Israel election committee bars two Arab lists from upcoming vote: What to know Israel's Central Elections Committee barred the Arab-majority Raam party, the Arab joint list party and two Arab politicians from participating in the Oct. 27 elections. Israel
Analysis Why Netanyahu is distancing himself from Trump ahead of Israeli election No meeting has been announced between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly summit in New York. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
UAE's Gargash expects 'prolonged' war, calls for Iran-Gulf security talks "We need a new mindset that these sort of discussions ... can happen at an Iranian-American level, it should also take place at an Iranian-Arab level," Gargash told Al-Monitor. United Arab Emirates
Analysis After France's settlement ban, Israel sees no warming of ties with Macron government Israeli diplomats say France’s decision to ban imports from West Bank settlements has brought bilateral relations to an unprecedented low point. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Analysis How Netanyahu is leveraging Houthi threat in secret Saudi normalization push By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Does Israel have justification to enter West Bank's Area A? Palestinians and Israelis disagree over the legality of the Israeli army pursuing Palestinian fugitives into Area A of the West Bank. Palestine
Does Jordan hold key to Palestinian independence? Palestinian researchers and activists are advancing the proposal of a Jordanian-Palestinian confederation, even though the Palestinian leadership fears that such a structure could harm future Palestinian sovereignty. Palestine
Why Hamas needs a prisoner-swap deal with Israel Hamas seems to believe the only way to battle the frustration of Gaza residents over their desperate economic situation and corrupt leadership is to announce another prisoner exchange. Palestine
Do Israelis lack empathy for Palestinian suffering? While Israeli Jews have always demonstrated solidarity with Jews around the world, they reject demonstrations of solidarity by Israeli Palestinians toward their brothers under occupation. Israel
Controversial bill threatens Israel's Arab MKs with suspension The Knesset is getting closer to passing the proposed suspension bill, which some fear would allow Arab members to be suspended over loosely defined violations. Israel
Cairo tries to reassure citizens and Israel amid island controversy The announcement that Egypt would be ceding control of two disputed Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia has provoked outrage domestically and raised concerns in Israel. Saudi Arabia
Is Israel forming an alliance with Egypt and Saudi Arabia? Israel estimates that strengthening Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and maintaining a dialogue with Saudi Arabia are key elements for the region's stability. Saudi Arabia
Is Hamas open to direct negotiations with Israel? Hamas leaders say the movement is not against negotiating directly with Israel, but is wary given Israel's failure to abide by its previous agreements with the Palestinians. Palestine
How Netanyahu keeps sidelining the Knesset In an interview with Al-Monitor, Zionist Camp leader Merav Michaeli argues that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's consistent attempts to bypass the Knesset are a dangerous game. Israel
When is a terrorist a terrorist? The Israeli public and its leaders are trapped in their thinking about who is a terrorist, and that bodes ill for peace. Palestine
Is Israel seeing a shift on sexual violence? A parole board refused the request by former President Moshe Katsav for early release in part because he did not express regret for the sexual assaults for which he was convicted. Israel
Why Israel's millennials refuse to leave home Israeli parents accuse their 30- and 40-year-old children of being spoiled and uncommitted to work hard as they did, while children blame them for handing over a country in a dire economic and security situation. Israel