'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
Why Netanyahu is ignoring growing Israeli-Palestinian tensions Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would typically convene his Security Cabinet and security chiefs to avoid violence with the Palestinians, but this election season has altered business as usual. Palestine
Will Israel release Palestinian prisoners re-arrested in 2014? Thirty-one prisoners who were arrested in 2014, three years after their release in the Shalit prisoner-exchange deal, are now petitioning the Israeli High Court of Justice against their incarceration. Palestine
Is Netanyahu’s election campaign on the way to war? Benjamin Netanyahu claimed in 2008 that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had no moral authority to launch peace talks in Palestinians, so he should now implement the same rule on himself and avoid generating a war. Palestine
Yemenis divided over Mideast peace deal, Iran The controversy that ensued after a photo emerged of Yemen's foreign minister sitting next to the Israeli premier in Warsaw indicates that Arab states may be further divided by stances on Iran and a Palestinian-Israeli peace deal. Saudi Arabia
Palestinians, Jordanians challenge Israel at Al-Aqsa over banned prayer space Tensions are mounting between Jordan and Israel after the latter arrested members of the Islamic Waqf Council for entering a supposedly banned prayer room at Al-Aqsa Mosque. Palestine
Hamas prefers Netanyahu over other prime minister hopefuls There's no love lost between Hamas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but the movement's leaders apparently think he is the best they can hope for in the upcoming elections. Palestine
Refusing funds will cost Palestinians, perhaps Israel Several sectors will be affected by the Palestinian Authority’s decision to reject on principle a reduced transfer of tax funds from Israel. Palestine
Tensions ramp up on Temple Mount ahead of Trump’s peace plan With President Donald Trump set to unveil his much-hyped peace plan and Israel deducting Palestinian tax revenues, the disputed compound of Al-Aqsa or the Temple Mount is crackling with tension. Palestine
Are Palestinian police protecting settlers? Israeli media report that Palestinian plainclothes policemen were deployed to protect settlers from Palestinian citizens, which the Palestinian police denies. Palestine
Is Netanyahu coordinating with Trump over 'deal of the century’? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hopes that publication of the US Mideast peace deal just after the elections would attract public attention away from an imminent indictment against him. Palestine
Libyan court cracks down on Hamas activities Four Palestinians have been hit with significant jail sentences after a military court in Libya declared them guilty of being affiliated with and aiding Hamas. Palestine
Israel to withhold PA taxes, quietly ask donors to make up difference Israel intends to cut tax revenues owed to the Palestinian Authority but will need foreign intervention to save the Palestinian Authority from collapse. Qatar
