Israeli right’s anti-democratic laws penetrate everywhere

The accumulation of anti-democratic, anti-coexistence and nationalistic laws threatens the fabric of Israel’s society.

Palestine

Trump's Middle East peace initiative still on hold

According to diplomatic sources, a US peace initiative will not be launched before March 2018 while the details of the plan remain murky.

Palestine

Rabin’s forgotten plan for two-state solution

Between 1993 and 1995, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin had developed a vision for a permanent status agreement that is still espoused by many veterans of the Israeli security establishment.

Palestine

Israel to lift tight controls over Gaza reconstruction materials

Now that the Palestinian Authority has assumed control of the Gaza Strip crossings, the next step is to make it easier for builders to get reconstruction materials across the border and to suspend the current system, which Gaza contractors say is disastrous.

Palestine

Arab Knesset member ready for challenges of defense committee appointment

Arab Knesset member Issawi Frej is preparing for his appointment to the Israeli Knesset's prestigious Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, expecting criticism and skepticism from both Jews and Arabs alike.

Palestine

Gaza traders, consumers welcome end of double taxation

Palestinians in the Gaza Strip hope reconciliation will bring economic relief with the end of Hamas-imposed taxes and fees on top of those paid to the Palestinian Authority on imports.

Palestine

Syria conflict takes its toll on Golan Druze

While the Syrian war has taken quite a toll on Syrian Druze in the occupied Golan Heights, some of the Druze fear Israel could use them as a pretext for expanding cross-border military moves.

Palestine

Jordanians celebrate sweet success with kanafeh

Kanafeh, a Middle Eastern sweet that has its roots in Turkey, has found its way via Palestine to Jordan, where despite the influx of Syrian refugees and a struggling economy pastry shops are thriving.

Palestine

Hamas rejects return to Israeli involvement in border crossings

Hamas strongly opposes the Palestinian Authority's insistence on bringing back the 2005 Agreement on Movement and Access at the Rafah crossing, seeing it as tantamount to imposing Israeli and European guardianship on their crossings again.

Palestine

Israel holding Gaza militants' bodies as bargaining chips

Israel decided not to return the bodies of Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas members until some progress is made on returning the Israeli civilians and the bodies of IDF soldiers held by Hamas.

Palestine

'Gaza Tourist' journeys through heritage and lives

A young Palestinian hikes and bikes around Gaza to explore its cultural and historical heritage and landscape and share its beauty and traditions with others.

Palestine

Palestinian Authority showing Dahlan-era officers the door

Security-related issues could challenge the Palestinian reconciliation if Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas continues purging security force members who were appointed by rival Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan.

Palestine