'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
Will Israel accept UAE donations to East Jerusalem? Former Fatah member Mohammed Dahlan appears to have caught Israel by surprise with an announcement of a $70 million donation from the UAE for the Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem. United Arab Emirates
Talk of PLO restructuring emerges ahead of top Palestinian council meeting The PLO is set to ax staff and departments with duplicates in the Palestinian government, but this economic measure seems to carry a political message. Palestine
Egypt enraged at Netanyahu over Gaza Egypt blames Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for sparking the latest escalation on the Gaza border by sabotaging Palestinian reconciliation efforts. Palestine
Secrecy behind Palestinian cybercrimes law stirs suspicion Civil society organizations are wondering why the government will not show them the final changes to a draft cybercrimes law expected to be ratified within days. Palestine
Why Israel needs new regional alliances Facing US intention to withdraw from Syria, Israel must establish new regional alliances. Saudi Arabia
Meeting of top Palestinian decision-making body faces more boycotts The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the second largest faction of the PLO, will boycott the upcoming meeting of the Palestinian National Council to protest Fatah's refusal to hold the gathering in a neutral location where all factions can attend. Palestine
Israel’s campaign against Hamas drones The assassination of a Hamas-affiliated engineer in Malaysia turns the spotlight on the movement's drone program. Palestine
Natalie Portman touches a nerve in Israel with prize snub Academy Award-winning actor Natalie Portman has discovered that Israeli politicians are incapable of accepting legitimate criticism of the occupation. Palestine
How long can Saudi Arabia ignore Gaza protests? Saudi king clarifies approach to Jerusalem, but Arab League statement silent on the Gaza Strip; Will Macron and Merkel use North Korea as blueprint for US approach to JCPOA? Saudi Arabia
Israeli Arabs torn on country’s Independence Day Head of the Arab Joint List party Ayman Odeh explains that for Israeli Arabs, Independence Day is cause for mourning. Palestine
Israel, Palestinians return to conflicting narratives While Israel celebrates its 70th birthday, the Palestinians mark 70 years of despair. Palestine
Officials say long-isolated Hebron areas could see revival The Palestinian Civil Affairs Committee recently worked out a deal with Israel to open some shops in a Hebron area that's been closed off for almost two decades, but some Palestinians view the move as a mere publicity stunt that will do little to help revive the area, which used to be a bustling commercial center. Palestine
