'Apartheid': Arab countries including UAE, Jordan decry new Israeli law A group of foreign ministers struck out at a new Israeli law requiring the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of terrorism in military courts. Palestine
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
Analysis Why Turkey’s exclusion from Gaza force may be a strategic blessing By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Four-legged victims of war find peace in Jordan Forty animals from Rafah Zoo in the Gaza Strip, considered the worst zoo in the world, will join at the end of the month other rescue animals at Jordan's wildlife center aptly called New Hope. Palestine
King Abdullah stands strong on Jerusalem The Jordanian monarch won wide support from Jordanians and Palestinians for cancelling an important trip to Romania after its prime minister promised to move the country's embassy to Jerusalem. Palestine
Israel should see Abbas as a partner for peace Israeli right-wing politicians actually hope for an outburst of violence in the West Bank, even if all politicians know that there is a path to peace with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Palestine
Gaza and Blue and White put Netanyahu on the defensive As Israel’s most experienced campaigner, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quick to realize that the days leading up to the election could be lethal to his image as Mr. Security. Palestine
Israeli guards crack down as Palestinian prisoners rebel Palestinians reject new measures taken against them in Israeli prisons, most notably the installation of electronic jamming devices suspected of causing cancer. Palestine
Escalation on Gaza border: Hamas dominated by military branch The rockets fired against Israel on Monday, just days after rockets were fired on Tel Aviv, prove that Hamas' claim of “a mistake” is false and that it indeed intended to launch the rockets. Palestine
New heights of irresponsibility over the Golan President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu do not care that recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights could destroy all chances for peace between Israel and the Arab world. Palestine
AIPAC waters down anti-BDS push on Capitol Hill amid Democratic row With Democrats controlling the House, AIPAC is diluting its congressional push for anti-boycott legislation. Palestine
Independent film festival builds home for Palestinian cinema in Haifa In Israel's Haifa, an independent film festival showcases Palestinian and Middle Eastern films in an effort to create a local artistic hub and reconnect the coastal city's Palestinian community to the rest of the Arab world. Palestine
Abbas making rounds to drum up financial support Steeped in debt, the Palestinian Authority is doggedly pursuing Arab support, among other options. Saudi Arabia
Why does Israel sabotage relations with Jordan? The Israeli government’s irresponsible behavior involving the Bab al-Rahma issue and other matters threatens ties with Jordan and squanders the possibility of working constructively with King Abdullah II. Palestine
