What it's like to fight for Hamas

Abu Abdel Rahman, a fighter with Hamas’ Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, still dreams of fighting against Israeli forces in the last Gaza war.

Palestine

Social revolution and the new Negev pioneers

The third anniversary of the social justice movement was marked in Sheizaf with great satisfaction: A young, flourishing community has been established in the Negev Desert and several education and development plans are in store.

Israel

Will Gaza donors conference encourage multilateral talks?

The Gaza donors conference, the third of its kind, is different from the two previous meetings in that the host has called on Israel to embrace the Arab Peace Initiative and join a multilateral negotiation track.

Palestine

Israeli defense minister warns of 'bad Iranian deal'

Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon warns of Iranian aspirations for regional hegemony, claiming that the West did not present tough enough negotiation stances: ''Current discussions would result in an agreement that isn’t a good one.''

Israel

Former Israeli defense minister says conflict looms with Hamas

In an interview with Al-Monitor, former Defense Minister Moshe Arens contends that Israeli politicians depict a false picture of deteriorating Israeli-US ties, especially in regard to Congress, saying that ''relations are very stable."

Palestine

Can Israel, Palestine exist as parallel states on same land?

Contrary to what politicians on both sides are willing to admit, the Israeli and Palestinian people can live together side by side, and might accept an idea of having two parallel, “overlapping” states established on the same land.

Palestine

Netanyahu prefers right-wing electorate to new Middle East

While preparing early primaries for the Likud Party, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prefers strengthening his right-wing leader image to seizing a historic opportunity to promote a changed regional order in the Middle East.

Palestine

Can P5+1 formula work for Israel, Palestinians?

While Palestinian officials partially welcome the idea of a P5+1 framework for multilateral negotiations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's associates count on the Americans to nip this idea in the bud.

Palestine

Asylum seekers pawns in political power struggle

The Knesset and the government have a variety of ways to address the issue of African illegal immigrants short of jailing them without trial, but the right wing prefers to use them to attack the judiciary.

Israel

Former Labor politician faults the left for supporting Netanyahu

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Ophir Pines lamented that the left has not challenged Israel's right-wing government on the diplomatic and defense fronts, but said a historic opportunity lies ahead for regime change.

Israel

Is Abbas one vote from Security Council majority?

Faced with a diplomatic stalemate unprecedented since the Oslo Accord, the Palestinians have given up on negotiating with Israel, opting instead to go to the UN Security Council, where they appear on the verge of securing a majority.

Palestine

Sacred citrons mean big business for Israeli farmers

The mystical citron fruit, used by Jews during the Feast of the Tabernacles, continues to captivate the imaginations of those who cultivate it and of Jews around the world seeking "the most beautiful citron."

Israel