Settler violence spike exposes Israeli government rift with military Knesset member Ram Ben-Barak of centrist Yesh Atid told Al-Monitor that the government must permit the use of administrative detention for extremist settlers to curb the violence. Israel
Wartime closures at Jerusalem holy sites raise fears of lasting shift among Palestinians Palestinians say sweeping restrictions during Ramadan and ahead of Eid reflect security concerns, but there is concern they could ultimately reshape access to worship in the Old City. Palestine
Analysis Hamas sits out Iran war as Gaza, Gulf interests take priority Hamas has so far stayed out of the escalating Iran war, despite its longstanding alliance with Tehran, reflecting a cautious strategic calculation. By Abeer Ayyoub In Istanbul, reporting on Palestine
Spain recalls Israel ambassador, calls Iran war 'flagrant illegality': What to know Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called the US-Israel war in Iran a "flagrant illegality.” Israel
Analysis Why Turkey’s exclusion from Gaza force may be a strategic blessing By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Palestinian leaders' confused messaging over next steps with Israel Some say President Mahmoud Abbas' announcement that the Palestinian Authority is ending agreements with Israel is nothing but a leap in the dark, while PA officials stress that the decision represents the beginning of a new phase. Palestine
First commercial flight between UAE and Israel lands in Tel Aviv The Etihad Airways cargo plane brought COVID-19 aid to Palestinians via Ben Gurion airport. United Arab Emirates
Intel: Biden warns against West Bank annexation as Israel lobbies Trump for green light Former Vice President Joe Biden told campaign donors today that any Israeli annexation of the West Bank would “choke off any hope for peace,” according to a transcript of the presumptive Democratic nominee’s remarks seen by Al-Monitor. Palestine
Division, mixed international support sap Palestinian resources in face of annexation As Israel's possible annexation approaches, Palestinians are struggling to unite behind a realistic plan. Palestine
Israeli man found guilty of murder in 2015 arson attack on Palestinian family Amiram Ben-Uliel's actions sparked outrage among both Palestinians and Israelis, but his lawyers questioned the conditions under which he confessed to the crime. Palestine
Israel’s new foreign minister endorses Trump’s plan, mindful on annexation Israel’s new Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi calls to advance the Trump administration plan, but is careful not to call advancing annexation moves. Palestine
Israel counting on European friends to thwart EU sanctions Israeli diplomats are engaging with European Union members considered more friendly to Israel in order to thwart attempts to punish Israel over annexation plans. Palestine
Jordan's King Abdullah warns of 'massive conflict' if Israel annexes West Bank The king stopped short of saying he would cancel Jordan's peace treaty with Israel in an interview with German media. Palestine
Few Palestinians in Jerusalem covet Israeli citizenship Today, only 15% of Palestinian residents of Jerusalem say they want Israeli rather than Palestinian citizenship, likely a result of support from Turkey, the Palestinian Authority and Hamas. Palestine
Palestinian car-ramming suspect shot dead as tensions over West Bank rise The Israeli army says the Palestinian teenager deliberately hit a soldier with his car in a settlement near Hebron. Palestine
Intel: 331 lawmakers take International Criminal Court to task over Israel investigation Hundreds of US lawmakers have signed onto two letters to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urging him to continue his “vigorous support of Israel as it faces the growing possibility of investigations and prosecutions by the International Criminal Court” over potential war crimes in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Palestine
Israel’s top court cancels bonus plan for artists performing in settlements The High Court rules in favor of a petition that sought to end a policy of giving government bonuses to artists who performed in West bank settlements. Palestine
