'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
As border protests persist, Abbas steps up pressure on Gaza Despite the ongoing protests on Gaza's borders, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas does not seem to be backing out on his demand for a full handover of the Gaza Strip to the Palestinian Authority. Palestine
Do recent border protests mark turning point for Hamas? By endorsing calls for peaceful protests along Gaza's border, Hamas is likely looking to capitalize on international sympathy with the Palestinian cause, but some question whether the movement can break its tradition of violence. Palestine
Saudi leadership offers Israel a chance Open declarations alongside discreet talks indicate that Saudi Arabia is ready to engage with Israel, in parallel with a two-state solution process. Saudi Arabia
Excavations start on Palestine’s oldest monastery St. Hilarion Monastery, named after the first monk in Palestine, gets international funding for a project that would enable its restoration in a two-year-long project. Palestine
Palestinian journalist’s killing spurs international condemnation The killing of Palestinian journalist Yasser Murtaja by Israeli soldiers has been widely condemned by Israeli and international press institutions and underscores Israel's refusal to recognize the legitimacy of Palestinian journalists as professionals. Palestine
Why viral IDF shooting video should surprise no one With senior Israeli officials encouraging the dehumanization of Palestinians, it's little wonder to see soldiers rejoicing over the shooting of an unarmed demonstrator. Palestine
Desperate Gazans protesting against Israel, but also Hamas While thousands of Gaza residents participated in the Hamas-backed Great Return March, many blame Hamas for their suffering. Palestine
Palestinian sisters dig into history of last all-Christian village Two sisters researched the history of Taybeh, where they grew up, and have published an encyclopedia on the only all-Christian village in Palestine. Palestine
The case for dissent in the IDF While some civil society groups and activists have urged Israeli soldiers to refuse orders to fire at unarmed civilians engaged in border protests, thus far soldiers aren't rebelling. Palestine
Gaza's immense potential If Hamas and Israel were to sign a long-term cease-fire, the Gaza Strip could make use of a natural gas field in the Mediterranean, a highly educated population and wonderful beaches to become a pleasant place to live. Palestine
Culture alert: Gaza conflict spills over to cinema festivals Iran’s Fajr International Film Festival has invited Palestinian director Rashid Masharawi as its guest of honor, while, farther west, Palestinian artists are boycotting the Istanbul Film Festival for refusing to drop an Israeli-government-backed sponsor, Art Israel. Palestine
Why have recent mass Palestinian protests been limited to Gaza? The recent mass protests along the Gaza-Israel border raise questions as to why similar events aren't happening in the West Bank. Palestine
