'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
No chance for peace while settlers dream of holy war Messianic settlers are exploiting the deaths of those killed in violent attacks as excuses to build ever more settlements and claim all of the West Bank. Palestine
Israeli Arab lawmakers launch response to Jewish state bill Amid claims that the Nationality law would secure Israel's position as the state of the Jewish people at the expense of its democratic values, Israeli Arab lawmakers are advancing a democracy bill for equal rights. Palestine
Will removal of Egypt's spy chief leave Palestinians in a bind? Some Palestinians are concerned that the dismissal of the head of the Egyptian intelligence will affect Egypt's ability to mediate their ongoing reconciliation process. Palestine
Will EU propose new Mideast initiative? The European Union hopes that minor additions to the Iran nuclear deal might pave the way for greater dialogue with the Trump administration on Iran and the Israeli-Palestinian issue. Palestine
Is interior minister deceiving Israelis about deportation of migrants? Israeli Interior Minister Aryeh Deri claims that additional working permits will be issued for Palestinians to replace deported African migrants. Palestine
Palestinian council seeks to revive Jerusalem Secretariat Palestinians have expressed skepticism about the Palestinian Central Council’s ability to reactivate the Jerusalem Secretariat and have it work as a shadow municipal council in East Jerusalem. Palestine
Leaks on 'deal of the century' aimed at taking Palestinian pulse Observers viewed that while leaked details of the "deal of the century" are obviously designed to take the pulse of the Palestinians, the deal itself is a blow to the Palestinian cause. Palestine
Trump policies forge fragile truce among Palestinian factions Although the US decision on Jerusalem has brought views within the PLO closer, a recent dispute between Fatah and PFLP members threatens the uneasy rapprochement. Palestine
Israeli census on Jerusalem a political game ahead of elections Reports that Arabs could become 50% of population of Jerusalem in the coming decade have major implications as Jerusalem's municipal elections approach. Palestine
Will the Palestinian Authority dump the shekel? Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is taking steps toward complete disengagement from Israel, including examining replacing the Israeli shekel. Palestine
Gaza businesses forced to close The economic and humanitarian crises in the Gaza Strip have left stores with no option but to shut down. Palestine
Has Israel opened the Lebanese front in its battle with Hamas? An assassination attempt in Sidon against a Hamas military leader appears to have been a pre-emptive Israeli strike warning his movement against attacking it from Lebanon. Palestine