'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
Setting low bar for Trump-Erdogan meeting With US-Turkey relations in crisis, the meeting of the US and Turkish presidents will be about appearances over substance; Saudis will press Trump on Iran; storm clouds over Sinjar; Hamas clamps down on journalists. Saudi Arabia
Anxiety high among Israeli right as Trump visit nears The Israeli right is apprehensive about President Donald Trump's upcoming visit as he continues to proclaim his determination to make a deal ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestine
Palestinians lament FIFA's delayed decision on settlement teams FIFA’s failure to make a decision about its own members' not honoring its statutes reflects the tremendous political pressure that is constantly exerted by Israel on various world bodies. Palestine
Hamas cracks down on Gaza journalists The security services in Gaza arrested 17 journalists last month in a crackdown against what it called “propagandists” who are alleged to be publishing false news and rumors. Palestine
Gazans hope high-rise reconstruction can boost economy The Ministry of Public Works and Housing signed a series of contracts related to the Italian grant for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, including the reconstruction of the Italian complex that will house, once again, businesses and NGOs. Palestine
Will Trump launch Mideast shuttle diplomacy? Palestinian leadership hopes that US President Donald Trump’s upcoming regional visit will advance the launching of a peace process based on the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative. Palestine
Journalists in Gaza face intensifying crackdown Several journalists from the Gaza Strip have recently been kidnapped by the Hamas-run security services, beaten and tortured, to finally be released after being instructed not to criticize the movement. Palestine
Power cuts, cheap imports fray Gaza's handmade carpet industry Handwoven carpets and rugs are an ancient Palestinian tradition, but few craftsmen are still making them in Gaza, where cheaper goods are flooding the market and the power outages narrow their windows to work. Palestine
Netanyahu’s vision of one-state-one-people solution Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is promoting neither the two-state solution nor one state for the two people, but one state on Israeli and West Bank territories, only for the Jews. Palestine
Israeli doctors reject force-feeding prisoners on hunger strike With Palestinian prisoners on a hunger strike for the fourth week now, it is highly likely that some prisoners will suffer permanent health damage and possible death. Palestine
Will Hamas’ new policy document allow it to enter international scene? Hamas hopes to revive old alliances and fix relations with regional and international actors with its new more pragmatic policy document. Palestine
Hamas’ new policy document brings the group closer to Egypt In the new policy document, the Hamas movement announced its dissociation from the Muslim Brotherhood, which may improve ties with the Egyptian state that have been rocky after the ouster of President Mohammed Morsi. Palestine
