Palestine - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Palestine cover image

Palestine

September 22, 2026

Ramallah 12:32 am

20°C

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and French President Emmanuel Macron arrive to hold a joint press conference in Jerusalem, Oct. 24, 2023.

Analysis

After France's settlement ban, Israel sees no warming of ties with Macron government

Israeli diplomats say France’s decision to ban imports from West Bank settlements has brought bilateral relations to an unprecedented low point.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Jewish settlement of Kedumim, in the West Bank

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.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Chaim Goldberg / AFP via Getty Images

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.

Palestinians hold up the green Hamas flag during a protest by supporters of both the Fatah and Hamas movements, as they rally in support of the Palestinian people following Friday noon prayers in Hebron, occupied West Bank, Nov. 3, 2023.

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.

Latest News

12 countries including France, UK, Canada end trade with West Bank settlements

West Bank settlements

Katz warns PA against 'Oct. 7-style' attack as West Bank violence rises

Israeli soldiers take positions during a military operation in the town of Qalqiya, in the occupied West Bank, Dec. 4, 2025.

Analysis

LORA missile test reveals limits of Germany’s Gaza criticism of Israel

A woman walks past a model of a Lora missile, Israel's long range artillery missile at the Israel defence stall at the international DefExpo 2008 defence fair, in New Delhi on February 16, 2008. India kicked off South Asia's largest defence fair, with hundreds of global weapons firms offering their latest hardware to the country's technology-hungry military. About 450 weapons companies from 30 countries are present at the four-day "DefExpo" in New Delhi, with several big-ticket announcements expected. AFP P

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

As Israeli settler attacks mount, Trump avoids public pressure on Netanyahu

Israeli soldiers arrive in the village of Qusra, south of Nablus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, which has faced escalating Israeli settler violence over the past month, on Aug. 29, 2026.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Beatrice Farhat

Associate Editor (Lebanon)

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Daoud Kuttab

Palestine Columnist

In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics

Rasha Abou Jalal

In Gaza City, reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Abeer Ayyoub

In Istanbul, reporting on Palestine

Naima Morelli

In Rome, reporting on Middle East culture

Fatima AbdulKarim

In Ramallah, reporting on the West Bank

An ultra-Orthodox youth walks past a construction site in the West Bank Jewish settlement of Modiin Illit October 17, 2013. Housing starts in Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank are up by 70 percent this year, the anti-settlement Peace Now group said on Thursday, despite reports Israel has been quietly delaying new construction. REUTERS/Baz Ratner (WEST BANK - Tags: BUSINESS CONSTRUCTION POLITICS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) - RTX14EUM

Creeping Settlements Undermine Peace Negotiations

Israel's expanding settlements have not halted during the negotiations brought about by US Secretary of State John Kerry.

A relative hangs a banner depicting Palestinian prisoner Moses Qar'an outside his house, in the West Bank city of Ramallah October 28, 2013. Israel is to release 26 Palestinian prisoners in the second stage of a deal brokered by the U.S. in July that brought about the resumption of peace talks. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman (WEST BANK - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS) - RTX14R4A

Israel's Release of Palestinian Prisoners: Deja Vu All Over Again

The release of Palestinian prisoners by Israel seems to be settling into a routine; two more releases are to take place after this one.

A Palestinian woman gestures during a protest demanding the release of all Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, in Gaza City October 28, 2013. Israel is to release 26 Palestinian prisoners in the second stage of a deal brokered by the U.S. in July that brought about the resumption of peace talks. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem (GAZA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT) - RTX14R47

Who’s Afraid of Palestine?

A series of studies claims that the establishment of a Palestinian state would benefit regional stability and boost economic growth in tourism, communications and agriculture.

A Palestinian girl looks at a picture of a jailed relative during a protest demanding the release of all Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, in Gaza City October 28, 2013. Israel is to release 26 Palestinian prisoners in the second stage of a deal brokered by the U.S. in July that brought about the resumption of peace talks. The words on top of the poster read, "We will not forget you". REUTERS/Suhaib Salem (GAZA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) - RTX14R3N

PA Minister Says Prisoner Release 'Only Way' Forward

Palestinian Authority Minister for Prisoners' Affairs Issa Karake believes that Israel's recently announced prisoner release will create trust between the negotiating parties.

