'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
Gaza war takes center stage in Israel's election campaign With former military chief of staff Benny Gantz soaring in pre-election polls, the conduct and results of Operation Protective Edge, the 2014 military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, is back on the public agenda. Palestine
Intel: How the latest freshman-establishment spat is laying bare Democrats’ Palestinian problem An escalating feud between freshman Palestinian-American Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Minn., and the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee is laying bare Democrats’ gaping divide over Israel. Palestine
Why is Fatah getting cozy with Hezbollah? A senior Fatah official recently met with Hezbollah officials in Beirut to discuss security and other developments in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon. Palestine
For Hamas, reconciliation with Egypt worth more than Qatari cash Qatar financial aid is very important for Hamas, but good relations with neighboring Egypt are essential to its survival. Qatar
Gantz, peace and the West Bank landscape Seeking regional peace, as presidential candidate Benny Gantz has pledged to do, will require revisiting not only the separation barrier but other Israeli alterations to the West Bank landscape in efforts to prime it for annexation. Palestine
Fatah will form government without Hamas Fatah's Central Committee will form a government composed of PLO factions without Hamas to replace the government of national consensus and prepare for the upcoming legislative elections. Palestine
Pressured by settlers, Netanyahu ejects Hebron observers With elections right around the corner, it has become much easier for the settlers to pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to do their bidding and let them rule downtown Hebron. Palestine
Top Democrat on foreign affairs shoots down pro-Palestinian trips House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., is unwilling to approve a proposed congressional delegation to the West Bank. Palestine
Abbas' Cabinet resigns; new government to form soon The Fatah Central Committee has recommended forming a Palestinian government made up entirely of PLO factions, while excluding Hamas and the Islamic Jihad — an action that could undermine already-weak reconciliation efforts. Palestine
Writing on the wall: Palestinian engravings tell tales of heritage, faith A history and geography teacher has devoted decades to painstakingly deciphering Palestine's rich heritage as depicted on the walls of its ancient buildings. Palestine
Netanyahu plays Iran threat at his convenience Guided by election campaign considerations, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a Russian-American deal for pulling Iranian forces out of Syria. Palestine
Hamas promotes relief work of Abbas' Fatah rival Hamas has allowed relief organizations affiliated with dismissed Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan to expand their activities and work in the Gaza Strip, in a bid to relieve social pressure from the movement. Palestine
