When going gets tough, Israel's professional ministers get out

Much like other ministers with no background in politics, Environmental Protection Minister Avi Gabbay preferred to cut his losses and resign rather than fight when faced with a political battle.

Israel

Has Netanyahu's political credit expired?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lost political and personal credibility by appointing Avigdor Liberman as defense minister and with the state comptroller exposing his past financial dealings.

Israel

Why this Israeli rights organization will stop submitting complaints to army

Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem has decided it will no longer submit complaints to the Israeli army regarding human rights violations by its soldiers.

Palestine

Will Palestinian-Jordanian confederation see the light?

In light of the stalled peace negotiations between Palestine and Israel, Palestinians are seriously considering the Palestinian-Jordanian confederation option as the only way out of their impasse.

Palestine

Can a Cairo conference launch regional peace talks?

While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi are discussing a Cairo regional conference, experts are presenting a security plan, based on the one elaborated by Gen. John Allen.

Palestine

Hamas leader: We made Gaza security oasis

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Ziad al-Zaza, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, addressed several internal and foreign issues, including Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, Israel and Palestinian legislative elections.

Palestine

'Utter failure' prompts political retirement of Palestinian official

In an interview with Al-Monitor, member of the PFLP Central Committee Zulfikar Suergo says that the Palestinian leadership has failed to put an end to the people's dire situation.

Palestine

Why some Israelis give low marks to education minister's math plan

Not all Israeli students and educators are impressed with Education Minister Naftali Bennett's plan to increase the number of students taking advanced mathematics exams.

Israel

How Israeli soldiers became 'children of the nation'

More Israelis are determined to protect IDF soldiers' lives at any cost, an attitude that has had major repercussions for Israeli military operations despite the better judgment of its commanders.

Israel

Will Israel move from occupation to annexation?

Palestinian officials fear that the appointment of hawkish Yisrael Beitenu head Avigdor Liberman as defense minister signals an Israeli policy leap from occupation of Palestinian territories toward annexation policies.

Palestine

Why Hamas and Israel both oppose French peace initiative

Few seem hopeful that France's upcoming peace talks will actually result in peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

Palestine

Ultra-Orthodox slaughterhouse faces ax

Ultra-Orthodox butcher Yoel Kraus claims that because he has no ID card and avoids contact with the Israeli authorities as an anti-Zionist, the police are trying to close down the ancient traditional slaughterhouse he operates and imprison him for tax evasion.

Israel