Putin pivots to Europe for next play on Syria

Russian president intensifies diplomatic push; Erdogan goes "big" to leverage the Khashoggi murder with the Trump administration; Oman emerges as Israeli-Palestinian broker.

Oman

Drivers close Gaza border crossing to protest new fees

The only commercial crossing into the Gaza Strip has been closed by truck drivers in protest of increased fees levied on crucial imports.

Palestine

Hamas, Palestinian factions back Iran against US sanctions

Hamas and other Palestinian groups have reaffirmed their solidarity with Iran since the United States reimposed more sanctions on Tehran.

Palestine

Israel’s 'Loyalty in Culture' law spreads to other ministries

The spirit of the "Loyalty in Culture" law starts seeping into other government ministries, defunding cultural programs that criticize the government’s occupation policy.

Palestine

Israeli celebration of ties with Gulf states premature

The visit of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Oman is Sultan Qaboos’ way of signaling to Israelis what peace could look like, should they end the occupation of the Palestinians.

United Arab Emirates

Midterms revamp Middle East policymaking in Congress

Tuesday’s elections will re-order the committees in charge of foreign policy.

Saudi Arabia

Israel's defense minister pushes death penalty for terrorists

Despite objections by Israel's security and defense establishments, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has given Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman a green light to push ahead with a bill allowing military courts to more easily sentence terrorists to death.

Palestine

Muslim family will not give up keys to iconic Jerusalem church despite pressure

The controversy over the key to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem’s Old City says more about the lack of political leadership in Jerusalem than about the current custodian's suitability for the role.

Palestine

The second assassination of Yitzhak Rabin

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his associates encouraged and benefited from the incitement that led to the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995, but are now portraying themselves as the real victims.

Palestine

East Jerusalem students clean up city

An EU-sponsored project called "My Green Jerusalem" has students from nine East Jerusalem schools cleaning up the city and recycling waste into artwork.

Palestine

Will Oman broker Israeli-Palestinian peace talks?

The Sultanate of Oman has been making the headlines by receiving Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, followed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, raising speculation about an Omani mediation to advance the peace process between Palestinians and Israelis.

Oman

IDF commander seeks help for traumatized soldiers

A veteran Israeli commander is helping raise awareness of post-traumatic stress disorder and raise money to allow some of his former soldiers to obtain treatment for the PTSD they suffer as a result of the 2014 war in Gaza.

Palestine