Netanyahu government threatens Temple Mount

Members of Benjamin Netanyahu's government are using the Temple Mount for political purposes, advocating the return of the Jewish people to the holy site at the risk of damaging the fragile status quo.

Palestine

Islamic State intelligence network stifles resistance

Terrorist group reportedly uses Saddam-era intelligence officers and tactics; Syria’s Alawites seek accountability from government; Syrian army advances around Hama; Temple Mount as flash point; Egyptian campaign against terrorists in the Sinai Peninsula makes life harder for residents of the Gaza Strip.

Palestine

War and peace of Jerusalem

Jerusalem could become the world capital of peace, hosted by both Israel and Palestine, if the United Nations moved some of its agencies to the city, as suggested by a Palestinian policymaker.

Palestine

PA spokesman: 'Israel has an Islamic State-like government'

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Adnan al-Damiri, the Palestinian Authority security services' spokesman, reacts to the Israeli decision revoking his VIP border pass.

Palestine

Israeli MK: Israel must reaffirm sovereignty over Jerusalem

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Knesset member Orit Strock blames the government for not clarifying long ago its stance concerning control of the Temple Mount, saying that this indecisiveness permitted the attack on rightist activist Rabbi Yehuda Glick.

Palestine

Closures become norm for Rafah crossing

The closing of the Rafah crossing by Egypt following the terrorist attack in Sinai will worsen the humanitarian situation of Gaza residents, for whom the crossing is a lifeline to the outside world.

Palestine

Arab Knesset member threatens to leave parliament

In an interview, Arab Knesset member Basel Ghattas warns of a growing trend where Israeli politics is no longer a fair game, which might lead to his faction leaving parliament.

Palestine

Netanyahu's Jerusalem construction a stalling strategy

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is escalating the situation in East Jerusalem by announcing more construction plans that, even if not enacted, assure the stability of his right-wing coalition and head off talks with the Palestinians.

Israel

Palestinian elections on hold until further notice

The reconciliation government has yet to hold the presidential and parliamentary elections in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, as Hamas and Fatah accuse each other of stalling this democratic process.

Palestine

Israel, Poland remember but also rebuild

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin took part in the inauguration of a new museum in Warsaw dedicated to 1,000 years of Jewish history, which reflects Poland's desire not only to remember the Holocaust but also to rebuild relations with Israel.

Israel

Fatah’s Revolutionary Council grapples with growing issues

At its last meeting, Fatah’s Revolutionary Council discussed relations with Hamas, negotiations with Israel and internal disputes with Mohammed Dahlan’s movement.

Palestine

Meretz hopes to restore Israeli left to its glory days

The growth of the Meretz Party in the polls has become a draw for young people who want to return the left to its glory days: “We will not apologize for our agenda. We are standing up against the right,” says Uri Zaki, who is responsible for the party’s reorganization efforts.

Israel