'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
Golan residents renounce Israeli plan to hold local elections Israel is proposing to hold elections in the Golan Heights for the first time in its 50-year occupation, but since almost none of the locals are eligible to run for office, they want nothing to do with the idea. Palestine
Palestinians, Israelis disappointed over US envoy's talks The Palestinian leadership believes that much of the Trump administration’s efforts on the Israeli-Palestinian issue are focused on economic confidence-building measures, not advancing the two-state solution. Palestine
Fatah officials defy Abbas on Temple Mount crisis With Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ visiting China, senior Fatah leaders and activists moved to escalate the crisis on the Temple Mount. Palestine
For a two-state solution, Israel must say bye-bye to Bibi Only if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is indicted and steps down from his position will the two-state solution have a chance at becoming reality. Palestine
Jordan, Israel trade barbs as tension over Al-Aqsa continues While Jordan and Israel are keen to preserve the peace treaty and maintain top intelligence and security coordination, the issue of Al-Aqsa Mosque remains a potential deal breaker. Palestine
Palestinian town in Israel shaken by Jerusalem killings The three Palestinian citizens of Israel who were killed by Israeli police following their attack against Al-Aqsa Mosque that left two Israeli soldiers dead hail from a Muslim-majority town where relatives and the community are trying to preserve the relative calm. Palestine
Why Netanyahu loves playing foreign minister Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dedicates much time and effort to meetings with world leaders while sidelining the most important issue for Israel: the conflict with the Palestinians. Palestine
Hamas blocks Fatah officials from traveling to West Bank Hamas' security forces in Gaza have prevented Fatah figures from traveling to the West Bank in what observers say is the movement lashing out at President Mahmoud Abbas’ escalating measures against the Gaza Strip. Palestine
Intra-Palestinian rift keeps widening with no end in sight Amid reports that local and international mediators are shuttling between the Gaza Strip and Ramallah to end the dispute, it seems Fatah will not yield until Hamas meets all of its demands. Palestine
Bank project offers Palestinian women independence Hayati, a National Bank program, is making it possible for Palestinian women to start their own businesses, join the labor market and gain financial independence. Palestine
Palestinian women earn sweet money as pastry chefs Once considered taboo, women take over pastry-making in West Bank sweets factory. Palestine
Expansion plan for Palestinian town a power test for Liberman The battle over Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman’s plan to expand the Palestinian town of Qalqilya reflects division within the right-wing camp, ahead of the next elections. Palestine
