of Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, Raphael Walden, says that his NGO, which cares for Palestinians and African refugees, might lose its tax benefit status over its criticism against government policy.

Palestine

Netanyahu focused on stopping Rivlin's bid for president

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems to believe that only a new law, guaranteeing that the head of the biggest party is mandated to form the government, will secure his seat next time around.

Israel

IDF killing of Palestinians on Nakba Day a warning

The failure of diplomatic negotiations undermines the Palestinians' motivation to maintain security coordination with the IDF, as was the case in the shooting at the Bitunia checkpoint, where two Palestinians were killed.

Palestine