Exclusive Rights, faith groups urge Congress to block $2.8B bomb sale to Israel If the Trump administration moves forward with the transfer, dozens of groups are urging lawmakers to seek a joint resolution of disapproval. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
West Bank settlers attack Israeli activists as Netanyahu claims 'hoax' On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attention surrounding settler violence was a “tremendous hoax.” Israel
Israel-UAE flights disrupted as airlines plan rescue flights: What to know Israeli carriers are preparing repatriation flights from Dubai starting on Friday, subject to security approval. United Arab Emirates
Explainer FlyDubai incident recalls decades of Middle East airline hijackings: What to know In 1968, the PFLP hijacked an El Al flight from Rome to Tel Aviv, marking the first political hijacking of an aircraft tied to the Middle East. United Arab Emirates
Exclusive Inside Netanyahu’s relentless push for meeting with UAE’s MBZ By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Israeli sperm donor crisis Contrary to widespread medical procedures designed to help women get pregnant, the sperm donation procedure is controversial among Israeli heterosexual couples, be it for psychological or religious reasons. Israel
Bibi becomes victim of Israel’s radical right Twenty years after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led the campaign of incitement against the “Oslo criminals,” he has become a victim of the same messianic political movement that he nurtured. Palestine
China seeks to buy Israeli food company With no proper regulation or restrictions to safeguard Israeli national interests, China multiplies its efforts at taking over leading Israeli companies in the food, insurance and high-tech sectors. Israel
Merkel visits Israel as violence flares on Temple Mount The violent clashes on the Temple Mount and the attack on an arms convoy on its way to Lebanon, both while German Chancellor Angela Merkel was visiting Israel, are warning signs of the current situation's fragility. Palestine
AIPAC sets 'guidelines' for Iran nuclear deal AIPAC, the American Israel Political Action Committee, makes the case for congressional pressure on Iran. Palestine
After Acre blast, fears of vigilantism Following an alleged act of sabotage that led to the explosion of a residential building, killing five, the city of Acre is trying to keep one of Israel’s most important tourist destinations calm. Israel
Jewish/Palestinian history without borders Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas should return to the statement made in 2004 by Palestinian Chairman Yasser Arafat, recognizing Israel as the Jewish state, while Israelis should recognize Palestine as the homeland of Palestinians. Palestine
Hamas denies secret message to Netanyahu Hamas officials denied that Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh sent a secret message to his Israeli counterpart, but debate continues within the movement about a dialogue with Israel. Palestine
Lapid wins superficial victory over drafting ultra-Orthodox The ultra-Orthodox leaders cry out in public against the new law requiring their enlistment in the army, but behind the scenes, they're discretely satisfied. Israel
Ultra-Orthodox draft law defuses Israel's 'existential threat' The ultra-Orthodox draft law proposes a gradual enlistment process, which will not lead to an equal sharing of the burden, but will help the ultra-Orthodox overcome the obstacles between them and the modern world. Israel
Knesset bill threatens Israeli-Arab representation In an interview with Al-Monitor, right-wing Knesset member David Rotem defended the governability bill designed to strengthen the government and its prime minister, even if it put him on a collision course with the Arab Knesset members fearing the rise of an electoral threshold. Palestine
Gaza hackers prepare for next assault on Israel A group of Palestinian hackers in Gaza talk to Al-Monitor about their cyberwar against Israel. Palestine