Newsletter: Palestine Palestine elections chief: Vote ‘transparent’ despite war, restrictions In an exclusive interview, Rami Hamdallah defended the transparency of recent Palestinian local elections while outlining the political and logistical barriers to voting in Gaza and East Jerusalem. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
EU ministers agree to sanction violent West Bank settlers: What to know European foreign ministers have agreed to sanction extremist West Bank settlers, but are still discussing the list of names. Israel
Feature Gazans show cautious hope ahead of first local elections in 20 years The city of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza is set to hold municipal elections for the first time in nearly two decades. By Rasha Abou Jalal In Gaza City, reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Analysis On eve of Palestinian local elections, competition in short supply With many races unopposed and rivals excluded, the vote underscores a calibrated effort to contain dissent and prioritize stability. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
Interview Olmert: Only Israel-Lebanon deal can curb Hezbollah, occupation 'unviable' Ehud Olmert Former Israeli prime minister
Israel’s campaign against Hamas drones The assassination of a Hamas-affiliated engineer in Malaysia turns the spotlight on the movement's drone program. Palestine
Natalie Portman touches a nerve in Israel with prize snub Academy Award-winning actor Natalie Portman has discovered that Israeli politicians are incapable of accepting legitimate criticism of the occupation. Palestine
How long can Saudi Arabia ignore Gaza protests? Saudi king clarifies approach to Jerusalem, but Arab League statement silent on the Gaza Strip; Will Macron and Merkel use North Korea as blueprint for US approach to JCPOA? Saudi Arabia
Israeli Arabs torn on country’s Independence Day Head of the Arab Joint List party Ayman Odeh explains that for Israeli Arabs, Independence Day is cause for mourning. Palestine
Israel, Palestinians return to conflicting narratives While Israel celebrates its 70th birthday, the Palestinians mark 70 years of despair. Palestine
Officials say long-isolated Hebron areas could see revival The Palestinian Civil Affairs Committee recently worked out a deal with Israel to open some shops in a Hebron area that's been closed off for almost two decades, but some Palestinians view the move as a mere publicity stunt that will do little to help revive the area, which used to be a bustling commercial center. Palestine
Detained Palestinians boycott Israeli courts Many of the 500 Palestinians being held without charge in Israel are rejecting their "day in court," which they claim is only used as a platform for Israeli propaganda. Palestine
Palestinians skeptical about Arab League support for Jerusalem The Saudi king declared the April 15 Arab League Summit held in the city of Dhahran in eastern Saudi Arabia to be the "Jerusalem Summit," yet many Palestinians doubt this show of support will lead to lasting change. Saudi Arabia
Netanyahu's delusions on Saudi Arabia The Arab League has provided Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a path to peace if he so chooses, but he instead is deluding himself in thinking he can have better relations with Arab countries like Saudi Arabia while enforcing harsh policies against the Palestinians. Saudi Arabia
Palestinians appeal for help as bloodshed continues in Gaza Strip The International Criminal Court said it is monitoring the violence between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian protesters, as it's being called on to take Israel to task. Palestine
At 70, Israel sits atop a volcano Israel’s army holds a definitive advantage over the rest of the region, but the 70-year-old country is confronted by multiple enemies and points of conflict. Palestine
IDF prepares response to Gaza Nakba Day protests The Israeli army estimates that Hamas plans to continue with the protests along the Gaza border long after their original deadline of Nakba Day, on May 15. Palestine
