Analysis Europe’s West Bank trade ban fires warning shot at Israel’s economy Weeks before key Israeli elections, a dozen nations announced new trade restrictions targeting settlements in the West Bank, delivering a sharp rebuke to Israel's government that could presage additional international pressure. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Netanyahu threatens to sue Haaretz for reporting UAE warned Israel of Oct. 7 attack The Emirati president reportedly warned that a planned attack could cause bloodshed, destabilize the region and threaten the Abraham Accords. Israel
Majority of Palestinians lose trust in Hamas and Fatah, new poll finds A recent poll by a Palestinian survey center found that trust in Palestinian factions has declined, amid stalled efforts to implement the Gaza peace plan and escalating settler violence in the West Bank. Palestine
12 countries including France, UK, Canada end trade with West Bank settlements The decision comes against the backdrop of an escalation in settler violence and settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank. Israel
Analysis LORA missile test reveals limits of Germany’s Gaza criticism of Israel By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Analysis As Israeli settler attacks mount, Trump avoids public pressure on Netanyahu By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Analysis Why Palestinians see success of Trump talks as contingent on Israeli elections By Mohammed Najib
Egypt’s buffer zone expansion hurts Hamas’ arms supplies Egypt’s decision to expand its buffer zone along its border with the Gaza Strip is a sign that relations with Hamas are no closer to improving. Palestine
Hamas leaders prefer Turkish exile to Gaza hardships Following Qatar's ousting of Hamas' political bureau from the emirate, the group is in search of a new home. Qatar
Israelis wonder how Europe will change after Paris attack Many Israelis think that the terror attack in Paris could be a watershed moment, when the Europeans have to change their human rights approach in the face of fighting radical Islamic terrorism. Palestine
Palestinian officials give contradictory media statements Senior Palestinian official Jibril Rajoub contradicted his colleague Saeb Erekat’s statements earlier in the week that the Palestinian Authority could be dissolved, raising questions over the PA’s communication strategy. Palestine
Why US, EU should intervene in Israeli elections The United States and European Union should explain to Israeli voters what is at stake at the international level in the March elections. Palestine
Why Israel's PA tax freeze will backfire Israeli politicians cling to the assumption that punitive measures against the Palestinian Authority will create deterrence and prevent its leadership from diplomatic moves, not realizing that such an approach causes Israel strategic damage. Palestine
Islamic State rejected Gaza jihadists' offer of allegiance A prominent pro-Islamic State Salafist leader in Gaza says the militant group refused pledges of allegiance from jihadists in Gaza because of disagreements and divisiveness among them. Palestine
Senior Fatah official: 'PA will never be disbanded' In an interview with Al-Monitor, Senior Fatah official Jibril Rajoub dismissed calls by colleagues that the Palestinian Authority might be disbanded in response to Israel withholding Palestinian tax revenue. Palestine
PLO factions irked by Abbas’ unilateral decisions Although the decision to join the International Criminal Court has been welcomed by all in the PLO, several factions are irritated that President Mahmoud Abbas was not consulting the PLO on such major decisions. Palestine
Gaza Salafist leader: 'We are following Islamic State ideology' Only a small number of Salafists from Gaza have traveled to Syria and died fighting for the Islamic State. Palestine
As Iraqis cope with past injustices, so should Israelis Iraqis are looking courageously into their past, examining the attacks against the Jewish community in the 1950s that forced it to flee the country, and Israelis should do the same by acknowledging the Palestinians' suffering. Palestine
Netanyahu’s threats won’t sway Abbas The Israeli prime minister’s angry response to the Palestinian decision to sign the Rome Statute, including withholding Palestinian tax revenue, is unlikely to deter President Mahmoud Abbas from persisting with his plan for greater recognition of Palestine. Palestine