Israel's President Shimon Peres (R) meets head of the Bayit Yehudi party Naftali Bennett at Peres' residence in Jerusalem January 31, 2013. Peres began talks with political parties on Wednesday over who should form a new government and appears certain to ask incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to assemble it. REUTERS/Sebastian Scheiner/Pool (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS) - RTR3D6TK

Bennett Spins Again On Palestinian Prisoner Release

HaBaYit HaYehudi Chairman Naftali Bennett has criticized the prisoner release, but is not going so far as to jeopardize his seat as Israel’s Economy and Trade minister.

Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal (C) visits the Islamic University in Gaza City December 9, 2012. Hamas's vow to vanquish Israel after claiming "victory" in last month's Gaza conflict vindicates Israel's reluctance to relinquish more land to the Palestinians, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday. Meshaal made a defiant speech before thousands of supporters in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, promising to take "inch-by-inch" all of modern-day Israel, which he said he would never recognise. REUTERS/Suha

Why Did Iran Postpone Meshaal Visit?

The "resistance" axis of Iran, Syria and Hezbollah are not in agreement over welcoming Hamas back into the fold.

Shuafat refugee camp is seen behind a section of the controversial Israeli barrier in the West Bank near Jerusalem July 27, 2013. Israeli and Palestinian officials put forward clashing formats for peace talks due to resume in Washington on Monday for the first time in nearly three years after intense U.S. mediation. It is unclear how the United States hopes to bridge the core issues in the dispute, including borders, the future of Jewish settlements on the West Bank, the fate of Palestinian refugees and the

Peace Demands Palestinians Recognize Israel as 'Jewish State'

Former Israeli Cabinet secretary Zvi Hauser responds to Nabeel Kassis: Only recognition of Israel as the home of the Jewish nation, alongside a Palestinian state, can lead to a historic compromise.

Gaza Olive Harvest Resumes Despite Israeli Border Threats

Palestinian volunteers have resumed the olive harvest on Gaza's border with Israel, despite the continued threat from Israeli border forces.

A boy stands near an Israeli flag in the West Bank Jewish settlement of Ofra, north of Ramallah July 18, 2013. Negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, which have ebbed and flowed for two decades, last broke down in late 2010, after a partial settlement halt meant to foster talks ended and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to extend it. Palestinians familiar with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' thinking speculated he might now forgo the demand for a settlement moratorium given

Why Palestinians Should Not Recognize Israel as Jewish State

A former Palestinian negotiator argues that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's insistence that Palestinians recognize Israel as a Jewish state is an attempt to discourage agreement.

Former Palestinian presidential election candidate Mustafa Barghouti holds a young girl during a rally in Hebron. Former Palestinian presidential election candidate Mustafa Barghouti (L), who is secretary general of al-Mubadara Palestinian National committee, holds a young girl during a rally in the West Bank City of Hebron January 14, 2005. REUTERS/Nayef Hashlamoun - RTRKJ5J

Mustafa Barghouti Garners Support Among West Bank Youth

Palestinian politician Mustafa Barghouti offers an alternative to the veteran Fatah and Hamas movements, preaching against corruption and for democracy and transparency.

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat (C) walks after praying at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City October 23, 2013. Barkat won re-election on Wednesday in a hotly contested race that dealt a political blow to his challenger's main backers, former Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and the ultra-Orthodox Shas party. REUTER/Baz Ratner (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS) - RTX14KZG

Palestinians Again BoycottEast Jerusalem Elections

Voter turnout among Palestinians varied drastically among regions for municipal elections in Israel on Oct. 22, amid a near-comprehensive boycott in east Jerusalem.

Palestinian children hoping to cross into Egypt, look out of a bus window at the Rafah crossing between Egypt and the southern Gaza Strip October 8, 2013. Egypt partially reopened its border crossing with the Gaza Strip for four days on Tuesday for the humanitarian needs of patients seeking treatment, and students studying outside of Gaza, a Palestinian official said. REUTERS/Ahmed Zakot (GAZA - Tags: POLITICS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY SOCIETY IMMIGRATION) - RTX143OA

Solidarity Visits to Gaza Dwindle

International solidarity delegations to Gaza have struggled to enter the territory since Egypt's tightening of its blockade, cutting off a vital source of essential medical assistance.